Saboteur thy name is Sheri!!

I need some real help here. I have been eating waaay too much and have regained 5lbs in a matter of a week. So now i have to lose 21 lbs. again rather than the 16 I had left to go. I am still running often and biking insane amount of miles but that is just holding off a real weight gain if I dont curb my eating habits. Is there anything anyone can suggest doing to stop myself from grazing?? It'll be a year since surgery on sept. 12th and I wanted to be at goal, darn it!! And it sucks because in so many ways I'm sooo close. I dunno. I feel like I'm in a downward spiral here. HELP!!

Oh Sheri, I soooo hear you. I have been soooooo darn guilty of grazzing. I have hit a brick wall. I keep trying to do other things to keep myself busy so that I stop the grazing...but it has not worked so far. Keep your chin up...look how far you have come and know that this too will soon pass (the grazing I mean. lol) Carolyn Sue

Sheri, Isn't this "disease" crazy! I feel for you, and I'm sure that many people relate to your fears and feelings of helplessness. But, you aren't alone, and you aren't helpless! Nobody's perfect - and when things get crazy it's nice to have those who have been there or those who have seen others be there, and can tell us what works! I have heard that going back to basics is the solution for these crazy times in our recovery. Meaning, to go back to simple proteins and vegetables, drink your water. Three meals per day, two snacks, and make sure you're not eating more than 8 oz ( 1 cup) in one sitting. It seems quite boring, and isn't as easy as it sounds either. But, they say that is the best solution, and it works. I am as new to this all as you are - and I have my struggles with thinking and whether or not what I am doing is right. My hubby says I'm doing fantastick. I try to believe him - after all he is much saner when it comes to food and eating and weight than I am - and together is so much better than alone! I wish you the best. You have done great by reaching out and writing about your struggles - asking for help. If we could have done this thing alone, we would have long ago! I'm so grateful for my husband doing this thing with me - and reminding me that I am not alone and that "We" are doing this together. He is the voice of reason in sometimes a very chaotic corner of my mind! LOL. Stay Cool, Tammy In Utah. surgery date: Sept 30, 2003 Weight Loss: Approx. 260 lbs.

Oops...My surgery date was actually September 29th, 2003, but I posted the 30th. Just clearing that blooper up. Later. Tammy from Utah

Do not go down the downward spiral!! I'm going through the same thing right now. I really feel like I could eat a lot more and probably regain. I am not quite at goal (darn it, 8-12 lbs away) and the last 4 lbs just cycle on and off. The main thing I'm avoiding is having it all pile up again. I worry about the whole yo-yo cycle of dieting starting. Of course, now with the tool, hopefully it wont happen, but the whole time I fear it could. I do obsess and weigh myself daily and try and take corrective action. I have trouble with snacking, and I've found it really tied to my cycle. I try SO HARD to do something else instead of snack, and that really helps me. That's so great that you are working out. That helps some to avoid eating (tee hee, workout as a solution to boredom and at least when you're excersizing, you're not eating, LOL!). But more and more I do see, OMG, I HAD A PROBLEM and that's why I was so heavy.... and you know what I STILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM. The main thing that's helping now is that I'm more aware of it, out of denial, and somewhat counting on "fear" to keep me on the right path. Ask yourself what's gone on this past week? I picked up 5 lbs a few weeks ago at a picnic and party. OMG, what happened there? I know I ate too much and several days of staying on track and drinking lots of water helped (some of it could be a water thing, as I ate more, plus more salty stuff and didn't drink enough). The key is nip it in the bud and don't let any more weight come on.... I know that sounds harsh and I know that sounds obsessive, but I think that's what it takes. At least for me, I know I have a problem and I can't let it go out of control. I can't go back there. WE WON'T GO BACK THERE and we'll make it to our goals. Hang in there! Good luck! and HUGS!

Thanks for your responses guys.. I appreciate it and it does help to know that I am not alone in this... back to basics... good idea.. guess I'll go and fill my water bottle up. I have gone down again, thank God...186... so I've lost the 5 and then 3... yay for that... but it definitely is crazy and a struggle. Oh, and i HATE this excess skin. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Hi Shere, I think everyone gave you good advice when they said try to get back to basics. You've worked too hard to not stay the course and to give in to temptation. We've all been down that road and don't want to revisit where we have been. I know you can do it, just dig down deep and draw from within - whatever motivated you to go this route is still there just get your head back to that place. Wish you luck, Patti

Shere: I know that after a period of strict adhearance to protein, water and exercise we all have a tendancy to relax and get bact into our old habits as we realize that we can get more into our pouches. I have been facing the same thing the past few weeks. I just catch myself and as everyone has said "Get back to the Basics". I have even gone back to having sone sugar free jello and sugar free pudding as a way to aviod grazing on snacks. Remember we have your back and we will not let you go back to the old habits. If you need us just holla. Your friend, Jesse

Sheri, Do you ever drink protein shakes? I used to have one occasionally, when I needed a meal replacement or something like that. But I have become a HUGE grazer, and was fighting with gaining a few pounds back when I still have 30 to lose. A week ago, I began drinking a protein shake every day during my normal snacking start time. It cut my grazing dramatically. This week, I've been having two a day, and am having NO hunger issues at all. I find that I'm now eating less at meals than I was too. It took me awhile to find a shake I could tolerate, and I also learned to look at it like my vitamins... As something I had to do. Now I don't mind the taste, and actually like it ok. (Some people add sf syrups or shaved ice to their shakes, there are a lot of tricks out there to make them palatable.) Anyway, this is what has worked for me. Let us know what you find that works for you. Good luck, Lynn

Thanks lynn and all you guys!!! I will try the protein shake and try to go back to basics.... I have kind of found another alternative... and that's being in a new relationship.... hehehe... My gosh, what nerves and anxiety and excitement can do for you. My year anniversary will be on sunday.. and I had a self-imposed goal to lose exactly half of my body weight by that time. I was 350... as of today I am 178. I'm only 3 lbs away and I'll take it!!! My bmi is 24.8. I am in the healthy weight range, finally!!! I think within the next 6 months I would like to be able to get to 160 but then that's the lowest I want to go. I think I can do 15 lbs. in 6 months. Thanks again guys for all your supportive comments and suggestions.... I'm so glad you are here!!! -Sheri 350/178/175 was size 32 am 12