by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
I have been having serious issues getting enough protein on my diet. The recommended intake is 90 grams a day. This is HARD enough but I am also not a big meat eater. No red meat at all and very little chicken and fish. Dairy is fat laden and a bad option for the most part. I have been relying on protein shakes and meal replacement bars.
My morning ritual has been to make a smoothie. I used to find is a DRAG to make with blender- huge mess and takes up too much counter space. Hand blender can’t do ice or frozen fruit very well. I broke down and bough a Magic Bullet blender. I am THRILLED with it. I I LOVE this thing! I can make smoothie/protein shake in the same container in blends in.
I have been buying protein power at Costco. Soy protein is not where near as good as Whey protein. The soy is very grainy and chalky and you can really “taste” it.
I would get Vanilla. They come in huge containers and you are pretty stuck if you don’t like it. Any vanilla Whey protein powder is a pretty good bet. I did try Proteins+ brand one and it was delicious- but its about 4 times as expensive as anything else.
I would be curious to hear what other brands people like.
So protein shake is scoop of vanilla whey protein powder, the a add 2 frozen strawberries and about 1/3-1/2 a banana. The banana make a huge difference in the taste and texture of the shake.
you could also use older bananas and throw int the freezer and use for smoothies and protein shakes later.
Using the Magic Bullet (or similar) give you great shake pretty much every time- if you can find one at yard sale, ebay or wherever I would pick one up- worth it. Each shale has 25+ grams of protein ( depending on powder you use).
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
I have all nearly lost over 40 lbs in 4 months. I would like to lose at least another 75 by the end of Summer, My weight loss has slowed down- they was an awful hiccup over November/December but I seem to have a handle on things again.
- I would to be be wearing a size 18 two months from now.
- I am 30lbs away from qualifying for “company” Life Insurance. This will be a major relief and one of the main reasons I began losing weight.
- This may sound nuts- but I would like to wear a two piece bathing suit, I have been look at 2-piece and bikinis online, at Seafolly swimsuits, they have some really really cute tankinis- like this turquoise blue tankini . We have a pool so so no chance I would go to public beach but it would be nice not to have giant bath suit and cover-up on all summer! On really hot days it will be nice to finally get to wear a two-piece- which I haven’t done since I was a teenager.
- Tone up- I would like to be fit. Not just sort of fit but really fit. About 6 years ago I was going to the gym every day and felt fantastic!
Do you have any goals or milestones you are looking forward to achieving?
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
Been I while since I felt good enough to update my photos. I have only lost about 5 lbs since my last update in late November. I am just under 285 and thank make a 33 lbs weight loss since the beginning of September.
I am wearing same outfit and really though I could comfortably wear these jeans by now! I keep saying another 5 lbs and still they are not comfortable. I am really struggling for clothing- nothing fits… I have to roll waistband of my pants to get them to stay up.
My next appointment with Dr. Wharton at the Bariatric Clinic is late January so I hope to be under 280. I will be happy to see that number.
Glitch with camera so only side and back view for now..
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
Wow- After several WEEKS of going up and down between 285 and 290 lbs I can now report that I am doing really well and I weighed in at 294 this morning. WOO HOO!
I am quite happy about it. I feel like I am back on track and it has not been that hard. I was really struggling through November December. I was down to 284 mid November and then within a few days was over 291 and scale just would not move. When I went to see Dr. Wharton at Canadian Bariatric Clinic late November I weighed in at 289. He was encouraging. Then Christmas put me into a tailspin. I didn’t binge but I sure wasn’t dieting! Bit scary how fast and out of control things can get.
So basically I have lost all the weight in the last week.
What Have I been Doing Differently to Lose The Weight?
- Drinking LOTS of water
–eating first thing in morning, I will eat 2 diet yoghurts ( 40 calories each) while I wait for my tea to be made. Later I will make a protein smoothie. I bought myself a Magic Bullet blender to make them in. Making them and clean up is a breeze.
- Protein Bars. I have been relying heavily on these. I buy Detour Bars at Costco as well as another Meal Replacement type ( which are very good) I will get name of them . Dr. Wharton was the one who suggested I get more protein.
Protein reduces cravings. I am supposed to have 90 grams of protein a day and it can be REALLY hard. I don’t eat much meat and trying to get enough protein has been a challenge.
- Keeping DANGER food out of the house. Not kidding myself by baking or buying foods I am tempted by and telling myself that they are “for the kids”
- Never letting myself get hungry. If I feel hungry it may be too late. I pace myself and snack often and eat apples, clementines and pears.
- Avoiding white sugar and white flour at all costs! These are trigger food for me. Foods with white flour usually next to know nutritive value. Sugar+ flour+ fat is a BAD combination for. If I stay away I am better off all around.
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
Well.. in the case of alcoholics and dieters- no new is bad news.
I did not gorge by any means but there were 3 or 4 days where things were a bit out of control. My weight is all over the place. It is up and down from 284-289 day to day almost. I may actually find myself in a spot where I am same weight when I got for monthly visit to Canadian Bariatric clinic next week.
