Carbs, fruit juices, fruits???

Well here we go again another string of dumb ?'s! Can adding carbs to your diet send you into a stall or plateau? Are we not supposed to eat carbs at all in the first 6 months?? I hit many plateaus lately.. I also sometimes have been drinking fruits juice (most lo-cal with splenda); and I have eaten watermelon, banana's, cantalope, and berries. I am 5 months post op; what can I do to get my weight loss to kick back into high gear?? I exercise 30-60 minutes daily!! Should I be getting only mostly protein; or should I do only my liquid protein for a while?? Looking for some answers and good advise.. I feel that I am not over eating or eating things that are unhealthy for me; but at the same time things are puzzeling me! Should I kick up more exercise; and kick away all carbs? I am feeling as if I am getting discouraged about reaching my goal! I know I am obessed with the scales right now.. You are all my courage, knowledge; and inspiration to do better each day. Here's to friends, and sucess! Greatfully appreciatative.. Hugs, Judy R  P.S. I just could not stand to feel like a failure one more time!!! I know that I am not alone in this fear..

Judy, You will find there are many times when the scale is not moving.  However, your inches are going down.  Atleast that is what I have found during the time the scale was not moving.  Have you checked your inches?  Also, most surgeons will tell you that around the six month time frame your loss will decrease substantially and you will have to work harder to take the pounds off.  That is why the first six months is called the 'honeymoon period'.  Carbs will put you into a slowdown, depending on how much you are taking in.  Have you looked into using fitday to log your intake?  That might help you with kicking back the carb intake.  It will also help you with your protein intake and water intake.  You might find you are not taking in as much as you though.  I am currently (except on weekends - bad me) taking in 80-100 of protein and 50-70 or water.  I am almost a year out and still struggling on tha****er issue!  Look back on the board and get various ideas from others as to what to do at stalls.  What may work for one may not work for another (gee, that's all too familiar!).  Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.   Michelle 311/196/145

It really depends on the carbs.  I do not eat anything that most folks consider "carbs"  but there are carbs in your fruit and veggies.   I was also told to do protein first then veggies and if room fruit.   The only time I don't follow this is at breakfast where I have protein and fruit instead of veggie.   But I do banana which is rich in potassium which I need. It was also advised to not drink anything with any calories other then my protein drink because that will take away food that I can actually chew and get that type of satisfaction from. Now all of our surgeons/nuts have different programs but this is what mine has said.  As the previous poster stated you could be losing inches right now and gaining muscle....muscle weighs more then flab so it shows up as a weight slow down. Good luck!

Judy tell me a typical days food for you.    For one thing, how much water are you drinking?   How much fruit juice are you drinking?   Is it 100% juice?   If it's sweetened with splenda i dont' think so,  You have to make it a habit to read labels.   Anyway , if it's 100% fruit juice, it takes a lot of fruit to make that one cup.    Even orange juice i have to water down.     Fruit has lots of natural sugar, and don't get me wrong, fruit is good, but too much isn't especially where you are at in your journey.   Also , if you just started introducing carbs that will put you at a stall.    you should still be at the point where you worry about your protein and water.    When you eat, eat protein first, fruits or veggies next, then lastly , carbs and fat.   By the time you get to the carbs or fat, you should be almost full.   If you want to kick start your weight loss, load your body with protein and water.   It works for me. Linda

Linda, Could you elaborate more on what you mean by load your body with protein and water?  How much?  Just protein, nothing else? Marie

you can have other things, just up the protein and water.   change your routine a little, it helps to trick the body. Linda

Thanks for the info everyone,     Linda here is a typical day for me: protein drink 30mg for breckfast, mid am snack 6 triscut crackers 6 gr pr., water 16 oz bottle, lunch something very small if at all mostly protein about 7 mg., dinner 4-5oz of chicken breast, sm ser of veggie, sometime half potatoe or sweet potatoe. green beans or whatever. night time occasional nuts, fruit, or peanutbutter on half whole wheat english muffin.. I don't eat junk, or sugary stuff.. I know I am probably not getting enough water. I only get about 50 or so onces a day. I drink juice only once in a while, I like ice tea can I count that as part of my water? Sometimes I have a sugar-free candy (splenda) not every day! Today I exercised on my treadmill 40 mins, burned 440 calories. Then went swimming for an hour with grandchildren. I also do a lot of other activities.. I have lost a lot of inches; but I am a scale watcher what can I say. I have really been trying to push the water.. Thanks again, Judy

I don't count my protein as my breakfast.   I drink it as soon as i wake up.    Then about an hour later i eat an egg or something.    I would cut out the triscuits and english muffin.   I do believe it really isn't bad for you, but protein like jerky or cheese stick or cottage cheese would be a better choice.   You could even put the splenda sweetened fruit on the cottage cheese, be creative.    I drink 128 ounces of water a day, but i work outside and need it.   I know most nuts recommend 64, but ideally it should be over 80 .   My nut did not let me count anything with protein or caffeine in my water intake.   I know most nuts disagree with that, but i followed mine.  sf candy isn't a bad thing as long as you don't over do it.     by the way, the sf crystal light candies are awesome.   i understand the scale watcher thing, i still do it LOL . 

Thanks Linda,      I will try to get better at the protein and water. I do value advise and opinions.. Sincerely, Judy R

I was about to say the same thing...drop the crackers and muffins.  Also, the potatoes.  Sweet potatoes are very starchy and loaded with carbs...bad carbs.  Replace these with cottage cheese, beans, yogurt, boiled eggs, tofu, even have a little more meat instead. I am "protein anal" at meal times and very rarely do I have enough room for veggies, potatoes, and fruits, so I almost never even put them on my plate.  I always do the meat first.  Snacking is a problem for me because my old habits draw me mentally to the bad foods...crunchy-salty-sweet.  I am challenged every day and I am winning over the addiction...I just tell myself that I can't have the crackers and chips, and grab a protein shake instead.  It stays with me longer, satisfies my body's needs, and no guilt. 

Candy is out of the question.  Even sugar free.  My goal is not only to lose the weight, but to overcome my psychological addiction to those types of foods.  I feel like I am defeating the purpose of the surgery if I eat the same foods that got me fat in the first place.  With discipline, I have lost my taste for it anyways.  My body does not need the calories, fats, and salt found in those snacks. To date, I have lost 112 pounds and I am 8 1/2 months out.  My labs are all good so I am doing -something- right.  Good luck and hang in there... KathyG