[melsreturn]

I am not sure if you are all aware of another helpful tool called the Three Day Liquid Protein Train as found on Bariatric Eating. Many are doing the 5 day pouch test and they are basically the same concepts. However, the 3 Day LPT does not require special recipes and is only for three days. It does help you get back on track with your eating, AND allows more flexibility with your choices.

For those who need a maintenance program, Susan Maria also has a Basic Bariatric Eating Plan which I use and is very helpful. It keeps you at 1200 calories per day and can be modified. It also contains a good schedule for vitamin intake.

Here is the 3 day liquid protein plan for those who may be interested:

Many ask, “What does LPT stand for? What is it?” LPT stands for Liquid Protein Train. It is used by people who have gotten off track (or just plain derailed!), need to de-carb themselves (to get rid of that nasty urge to snack or overeat), or to jump start weight loss again. It also helps you to get in touch with how you feel when you do eat or drink (feeling full, stopping when you have the full sensation, etc.) I searched the message board recently and came up with several questions and responses by others... My final conclusion is that there are really no solid or set in stone rules. However, here are some general consistencies when people decide to do the LPT.

Who Should do the 3 Day LPT?
1. If you have gotten off track (or just plain de-railed in your weight loss journey!), then the 3 day LPT is for you.
2. If you find that you are addicted to carbs, are eating junk food, are snacking and grazing, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
3. If you need to jump start your weight loss once again, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
4. For those who have no weight to lose and are not addicted to carbs, this is probably not necessary. Instead, you may want to check out Susan Maria’s Basic Bariatric Eating Plan to stay on track.

Before You Begin:
1. How many days will I do this program? Normally it’s done for 3 days. You may choose to continue for up to 5 days. Anything over this might be excessive.
2. Will I drink ONLY protein shakes or will I add a light supper? The choice is entirely up to you. If you are able to get rid of carb cravings by cutting back to eating a light supper (high protein), then you may want to stick with drinking shakes all day but a light supper at night. However, if you are overly addicted to carbs and need a more aggressive approach, the full liquid shake only approach may be the best for you.

Preparation for the Program:
1. Make sure you have plenty of protein shakes available – there’s nothing worse than to be in the middle of a program and run out of products! Stock up on high protein, low carb, low sugar and low calorie protein powders or ready to drinks. Bariatric Eating sells a wide variety of great tasting protein products.
2. Decarb your pantry – get rid of foods that you should not have (crackers, chips, cookies, high carb sugar free products) as these will be a stumbling block to you. Also, the purpose of the LPT is to get back on track and away from those items that cause you to fail. You don’t want to sabotage your own success by having these tempting products in the house. They do have a tendency to call your name at the most inopportune (usually your weakest) times!

How It's Done:
1. Drink a protein shake whenever you feel hunger (whether it be real body hunger or head hunger) – one person said they drink a shake every two hours. I figured that if a person would start at 6 am, drink a shake every two hours, this would allow them to drink up to 8 pm! (Sounds great)
2. Consume a minimum of 800 calories for the day
3. You may drink fluids after consuming protein shakes. The "30 minute wait period" before drinking after food does not apply in this case.

Keep in Mind:
1. Get off sugar products
2. Some people include a few additives in their shakes to help spice them up such as a little peanut butter, or sugar free Davinci syrups, or a little bit of fruit (although fruits do have carbs, so it depends on what your preference is). If the additive causes you to crave more, DON'T add it.
3. You may want to include thin soups with light vegetables, yogurts or custards as they are considered full liquids.
4. It has been suggested that if you are exercising, drink a protein shake right before your workout.

Transitioning Back to Normal:
1. If you are doing full liquids for 3 days, on the fourth day you will want to add a light supper. When comfortable, add a light lunch until you are back to your 3 meals a day. The LPT will help you to be more in tune with how food makes you feel. In other words, you will know when you are full on a meal. Stop there, do not overeat. Listen to your body and pouch when it says its full.
2. If you did liquid all day and a light supper at night during the 3 days, then just add your light lunch back into the routine.

[kimtindall]

Thanks for sharing your tips!

[Christy0283]

Thanks for sharing your information. It's great!

[mike]

This way of getting back on track is GREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT! It really does get you back on track. I am a 2 year post-op, and I am doing great as far as keeping the weight off. NO WEIGHT GAIN, but I feel I was getting a bit off track these days due to many many many stresses with ordinary life. Thanks to this little test, I feel I am back in control with my eating habits. Heck, I really didn't need to, but I even lost 6 pounds while doing it. I am very proud of myself for giving this a whirl, and knowing now, I am still in control of the food monstors. Thanks for posting this. I LOVED IT. mike

[Christy0283]

I have a question.....I am planning on starting this tomorrow. My question is, the article states that it isn't safe to do it for over 5 days. I was wondering if I did it for 5 days, then took a 2 day break, would it be ok to do it for 5 dyas again?

[melsreturn]

The reason it says not to do it over 5 days is just that really that is all necessary to get rid of the craving for carbs. You can do a modified version of the 3 day lpt. Just add a very light supper back to your regime for a few days, then your lunch but the key is "light" meals. It will still help you but keep in mind not to lower your carbs too much. You don't want to make your body feel hungered/starved.

Another thing is that you need to keep your strength up. Be cautious, don't allow yourself to get lightheaded or dizzy. And, always get your fluids in. Hope this helps.

[Christy0283]

Thanks, Melinda, for the advice. I have been stalled for a while now and am really hoping that this helps.

[Christy0283]

Melinda, my question is this..... how many is too low for carbs? If I drink my protein shakes, in order to get in no less than 800 calories a day, I will have to drink 7 protein shakes in a day. That would be 14 carbs total. How do I only drink protein shakes AND still get in enough carbs? And does the liquid in the protein shakes count toward you daily liquids that you need to get in?

[Christy0283]

Melinda, I also wonder one other thing...... IF I decide to add one small meal in per day, I wonder if it would make a difference to have that small meal at lunch time instead of dinner time? What are your thoughts on that? THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP and SORRY FOR ALL THE ????'s.

[Spikey1341]

Christy, you can up your carbs by making your shakes with milk. I am doing this today and I am using 8 oz fat free milk with 8oz water and one scoop of protein. I should probably add two with the 16 oz but so far I am satisfied with one. I have the chocolate mint protein powder and I didn't think I could do that with straight water. I want it a little creamier than that.

I don't think the time of day you have your light meal matters. Just when you start back with eating if you have it for lunch, then add your second for dinner etc.