Am I the only one?

My surgery was 1/10/04 and I have lost 106 pounds. Currently I am 5 under goal, BUT since Thanksgiving Day I have gained 3 POUNDS!!! I am so scared that I am starting a new trend of gaining my weight back. I am really scaring myself. Any suggestions??

Hang in there Pam. The best thing about this is that you recognize that you're possibly starting a new trend, and you have the tool to nip it in the bud right now!! Don't panic, take control, go back to basics and you're going to be great!! Congrats on a job well done! Fanny 297/164/155(?)

Pam, The holidays are a difficult time for anyone. What is getting me through this festive season is a plan. Since I always have dinner with my family - I know ahead of time what the menu is going to be. I know what I'm going to eat and how much of it. I also allow myself a small amount of dessert that I can tolerate. I also like to partake in the leftovers (hehehehe!) During Thanksgiving and the Christmas season, I watch my calories and stick to the plan pretty well. I also try to kick in more exercise. (note the word try...) For any parties I might attend - I try to eat as normal as possible - both as a treat and not to offend my hostess, also it is a party, I want to enjoy myself. But I keep the portions extremely limited and make wise, sensible choices without denying myself. Then again for Christmas since it is with family I know the menu and basically use the same plan for Thanksgiving. I too, think I gained a pound or two - but so what? That's normal. I will take measures to make sure that it doesn't exceed a pound or two. The surgery helped me live a more normal life - not one to be obsessed with a pound or two here and there. Even three! Good luck! Barbie 281/190/170ish

Hey there, Pam - I wouldn't worry about it, as long as you go back to watching your intake between and after the big meal days. According to my therapist, "normal" people gain a few pounds during the holiday season, and then work on losing it afterwards. So think of it this way - you're just being normal! I expect to gain a few pounds during this next month, and I plan to not worry about it. I'll let myself enjoy the holidays, and then I'll go ahead and go back to basics afterwards. I know how to do that now. Good luck to you, and don't be too scared. Jus****ch what happens, and if it gets out of hand, then re-address the issue. Frances 313/162/150

Relax, concentrate on your protein and it will drop back off quickly. I think we are all scared of the regain. You have until Christmas to lose the regain. You can take care of the Christmas regain after the first of the years. When have we ever started a year that we didn't need to lose weight? At least this time it will only be a few pounds. You've worked too hard to lose this weight to let it creep back up on you now. I have confidence in you even if you don't have it in yourself.

Pam, This may sound like a lecture but if it is.. it is one to myself.. just warning you Just think this time last year.. did you even step on a scale to see if you had gained anything? I didn't. I was so past caring that I didn't even own a scale. It was hopeless.. This time last year could you even imagine being only 5 lbs from goal... not me. There are people out there who live their lives being 10 or 20 lbs overweight.. and live very very happily. I don't think I will ever be "normal" because I'm still addicted to food. I think food will always be my problem. I'll never be one of those who "just can't stop losing". But there is a difference now. I KNOW what thin feels like. I KNOW what it is like to take not just one flight of stairs.. but several.. challenging myself every day to take more and more. I know what it feels like to go to the closet everyday.. and have a wonderful time picking out just what I will wear. I know the thrill of shopping. Never mind that most of mine is done in resale shops of some kind.. I can acutally find clothes in my size that are nice and beautiful and look great on me. We know those feelings now.. and we can fight the good fight and win .. because life is just too darn good to go back to the non-life we had before. So keep these things in perspective and keep our eyes on the goal.. a NORMAL, HAPPY life. It is time to live now.. and move.. wow.. the thrill of it all!!! Jan 287/160 and very very happy