Water vs Milk?????

Personally I would mix my protein shake with either half and half or heavy cream.  Your body needs the extra fat and it will taste MUCH more yummy than water.  If you are concerned about that lactose I have read that both heavy cream and half and half have less lactose than milk.  You could also pop a lactaid pill after drinking each shake, just to be safe.

You are doing great!!  And I don't consider 70-80 grams of carbs HIGH.  However, if you are just guesstimating, I would assume your carb count is actually higher...so maybe start tracking exactly what you are eating in an online track site such as www.myfitnesspal.com .

As for it taking weeks to lose than 1/2 a pound...you WILL get there.  It honest to GOD took me months to get below 200 pounds.  I am deadly serious and all of my friends, if they read this, will testify to this b/c they heard me *****ing and moaning about it.  I would gain and lose the same 3 pounds...I would get as close as 200.4 and then go back up.  I WAS low carbing, working out, and eating well...it was just my body.  I DID get below 200 but I know that I am still near the cusp of it and my body weight fluctuates so much that I am not going near the scale for awhile b/c I don't want to see that 2 number again.  And I really mean months, as in PLURAL.  So don't become disheartened that it won't happen for you, it will.  You just have to give your body time...I sat right around 200 for a long time so I think my body was comfy there and didn't want to move below it.

And I would also up the food protein you are eating.  And I DO drink 2 protein shakes a day, every day.  I also eat close to another 100 grams in food.  I think the body needs both.  And perhaps your body doesn't feel as if you are giving it enough food and won't let go of the weight for that reason.

I agree in that I think it's amazing how quickly a few carbs here & there add up in the day.  I also agree with Marci in that I don't think what you reported for average carbs is "a lot", but how many you can personally have and still lose or maintain weight is an individual thing.  Some people have to keep it to 20 or less per day at your stage to lose more weight - not a lot of people, but some definitely do.  Once you get to goal, you will almost certainly be able to have more, quite a bit more, and maintain your weight.

I also can't drink a glass of milk or have yogurt, there's just too much lactose and it gives me bad gas.  I can tolerate 1/2 & 1/2, though.  I personally haven't tried heavy whipping cream.  I make a protein coffee shake in the morning using 6 oz's of 1/2 & 1/2, mixed with a scoop of protein powder, some SF syrup and 12 oz's of coffee (add coffee after blending 1/2 & 1/2 & protein powder, otherwise the protein will clump).  Add a few ice cubes if you want it cold.  This will taste SO much better than water!!!  You're likely able to tolerate it b/c it does have a lot less lactose.

If you go really low carb & up your protein and if after you've done this for a few more weeks (at least 3) and you still haven't lost any weight, then I also second doing the 1 - 2 day (max) of a really high carb day - that's why someone mentioned the Krispy Kreme.  That seems to break stalls for people whose body has adapted to a super low carb intake.  The thing is, you're not super low carb, so I don't think this is your best "solution" right now.  I'm guessing you just might be one of those people *****ally do need to go really low carb to lose more weight.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to get some half a d half today and see if that works. I really didn't want to use water alone. Early out I tried that and it was terrible. Just yesterday for some odd reason my stomach was pretty gassy from drinking the lactaid milk. I'm doing fine this morning so I'm going to see if that makes the difference.

I'm still a believer in the 30g rule. I don't think you get anything from milk, except the sugar. It's a very low source of protein.

So, if you are really getting only 60-70g, try doing a heaping scoop + water, but 4 per day. Make them short, coupla gulps. See if that pushes you off your step.

Thanks for the advice. This morning I used a half cup of half and half and 1/2 cup of water for my protein shake. I'm a see how I do with that. So far so good.

 Here's something else for you to consider.  If you are drinking 120g protein, what are you eating?  The protein shakes go through you fast and are minimally satisfying.  Yes, you get your protein but that leaves a lot of room for 'other' things.  Like carbs for example.  Analyze your eating.  Are you drinking the shakes so you can eat whatever?  And not need to worry about the protein?

If it's possible this may be the case, cut back to one shake per day.  This will force you to eat more protein and fill up on that instead of whatever else you have been eating.

And I hear you about the shakes, they are awful.  The smell is abominable.

...or,  if you can consume enough protein through food - don't drink shakes at all.  I haven't had a protein shake since I was about 3 months post-op.  No need - I eat all the protein I need. 

I always use water in my shakes. Some are tasty, some not so much. Maybe you should try experimenting with different brands. I bought a ton of different samples of powders from vitalady before my surgery and am slowly going thru them. Some are awful, couldn't even choke them down. Yesterday I tried IDS Multi Pro Vanilla Cinnamon... and it was REALLY GOOD! I also love the Dessert protein brand banana pudding and the whipped cream flavors. I tried the coconut chocolate candy bar flavor and wasn't a fan, though my 17 year old sipped it and thought it tasted like a Mounds bar, she really liked it. The chocolate fudge flavor is also really good... I've been using it in my shake-cakes! Yum.