LONG-Diet Review/Losing 10 pounds

Hello All! I had a bad weekend, where I discovered that the last piece of my WLS puzzle, getting plastic surgery, fell apart. The last $$$$ I needed in order to get my plastics - which I consider to be the 'end of my journey' so to speak - will not be a reality this year. To say I am depressed by this is an understatment. To say I flipped out and had a complete melt down this weekend is also an understatement. Anyway, since it appears I have another year to wait, I figured why not put that time to good use and try to drop 10 pounds. Yeah right, go ahead and laugh. Like maintaining isn't hard enough! Why not torture myself and try to lose?? Well, I am depressed as can be and have a year to kill, so I figure at least this will give me something to focus on, a new goal. Since you don't know me, here is my story - the short version. Obese my entire life, tried every diet and failed, not had an easy time with WLS, lost very slowly, still feel like crap, constant hunger. Sound familiar???? I do religiously take my vitamins and chart my food intake - one of the few good things about OCD - consistency. I follow the Atkins, low carb, high protein diet, I have also become lactose intolerant since surgery and can no longer digest pretty much anything dark and leafy. Obviously these numbers reflect the 'maintenance stage'. Since I despise exercise - but still force myself to do the elliptical every day - I know realistically that I won't increase my exercise and stick with it. (Just being honest here.) Which leaves my diet. Since I track everything on Fitday, I have a very good idea of my breakdowns: Average Calories Total: 1260 Fat: 60 543 48% Carbs: 33 112 10% Protein: 117 469 42% Typical Day: (with a mix of water and coffee and tea throughout the day) Breakfast = 1/2 cup Phomeal (flax seed cereal w/a few berries) Snack = Protein bar Lunch = 6oz Protein (I am a huge carnivore, usually Tuna or Chicken) Snack = 2-3 pieces of Low Carb Candy (they may suck, but they keep me from killing people by the end of the day) Dinner = 5oz protein (more meat) with about 2-3 oz of low carb veggies Snack = Instone protein pudding or SF jello Here is my problem - the maintence diet I have been following is litterally the bear minimum I think I can live on and not lose my mind, so how do I decrease my calories/fat/carbs with out dropping the protein and not become even more hungry? Does anyone have any good ideas for how to adjust my diet and not be driven insane with hunger? Any advice? Sorry to be so long winded, but I do appreciate your listening and your comments. Thank you! Lisa

I read over your profile. You are a size 2/4 with the excess skin still there, and you want to lose 10 more pounds. you bought a new scale that measures weight, fat and hydration -"2 more ways to hate myself" you call yourself a fat pig. You are eating so little "the bare minimum to not lose your mind" that you are hungery all the time. and you want to cut back more. Honey, I am worried about you. You need to see a dietician about the balance in your diet. the very low carb is not supposed to be for life, even on Atkins. Have you talked to your dr about what a HEALTHY weight will be for you? a size 2/4 is very small. what is your BMI? Please talk to your Dr. about what is going on in your mind. You need to be assessed to see if what you are feeling is normal. You might want to consider if you have exchanged one eating disorder for another. Talk to someone who loves you about what you are feeling and seek support. I know this is not the answer to the question you asked, but I am sincerely worried about you. Please talk to someone who can really help you with the emotions you are going thru on the long term. I recommend the book, "how much does your soul weigh? by Dorie Mccubbery, available through Amazon.com

Listen to Willow... I think she's right.... maybe take that year to work on your head..... Your body sounds perfect....... good luck to you..... I can almost relate except that I am a 14....... still looking for that elusive goal of self satisfaction...... I hear that the key is in our heads and hearts.... not our waistlines... easier said than done... for sure... Good luck! Laurie - minus 176 lbs!!

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I do take yours and Willows concern to heart. Lisa

Ya know Willow we can always count on you to reply thoughtfully, with honesty and caring. Nice to have you around. Hope you are doing well in your recovery.

I am feeling a lot better. I needed the down time that surgery forced me into, I am healing well and pobably back to work next week.

Hi Willow! Thank you for your reply. I actually did purchase "How Much Does Your Soul Weigh" based on your reviews of the book on some earlier posts. I am very much looking forward to reading it, after I finish my current book. I do appreciate your support and concern. I am in a normal healthy weight range for my size. And even losing another ten pounds, I would still be there. My BMI is in a normal range, and would still be 10 pounds lighter, too. I know I have issues with my self esteem and with my view of my body. But I am trying to work through them. As I am sure you know, after a lifetime of obesity - and all the heartache that it brings - finally looking normal, doing normal things, takes some getting used to. I know that I am not that huge person anymore, but sometimes I let those old feelings get the better of me. Sometimes I do beat myself up about things. I am getting better about it. I am trying. Thank you again, Lisa

Hey there. I just read your profile and I too am concerned. I sense some humor in your posts but there also seems to be honesty behind the humor too. You also posted "Which puts me 10 pounds below the lowest goal weight my surgeon gave me." The fact that you have not posted your real weight makes me wonder why - you can't weigh much wearing size 2 and 4's (and yes I envy anyone smaller then the size 14's I am wearing lol) but with you admitting you are 10 lbs smaller then what your doctor set for you (and this is STILL considering you have not had plastics) - why are you trying to lose more? Keep in mind I am only a nursing student an as such I am no professional. But as a friend I suggest you speak to a professional about your weight loss goals and your own feelings about yourself and what you are trying to achieve. I too look forward to the day I can afford plastic surgery - heck see my profile - I posted nekkid picts of myself as a reality check hahah. Either way, please speak to a dietician at the very least about your food intake and what is considered healthy. Kia

Kia, Sorry to hijack, just I just read your profile and man do you look great! Plus, your kitty fluffy (the long hair black and white cat) looks like my kitty but about 20 pounds lighter... so that what he would look like thinner!! Michelle

Hello Kia, Thank you for your thoughts. I do have a hang up about posting, heck even saying, my weight. And I know it is crazy. LOL! I never even dared to dream I would ever weigh what I weigh now, but actually telling someone - even my husband - fills me with dread. Even though I know it is not a bad number, I tense up. I think it is from a lifetime of trying to avoid the question, now even though the answer is good, I still get scared. Somehow I still think I must weigh so much more than everyone else, if they hear it they will be horrified. It is an issue, and I am working on it. Dealing with the head issues is so much harder than I thought it would be. Thanks again, Lisa