Bad Day

Well, yesterday I was really bad with what I ate... I actually didn't have my wine (so that was good)... but.. I had two slices of beer bread with butter on them, I only had one protein drink instead of two and late last night I had tortilla chips with lots of cheese and jalapeno peppers... I got up today and I gained 4 pounds in one day..... UUUUGGGHHHH!!!! I am so depressed over that..... Needless to say I am buckling down today... I had my yogurt and my vitamins today... I will have my first protein drink soon and I will stay away from that darn beer bread and those nachos today.... I could kick myself though.. I do so good one week and then it is like I feel I need reward myself with food and then I put that weight back on... grrrrrr.... How can I keep myself from giving into those old habits... I know what I need to do, it is the fact of actually doing it now... Thanks for listening... Shawn M.

I'm sorry that happened to you. I hate when I do stuff like that. The best advice I can give is to not let the stuff in your house to begin with. If it's not there you won't eat it. Our families don't really need that stuff either. We just think they do because they can. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start again! Like Valorie says "slow and steady wins the race". Just keep at it.

Thanks Wanda!!! I know I shouldn't even let it in my house, but it is here and I just need to stay away from it. I did good today though, so I hope the scale will show that tomorrow... Shawn M

Shawn, Wanda gave you some good advice - try keeping as much of the bad stuff out of the house! I know that's hard to do with a husband and young children but if you could teach them to think of "treats" as occasional and not daily, it will help them and you! I I'm finding myself more drawn to those junky carbs in the store lately and even bought some Cheez Its recently. If it's here, it's calling me! Starchy carbs really are evil for us - you never can eat "just one!" They were my downfall before WLS and, unfortunately, I've found that, for the most part, they go down pretty easy now. I think it is truly an addiction. Once my blood sugar swings that way, it's so hard to get back to the straight and narrow. You are back on the path today. Next time you are tempted like you were yesterday, try coming online and sharing with us. I think I will do the same! Lots of protein today and plenty of fluid and those extra 4 pounds will drop. You know you didn't gain 4 pounds of actual weight, it's mostly retention! You haven't failed - you were just human! Dust yourself off and, most of all, give yourself a pat on the back or not making it two days in a row of bread and chips!

Thanks so much CeCe... I had a good day today and I plan on keeping on track tomorrow too... I am just going to take it one day at a time. I want to get to my goal so bad... I won't let the weight come back on... That is the good thing about weighing myself every day.. when I see that I put on a pound or two I get things moving back in the right direction quickly... I will NOT get back to the person I was before surgery... Shawn M.

My problem is exactly what you just said..."reward myself with food". We need to find a different way to reward ourselves but it's so hard because it's what our society does. Whenever there is something to celebrate we eat. We do it with our children, "if you're good you can have McDonalds or an ice cream" so we are programmed with food rewards from and early age...at least I was. So how can you reward yourself without food and without spending a fortune? I think about my other favorite things. Books is a big one for me, or trashy hollywood gossip magazines that are a total waste of money but enjoyable and only a couple of bucks. Fingernail polish or a new lipstick, a new pair of earrings, all of these things are under $10 but it gets you out of the house and with a specific fun thing you get to buy just because. I also enjoy going shoe shopping, most of the time I don't buy any but I love to try them all on and even if I do buy I'm usually at a discount shoe place so I only spend $30 to $40. And going to the movies even if it's by myself I love going but don't go very often so it's a treat. Anyway those are my favorite self rewards so sit down and figure out some of yours and start using them. And don't worry, you didn't actually gain 4 pounds of fat in one day, it's mostly water because of all the salt in the chips and food you're not used to eating. I'm sure you'll see most of it gone by tomorrow if you stick with protien and water today!! You've done great and we'll all have set backs so just keep slogging along, it's bound to get easier one of these days At least that's what I keep telling myself. Corinna Q

Thanks Corinna... I love your ideas about rewards... I have a problem though.. I can't just go into a store and buy a pair of earings or something cheap.... I spend way more than I should and that I have... LOL... I think the pedicure thing may be the best thing for me... I will have to do that when I get down to 170... that is my next goal.... Thanks for the pointers I really appreciate them... Shawn M

We all have 'em! The guilt that comes afterwards is terrible - isn't it? We can be soooo hard on ourselves. If I start with a liitle bit of something ... many times I have a hard time and CAN'T stop and eat way more calories / fat / carbs than I wanted to! I hear you loud and clear on the food = reward Now I go for a pedicure, get my nails done and shop for new (small ) clothes. I bet its hard ... because you have that stuff in your house for your business. Is it going well? If not maybe you should - try a different home business - one that is based aroud food that isn't WLS friendly (just a thought) Today is a new day! hang in there Shawn - we are all pulling for you! hugs, Britt

Thanks Britt... the business is going OK.. nothing to jump up and down about. I have 3 parties for this month and I am doing a huge open house next month. I hope to get rid of some of my stock so that it is not as tempting to me... LOL... I love that beer bread so much and I seem to always be making more and more and then eating it too. Then I tell hubby to eat it up so I can't touch it anymore. I am surprised he hasn't gained weight with the way I have him eating now. He always finishes my food and eats up the junk that I make because I love to bake... LOL... When I hit my next goal I plan on rewarding myself with a pedicure like you suggested... even though I can't afford it, it is better then battling the scale with the ups and downs... Thanks again Britt.. This board is the greatest when I need a little support... Shawn M.

Shawn, I am catching up late this evening due to a busy day. I can totally empathize with you! I have had those days where it seemes I couldn't eat anything right to save my life. I too have gained 4 lbs in one day and I believe it is mostly due to the sodium content of the junk foods we enduldged upon. I stole Britt's idea of a pedicure after every 10 lb marker before. Now I think I will steel Corrinna's idea for other small rewards. That's what this board is about. Give and take of knowledge and ideas. I LOVE IT! None of us is perfect. We are all just inching our way toward the finish line. Some days we have to go 5 steps back to get 1 step forward. We are all strong and have the determination. Occationally we fall short but we bounce back with everything we have! "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Not sure what chapter and verse, just came to mind and though I would share. Night, Valorie