What Am I Doing Wrong??? I'm at wits' end!!!

[Blove2012]

I am far too new to this experience to be able to offer my experience but I have been listening to lots of podcasts in weight loss surgery and nutrition and heard Dr Thomas Clark (on Weight Loss Surgery Podcast with Reeger Cortell episode 31) discussing carb sensitivity. Dr Clark says that on occasion, a persons body can actually convert protein from shakes into carbs to process. Because of your carb/sugar sensitivities, you may need to learn more. Dr Clark also has his own podcasts as well as website.

I pray you find the answers you need. Remember that failure is not an option. If something isn't working, then adjust and pivot to something else. You will find your way.

Wishing you all the best.

[Pam G]

[IMG]www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/pamgalicki?date=2016-09-12[/IMG]

that's a 1300 cal day from MFP

[j_davenport]

My RMR was similar to yours and my NUT told me that in order to lose 2 lbs per week (my goal) that I would have to eat around 1000 calories a day and exercise to burn another 500 calories per day...

[Shirl]

My RMR was similar to yours and my NUT told me that in order to lose 2 lbs per week (my goal) that I would have to eat around 1000 calories a day and exercise to burn another 500 calories per day...

Did it work out that way exactly for you? I did notice that you are almost at your goal weight, ✨Congratulations✨ On that for sure!

If your surgery was 16 months ago, and you have lost 116lbs that's a 7.25 loss average! Wow! That's awesome!!! I would welcome that!!! I'm probably going to lose 4.5lbs this month. Hopefully I will do better these next months.

Past few days, I have been eating around 1050 cals, and have one day I burned 130, the other 307, yesterday I burned 448. Today I'm going todo about 130, but now I may just get do a Zumba video to burn more.

Thank you!

[Mbenson5]

Hey Shirl! I realized I didn't respond to this post, but did actually mean to! lol! I also noticed that your carbs seemed to be a little on the high side. Some people swear that they have to maintain a certain amount of carbs, and that totally works for them. Everyone is different for sure. I know that for me, the only way I can lose consistently is keeping a low carb diet for about 2 weeks, and then taking a break. A friend of mine said he figured out the same thing. Without that break, your body becomes perfectly happy staying at that weight on the lower carbs. I don't know about you, but I do not want to live on 25-30 carbs every day! So, I shake it up, and so far it is working. I am at maintenance at this point, and am staying between 116-118 lbs, and am so happy here. Anyway, I just wanted to cheer for your success and encourage to keep up your great work!!

[Shirl]

Hey Shirl! I realized I didn't respond to this post, but did actually mean to! lol! I also noticed that your carbs seemed to be a little on the high side. Some people swear that they have to maintain a certain amount of carbs, and that totally works for them. Everyone is different for sure. I know that for me, the only way I can lose consistently is keeping a low carb diet for about 2 weeks, and then taking a break. A friend of mine said he figured out the same thing. Without that break, your body becomes perfectly happy staying at that weight on the lower carbs. I don't know about you, but I do not want to live on 25-30 carbs every day! So, I shake it up, and so far it is working. I am at maintenance at this point, and am staying between 116-118 lbs, and am so happy here. Anyway, I just wanted to cheer for your success and encourage to keep up your great work!!

Thank you, Melissa! I have read you mentioned that before, I am going to contact you directly. Hopefully, get some more tips on that.

✨ <3 ✨

[Pam G]

Thank you, Melissa! I have read you mentioned that before, I am going to contact you directly. Hopefully, get some more tips on that.

✨ <3 ✨

I don't know how she does it. It's hard enough for me to stay under 100 gms of carbs a day!

[Shirl]

I don't know how she does it. It's hard enough for me to stay under 100 gms of carbs a day!

Pam, currently my carb limit is about 90g, but I subtract my fiber from total carbs, my goal is 30g of fiber, my average is 25g currently, so my net carbs can be 70 to 75g. I'm hoping that will work in my favor this month

[Mbenson5]

Lol, ladies! I am no expert on this low carb thing, just learned what has worked for me in the past. If I ate 100 carbs a day, I would never lose weight but would gain. I still watch it, but will give in and have a cookie, brownie or whatever on some days. Having lasagna tonight. I just don't have a ton of it. Like 2 cookies rather than 10. The sleeve PLUS developing better habits is key to this! On my days I stay strict low carb, my day might look something like this:

BR-coffee with sugar-free creamer, bacon and scrambled eggs with heavy whipping cream. I sometimes add cheese-lots of it! lol
LU- leftover meat of any kind, a few stir-fried vegetables. This helps when I actually cook and have leftovers!
DI- Some type of meat and stir-fried veggies with cheese
Evening- later when I am watching tv or whatever, I will save my carbs for a Breyers Carb-smart bar ot Danin light and Fit Greek yogurt with cut up strawberries.
Snacks - I generally stick with nuts, cheese, or berries. I have pretty much given up snacking, because I found myself raeching for them even if I am not hungry. That is honestly pretty much it. I do this for about 2 wweks, and then take a 3-4 day break. One time, I dropped 10 lbs in that time-I literally felt my clothes getting bigger at one point. That was all the motivation I needed to keep going. lol. This is only what works for me, so no promises. Hugs to you!

