I Need HELP!

Well I am going on 4 months post op RNY and feel very discouraged. I have only lost 54LBS so far and I don't know what I am doing wrong. My Dr. said at my last appointment that I am relying on Protien shakes too much and I need to switch up my exercise routine. It is really hard to eat when I'm not hungry but I am trying. I use the treadmill 4-5 days a week and normally go at least 2 miles each time and then I weight train 2-3 days a week. It is hard to stick to any routine because I work swing shift full-time and go to school full-time plus I have my husband and step daughter at home. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. I need to get the weight loss back on track!

 First off, 54lbs in 4 months in amazing.  Think about it...when is the last time you lost 54lbs and how long did it take??  Don't downplay your weight loss, it will only make you feel worse.  

From what you write about your exercise, you sound like you are doing good.  Maybe try to up the intensity on the treadmill by doing some interval work.  Start off walking (2.5) then speed up for a minute (4.0) then go three minutes walking again and repeat until you hit your 2 miles or half hour - 45 minutes. Do you jog?  Give it a try it you don't.   I don't think it a routine matters so much per say, it's just consistency and what you average in a week.  If you have a weird week and can't do much, it's ok..it happens to all of us.  Try to get an extra day in the next week.   Maybe buy a fitness mag like Women's Health or Shape and try some of the workout in there.  They usually don't take too long and would be a good switch for some conditioning work.  

As far as what you are eating, if you dr. says to try some new food then take his advice. Maybe you need more calories than what you are getting with the shakes.  Don't be afraid to eat.  

There are so many factors in how much weight we lose and how fast it will come off.  No two people are the same so you can't compare your weight loss to anyone else.  Please don't feel discouraged, you are doing great and have come a long way already.  Just do what your surgeon says and everything will be as it should.  

Good luck!

~Emily~

 First, don't compare yourself to anyone else as far as weight loss goes. It just doesn't work that way. Don't be discouraged - 54 lbs is great. and "it is really hard to eat when I'm not hungry...." <- when's the last time you've had that problem? I'd consider that a fairly positive thing.

As far as the protein shakes go, they're great, they just don't supply all the macronutrients you need. I wouldn't go changing things too much, as protein is the most important overall. Instead, I would just ease up on the shakes and add a couple of fruits and vegetables into the mix to balance it all out.

Get on a food schedule and stick to it - at this point you cannot rely on hunger to dictate when you eat. For many people hunger will return... you can help by being prepared and being on a set food schedule... this will keep hunger at bay :-)
54lbs in four months is good... I agree with the doc about not relying on protein shakes so much. My surgeon liked his patients off protein shakes at 6 months... you should work on getting the majority of your protein thru food. I would make that a current goal and you will see the weight loss follow behind it.
It takes your body approx 6 weeks to get use to a routine... you should switch up your exercise routine... treadmill is fine but up the speed/incline. Perhaps check out couch to 5k program and am up what you are doing on the treadmill. With the weight training switch up your routine as well... womens health magazine or msn fitness has a lot of good workouts. On msn I recommend the fastest body makeover ever... its a 6 week routine and you will see results. Just like you get bored so does your body so try something new!