Need to lose 20 by 2/2012

Kind of concerned about this.

when I originally went in for a consult I weighed 250. This was over a year ago. Naturally I have gained about 20 more than this. The office has told me that I need to be back down to 250 by February or they wont do the surgery.

Normally this isnt an issue. I know how to lose weight. the problem here is that the way i know is not healthy. I identify as a compulsive overeater and a restricter. I have gone from 310 to 178 in a matter of 4 months...i know how to drop weight that way.

I need help dropping in a safer way. I have almost 2 months to do this. Any advice? Im really worried about this. I know what I have to do...now I have to do it

Are you mentally prepared for the changes needed to be successful?

I lost 17 lbs on my pre op diet and it didn't seem to unhealthy. It was basically a slim fast diet. I was suppose to eat 4 slimfast HIGH PROTEIN bars or shakes everyday and then ate 4-6 oz lean meat and 2 cups of green veggies for dinner.

The slimfast high protein chocolate shakes are pretty good but I didn't like the bars so I substituted special k high protein bars instead because the nutrition values are basically the same.

I wouldn't stay on that diet a long time because it is a little high in carbs but it could work to get your 20 lbs off.

Atkins or South Beach and REGULAR exercise will do it for you. I lost 20 lbs pre op just half assing it in 6 weeks.

I agree- low carb as much as you can stand it without hurting someone.  No sodas- regular or diet.  Lots of water.  Lots of protein.  My nutritionist gave me a calorie guideline that really helped.
Breakfast 250 cals
Snack 100-150cals
lunch 250 cals
snack 100-150 cals
Dinner 350 cals
snack 100-150cals

Sounds crazy but I found it much easier than counting points.  I lost about 17 lbs even with food funerals and occasional cheats.  If you are really good at restricting you'll do even better.  Good luck!

Thanks so much for the tips. really appreciate it

I had 10 months to lose 10lbs. When i went to the next meeting i had gained 3 pounds not lost any at all. So then they gave me two months to lose 20lbs. I put my mind in it and lost 24lbs in two months. Sooooo it can be done, you just gotta put your mind to it and stick with it!

 Protein shake for breakfast and lunch and a lean cuisine or healthy choice meal for dinner. No snacking !!  I lost 50 pounds in 3 months.

I needed to lose 26 lbs in order to qualify for surgery and I wanted to do it in the least possible time, but I didn't want to fool myself, so I went by the "pre-op" diet provided by the nutritionist in my surgeon's office.  I followed it 98% of the time to a "T".  When I would plateau, I would pick one meal to go off plan and go right back on the next meal.  That always made me lose again.  My nutritionist emphasized that 8 hours of sleep each night was needed.  I was a 5-6 hours a night sleeper, so that was a bit of an adjustment for me.  My diet consisted of a protein shake for breakfast - I used 4 oz of cottage cheese, 4 oz of water and 1 scoop of sugar free protein powder.  I blended those ingredients and then added ice and blended more.  Great shake.  Then for lunch and dinner I ate 4 oz of lean protein (grilled, broiled or baked), 1/2 cup of complex carbohydrate - (brown rice, whole grain pasta) and vegetable. In just 10 weeks, I lost 30.4 lbs and it was the EASIEST and cheapest weight loss program I have ever done.  I weighed and measured everything.  Good Luck - you can do it!!!