7months & BIG Oooops!!!

7months & BIG Oooops!!!   Ok so I am just over 7 months out from my RNY, and while I’ve had a lot of success, overall from my top weight I am down just over 110lbs, according the Dr yesterday I am down 84lbs since surgery – I am retaining water right now too so, just gotta put that out there… Dr O was thrilled with my results so far and when I mentioned my EXTREME decline in weight loss the last couple of months he said ‘it’s expected, you’re getting closer to your goal, but you still have nearly 18 months of weight loss ahead of you’. So I am feeling better and thinking ok things are slow, but they’re still going…. THEN… I met with the dietitian and of course I have a list of questions for her, and she for me. She starts with ‘how much are you eating and how many times a day?’ and I say ‘About a cup four or five times a day’ and she almost falls out of her chair. Apparently I should be eating HALF of a cup, how I got it in my head I can have a cup, I do not know, but my fat ass was eating a cup. So she tells me it’s ok, my pouch will never be as big as my old stomach, but I need to wean myself back down to ½ a  cup, start eating ¾ a cup and then go down to ½ a cup. Question 2 ‘What are you drinking?’ I respond ‘mostly water, crystal light, and some Fresca’ – Dietitian: ‘That’s carbonated, carbonation is the worst thing you can do for your pouch, it WILL stretch your pouch, you will fall off the wagon and overeat. Everyone I see at 18 months who is having weight gain tells me they are drinking carbonated drinks, stop!’ So like a scalded puppy I drop my head and think to myself ‘Oh my God, I’ve ruined this, I am not going to lose anymore weight and probably will gain back all the weight I’ve lost in no time’… I’ve heard so many more stories of failure after this surgery than of long term success that I feel it’s hopeless at times – horrible attitude, right? This is a tool, just one thing, to help me be healthy and lose weight… Ultimately it’s up to me to make the right choices, follow the rules, and keep this weight off. So the final Ooops was protein, I am not eating enough protein, not even close which is probably another reason I am not feeling satisfied (as far as huger is concerned) for long. I was told to ‘Eat my protein first, find as many good sources of protein as I can tolerate (that’s sometimes an issue for me) and eat these items first. Don’t worry about calories in the high protein foods (ie peanut butter, which I had stopped) eat my protein!!!’.   Anyways – my questions were more about ‘how many calories should I be trying to stay under?’, what kind of results should I be getting at this point, etc…. Because I was concerned about the fact that I am not losing right now (well very slowly).    So turned out this appointment was probably the best thing for me at this point because I had gotten comfortable and had inadvertently (and sometimes knowingly) broken a lot of rules. Starting today as I currently sit with my Carnation Breakfast in my Dora the Explorer sippy cup, I vow to follow the rules given to me.  I feel bad that I’ve been making poor choices, and I’ve seen the results of those choices. I know I can do this right because I did it for six months. This is actually great timing because yesterday was the start of my gyms Biggest Loser contest and I think it’ll be yet another motivator to exercise more often and harder, as well as making the right food choices. I did get praise as well, my exercise routine is pretty damn good if I do say so myself J    So just for closing more personal than anything here are a list of rules I set for myself and intend to follow… 1.               Eat smaller portions – eat more often if needed, but never more than half a cup, I can however still have up to 8 meals a day if I choose to (dietitians suggestion about number of meals). 2.             EAT MY PROTEIN – there’s a reason they stress this so much, it’s essential to success!!! 3.              ABSOLUTELY NO CARBONATED DRINKS!!! They are the devil as far as pouch size is concerned. Then of course there are the other rules which I intend to continue to follow – religiously without any little ‘slips’ anymore… 1.               small bites, chew well 2.             no sugar 3.              exercise regularly 4.             sip drinks overtime now all at once I know there are tons more, feel free to suggest and add rules, tips & tricks.   Thanks to all those who are reading all this! I know it was a lot, I guess I needed a written record for myself more than anything and maybe to share my blunders so others might avoid them!   ~Getting BACK on track!~

Don't beat yourself up.  It's all still a learning process and your tool is still working to help you. 

Lately, my downfall has been Girl Scout cookies.  I've had a few too many of those evil Thin Mints, Thanks A Lots and Lemonades.  Obviously, they don't make me dump.  

Hang in there Misty.  I totally understand your frutration w/portion size.  It's also good for me to read your experience w/sodas and I'm glad I haven't drank any sodas.  I have drank light beer, but only a couple since I started this journey.  I think moderation, like anything else is definitely key.  Beer definitely is carbonated, but I don't beat myself up over it.   For some reason, I fear sodas, but not beer.  Go figure???

Plus, remember, you're saying that you work out ALOT, so chances are, as others have said before, you're losing inches instead of pounds.  Have you checked that lately or even from the beginning?

Misty, you're doing great!!  Keep up the great work.

Misty.......

Sounds EXACTLY like my last appointment with my Nurse!  LOL........EXACTLY!!!!  As I sat in front of her with a Caribou Northern Lite Latte......LMAO

Heather