[Mbenson5]

That reminds me, net carbs can mess with you, because IMO, you cannot cancel out carbs, no matter how much fiber is involved. Take it for what it's worth. It makes my life much easier! lol

[Shirl]

Lol, ladies! I am no expert on this low carb thing, just learned what has worked for me in the past. If I ate 100 carbs a day, I would never lose weight but would gain. I still watch it, but will give in and have a cookie, brownie or whatever on some days. Having lasagna tonight. I just don't have a ton of it. Like 2 cookies rather than 10. The sleeve PLUS developing better habits is key to this! On my days I stay strict low carb, my day might look something like this:

BR-coffee with sugar-free creamer, bacon and scrambled eggs with heavy whipping cream. I sometimes add cheese-lots of it! lol
LU- leftover meat of any kind, a few stir-fried vegetables. This helps when I actually cook and have leftovers!
DI- Some type of meat and stir-fried veggies with cheese
Evening- later when I am watching tv or whatever, I will save my carbs for a Breyers Carb-smart bar ot Danin light and Fit Greek yogurt with cut up strawberries.
Snacks - I generally stick with nuts, cheese, or berries. I have pretty much given up snacking, because I found myself raeching for them even if I am not hungry. That is honestly pretty much it. I do this for about 2 wweks, and then take a 3-4 day break. One time, I dropped 10 lbs in that time-I literally felt my clothes getting bigger at one point. That was all the motivation I needed to keep going. lol. This is only what works for me, so no promises. Hugs to you!

✨You RöcK!✨

I'm blogging this!!!

Xoxoxo

[zizi]

I'm not health fitness expert by any means whatsoever but I would say you are eating too often and a little bit too many carbs. I haven't done my surgery yet, but I did meet with the nutritionist last week. She informed me that the ultimate goal post-surgery is to eat 3 small high in protein meals. Without any snacking in between. She suggested if I am hungry to have a protein shake between meals.
She also said the meals should be as follows and eaten in the order listed below (carbs are always last):
Breakfast: Protein / Fruit / Carb
Lunch: Protein / Veggie / Carb
Snack: Protein Shake - with no added sugars and only when hungry
Dinner: Protein / Veggie / Carb
Total: 600-800 calories for the first 6 months post-op. We haven't discussed anything past that point yet.

According to her, if I eat the protein first, then the fruit or veggie I won't be able to finish the small serving of carbs on my plate. She also said never drink before, during or after a meal and not to eat more than 4-6 oz a meal.

It sounds a bit tough for me, personally I can't imagine how I'll be able to live off of that small amount of food but I'm hoping that once I have the surgery I won't be as hungry and that I'll get full fast!

I've tired so many other ways to lose the weight and I simply can't, I have been extremely overweight for the past 4 years, gained most of it from my first pregnancy, never lost any and then got pregnant again...here I am now, pushing 256. I was 95lbs lighter just 4 years ago...but I've struggled with my weight my whole life. I've always been the chubby girl, I always had to work out twice as long and twice as hard as anyone else just to stay the same weight, forget about what I had to do to lose a few pounds.

I think you should use the sleeve as the 'tool' everyone says it is. If you get full fast and are required to eat more often because you're getting hungry an hour or so after a meal, then you need more protein in your diet. Lean protein, the nutritionist also suggested dipping chicken breast or any other grilled meat in a broth before eating it because it's just too dry to stomach alone.

I don't think your honeymoon is over...you have just begun this journey and different people lose weight differently. Do not despair or lose faith in yourself. You made a life altering decision to have the surgery and now you have to learn how to eat all over again. We all have our doubts but never lose faith in what you are able to accomplish. You just had surgery a few months ago and you're already down 35lbs. You should be proud!

I hear the slower you lose the weight, the less likely you will have loose skin and the less likely you will gain it back! You got this!

