Questions about "Protein Train" and "Back to Basics"
I'm new to this board, although I'm 2-1/2 years out from WLS. I have been reading posts for about a week now and keep seeing references to "Protein Train" and "Back to Basics". I am quite interested in knowing what these are. I hit my goal weight of 125 at my 1 year anniversary, and had no trouble maintaining that weight until just past my 2 year anniversary. Unfortunately during year 2 I let some carb snacking slip into my routine, and I'm sure that is what is responsible for my 15 pound regain since about June of this year. Once that snacking started, I have been powerless to stop it. I actually made it yesterday til about 5:30, then had to have a carb snack. I can't believe how much like a drug it is, how it calls my name, and won't stop until I eat something.
So I'm here asking for your help. How do I get back on track? I do well in my meal planning and eating mostly protein, with some veggies at meals, but it's the snacking that is doing me in. I would appreciate some suggestions for breaking this cycle I'm in.
I'm enjoying reading your posts and look forward to participating in this messageboard in the future.
Thanks,
Betsy C.
The meal plan that DeeDee posted really works. A lot of surgeons of patients that I deal with put them on the liquid diet for a week to jump start weightloss.
One thing to remember, weightgain comes from calories in vs calories out. I have always eaten carbs and I still loose weight. Your body does not care where calories come from. It is the perfect counter of calories. You have to burn off the excess. Eat 500 calories per week LESS and you lose a pound.
If you maintain 800-1000 calories per day and make 75% of those calories protein, and you exercise daily, you will maintain weight. I walk every morning 4 miles and then I do another form of exercise in the evenings (kickboxing, water aerobics, etc).
Give the protein meal plan a try for 30 days - adding only veggies at week two and adding fresh fruit at week 3 and let us know how you do. Be sure to take your vitamins and supplements.
VAL
Val - Thanks for your response. You are right: it is calories in vs calories out. I was doing fine with that for the first 2 years out. I ate pretty much what I wanted until about June, when my appetite increased and my carb cravings returned. I was warned this would happen, but I thought it wouldn't happen to me. I walk on a treadmill 5 days a week for 40 minutes and go to Curves a couple of nights a week. But now I can't seem to control the carb snacking. In year one I was able to lose no matter what I did because I had practically no appetite. In year 2 I still didn't have much appetite and when I hit my 2 year anniversary I was on top of the world because I had maintained my weightloss without any difficulty - even with some carb snacking. I was blind-sided when my appetite increased, and along with it the old carb cravings. I was even still weighing myself, watching the weight gain, but seemingly powerless to stop it. I must stop it now! Somehow I have to stop the cravings, so I'm hoping people can tell me what they did to stop the cravings. It sounds like this protein plan might be the answer. But does that mean I won't ever be able to snack on carbs? I'm not sure I can do that for a lifetime. It's a really scary thought, that I might not be able to lose back to my goal weight, and maintain it!
Betsy C.
Carbs are not your problem. You are eating more calories than you are burning.
You must increase the intensity and also change your exercise routine. Our bodies adjust to eating 800-1000 calories and it also adjusts to the exercise we put it through. If you do the same thing every day, your body adjusts to that and settles on in. Every three to four days do something totally different in addition to walking.
I exercise a total of 90 minutes per day. I walk in the mornings to Walmart and back, which is a little over 4 miles and then I do something different in the evenings. Going to the gym a couple of days a week, exercise tapes (Billy Blanks Boot Camp is awesome), Zumba, Afro-Brazilian Dance Class at the Gym, Dancing, Kickboxing Class, Water Aerobics, Boxing bag.... You have to change up your exercise. 30 minutes daily plus your walking will help.
Also drink more fluids. It increases your metabolism.
Are you taking Biotin? I take 10,000 mcgs per day. It is a metabolic co-enzyme that aids in the digestion of carbs, fats, and protein.
Log everything you eat into fitday.com as well as your exercise. Try to burn 1/2 of the calories you consume per day. You will notice a big difference.
Now for the carb cravings, your body will have this reaction when you exercise. I forget the name of the thing our bodies produce when we exercise (starts with an L) ...
To cut carb cravings, try the plateau busting diet for a month. Cut out all refined carbs (sugar, flour, all the white stuff)... That should help you cut those down. When craving sweets, eat fresh fruit, like pineapple, or a melon.
VAL
Dee-I never noticed before the sugar free sodas listed. That would be a major no no by many surgeons plans.
Hope you are doing well.
Do you notice a theme going with many of the people who post about regain? 2 years!!!! There is definitely something about 2 years. Also something about the eating what you want thing eventually backfiring for many people.
Have a great day!
Lynda
Lynda - I never realized it either until I started reading the posts on this messageboard. It's amazing how you feel invincible once you get to goal weight, especially if it was relatively easy to get there, and stayed there for a while. One of the problems is that this is one of the only places where post-ops this far out congregate. Very rarely have I met anyone who is farther out than me, even at support group meetings. So I can't tell you how valuable this site is for me. Thanks for being there and responding to my questions.
Betsy C.
Hi Betsy--I noticed that you had surgery around the same time as me. I had noticed reading on the main board that 2 years tended to be a problem and sure enough shortly after I hit two years I started struggling. I have always tried to focus on eating primarily protein. The best way to use my pouch is to fill it with solid protein. Getting back to those basics have helped me.
It is helpful to be able to learn from everybody around us. It may be different triggers for different people--for me it is chips--Satan, but we all share with the struggle. There are some people who never think of food and have to force themselves to eat--to me they are the rare ones (and lucky). The one thing I love about this board is that people accept eachother and our differences. We often agree to disagree. LOL
Most Active
Recent Topics