I have come to dread the scale. I really thought I would be at 275 by New Years and I have barely budged in the last month. I am going to have to add more exercise to my routine.
I really want to see a 2-7 number of some kind!! This will mar my lowest weight in 7 years. If I can get below 268 will be a 10 year low for me. I was at 273 for almost 5 years so that will be a milestone. Will not change my ticker or take new photos until I hit consistently below 285. I cannot believe i was at 284 for a day almost 2 months ago… then stuck at 289 for weeks. ARGH.
I have been doing very well with eating last few days- realy making an effort to get in water, protein and avoid sugar. Should pay off by end of week. I am predicting I will be at or below 285 by Sunday.
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
I had an awful sore throat the past week. I was DESPERATE and found some relief with some Riccola brand cough drops. It said no sugar added so felt okay having them. I didn’t care so much about calories as my teeth- I can;t stand eating hard candy and the way it makes my teeth feel and the though of all that sugar water sitting there.. yuk. I am a bit OCD about my teeth… Anyway!
I was sucking on these throat lozenges throughout the day and then picked up a bag of no sugar added Werther’s candy for a change of pace. They were pretty good. I must have has about 10 lozenges/candies over the day. My throat was killing me. Later in the day my stomach was cramping and gurgling, etc. it was really weird. I suddenly had memory of when I hate the Russell Stover sugar free caramel chocolate things once- and I went and checked label of the cough drops. YIKES!!! They contained Isomalt ( a sugar substitute) which ” can have a laxative effect” . They are right. More than that was awful cramping.
This was a really bad experience. I will never eat again. Beware! I am not sure if it was the quantity or if I am just sensitive. Heed these warnings however.
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
Eat something in the morning- anything. When yo go too long without eating your metabolism drops. After going 12 hours without eating your metabolism can drop by as much as 40%.
When you wake up make it a PRIORITY to eat something. A protein is best- hard boiled egg, yogurt, cheese, etc. A protein + carbohydrate is better. High fiber cereal mixed with yogurt, oatmeal + milk, etc. Cheese + apple , etc
Dont be afraid of protein or meal replacement bars. Just watch for calorie intake.
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
I am so immersed in Christmas stuff I never really did post about my last visit with Dr. Sean Wharton at the Canadian Bariatric Clinic in Burlington.
I spent 30 seconds- maybe less with Derek. You basically weighed me and punched something in computer. No discussion of any kind. He must have been late for his lunch . I am sorry to say this- but I don’t have a lot of confidence in his abilities.. he does seem a bit dazed and out of his element. He is not some I would confide
Dr. Wharton was his usual enthusiastic self. He is quite remarkable and passionate. I wonder what his motivation his in helping treat obesity- you just can’t fake that kind of passion.
We chatted for quite a while about the Meridia- I did ask if I could get some sleeping pills to help get some sleep- answer was resounding no. He said it could cause more problems then it would solve and give it a bit more time and the sleep issues might go away on their own, I had noticed I am not waking up so early any more. Can’t GET to sleep by can stay asleep Before I was getting to sleep at 3/4/5 am and wide awake at 7-8. No I can easily sleep until 10-ish.
Last couple of weeks have actually been better and sleep has been easier. So I am glad I didn’t go with any kind of a sleep aid. He did say that Melatonin was okay to try. I though I had some in medicine cabinet but I must have tossed.
Dr. Wharton was also quite encouraging about my weight loss. I have been quite down. I was on such a roll and really stagnated. 3 weeks ago i weighed in at 284 and later that night jean felt snug…. next morning I weighed 292. I do NOT know how that happened so quickly. The weight didn;t come off easily, either. I thought it might be a temporary fluctuation.. but nope.
So I am at 286 today. Lost 9 pounds in 6 weeks. I know I am on track and Dr. Wharton wants you to lose about a pound a week but the pounds were just MELTING away before :(
He also recommended I try the Detour bars and gave me sample of Boost liquid meal replacement for Diabetics to try.. ( yuk!)
He suggested increasing or make sure I get enough protein and that was key to cravings.
I admit I have been bad with the protein. The bars help A LOT.
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
Drink water.
Every one knows that your supposed to drink 6-8 8 oz. glasses of water a day. If you are significantly overweight or obese you need to drink more. Drinking lots of water (and don’t over do it! ) will help flush out all the toxins and crap your body is trying to get rid of while you are losing weight.
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by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia
VitaSoy Peppermint Chocolate Soy Milk- this taste pretty good! You can have warm or cold.
Sugar-Free Gingerbread Syrup from Starbucks. Add this to warm or hot milk. DELICIOUS !
Baked Apple- put peeled (or not) . cored apple in small microwavable bowl, put in about tsp of water. Use sweetener if you must- tsp of brown sugar, syrup, splenda, etc, zap for 2 mins. I serve with 1/2 frozen vanilla yogurt. To increase fiber you can also sprink on some granola.
Angel Food Cake
I In know there are others- i will add them as i thnk of them.. If you have some to add- please do!
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