Am I eating too much?

Hi Jaci - I'm thinking of buying protein shakes or protein bars and giving them a try. I looked at some of the protein bars the other day at the store and they've got way too many carbs though. Is there one that isn't as high in sugar and carbs? But still tastes good enough to make it worth it?

How many calories are you getting in a day? It doesn't seem like a whole lot. How many grams of protein? I feel bad when I read or hear folks not doing protein shakes. I just don't believe that we're able to get enough through food alone, but that is JMO. In my experience (just tossing this out there)...if I increase the protein and cals for a day or two, it usually breaks a stall and I see the scale move again. You are NOT going to fail! You've lost 2 sizes! That's outstanding! Chele

Chele, yeah I had that experience (see above) when I was working on the pre-op weight loss. I'm going to try adding a couple of snacks during the day and see if upping the calories gets the scale moving the other way again. It's been sitting there looking back at me saying 225 for 2 weeks now. Thanks!!

Great answers so far! I thought I would add in my own opinion/experience as well, just for you to consider. Wait, first of all, YOU ARE NOT FAILING! I had to get over that myself, I thought for sure this just wasnt going to work, and of course, it is working just fine (but for an entire month, I did not lose one damned pound, and really I can relate to your feelings). Ok, back to your food intake: It maybe a protein issue. I am with Cara on this one (we have the same surgeons office, probably why) but, I dont think you are eating too few calories, I actually think the fewer the better. BUT you NEED to be getting in 70g of protein or more a day. Which, from the looks of it you are not. Here are some ideas of low fat/low cal/high protein foods that you may tolerate (with protein estimates): Turkey Jerky (15g protein per 1 oz) Carb Countown Milk (1g protein per fl. oz) Carb/Sugar Control Yogurt (5g protein per 4 oz) Grilled chicken breast (20g per 3 oz) Ground lean turkey (25g per 4 oz) Low Fat Cottage Cheese (14g per 1/2 cup) Low Fat Cheese in general (about 8g per oz) Power Crunch Bar (14g per bar) Also, try to up your water intake. And try to excersie too. But, again, I say, you are not failing... 2 sizes is amazing! You could be losing inches more then pounds, it happens sometimes at first, depending on your body type. Good luck and take care, -Mary

Mary - thanks for the list. I am going to take your list with me to the grocery store... As I noted above, I looked at some of the protein bars the other day and the carb content was really high - I'll look for the one you mention. Maybe it's lower... Thanks so much all!!

Gwen, we had surgery on the same date. I am due for my next checkup on the 10th. At my last appointment Ihad only lost 6# since my previous appointment making my total loss at 6 wks 22#.I had been journaling my food intake and showed it to the surgeon and she said I was doing good and not to change a thing. she says a protein shake is ok but doesnt push them. she said if I lose 5# a MONTH she would consider my surgery a success. It does look like I might be eating a bit more than you, like one more meal with protein. some of us are just slower losers than others and if you know you are following the guidelines you surgeon gave you than you will be ok. Isnt it nice losing sizes...I have had a blast getting rid of clothes I cant wear anymore!!! out the door with them because I will never have to wear them again! kim

Kim - I wish I had your doctor. Mine is really a good doctor without any bedside manner. He doesn't hesitate to say "not good enough". I've got a class next week with other post-ops who had surgery about the same time - I hope others are struggling too so I don't get picked out of the class and told I'm the only one not doing well. It's weird - I feel better than I have in a long time, I'm wearing smaller clothes and most of the time I feel okay. It's just when I think of going in to the doctor's office and getting on his scale that I start second-guessing. Thanks for the input.

Gwen, So many things about your post really get to me. Mostly about the way you are being treated by your own doctor. I know you say he is a good doctor, but being a good doctor has to go beyond the medical knowledge. I wish he were more supportive of your journey, however it may look or however long it may take. All of us have had people treat us differently for our weight at least once in our lives, and I feel from what you said that he is not giving you the respect you deserve. Granted, my doctor has been happy with my loss so far; or at least that is what I think because that is the impression she gives me. She still tells me that I need to get more fluids in, no excuses; and that I need to be more accurate about taking my supplements EVERY day -- again, she won't allow excuses. But, she still listens to me and treats me as an individual and not as one of a large group who should perform as all the others do. To me, you are tremendously successful, dropping weight is a huge accomplishment and you have also dropped sizes! My jeans are only one size smaller 9 weeks later. In fact, I have also heard that as your body adjusts it will taper off to losing approx. 2 pounds a week (which is what is recommended for all people). And even as I write this I wonder if your loss will in the long run be MORE successful because of the slow loss rather than those of us who drop weight like a hot potato. We all have the possibility of regaining, hope none of us do, but it is out there -- staring at us -- waiting for us to get too carefree. But since your body seems to be soing this journey on a more controlled level, maybe your loss won't seem so jarring to your system. With all that said, I do wish that you would not eat hamburgers so often (unless it is ground sirloin). They can be quite high in fat and not so heart-healthy. The suggestion of Boca brand veggie burgers is a good one as they taste a lot like real meat (Kinda scary how similar they can be in taste). Also, try to increase your exercise. You may want to join the local Y or other place where women can congregate for exercise classes and water aerobics. At my Y they offer water aerobics, all levels of yoga and pilates, cycling, a 12 week personally geared program where they monitor you but yet you are free to work at your own pace (this is free as well as the other classes with your membership), PLUS, I just found out that they offer one-on-one personal training for less than $800 for 20 sessions! (You can pay less and get a smaller number of sessions, but that is still such a good deal) In CT at this fancy gym I belonged to that number of sessions cost me $1200!! You may make friends at group classes like that and then it won't seem like such a chore to go. (YMCA member ships are very affordable mine was $42 for me alone and $58 for both me and my husband.) As for the high-fat thing, I like cheese a lot too and probably eat too much of it. I have had a craving for brie (I know, egad!) and have been satisfying my urge. But I am still losing weight with the 50 laps in the pool I do each day. So where do I hope this leaves you? Hopefully in a place where you don't think of yourself as failing, because you are not. You haven't given up and came to us for assistance in continuing to succeed. Hopefully also in a place where you don't take Dr's comments to heart as much as just for guidance -- don't let him -- or anyone -- get you down. Hopefully in a place where you'll try to find ways to increase your fluids while also increasing your exercise. And for food, I find that eating when you want whatever you want is good as long as you stop BEFORE you feel any fullness. This is the only body we'll ever have. We need to relish in it and its powers. Push yourself and see how much your body will thank you, and if you do it alongside others you'll make good friends to boot! All my love and snaps for the incredible loss you have made to date and for the loss that is SURE TO COME with self love and motivation! Okay, I hope this motivated you cuz it just motivated the h@ck outta me! I can feel myself welling up with tears, so I'll go now. I just wish the Y didn't close so early on the weekends! Emily

Gwen, You are NOT failing! You are losing weight and inches and that is the whole point of this choice we all made. Everyone loses at a different rate... I'm really surprised that your Dr. is being so negative. Keep up the good work!! Hold your chin up and know you're on the losing side