Protein Shakes making me gain weight & I want to lose weight not gain it. Help!!

About 3 weeks ago, I began to start eating right. I'm doing a low carb diet. I lost 8 pounds right off, (I went from 223 to 215) so I'm think that was alot of fluid. The second week of my diet, someone introduced me to Protein Shakes. I began to drink one in the morning (between 45-60 carbs) & a 15 carb one for my bedtime snack. I've noticed today that I've gained 2 of those pounds back. I've been walking everyday between 30 mins to 45 mins and here's my carb schedule: Breakfast 45-60, Snack 15, Lunch 45, Snack 15, Supper 60, Snack 15. Plus I'm working on increasing my water intake. Right now I'm drinking around 48 oz of water. What am I doing wrong?

Whats your calorie count???
You could loose weight eating twinkies all day if your calories are on a deficit.
Count your calories!

edit: Im not suggesting the twinkie diet.

[QUOTE=kleighwickham;752243963]About 3 weeks ago, I began to start eating right. I'm doing a low carb diet. I lost 8 pounds right off, (I went from 223 to 215) so I'm think that was alot of fluid. The second week of my diet, someone introduced me to Protein Shakes. I began to drink one in the morning (between 45-60 carbs) & a 15 carb one for my bedtime snack. I've noticed today that I've gained 2 of those pounds back. I've been walking everyday between 30 mins to 45 mins and here's my carb schedule: Breakfast 45-60, Snack 15, Lunch 45, Snack 15, Supper 60, Snack 15. Plus I'm working on increasing my water intake. Right now I'm drinking around 48 oz of water. What am I doing wrong?[/QUOTE] are you only doing cardio? If so, why are you drinking the protein?

[QUOTE=latebloomingmom;752251633]are you only doing cardio? If so, [b]why are you drinking the protein?[/b][/QUOTE]


Most likely a basic lack of understand what protein drinks are for, combined with an overall lack of nutritional information, and perhaps a lack of an established goal.

This is just a guess. I can admit that I was once where this person is (but I was much much heavier). If any of the above three are missing, the road can be longer, and rockier.

Stop drinking them?

[QUOTE=cowboybiker;752245493]Whats your calorie count???
You could loose weight eating twinkies all day if your calories are on a deficit.
Count your calories!

edit: Im not suggesting the twinkie diet.[/QUOTE]

Tell me more about this Twinkie diet:D

[QUOTE=djflex;752262513]Stop drinking them?[/QUOTE]

Sums it up well.

[QUOTE=cowboybiker;752245493]Whats your calorie count???
You could loose weight eating twinkies all day if your calories are on a deficit.
Count your calories!

edit: Im not suggesting the twinkie diet.[/QUOTE]

Lies ! you suggested same to me 6 months ago. And it worked !

[QUOTE=kleighwickham;752243963]About 3 weeks ago, I began to start eating right. I'm doing a low carb diet. I lost 8 pounds right off, (I went from 223 to 215) so I'm think that was alot of fluid. The second week of my diet, someone introduced me to Protein Shakes. I began to drink one in the morning (between 45-60 carbs) & a 15 carb one for my bedtime snack. I've noticed today that I've gained 2 of those pounds back. I've been walking everyday between 30 mins to 45 mins and here's my carb schedule: Breakfast 45-60, Snack 15, Lunch 45, Snack 15, Supper 60, Snack 15. Plus I'm working on increasing my water intake. Right now I'm drinking around 48 oz of water. What am I doing wrong?[/QUOTE]

What is with the carb counting, I never understood that, spend your time counting calories instead of carbs.

