Help - I need to get weight back

[some_guy]

I did not know where else to put this. I think I remember reading a few members here were nutrition specialist or related. Anyone have suggestions for things I can eat to get some weight back.

With the break up of my marriage and being really sick with IC and more so with the stress I have lost 15lbs. I am feeling great now, working out a little and trying to eat good but I have some things working against me. I am living in a hotel right now so all I have to cook is a microwave. I can't stand to eat to much process foods or eat out much for same reason.

I need to gain back 10lbs to be at an ideal weight and look good. I've added almonds and walnuts to eat in between meals (and when missing meals) I have also added Ensure muscle health drink for some extra protein but I'm not gaining anything. I'm worried that with my living situation and fear of process foods and no good way to cook that I could even lose more weight.

Any suggestions on high calorie, high protein foods I can eat ?


I don't want to have to go for the GNC bulk protein stuff that body builder use but if I lose any more weight I might not have a choice.

[ICNDonna]

It's possible that you're getting adequate protein, but just need more calories --- if I could I'd send you 15 of MY pounds. :) You might want to think about adding some calorie foods like cream cheese and crackers and ice cream.

Donna

[some_guy]

It's possible that you're getting adequate protein, but just need more calories --- if I could I'd send you 15 of MY pounds. :) You might want to think about adding some calorie foods like cream cheese and crackers and ice cream.

Donna

I'll take 10lbs and we'll call it even :)

Actually cream cheese and crackers might be a good idea, can eat those easy and while at computer working - thanks!

[KatieB]

Over the last 2 years I have lost approx 40 lbs. I have had MANY doc's assuming I have some sort of ED. It's SO frustrating. I would give anything to add on 20 lbs thinking it would make me feel better in general and possibly help my IC. I've seen a nutrionist but she knows nothing about IC.
Knowing it's not good for my cholesterol I still put butter or margarine on pretty much everything. Til I found the IC diet I was eating chocolate and many of the "no-no" foods thinking this would help me with my weight gain issues.
I'm SO tired of doc's trying to explore whether or not I have an eating disorder. It's just so frustrating and tiresome. Sometimes I feel as though I go on the defensive which I know doesn't help my cause.
I've tried bene-protien and bene-calorie with little to no success. I feel I eat what I can but at times the pain is SO bad that I feel as though no matter how hungry I am, the only thing I can think of is going to the bathroom for a little relief. Which puts food on the back burner.
I know that this weight loss has not helped my IC, but I also think the IC has not helped my weight gain efforts.
I'm not sure I have any advice for you except to try the bene-protein and the bene-calorie. I had to order them off the Internet from Walgreens.com. They may help you.
Good luck to you and I understand.
Katie

[kadi]

Almond butter! I get the Trader Joe's one that's just almonds.
Also you can put mozzarella on your sandwiches - heat it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to melt it a bit before adding the lettuce or whatever.
Go out to eat breakfasts - pancakes, eggs, & hashbrowns should do it.
Vanilla milkshakes with real ice cream at restaurant sizes. Wow, was I shocked when I saw the weight watchers point totals.. Yikes!

Sadly, I gained 40 pounds with IC. I've lost 15, but still have 30 to go:(

Good luck! I know it's not easy to have people judging you for your weight, either too much or too little...

[mary124]

I have the same problem -- A handful of years ago I lost 30lbs; nothing going on, just lost it! I have gain maybe 5lbs back (everyone has told me they will give me 10--of course if you add 10 from every person I would weight over 300lbs!! Don't want that. My problem is that I am probably not getting enough calories, so the doctors put me on Ensure (or the store brand) I can tolerate very well the vanilla. I can't however drink the high protein or whatever else is out there as it puts me in a slight flare.

[KatieB]

Mary,
If you find you can't get enough calories you may want to try the BeneCalorie It's just like BeneFiber in that it's a tasteless, odorless powder that can be mixed into any food (such as your liquid drinks). I ordered it online from Walgreens as they don't carry it in the stores. Good luck to you. I know what you're going through.

[some_guy]

Mary124 - Yeah those Ensure drinks are good for a calorie boost and they actually taste okay. I saw the protein ones but bough the muscle health ones and they taste good as well but I don't know if they might cause any irritation as I'm not really food sensitive that I can really tell.

Kadi - that almond butter sounds good I will be getting some of that, I have slipped in a few milk shakes lately just to have something with protein and calories that is easy to get in me when rushed with work or just busy.

