Very Discouraged

Ok I am quickly approaching my 10 month anniversary on the 20th and struggling to add to my 89 pound weight loss. By now I should have lost at least 100 pounds, and instead of being on a steady decline there have been times where I have gained 3-5 pounds and then spend my time losing it again. I admit I have not been perfect with my eating or exercise. Now my hunger is coming back and I am feeling like a loser. Everyone else seems to be doing so much better than me, and I dont know if I am going to even make it to the 100 pound mark. Some of my old ways are coming back and I feel like I can eat more. I need some advice, encouragement or something. Please help.

First thing you need to do is congratulate yourself on 89 lbs. That is awesome and something you should be so proud of. Where would you be right now if you had not had WLS 10 months ago? I know where I would be. I probably would have gained 20 more lbs. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have been too. I did reach the 100 lb. mark, but pretty much stopped there. I have been struggling with my choices as well lately. I've been doing some soul searching lately and realized that I do it out of boredom and habit, which I'm sure is what most of us do. I haven't been real bad, but enough to make the scale hover with 5 lbs up or down. I guess we just need to kick ourselves in the rear and start exercising, drinking tons of water and yes, stop snacking. Even though I am making better choices than I would have 10 months ago, it needs to be better. We have to remember that this is a tool to "use", not to think it will do it for us. I guess since those habits are coming back we need to come up with some snacks that we can have that won't hurt our efforts. I've noticed it really helps when I have some beef jerkey or some almonds. That really seems to slow my hunger pangs. I keep them in my desk at work for those times. Maybe you can try that. I've been trying to do better this week and so far so good. I plan to up my exercise next week. I hear that will help with the hunger pangs as well. Good luck and we can do this. Look what we've done so far.

Hey sweetflower, You have done great!!! We all loose in varied ways-- dont measure worth and prosperity by others. Be good to you because you desserve that! You are a winner in this fight! Learn to CELEBRATE the victory! Old habits are hard to break at times but you can do it. Many have fallen but-- we have to dust off and try again. Julie, smile and look where you were and where your headed................... you are a true champ!!!!!!!! Hugs, Renee'

Julie I can so understand what you are going through. I was at 99 post op pounds and then gained 10 pounds in 1 week. I have been fighting to get it back off and this is not the first time it has been a repeated pattern for the last 3 months. Now i have found out from my surgeon that my body is in starvation mode and i have to find away to get in more healthy calories. Just remember to celebrate what you have already done which is keep off 89 pounds. give your body time to adjust and know that ultimately you control this journey. We are here for each other. Monica

Julie, I wish I didn't know what you are going thru, but unfortunately I do. I've lost more than you, but I also have another 120 lbs or so to go. I have lost over the last few months, but at times I would go several weeks losing and gaining the same 5 lbs. I got as high as a 5 lb gain this month. (hoping I'll lose something before the end of the month) I do make poor choices at times, but also sometimes when I don't, I still don't lose. You have to realize that approaching the year mark, things slow down. The surgery is quite successful, but my doctor made sure he told all of us that only 70% will hit their goal. There are some that will stay overweight and some that will get underweight. Obviously all of us want to hit goal. That is the purpose. I get down sometimes too, but you have to just keep pushing. You've done great! I know it's hard, but once you've made a mistake, it doesn't correct it by beating up on yourself. We all do this at times, but all we can do is press on. Good luck!

First know you are not alone. I have i lost like a total of 5 lbs since november. I have hit a serious stop and also fear this is it for me. I think the biggest thing is the realization that our actions are still going to affect us. I fear magic time is drawing to a close for many of us. You need to cherish that 89 lbs. It is hard for me to remember so it must be harder for others as well to remember just how far we have come and how much better we have to feel about things. Keep up your protein... i have noticed when i slack on my protein i get way mroe hungry. And if i eat too many carbs i just can't stop them.

Julie, Let me say this, You have to eat 3000 calories a day to gain a pound. I doubt you can do this even at the 10 months out. Those pounds up and down, believe it or not are water weight. Usually hormonal fluxes or too much salt intake can do this, and never, ever weigh at night!!! I go up and down 5 lbs in a day! I wait and weigh in the morning before breakfast and I am usually back to my original number. If you are truly taking in over 3000 calories a day, then I suggest talking to your doctor and maybe a therapist about your eating. That would be an awful lot of grazing going on. I think you are looking a****er weight though and probably need to up the protein and limit salt intake. Wendy

I guess it'****ting us all - the scale not wanting to budge and the fear of failure. Old habits creeping back. It is scary. I have alot left to lose to even be considered healthy - much less thin. We just need to have faith and be there for each other. Dawn