I am open for suggestions.

[birdee 1]

shakes would take the guess work out, but the lap band doesn't work with liquid calories. A Protein shake won't help your band work because it won't stay in the banded upper pouch of your stomach. So you might be getting the Protein you want, but you'll still be hungry and may end up eating more calories. A better way would be to eat solid protein that stays in your pouch longer. Then you can keep the calories down, be satisfied, and get your protein. It doesn't have to be meat if that gives you trouble. There are lots of options. Fish is a good one, tofu and soy products, a lot of the vegetarian meat substitues are very good, and eggs (egg whites) are good lean protein.

I would encourage you to try measuring what you eat for a few days. You may be surprised by the actual size of your portions. This of course affects how many calories you are eating and how much nutrition you are getting from them. Part of the banding journey is learning how to eat like "normal" people...but we have to learn, and the best way to learn is to train your eyes to recognize an appropriate portion. Don't forget, "normal" people aren't banded and they aren't as restricted in how much they can eat as we are now. You shouldn't have to measure forever, but it is important to do it so you learn what the right sizes are, and to periodically go back and "remind" ourselves when things aren't going the way it seems they should.

I would also suggest increasing your exercise a lot more. 30 minutes a day is a good starting point, but as you continue on, your body gets used to that activity and it no longer stimulates your metabolism like it used to. Whenever the weight loss stops, it's time to shake something up so your body doesn't get stuck in its rut. Increase your speed, or try a different, more challenging exercise. Do some sprints, where you go as fast as you can for a minute and then walk your normal pace for a few minutes. Are you doing strength training? This will help a lot. Muscle is more active than fat and helps you burn more calories. The thing about exercise is that our bodies adapt to it very quickly, so we have to keep changing things and challenging ourselves to keep the scale moving the right direction, and keep getting healthier!

Good luck, I hope things get moving for you again!

Everyone has hit everything as far as food goes.

30 minutes a day of walking isn't going to get you to your goal. Change your exercise routine every 4 weeks. Make goals that stretch you. Walk faster, walk on incline, get a jump rope, shoot for 45 minutes, run, cycle, weight train.

If you want different results you need to act differently.

Good luck.

Thanks!

30 minutes is the minimum that I am walking. I do that daily on break and then 45 minutes at the Y if I can make it.......

I really appreciate all the advice!!! I will keep you guys posted on my progress.

I think I have been floating with a couple of pounds down here and there and I am now to the point where I am wanting to be done with the loss and move onto maintaining! Sometimes I look at other individuals that are close to goal and think that it could NEVER be me. I am going to have to buckle down and get it together! I am so afraid of doing one wrong thing and not having any results!!!

Edited March 25, 2008 by birdee
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