Aibu/crazy to just drink 2 protein shakes

[Allthestarskendrick]

And have a normal dinner?

My weight loss has plateaued for a long time. I have two more stone to lose. I just want to kick start it again.

If you don’t mind gaining back the weight when you start eating foods again, then it will be fine.

I was told by my PT that protein shakes are only for after a hard workout. It’s much better to eat sensibly, as existing on shakes usually means you’ll gain any weight straight back. Make your meals protein based, it’s hard (not impossible) for the body to convert protein to fat. Everything you have make sure you have double the ratio of protein to carbs/fat. Base your diet on fresh foods, batch cook things like chilli, curry etc. I avoided starchy carbs after lunch and that helped as well!

If you don’t mind gaining back the weight when you start eating foods again, then it will be fine

That’s ridiculous. It’s simple maths.

If you’re eating 800 calories a day and losing weight and then get to your goal weight. You might only need 1200 to maintain that weight. Therefore you can up your calories without gaining/losing weight.

You’ll probably start saying about starvation mode next.

Well I’ve managed to lose 4 stone so far so I’m not that clueless.

Allthestarskendrick do you think you might be this grumpy because you haven't had a proper meal? head-tilt

Not grumpy. Just not an idiot.

I don’t like people giving out false information such as gaining weight back etc. I could eat fresh salad every day for a year, if I start eating a high calorie diet after then I’ll gain weight.

Whether you lost Wright fast or slow then you’ll always gain it back if you go back to old habits.

Allthestars I had a protein shake for lunch today as a meal replacement - as I couldn't be bothered to make up my usual salad. The one I use can be used as a meal replacement so yes, I guess your theory may be right to kick start your weight loss again.

On the other hand, maybe, after losing so much weight already (well done btw!!) your eating plan needs an overhaul. Maybe you have become a bit lax about what your eating and letting the portion sizes or nibbling creep up. I know thats what I tend to do, usually after eating sensibly for 2 days never mind long enough to actually lose weight!

Another idea could be to increase your activity levels - even a brisk 2 mile walk will burn off around 120 calories so might work?

Good luck x

Why not? If it works better for you - especially if you have time issues with preparing healthy breakfasts and lunches. The maintenance calories will be higher once you get there.
I would take the occasional day off and eat real food to make sure there doesn't start to be a novelty which would start increasing the chances of a binge.

I have one for breakfast cause I'm lazy. if i don't eat guarantee I'll be in biscuit tin at work. I'd always choose food over supplements though

Depends what a normal dinner ends up looking like?

Healthy combination of lean protein and some veg, great?

Takeaway curry, rice, naan and popadoms cos you're starving after only having 2 protein shakes all day, not great .

I’m not sure ... probably chicken with vegetables, or pasta - I bought a great one from Holland & Barrett that’s really high in protein.

You'll be better off keeping v v low on carbs as they spike insulin which encourages the body to lay down fat. Have a look at Dr Berg on YouTube.

That’s the thing though op, you would absolutely gain weight after going back to ‘normal’ food. Protein shakes are not supposed to be a meal replacement, they’re mostly for muscle building purposes and as previous posters have pointed out they’re there for after a great workout.

It’s not healthy physically and will not help with a healthy mindset towards food either. I’d go very low carb and high natural protein instead.

You’ll probably start saying about starvation mode next.

No, because I’m not unintelligent.

Of course you’ll begin gaining weight back if you start eating food again, unless you really think it’s achievable to maintain such a low calorie deficit inevitably. The exact same point as you’re making about salad. So who’s the idiot now? 🙄

There is no point restricting your body to such an extent that as soon as you begin to eat normally again (which is 2000 calories, not 1200 - a sure sign already that your body has accustomed itself to a very poor diet and unsustainable calorie deficit), you will begin to gain weight.

My partner is a nutritionalist and personal trainer. I’ve just said to him, “I want to drop some weight for summer. Shall I try and have a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and eat a normal evening meal to do so?”

He said: “If you’re an idiot and don’t mind gaining back the weight straight away again, yes. Or you could up your protein, lower your carbs and take yourself to the gym.”

There’s your answer.

Keep us updated, OP. I for one, hope it works for you & you transition to a normal diet at healthy weight for a long time. x

Ginger, that's ridiculous. She will only gain the weight back if she eats more calories than she expends. It's ridiculous to suggest she will gain weight by eating whole foods.

And depending on her height and lifestyle 1200 could be her tdee. 2000 is far too high for most women.

And you're either lying about what your partner does to lend credence to your nonsense, or he's crap at his job.

He’s far from crap at his job, but thank you for the very educated evaluation after one comment from him 🙄 I think I’d say he’s fantastic at his job if he’s promoting healthy diet and exercise over a drink diet, but hey, what does he know with his degree and four years of studying sport science and nutrition.

I really can’t be arsed trying to reason with stupid. You know I do not mean whole meals themselves will make her gain weight. You’re being pedantic. My point is about restriction. Calorie restriction. I would say the exact same thing if she said she was going to eat a salad for the next two months. Your body needs fuel.

She’s already done an amazing job losing 4 stone, so I don’t doubt that she knows exactly what she’s doing. My concern is that shitty companies like herbal life etc promote such poor diets through using low calorie shakes as a replacement, and as soon as people begin to eat normally again, their bodies really struggle to process those additional calories.

There is no point restricting your body to such an extent that as soon as you begin to eat normally again (which is 2000 calories, not 1200 - a sure sign already that your body has accustomed itself to a very poor diet and unsustainable calorie deficit), you will begin to gain weight.

2000 is a fuck load of calories. For me to maintain I need 1700 and I’m overweight.

That’s just some stupid guideline. Surely a woman at 5ft needs less calories than a woman at 6ft.

TokenGinger nonsense.

It’s not quite as simple as calories in vs calories out but it’s a good start. If you restrict to 800/day (VLCD style) but then go back to your normal eating habits, yes the weight will go on. If you look at your tdee and work out what you should be eating to maintain, then gradually increase to that, you should stay at your lower weight. It’s harder for some than others, portion sizes and snacking often the issue.

If I ate 2000kcal a day I’d be the size of a house. My tdee is around 1500-1800 depending on acitivity levels.

OP - I’d use specific meal replacement bars or shakes rather than standard protein shakes, they usually have a better combination of vitamins / minerals.

Calories is all about simple maths.

If I need 2000 to maintain then I could cut that down to 1500 a day I’ll lose weight.

My weight drops so that now I need 1500 to maintain.

Doesn’t matter how I got down to my lower weight as I’ll stay there if I stay with x amount of calories.

Also OP said she would be eating a normal diet and not just shakes.

I often use them for breakfast OP, and lunch too if I'm busy. I make sure they are high protein and low sugar, and if that works for you, then what's the problem.

I've lost 3 stone and have been stuck for around a year. I'm not gaining but getting pretty fed up with not losing. I think my body has just got used to what I'm doing. It's so frustrating.

Ginger I'm not being pedantic. 🤣

And ehrm, you should then ask "him" about the 2000 calories a day thing you're quoting she should eat...,

I’m amused you think I’d make up a partner, or his role, for the sake of an internet argument. Lol.

Ps I asked about the 2,000 calorie. He said for me, I’d eat 2,100 calories to maintain weight. 1,600 for an average of 1lb loss of fat per week, but that’s based on the exercise he does with me in our PT sessions and my average burnt calories shown on my fitness tracker, but it wouldn’t be the same for other women depending on their height, weight and activity. It could be more or less, and would be less for me if we didn’t exercise as often as we do.

Happy to admit where I’m wrong, so apologies OP, for suggesting the 2,000 calorie as a daily guidance.