KatieB I might try the bene-protein and the bene-calorie if I don't gain a few lbs over next few weeks. I'm looking for Thanksgiving to help me out first :)

[some_guy]

Thanks to some suggestions here I have officially gained 2lbs and it appears to be of mostly muscle. I weighed myself this morning and voila teetered on almost 2lbs more. The milkshakes, Ensure muscle health, walnuts, almonds, yogurt, bananas and a couple of choice pieces of beef and fish along with some small workouts have done it. Now I just need to keep that up while carefully watching the weight to keep from adding too fast and to be able to stop the gain when just right. :smile tee

I feel really great and I would almost bet that next blood test my hyperactive thyroid might be normal or only slightly high and my cholesterol will be good and I will be 5-6 lbs more lean muscle I hope.

I have this goal of becoming really healthy as I can be with IC, looking good and then there is this stunningly beautiful red head I want to impress.

[KatieB]

Good for you!! And keep it up!!! :woohoo:

[some_guy]

Woo hoo after a workout and weigh in this morning I am up one more pound making a total of three lbs toward my goal of ten.

When I hit five lbs gain I'll calculate the days and foods and amounts of and adjust to hopefully add the second 5lbs a little slower so that I can put on the brakes around 10-12 max.

[babygirl1071]

My aunt had trouble gaining weight after having severe stomach problems. She ate a lot of pasta, potatoes and ice cream and managed to gain some weight. Those were pretty easy on her tummy.

[some_guy]

Well I am now have 5lbs of myself back. A steady diet of walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, bananas, chicken and turkey, raw broccoli & carrots has helped, of course I eat other stuff but try to get the latter items in every day. My wife made me a pan of delicious home made macaroni and cheese which helped load up some calories. I drink a couple of high protein drinks, Ensure or sometimes Naked Protein which is a natural fruit drink with whey and soy protein - I like it better than the Ensure because I can pronounce all the ingredients.

I am thinking I might need to raise the goal from 10lbs to 15lbs because I am gaining mostly muscle and it weighs more than fat therefore I might still look a little thinner than I would like with just adding the 10lbs.

So I'm looking a little better with the 5lbs added on, feeling great with the good foods and workouts and I can't help but think that all that is good for my IC as well.

[ICNDonna]

It sounds like things are looking up for you. :)

Donna

[KatieB]

Good JOB!!! I see the next 5 lbs in your future, as tomorrow is Thanksgiving!! Eat long and often, my friend!! I won't be cooking or traveling so we'll be having Thanksgiving dinner and leftovers from a great a caterer I've known for years. I'm hoping that stacks a few lbs on me too!!! I hope whatever you do, you have a great and thankful holiday!!!

[some_guy]

Hey Donna, Katie,

Yeah things are looking up and yes I see some pounds coming my way tomorrow as I am going to my wife's moms house for dinner and of course this lovely red head will be there.

Wow you know it just really hit me this morning not only do I love my wife but I am head over heels in love with her like it is brand new, like I just met her a few times and I have butterflies in my stomach trying to impress her. I have been buying clothes and working out to look good, all nervous feeling, just ran out to get a new belt for tomorrow because I'm so crazy about her I have to do everything I can to look good and get her to notice me more - this is really kind of crazy but it feels so good to feel so alive - scary as heck but good.

Now of course I'm starting to think I need another pair of new shoes for tomorrow, a rugged boot look I think will work.

Even if it does not work out like I hope, I'll be more healthy, look better and feel so much more alive again.

Mike

[mary124]

I just seen these postings, I think I will buy some of this bene-calorie.
tomorrow I will be cooking all day (probably some tonight as there is too much to do and its just the 4 of us) but my grown sons informed me if I even forget one little item than there is going to be a war in the household and I will lose! I usually make a lot of food this way we can eat all weekend long without me cooking!

[bob04951]

Hey Some Guy
So glad to hear you are doing better in all departments. LOL. Sure turkey day will add a pound or two and perhaps mominlaw will let you take some home. Those leftover turkey sambos with all the fixings can add up, and really turkey is pretty healthful in most departments, just eliminate the skin. Whole grain bread, of course. Another goodie is a smoothie with whole milk and whatever fruit you tolerate, bananas and/or berries, at any time of the day. Throw in some honey for extra cals. My hub is trying to lose, but I'm trying to gain so imagine that. Carbs, carbs, if you don't have a diabetes inclination. Keep the salads going, and add some chunks of cheese. Nibble all day, keep the blood sugar constant, and you may find your appetite actually improves. Lots of small meals rather than one big one, which turns most off who are looking to gain. Good luck tomorrow in all aspects, we are all pulling for you.

