Help me please...

Hello JuneBugs, I have been off the boards for at least a year now. My weight loss has slowed and I'm falling back into old habits. Some days I feel like I'm eating everything in sight and on other days I don't eat much at all- is this normal? I get scared when I see other postings of what people are eating. I can eat an entire bagel- although it does take a good 1/2 hour; which is another thing I need to get a hold of. I am going to go back to the basics- start from the begining. I pray I haven't stretched my pouch. Does anyone have any advice for me? starting weight: 296lbs. current weight: 190lbs. Thanks ~Robin

Hi Robin~ Sorry to hear about your issues. I wish that I could say that your issues were not normal, but I think every person is dealing with the same bad habits again. I, too, deal with feeling like I'm eating too much, certainly with the number of carbs that I've been allowing myself to have. I've grappled with the fear of whether I've stretched my pouch, too. I don't think so, but time will tell. The positive side is that you are 100+ lbs. lighter than when you began. That is hugely successful in my book!!!! My surgeon warned me that my body would just kind of reset itself after 18 months. I haven't lost much in the last 2-3 months, but I really attribute that to not doing as much exercise, and allowing myself quite a bit in carbs. I would encourage you to follow your plan...back to basics. Protein first, limit carbs, and up the exercise. I don't know about you, but I still drink a protein drink each day, and on days like today where I've done some type of serious exercise, I do 2 protein drinks, 2-3 scoops each. Please know that you're not alone. I'm restarting to go back to my surgeon's support group twice a month as well. Good luck, Kerri

Robin, sorry you are stressing. I think we are all going through this period now. Our bodies are getting back to "normal". So now is the time we have to apply what we have learned over the last 18 months. Protein first, good carbs and lots of exercise. I know I struggle daily with this. Good Luck, Shelley

Robin I know you may not be where you want to be but remember you are doing great with your loss so far. Everything we go through is normal. But it seems that you have the right idea to get back to basics. You have more power and control then you know. It is my understanding that even if you stretched your pouch (although some don't believe it is possible) as long as you follow the rules you will still lose. My loss have been very strange (120 in 6 months then nothing for 6 months) Then I started losing again. It is slow but al long as when the scale moves it is down I don't mind (151 down to date). I would suggest you focus on what you have done so far and how you got there. Best of luck Monica