[QUOTE=jayluk4600;752265463]Lies ! you suggested same to me 6 months ago. And it worked ![/QUOTE]


I chase my Twinkies with a double sized protein drink. amidoingitrite.dumbassiam

[QUOTE=cowboybiker;752245493]Whats your calorie count???
You could loose weight eating twinkies all day if your calories are on a deficit.
Count your calories!

edit: Im not suggesting the twinkie diet.[/QUOTE]



I was told a woman who wants to lose weight needs about 1,500 to 1,800 calories a day. So the woman would need to aim for 180 to 210 grams of carbohydrate or about 12 to 13 carbohydrate servings a day.
Right now, I'm getting an average of around 210 grams of carbs a day....I would love to know the twinkie diet!! lol And BTW the Protein Shake replaces my breakfast meal & my bedtime snack.

[QUOTE=jayluk4600;752265723]What is with the carb counting, I never understood that, spend your time counting calories instead of carbs.[/QUOTE]

I was told to count carbs by a nutrionalist. That's why I started doing it that way.

Nutrtionalist said that Protein Shakes are a great way to replace meals if you are on the go. In the mornings, I'm in a hurry and so I make up a protein shake to take with me.

[QUOTE=kleighwickham;752279773]Right now, I'm watching my carbs. So one carb would equal one calorie...so adding my carbs in one day averages to around 840 calories a day. I would love to know the twinkie diet!! lol And the Protein Shake replaces my breakfast meal & my bedtime snack.[/QUOTE]

What else are you eating? What do you have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc? Surely, your total caloric intake is > 840 calories. Have you visited the nutrition section and read some of the stickies?

In the mornings, I get up and eat a Protein Shake (made of Almond milk, mixed berries, & 1 scoop of Protein) 45 carbs. Then at snack, I have an Atkins Breakfast bar (around 15-18 carbs) Then at lunch, it varies but, I eat around 45 carbs, then next snack is an Atkins Snack that ranges around 15-18 carbs, then supper varies but I tried to keep it around 60 carbs and then at night, I drink another Protein Shake (milk & protein, no berries). 15 carbs. That's it. And I have been drinking around 4 to 5 16.9 oz bottles of water. Also been walking around 30-45 mins a day.

I am new to the site...where do you find the stickies?

[QUOTE=kleighwickham;752282933]In the mornings, I get up and eat a Protein Shake (made of Almond milk, mixed berries, & 1 scoop of Protein) 45 carbs. Then at snack, I have an Atkins Breakfast bar (around 15-18 carbs) Then at lunch, it varies but, I eat around 45 carbs, then next snack is an Atkins Snack that ranges around 15-18 carbs, then supper varies but I tried to keep it around 60 carbs and then at night, I drink another Protein Shake (milk & protein, no berries). 15 carbs. That's it. And I have been drinking around 4 to 5 16.9 oz bottles of water. Also been walking around 30-45 mins a day.

I am new to the site...where do you find the stickies?[/QUOTE]

Here is a link to a useful sticky: [url]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981[/url]

I am unsure of your overall caloric intake, but I'd like to see you eat more whole foods and ditch the bars and shakes. I am not a fan of your current diet as it's limited at best.

To answer your original question, eating above maintenance causes an increase in weight. I doubt two protein shakes a day added two pounds of fat; unless you added ice cream to the shakes:D.

Please take some time to learn more about nutrition and create a better plan for yourself. Good luck with your goals!

Thanks so much for you help!

[QUOTE=Brackneyc;752266643]I chase my Twinkies with a double sized protein drink. amidoingitrite.dumbassiam[/QUOTE] I heard if you only lick the cream off your fingers then its less calories!

[QUOTE=latebloomingmom;752288583]I heard if you only lick the cream off your fingers then its less calories![/QUOTE]


Since I scoop my iceream with my bare hand, this^^ is great news. :)

Well I am new at this but this is what I have found works for me. Based off the book I read Body by Design, advice from my trainer and some guys in the gym that have given me some advice. First what protein shake are you taking? Some are loaded with sugar which is not good. I eat good carbs with breatkfast (or my morning snack if I just do a shake for breakfast) and with lunch. After that, the only carbs I eat are vegetables. No breads, pasta, wheats or grains. I have started taking something new that my trainer and some other guys in the gym turned me on to called Pure Karbolyn. It is a sugar free carb that I drink right after my work outs. I also use a zero carb shake called Isopure 0 carb. Taste great too. So far I have been averging about 2 to 3 lb weight loss a week while adding some muscle.