[Shirl]

I'm not health fitness expert by any means whatsoever but I would say you are eating too often and a little bit too many carbs. I haven't done my surgery yet, but I did meet with the nutritionist last week. She informed me that the ultimate goal post-surgery is to eat 3 small high in protein meals. Without any snacking in between. She suggested if I am hungry to have a protein shake between meals.
She also said the meals should be as follows and eaten in the order listed below (carbs are always last):
Breakfast: Protein / Fruit / Carb
Lunch: Protein / Veggie / Carb
Snack: Protein Shake - with no added sugars and only when hungry
Dinner: Protein / Veggie / Carb
Total: 600-800 calories for the first 6 months post-op. We haven't discussed anything past that point yet.

According to her, if I eat the protein first, then the fruit or veggie I won't be able to finish the small serving of carbs on my plate. She also said never drink before, during or after a meal and not to eat more than 4-6 oz a meal.

It sounds a bit tough for me, personally I can't imagine how I'll be able to live off of that small amount of food but I'm hoping that once I have the surgery I won't be as hungry and that I'll get full fast!

I've tired so many other ways to lose the weight and I simply can't, I have been extremely overweight for the past 4 years, gained most of it from my first pregnancy, never lost any and then got pregnant again...here I am now, pushing 256. I was 95lbs lighter just 4 years ago...but I've struggled with my weight my whole life. I've always been the chubby girl, I always had to work out twice as long and twice as hard as anyone else just to stay the same weight, forget about what I had to do to lose a few pounds.

I think you should use the sleeve as the 'tool' everyone says it is. If you get full fast and are required to eat more often because you're getting hungry an hour or so after a meal, then you need more protein in your diet. Lean protein, the nutritionist also suggested dipping chicken breast or any other grilled meat in a broth before eating it because it's just too dry to stomach alone.

I don't think your honeymoon is over...you have just begun this journey and different people lose weight differently. Do not despair or lose faith in yourself. You made a life altering decision to have the surgery and now you have to learn how to eat all over again. We all have our doubts but never lose faith in what you are able to accomplish. You just had surgery a few months ago and you're already down 35lbs. You should be proud!

I hear the slower you lose the weight, the less likely you will have loose skin and the less likely you will gain it back! You got this!

Hey Zizi, thanks so much for your post! For sure it is a learning curve and one that may change from month to month and even week to week and day to day post op.

On original post I was so frustrated, much better today and have taken into consideration everyone's advice including your now. My pre op NUT said exactly what yours have suggested, and it reminded me to revisit some of those notes.

My take is that this journey takes ongoing mindful skills, and as much as I pride myself on working on staying present and mindful, mental games are sometimes so hard to overcome. It reminds me that the I had surgery on my stomach and not my head.

I'm so deeply grateful for this forum and all the member support that it has provided.

Thank you again!

✨Hugs!✨

[Shirl]

**Update**

After almost ten days of lowering my calories to as close to 1000 as I can get, and two weeks of have started a weight and strength training training, I thought surely I would have lost 1 pound!

If I had not measured, I would have PUNCHED a wall!

Freaking InBody scale informed me that I gained 2.5lbs (I thought about what Ann said earlier about muscle gains).

On the upside

I have been monitoring my ketones with daily urinalysis strips. This week it has been the first time I can actually tell it has turned a deeper pink hue closer to next darker maroon level. So meaning I'm burning up some fat stores.

I lost 1.3 inches over all from last Saturday's measurements. And .5" of that was off my waist!

I did gain .6" on my hips (hopefully my butt is lifting?) and .1" my thighs. I have noticed less cellulite and more muscle tone.

The body composition numbers

Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM): + 2.8 lbs.
Body Fat Mass (BFM): - 3 lbs
Total Body Water: + 4.8 lbs. <--- I'm retaining more water this week ��

So all I can do is keep trying, keep at it. I might take half a diuretic in the event I feel my feet swelling, but they actually feel ok for right now.

Stay same all y'all's!

[EzekielsWheel]

Glad I found this thread. I'm coming up on my 6 month post op and I've only lost 7 total pounds in the last 3 months. I dod eat 2 Quest Protein bars a day which have 20 carbs each, also I eat a cup of Fiber 1 cereal which is another 20 grams. So my total carbs for the day will run me around 80 I'm guessing.

I've had some prostate issues so I've been advised to eat more fiber- at which time my weight loss stalled out. Even walking 2 miles 4-5 times a week. It's maddening. I'd just as soon stay constipated eating only protein and continue having issues than not losing weight after paying for this surgery out of pocket. My total calorie intake is consistently less than 1,000/day.

It seems my post-op honeymoon period only lasted 3 months and I'm pulling my hair out about it.