Is anyone else struggling?

hi everyone. I'm Amy and to date I'm stuck at 91lbs weight loss. I'm pretty sure I know why. I'm going back to my old eating habits. I'm not eating fast food anymore--thank god. But I am eating sweet junk food. A lot. I'm not getting hardly any protein--and I'm embarrassed to admit it. I'm not at all taking care of myself. I'm not taking vitamins. I'm so pissed at myself. I finally quit buying the junk. My husband used to hide it and I would go hunt the food down with a flashlight at night. I'm scared of the future. I've got to take care of myself. Ijust dont know how. Has anyone went through these old patterns? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Amy

Hi Amy, I'm definitely having the same struggles. I spoke with my surgeon about it a *very* little (I didn't want to confess too much) at my six month post-op visit. I really only told him that I was hungry a lot of the time, I didn't admit to the junk I was eating. He referred me to a psychotherapist that specializes in behavior modification. I have NEVER seen a therapist before, and I was kind of offended when he suggested it, but after a few days I calmed down and realized he only wants me to be successful. I sucked up my pride, made the appointment, and now I have had three visits. Even though we are definitely not into the deep stuff yet, just having someone to talk to causes me to think before I put something in my mouth, and I have been doing so much better. The scale is actually starting to move (in the right direction) again. So, as someone who would never even consider seeing a therapist before, I would recommend it now. I know that many will not agree with my statement, but there are a lot more than physical reasons that we got to be MO. Our surgery bypassed our stomachs, and talking to a skilled specialist can help us bypass our heads. L.

Hi Amy- I struggle with this too. Not so much sweet junk food- makes me sicker than a dog. I started this journey at 266 and I am at 178 right now ... things I do that seem to be helping- I seem to eat compulsively- which is hard when you have kids, a husband, and a mom in the house makes life hard... I have eliminated alot of the junk- both in my house and at work. someone posted something on the main board which hit home with me- even if it costs a little more, it is worth the extra money- so as far as sweet type items- i keep sugar free jello and pudding at the house- so when the kids bug me about dessert, i mix the pudding with light or fat free cool whip, crush a few grahamn crackers and walla, a dessert without all the sugar that would normally be there. I also go ahead and portion control that by putting it in small cups (the gladware kind****ep blue bunny yogourt on hand, and either will eat that or mix that with my protein shake. I have a hard time drinking enough- but i do like propel- so I coughed up the extra money for that because at least I am drinking it- both at work and at home. For the super bad cravings, I will go buy blue bunny sugar free popsicles or peanutbutter ice cream bar. But I don't buy them often- because I overindulge when I do. I buy the small mini bagels- one of these is perfect size for breakfast or a snack and I put lowfat cream cheese (berry mix) on it. I eat cottage cheese, and I also made up tuna salad- I figure that way I have something premade, and easy (and high in protien)- cheese sticks, that works too. Also, I bought some caramel rice cakes- they have 40-50 calories and work for a crunch. I do a protein shake a day or try to. Occassionaly, I will get in two. It is a choice and one I struggle with daily- but before you put that bite in your mouth- think about it. I am not flaming you, but offering suggestions, because I have been self sabotaging myself .... as far as the vitamins go- I make a week up at a time in a pill container- and I put it by the coffee pot (yes, go ahead and flame me, but I have 1-3 cups a day). and I take my vitamins that way- plus the propel has some in it too. Missing vitamins is NOT something to play around with. You can cause some severe damage by not taking them so you need to either get into a routine where you do, or find a way that works for you to get them included into your daily regiment. Hugs, Amy Z

Hi Amy! I do know how you feel....I was at a plateau from the end of March to just a few weeks ago, believe it or not, and not doing anything wrong...except maybe lowfat popcorn...truth! Doc thought maybe my body was in starvation mode (and I was exercising regularly) so I upped my food intake...and voila! I broke the plateau yesterday on my birthday...the scale creeped down from 164 to 159, what a divine present I needed so much! So with a larger food intake I now fear bad habits could creep in easily...best thing I do (especially on work days ___OH OK only on work days) is portion my food out (pack my lunch) then that's it. If I have it there ready I"m less prone to emotion eat. Also I take a shower after dinner sometimes to stop eating and make a mental break between dinner and after dinner snaacks. Sometimes at night I brush my teeth (makes food taste yukky) early, and I keep plenty of sugar free popsicles around and eat them nonstop. Do what you know works for you...get yourself back on a schedule with those vitamins, you don't want your hair thinning do you? And you don't want to be tired all the time! Vitamins are the absolute one thing next to protein we have to have! Love Ya Julie

Hi All, I am so glad I saw this post. I am having a terrible time not restarting to eat like I used to. I am stuck on pretzle logs. At first it was just one then 1/2 a package then a whole package at work and a whold package at home each day. So, I am doing the plateau buster idea I saw on here a little while ago. I just began today with my friend Carol. It is 10 days of eating 3 oz of protien 5 times a day. s/f popsickles are allowed along with s/f jello oh and 45 gms of protien shake each day. I will let you know about my progress. It really helps getting on here all the time. So, I am back. Wish me luck. Lizzi