[some_guy]

Thanks! - yes many things are improving for me, I feel great. I look forward to a bunch of turkey and stuffing and seeing everyone. I did just buy some whole milk the other day so I could start eating cereal for breakfast with some nuts, banana and maca powder sprinkled on it giving me an extra meal to start the day since I usually skip a real breakfast.

I agree about eating many small meals and think that can work as well adding weight as losing weight. I know a guy who lost 40+ lbs by doing a eat something small every 30 minutes diet, he said it worked so well because eating that way he never became super hungry and his other theory was his body did not try to store fat because it was getting food so often.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

Mike

[some_guy]

As of today I am now 7lbs towards my 10lb goal. I think I will have to up the goal another 2-5 lbs because the weight I am getting back is muscle and if I can keep that going then a little more weight will look and feel good.

At this point I am pleased because i don't look to thin anymore, not that I was really thin just thinner than I should have been - anyway getting close to just right.

[Erica1836]

When I'm in a bad flare I LOVE vanilla milkshakes from mcdonalds.....turns out they have a bunch of calories and fat. I had a very bad flare a couple of weeks ago that put me in the hospital and my dad brought me one everyday. I left the hospital with 5 more pounds than i went in with lol.

[some_guy]

When I'm in a bad flare I LOVE vanilla milkshakes from mcdonalds.....turns out they have a bunch of calories and fat. I had a very bad flare a couple of weeks ago that put me in the hospital and my dad brought me one everyday. I left the hospital with 5 more pounds than i went in with lol.

That's funny - I just had a Wendy's shake earlier today :)

[KatieB]

Well I guess you're "picking up what I'm putting down"!!! I've lost about 10 lbs in the last 2 months. This IC has kicked my butt and I just feel like I'm in a downward spiral. I was really hoping that taking the Elavil would help me put on a few lbs. But I just can't take it. And lately the nausea from pain is keeping me from eating as much as I want and should eat.
I go back to my pain doc on Friday and hopefully we can figure something out.

[bob04951]

Just be careful with those fast food shakes tho. That is not real ice cream in there, but rehydrated stuff. So glad it is tolerable for you and indeed loaded with calories, but if you start having problems after a bunch of them, you may want to think twice. If you can handle them, FANTASTIC! Just a heads up, don't want to spoil your fun...

[jane2]

I actually have the same problem. I have found that eating just isn't much fun anymore. About the only thing I can eat in a resturant is a breakfast. I am not skinny, but I don't want to lose any more weight. I too eat nuts if skipping a meal adding some raisens. Lots of yogurt. I found a blueberry juice I can drink that is 200 calories. I eat ice cream. Also try and do some resistance training. that keeps me a bit hungry when I train. Biking indoors also.

You have some great suggestions. Ice cream probably being my favorite. Eggs, and nuts for protien. I don't think I would try a mix, I would be afraid of all the soy protien in it. Soy being a IC trigger for me.

Good Luck!

[bob04951]

Have also found that smaller meals are better. Bob cannot even finish a meal, and I do not overload him. Seems the fullness makes him more uncomfortable. His appetite is hardly there, except for dinner. But he's trying to lose weight. Just do not have a bunch of junk in the house any longer, only things he can tolerate (I know he cheats, but not very often). And the tummy fiber does help him. And marshmallow root tea. Wow, you can tolerate yogurt? Good for you! Happy 2011 all. Jill, wife of Bob

[jane2]

I usually stick with plain yogurt but take a probotic as my URO suggested. I usually add Splenda and blueberries, some organic cereal and nuts- I have lived on that while visiting people that didn't have my kind of food. I try and make those kinds of dining fun and full of conversation. I want people to know I stil enjoy their company, just have food restrictions.

I usually just say I am allergic. We went to China Buffet & the owner kept watching me on leaving I asked him if there was any food there without soy. he said no. I thanked him and told him I was just visiting with my friends. Guess I did that backwards. I am still learning ..
..but still laughing.

Texas hugs, jane2