I need some serious advice

Hello my name is Beth and I use to be a regular here before and after my surgery. I had gastric bypass November 15th 2006 with Dr halmi and Dr Tran in potomac Hospital and I have not had 1 problem I hear some tell me their complications and I couldnt relate due to the fact I didnt have any, The only thing thats happened is in the beginning if i ate to much or pasta or rice my pouch would hurt, and to this day it still does so i dont even touch rice anymore but its hard to leave pasta alone so i take a bite here or there but it still hurts... other than that Im fine.... I graze alot. I know I do and I know I shouldnt.. I have had issues with those protein shakes since my 2nd week and pretty much stopped drinking them MONTHS ago.. my vitamins well I have them on my counter but I dont take them. When I eat lunch or dinner I eat very small.. few bites of this or that Im done.. I just joined a gym to get past my plateau I had my surgery and weighed in at 254 Im now close to 180. I just read alot of people hitting their goal in 1 year.. I also know they were probably trying for it. I would LOVE to be 140 i went from a size 22 to now a 13 and im almost a 11/12 besides the grazing why am i stuck at 180 for months??? I just need some talk from some who went through this or going through the same thing... thank you all ........... Beth

Hi Beth! Welcome back and congrats on your success so far. GRAZING is sooooooo hard. I have had days where i've grazed and entered it all on www.fitday.com and was SHOCKED and so upset to see the *many* calories, carbs and fat that I took in. We know its not right to do ... but then here we are grazing and feeling terrible about it. I have had many days where I struggle with NOT giving into grazing!!! I have recently started the BECK DIET SOLUTION by Judith Beck - it has been very helpful to me and a few other ladies on this board! Maybe give that a try? I have realized for me if i am bored I look to eat - therefore I keep myself busy, cleaning, playing with my kids, organizing a closet, laundry, going on OH, reading a magazine. Usually a hot cup of tea and refocusing my attention to a specific activity and it passes and I have *beat* the grazing urge. Recommit to yourself and getting back to basics. YOU CAN DO IT We have a weekly weigh in here every Monday - join us. You have already made a HUGE step by joining the gym!! Do you attend a support group? I find this *key* in my journey. I also joined Weigh****chers - to have an official weigh in- that is VERY HELPFUL for me too and keeps me on track. Hang in there - I am sure you will get many responses - WE ALL (well most of us) STRUGGLE WITH GRAZING - you are NOT alone and we are here to support you! HUGS, Britt

Welcome back, Beth! I'm like you--I never had any complications either I rarely even feel as if I have a pouch at all. I've never really felt any restriction. The only reason that I reached goal is because I counted calories and carbs religiously. After my plastic surgery in October I kind of got away from that and now I'm struggling to get back on track. I envy people that can just lose from the surgery and not have to work at it, but that is just not the way it works for me. I suspect that for you to reach goal, you may have to do the same. It's great that you joined the gym. That is a very positive step. I personally can't lose weight by exercise alone and not counting calories and carbs, but exercise helps keep me focused on my weight loss. I love to feel fit and strong as an added bonus. You are already down to a size 13, so you've done very well. Don't give up and you will get there! Wanda

Beth, Keep coming back here and posting about your battles! That's what we do! Grazing was my downfall before WLS and I'm still fighting it today. It's so easy to do. I didn't like the flavored shakes either but the unflavored Any Whey protein powder mixes very well with cottage cheese, yogurt, Light and Fit Smoothies and even peanut butter. I still use it once or twice a day. If you mix it with a little peanut butter, add some sugar free syrup to help it mix. My last piece of advice is one I keep giving myself. We have to keep our eyes on the prize. We took a drastic step to lose weight. Looking back on the first year, it was actually pretty easy. Like you, I didn't have any complications and I thought not having a big appetite or cravings would be my way of life forever. Boy, oh, boy, has it been a slap in the face to realize that my old food issues are still there. Many times they are easier to deal with - like you, rice disagrees with me. Bagels, once a favorite, are no longer tolerated well. But, I find myself looking for something to eat far too often. I want food when I know I'm not hungry. I graze, I overeat. We have to focus, be conscious of what we are doing. Get the protein in to keep the cravings at bay. Avoid the bad carbs to keep the blood sugar in balance. It's a MIND GAME now and we have to strengthen our minds by strengthening the resistance muscle (as Judith Beck calls it!). Good luck, Beth! Hope to see your posts more often! CeCe