I was banded Jan 13, 2011. Since then, i've only lost 31 pounds. i'm pretty much maintaining, but i need to lose 50 more! I talked with the NP yesterday, and she thinks i'm eating too much as far as portions. So today, i'm starting with almost mainly protein, 1/2 cup portions. I REALLY need to push past this 200 mark. its my personal mini goal. I had hoped by this time i was at my goal, i mean its been over a year. Any ideas on what to eat in 1/2 portions? this morning i ate 3 slices turkey bacon and a sausage link. (the eggs here at work are AWFUL.) That was at 7. my 10am snack is 3 tbs peanut butter. I have tuna and chicken strips for lunch, and i figure a small salad tonight for dinner. Any ideas otherwise? i work 12 hour shifts, so today i can't exercise, but tomorrow i go to the gym and plan on doing 45 min cardio (elliptical and treadmill). Am looking for ANY insight at this point. PLEASE HELP!!

I have you tried logging your calories? Many are surprised how much (or sometimes little) they're actually eating. I would suggest keeping track of them to see exactly what you're consuming so you know if you need to decrease or increase what you're eating.

I use an app called Lose It! to track mine- it's my bible. It makes it very easy.

Yeah I use SparkPeople but there are a bunch of them out there, myfitnesspal etc that will let you know what your eating. Umm Protein shakes if you like them are a good way to go for Breakfast as they are filling and have very few carbs. I do the pure Protein shake in a can, takes like weak chocolate milk, but 35 g protein, 170 calories, 4 g carbs...yeah its good stuff. I actually put it in my coffee. Can of tuna or can chicken, check the label but the kind I get is 120 calories for the whole can, lots of protein. Ummm oh if you like bell peppers they are an excellent veggie/fruit..ha ha to try. They have carbs but you can eat a bunch before it adds up and the crunch is excellent.

These are just some of the things I am doing while waiting for my band though. My doctors really wanted me to work on getting a handle on my eating before my pre-op diet. So far I'm down almost 10 lbs in less than a month so it seems to be working and I'm not working out yet..yet I say!

Definitley keep track of calories! I don't measure my protein in volume, I measure it in weight.

you mean like you measure protein such as chicken breast 4 oz?

I was told on here earlier to get a kitchen scale! Measuring by weight is a better indication of how much you're eating than a measuring cup...I guess I'm going to the store later!

I went through a good couple of weeks of not losing and I just figured maybe i was still healing up but when I started tracking what I was doing I found I was not getting nearly enough Protein. Since I started upping the protein the scale started moving....

mylynn, nice signature..

Just looking at what you've listed that you're eating, I would first suggest to cut out the sausage, it's very high in fat. The peanut butter "snack" alone is 285 calories, 12 g of protein and 24 grams of FAT!! Way too much! You could have had a Slimfast Low Carb shake for 180 calories, 20 g of protein and 9 grams of fat. And salads can actually be awful depending on what you put on them and how much/what kind of dressing you use. My Fitness Pal is a fabulous online source for tracking what you're consuming!!

Just looking at what you've listed that you're eating, I would first suggest to cut out the sausage, it's very high in fat. The peanut butter "snack" alone is 285 calories, 12 g of protein and 24 grams of FAT!! Way too much! You could have had a Slimfast Low Carb shake for 180 calories, 20 g of protein and 9 grams of fat. And salads can actually be awful depending on what you put on them and how much/what kind of dressing you use. My Fitness Pal is a fabulous online source for tracking what you're consuming!!

I agree with toddy entirely all that peanut butter is 'crazzy' if i have peanut butter i have 1 teaspoon i dont go anywhere near tablespoons on high calorie foods

its easy to think we are doing the right thing but honestly if the scale isnt moving something is wrong and u need to change things.. i was banded the day after you and have lost 237 lbs i maybe have had 10 teaspoons of peanut butter since being banded and those i counted as a treat i counted everything in calories till i now know what i can eat and what i cant and i stay around 1000 to 1200 calories a day which is low fat/low carb .. good luck

I went through a good couple of weeks of not losing and I just figured maybe i was still healing up but when I started tracking what I was doing I found I was not getting nearly enough Protein. Since I started upping the protein the scale started moving....

mylynn, nice signature..

Thanks Jim..Yoda or The Stones? Lol

Thanks Jim..Yoda or The Stones? Lol

Both but if you look closely I have the same Yoda quote...

Both but if you look closely I have the same Yoda quote...

Gotta love wise but small green guys!

Always start your day with Protein. There are a lot of Protein drinks (watch the sugar!) or you can make your own. I like Syntrax nectar. Keep your Snacks small and drink your water:) Find an exercise you can live with, and do it regularly.

Be good to yourself and don't beat yourself up. The scale will move...down....

Do you need a very, very small fill? Sometimes the smallest fill can make all the difference in the world. Just one tenth of a cc really helped me. Are you journaling your food? This really helps also. Good luck.

ok. i guess i've just gotten all the rules of good eat/bad eat jacked up over the last year. what i need is ideas on Protein. lol Something filling. today:

3 pieces turkey bacon, 1 piece turkey sausage

coffee

Water

3 tbsp Peanut Butter

about a 5 oz salad with chicken breast slices on it

water

1/4 cup soy nuts toasted.

I'm hungry. I've always felt like this. its not more hunger or less. its the same. So i'm wondering if i need a tiny fill, because i'm pretty full at 7.5 as it is you know? i'm disheartened to feel like i've wasted so much time with my divorce and working nights, NOW i want to focus on myself and having trouble doing it. Or knowing the tools to do so.

Tomorrow for breakfast:

Syntha 6 Protein shake with 1% milk (or maybe water, not sure yet)

snack: chicken breast slices

lunch: maybe tuna? or ideas?

Dinner: 4oz steak and maybe a small veggie

Any other ideas?

I totally understand where u are. I am in the same situation, but just this week seem to be focused and getting back in gear.

I use Protein shakes, boiled eggs, Beans and chicken for my protein. Lots of Water and 1200 calories a day. I still feel hungry, but I think it's just head hunger and really have to fight with myself to not eat at night. (I am starving right now but not going to eat.)

Cucumbers are filling and low calorie a whole one is only 5 calories and it in some apple biggest is my fav snack besides a skinny cow ice cream sandwich @140 cal & 4 g protein.

This is a hard thing but so with it! Don't give up....coming to this site everyday when I am struggling really seems to help me to focus and do better maybe it will for you too!! Good luck!!