Can I join?
I took my first jab last Thursday. Same story as so many of you, years and years of yo-yo dieting that only ever ends up with me being heavier at the end of it. Very much an emotional eater/drinker.
I'm 54. Starting weight 16 stone on the nose, (I think -my scales are buggered and kept giving different results at first, so I'm going by the one that it averaged out at!) and I'm only 5 foot 3, so it's not a good look. Got an apron belly and just can't stand looking at myself. My joints are creaking, I'm just so stiff and can't exercise in the way that I'd like. DH is tall and skinny and eats what he likes, so being around him is hard (although he is very loving and supportive about my choice to do this.)
My daily calories are set at 1200, which is fine, I've lost weight at that before. But oh my goodness, the suppression! I know this will change, but as everyone has said, the stilling of the constant noise in my head about food is amazing.
That said, I do still think about food all the time. Not because I want to eat, because I don't. But the HABIT of thinking about food is still there. Except now it's thoughts like 'how much protein is in that chicken breast?' 'What makes more sense to eat, just salad or salad with a protein bagel?' -that kind of thing. Is that normal?
I was worried today as it was our anniversary and we went out for lunch. I had warned DH that I wouldn't be eating much but I have to say, I was surprised at how little I wanted. We shared a starter, I had chicken milanese with broccoli and only managed half of it, and then had a teaspoon of his lemon sorbet with berries afterwards. Plus a glass of wine, (which was very nice!). That was about 3pm and I haven't wanted anything except water since.
But I'm aware that on 1200 calories, aiming for 80-100g of protein is HARD. How are you all doing it? I have protein powder but I'm in the cycle of protein makes me feel full so I don't fancy eating much more of it. How can I trick myself into eating it? I like chicken but I'm not mad about eggs -I'd like to be able to eat a couple of small meals a day that take care of most of my protein requirements without resorting to handfuls of nuts here and there. I don't have a particularly sweet tooth and have been mostly vegetarian for years, but have got back on the meat this past week as it seems the most efficient way to protein load. (please don't make me eat tofu, which I hate!)
DH is very on board and quite relaxed about whatever I cook, but going forward I know we are going to have to go our separate ways, dinner wise as I have so little desire to eat in the evening (To be fair this was a thing before MJ) that being tasked with being the person who does the cooking, just annoys me.
I'm a very repetitive eater and once I find something that works for me I'm happy to eat it over and over, but DH is not, and I feel obliged to cook. Has anyone else faced this and what did you do? I'd be happy with a protein heavy soup or similar for dinner but he likes something more 'substantial'. How have you all navigated this?
Sorry for the huge essay -I'm just so thrilled to be starting this journey!