[QUOTE=neon0107;752299083]Well I am new at this but this is what I have found works for me. Based off the book I read Body by Design, advice from my trainer and some guys in the gym that have given me some advice. First what protein shake are you taking? Some are loaded with sugar which is not good. I eat good carbs with breatkfast (or my morning snack if I just do a shake for breakfast) and with lunch. After that, the only carbs I eat are vegetables. No breads, pasta, wheats or grains. I have started taking something new that my trainer and some other guys in the gym turned me on to called Pure Karbolyn. It is a sugar free carb that I drink right after my work outs. I also use a zero carb shake called Isopure 0 carb. Taste great too. So far I have been averging about 2 to 3 lb weight loss a week while adding some muscle.[/QUOTE]


Could you post your diet. losing 2-3 lbs a week while gaining muscle is not at all typical. We are close to the same weight and height. I'm interested.

[QUOTE=neon0107;752299083]Well I am new at this but this is what I have found works for me. Based off the book I read Body by Design, advice from my trainer and some guys in the gym that have given me some advice. First what protein shake are you taking? Some are loaded with sugar which is not good. I eat good carbs with breatkfast (or my morning snack if I just do a shake for breakfast) and with lunch. After that, the only carbs I eat are vegetables. No breads, pasta, wheats or grains. I have started taking something new that my trainer and some other guys in the gym turned me on to called Pure Karbolyn. It is a sugar free carb that I drink right after my work outs. I also use a zero carb shake called Isopure 0 carb. Taste great too. So far I have been averging about 2 to 3 lb weight loss a week while adding some muscle.[/QUOTE]

Right now, I am using BlueBonnet's Whey Protein. It has 3 carbs. (Vanilla Cream)

[QUOTE=Brackneyc;752302873]Could you post your diet. losing 2-3 lbs a week while gaining muscle is not at all typical. We are close to the same weight and height. I'm interested.[/QUOTE]

I would like to know the same thing.

Sure thing. Here is an example of what I had yesterday. I usually stay around the same thing because I am a picky eater. Lucky for me I don't get tired of some of the same foods.

Breakfast - Isopure 0 carb protein shake
snack 6 oz chicken and a apple
Lunch - 1 serving of par boiled rice, 6 to 8 oz chicken serving of peas
snack Chicken and handful of almonds
Post work out shake BNRG Proto Whey and a serving of pure Karbolyn. Also do creatine before and after workout
dinner - Salmon with steamed brocolli, serving of corn and a small salad
night snack before bed a Casein protein drink.

Inbetween my mid morning snack and lunch I do a 4 mile run. At 2:30 I leave for the gym and do weights.

Gaining the muscle has been slow but it is coming a long. I really want to get my body fat down first then try to pack on the muscle.

Get a zero carb protein drink if you need protein drinks.

BUT, I would eat more whole foods and get as much from those as possible before adding supplements. These products are there to SUPPLEMENT your diet. Work out your macros (protein, carbs and fats) look for a 40/40/20 split as a base line and document your daily intake of these macros. From those you can get an idea of your calories for each day (Protein and Carbs = 4 cals per gram and fats = 9 cals per gram)

Once you have details of your BMR and your daily intake of macros you can then tweak as necessary to obtain the results you want. Give each change in diet time to affect your body (i.e. at least a week) before changing again. Up cardio if necessary. These changes should get you going in the right direction.

I would also rely on the mirror and photographs to monitor your physical changes rather than just scales as weight can differ quite a bit from hour to hour let alone day to day.

[QUOTE=neon0107;752314143]Sure thing. Here is an example of what I had yesterday. I usually stay around the same thing because I am a picky eater. Lucky for me I don't get tired of some of the same foods.

