Wake-Up Call

I know I have been MIA on this board, but I have been checking in periodically. It helps to know that the issues I am struggling with are not unique to me. Thanks to all of you who have been loyal posters. Your consistency and willingness to share help more than you know. The first 100 pounds came off in the first seven months and I have been waffling between 188 & 192 for the past eight months. I have been participating in a Back on Track class through my surgeon's office for the past three weeks. It has forced me to do the thing I hate the most - self-examination. I have now proven to myself that I am a carb addict. I had been adhering to the recommended food program from the Back on Track class all week and feeling in contraol and great. Friday night I deviated and had some fried food and a stout at Irish Fair. Saturday was OK, but fell off the wagon that night. Sunday morning I had Life cereal and 3 PB cookies for breakfast and was in full-blown binge mode by 9 am. By 10 I felt lousy and had to go back to bed. Followed that up with a good case of the trots and some lovely gas all day. Still, all I wanted to do was eat. Like an alcoholic, I am approaching this one day at a time. I had yogurt and Kashi Go-Lean Crunch for breakfast. I have packed tuna and cottage cheese for lunch and I have a supply of cheese sticks for snacks. Steak and veggies for dinner. I need to reread my BOT materials again tonight and be ready for class tomorrow. 15 months out and most is well. These demons are not haunting me alone. I know there are more of you out there. Hang in there and stop them before they take you over. The 3-Day is this Friday! All that training is going to pay off. Thanks again and take care. J www.the3day.org/TwinCities06/jennya1964

Jenny, you're right that it is a daily battle of the mind - hourly struggle even. Anyway, I am right there beside you fighting off the compulsions to graze. WE CAN DO IT!! Hugs, Tracy P.S. Good luck on the 3-day.

Well it's Jenny ! Welcome back. Alot of us are struggling with the snacking and I too have found that a problem. With me the first 50 lbs came off fairly simply then a huge stall and shift and it became all hard work, just like before wls for me. Which required me to return to Weigh****chers weekly and also to Overeaters Anonymous as often as I can get there. I read the "OA for Today" meditation book every morning for inspiration. ( which I have considered posting from daily, cuz it's so good ) We have all heard the saying " The doctor only operated on your stomach not your HEAD" and how true it is. I find the same affection I had for food prior to wls is present and doesn't take much to get fanned to a huge flame. Particularly with carbs. I have developed a problem with lo-blood sugar that seems to be triggered by the highly processed carbs and because of these rather scary spells of sweating and being shakey and a weird visual darkness thing I have started keeping a record of when it happens and what I have been eating. It seems much better controlled by eating lots more fresh fruit and veggies and trying to up the protein and yep, even make myself get in at least 1 protein shake daily. I have to say that tho I hate the 'lo-blood sugar spaz attacks' it has a silver lining to this dark cloud, which is that it is forcing me to work harder to eliminate the simple carbs. Not completely successfully but much better. I guess the 'problem' is creating a discipline I couldn't seem to enforce on my own. Jenny, I wonder if you would be willing to post some of the ' back on track' literature your doctors program issues, please. I'm guessing alot of us would benefit a great deal. And it may create alot of lively conversation. Good to hear from you, Mary

Thanks Mary. Everyday I learn something new through trial and error and from all of you. The program materials for the back on track class come from Bariatric Support Centers International (www.bariatricsupportcenter.com). They have the booklets for purchase on-line. Just go to the "Back on Track" header and click on the Personal Study Booklet Set. There is a lot of info on this site and if you can't find a BOT class near you, you can order the booklets and enroll in the online support for $10/month. Even if you are not registered, there is some good info on the site. I will post some of the questions and information here when I can without committing any copyright violations. Take care, J

Thanks Jenny, I'm gonna go check it out now! Mary