need some help again,

or maybe a good swift kick in the pants. I had major surgery to have this awesome tool and I am not using it right. I lost about 120 pounds and was down to about 201....feeling great, everyone was telling me i was too thin, never think I would hear that. But now at almost 3 years out I am back up to 250 pounds and can't get control of my eating. Everytime I think I am doing better, losing a few, something else pops into my life thats stressfull and I slip up again. UGHH, I am soo frustrated!! Weigh****chers was working for me...lost about 20 pounds, but I couldn't afford it after a while, with all the other bills piling up. Thanks for listening to my vent...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks! Leigh Ann

Hello Leigh I just wanted to stop by and show my support. It will be 3 yrs for me May 10 and I cant believe how the time has flown. As far as the stress goes I feel you. I really have to concentrate on it. I may as well be a student in my 7th yr of medical school. I remember my friend saying to me, "If you dont want to do it you won't" I learned to talk to my self in 3rd person. Natalie, I know you want that candy but if you eat it you will regret it in 5 minutes. I fail sometimes and then I get back up. No one is perfect and not saying this will work for you but it does sometimes for me. I have to remind myself that only I can be responsible for me and truly I am not hungry for it I just want it and that I can't have everything I want. (LOL easier said than done) You have done great so keep up the great work and good luck NAT

hello Leigh Ann BOY DO I FEEL YOUR PAIN It's happening to me also. I gained about 15-20 lbs and I feel terrible. I am exercising now since I've had my knees replaced so I can get out and walk about 1-2 miles a day. I couldn't walk a block without pain. Now I am walking and it seems I'm gaining not losing. I've asked everyone what's up with that. I should be losing not gaining. But that's what's happening. That's all I can say It does make me because I've worked so hard to get that 100 lbs off only after 3 years to start gaining. We have to have faith and continue to do what we did when we started this journey. Sometimes we have to go back to go forward. Retrace our steps so that we can get back on track. We did it once We can do it again Keep the faith and increase your Protein and exerxcise. My best to you and you will be in my thoughts Claudia D D

I agree with the others. Basic. It is hard. It feels like a daily struggle anymore. It literally just has to be a day by day thing at times. My 3 year anniversary is tomorrow. I have gained some good habits from WLS, but I also believe I have learned to 'cheat' it too. There is a board on here WLS Grads, where much of what you say is identified. There are LOTS of us still fighting. All the best, Valena

Dear Leigh Ann, I think you just did give yourself a swift kick in the pants by putting your thoughts out on the board. Sometimes we have to have our peers give us support or scoldings, whichever we need. Never listen to anyone who tells you are too thin!! They are so used to seeing you big that even five pounds gone and they think you are dwindling away to nothing. I went through the same thing and just went back to day one after surgery. Do the liquid protein diet for a few days, then gradually reintroduce solid foods. Give your pouch a break and make sure you get lots and lots of water. Water and protein, those have always been my saving graces when I get "out of control". Keep thinking of the weight that you did lose and keep telling yourself that you CAN do it because you ARE worth it! You gotta love yourself lots and lots and lots!!! I hope this helped some. If you need a pal, please feel free to email me!! Hugs, Laura Surgery date 5/18/04 Beginning Weight 329 Present Weight 155

I am in the same boat. Keep telling myself I will start getting serious next week. But next week never comes. I got down to 185-190 now back up to 220. This needs to stop!!!! As a nurse I am so bad I keep hoping I will catch the flu or Norwalk or Roto Virus and have no choice but drop it. I know what needs to be done: Back to Basics- Protein, water and exercise! Just have to find the motivation again. I was so gun ho in the first year, but honeymoon is over and now I am going to have to fight to get it back.