Breakfast - Isopure 0 carb protein shake
snack 6 oz chicken and a apple
Lunch - 1 serving of par boiled rice, 6 to 8 oz chicken serving of peas
snack Chicken and handful of almonds
Post work out shake BNRG Proto Whey and a serving of pure Karbolyn. Also do creatine before and after workout
dinner - Salmon with steamed brocolli, serving of corn and a small salad
night snack before bed a Casein protein drink.

Inbetween my mid morning snack and lunch I do a 4 mile run. At 2:30 I leave for the gym and do weights.

Gaining the muscle has been slow but it is coming a long. I really want to get my body fat down first then try to pack on the muscle.[/QUOTE]

Thank you. Do you have a calorie breakdown on this. Also, are you weighing/measuring your food, or estimating. You listed 6-8 oz of chicken, twice a day. 6 oz x 2 is 12. 8 oz x 2 is 16 oz. That is a notable difference in cals over a weeks times. I estimate my own portion sizes in most cases. I am just trying to get an idea of your cals/macros. I'm not trying to be difficult, but to lose fat and gain muscle is mostly a function of food intake, and a difference of a few hundred cals a day can make a huge difference.

I know within 50 cals a day (based on my own baseline/measurements) what I consume. This includes condiments, fish oil pills and anything else which contains a calorie. In two years, I have not found a combo of food/cals which allows me to recomp at a rate of 2-3 lbs lost a week, and at the same time achieve a gain in LBM. I am a serious endo however, which I am sure is not helping.

Wow that's a lot of carbs for a protein shake!

Oh and it's not WHAT you are eating, it's how much of it you are eating. You could lose weigh on the Twinkie diet if you ate less twinkies then you burned :)

[QUOTE=Brackneyc;752318203]Thank you. Do you have a calorie breakdown on this. Also, are you weighing/measuring your food, or estimating. You listed 6-8 oz of chicken, twice a day. 6 oz x 2 is 12. 8 oz x 2 is 16 oz. That is a notable difference in cals over a weeks times. I estimate my own portion sizes in most cases. I am just trying to get an idea of your cals/macros. I'm not trying to be difficult, but to lose fat and gain muscle is mostly a function of food intake, and a difference of a few hundred cals a day can make a huge difference.

I know within 50 cals a day (based on my own baseline/measurements) what I consume. This includes condiments, fish oil pills and anything else which contains a calorie. In two years, I have not found a combo of food/cals which allows me to recomp at a rate of 2-3 lbs lost a week, and at the same time achieve a gain in LBM. I am a serious endo however, which I am sure is not helping.[/QUOTE]

Not a problem. I don't have a breakdown of this. I use to track all of that with an app on my phone and I am going to start doing that again starting on monday when I start a new workout routine i read in my book. I do measure out my food though. I use measuring cups for sides and I use a scale to weigh out my meat. New to this site so I am going to start tracking more info mainly on foods. I have a great workout app on my phone and web that I love so now time to get back to tracking the food by breaking it all down.

Good option for low cal/carb/sugar Shakes:

Gold standard double chocloate made with Almond Milk.

[QUOTE=Jtbny;752324433]Wow that's a lot of carbs for a protein shake!

Oh and it's not WHAT you are eating, it's how much of it you are eating. You could lose weigh on the Twinkie diet if you ate less twinkies then you burned :)[/QUOTE]


Go buy stock in Hostess, because this guy <------------ has a new plan. :D

[QUOTE=neon0107;752299083] So far I have been averging about 2 to 3 lb weight loss a week while adding some muscle.[/QUOTE]

Dude....no offence, but I dont think you are losing 2-3lbs a week and adding muscle.

For a 3 lb / week loss that is a 1500 cal / day deficit. I just dont think you quite have a handle on what you are doing. Presenting this type of information out there is discouraging and counterproductive to others who are as inexperienced as you are as it is not really attainable....nor desirable to loose weight at that rate. Unless you want to be skinny-fat....because you certainly will waste plenty of muscle while dropping weight at that rate... No, you wont gain....even slowly as you say at deficits that great.