Fallen Off the Wagon a Bit ...

I think I may need some words of advice and comfort! I've been adhering pretty well to the bariatric diet and have lost over 60 lbs. (it hasn't come off easy -- I think my metabolism died while I was laid up in bed for 2 months post-surgery). This past weekend I went to my boyfriend's brother's house for John's nephew's 5th birthday. Needless to say, there wasn't a lot of healthy food there. I did okay on Friday night, but then Saturday I tried to stick to the mixed fruit, but then lunch was pizza (yum!!! at least I stuck to just under 1 slice), I ate some nuts (which broke a tooth -- tell me that wasn't a sign!!) and about 1/2 dozen jelly beans, and a small piece of cake, with frosting. I used to love the frosting, didn't care about the cake. The frosting was soooo sweet, but I think it was the memory I was enjoying. Sunday I came home, and even though I ate healthy foods, I ate too many of them. I'm really struggling to get back on the wagon of structured meals, etc. Any words of advice if this has happened to you? Anxiously, Kathy F.

It's OK, Kathy. Don't beat yourself up too much about it! You know you made some bad choices and now, you can move on. It's great that you're realizing that when you fall out of your regular pattern you have trouble. I had the same exact problem. Mine also included simply not eating in addition to making bad choices. My husband had to tell me that I was 'acting funny' (low blood sugar!) more than once, before I decided I needed to DO something about the roller coaster ride I called a weekend. It was very frustrating to me to be 'good' for five days and then have the weekend roll around and me mess up the whole game plan. I've got a really simple (but alas, somewhat time consuming) solution, that has worked very well for me. Pack a lunch bag! Pick things that work well for you and stock yourself up a little insulated bag with a frozen pack and some bottled H2O, and you're all set. My bag generally consisted of items like, cubed cheese, saltines, peanutbutter packet, deli meats or perdue pre-cooked chicken breast strips, some veggies, some fruit and a few protein bars. I also threw in a packet of SF drink mix, and, just in case, some equal tablets or splenda packets (since S&L gives me a headache) This concept works GREAT when you're on the run, shopping, errand running, etc. It may be a little strange to go to people's houses with your own food in tow, but they'll understand. I generally told people that I'm never sure when a food will make me sick, so I take along 'safe' foods so that I won't have to chance it. Or, I just say, sorry- strict eating plan The good thing is that you get to educate (politely) people about what you can and can not eat, so that the next time they invite you over they have a better idea of what's suitable for you. Of course, some people will NEVER get it. (what can you do?) The best news of all is, it gets better a you go along. Now, my lunch bag is really just some protein bars, a few waters and some equal tablets. Most of my friends and family have trained themselves, quite nicely, to have things that I can eat when they invite me over. If not, I'm at a point, now, where I have many more choices and don't get sick easily, so it's no big deal. I hope the idea helps! Good luck to you! Lisa C

Hi Kathy, Just thought I'd share my experience this weekend with you (confession is good for the soul!) My son turned 5 on Friday - so we had the family over on Saturday. We were having pizza (I can eat about 1-2 pieces without a problem). I had veggies and low-fat dip - but my mother brought Tortilla chips and salsa, and cheesy crackers (gotta love mom)! Well, I ate it all - the chips and salsa, a few crackers, veggies & dip, pizza, and a very small piece of chocolate cake! It really was not very much compared to what I would have eaten a few months ago, but it was a lot more than usual, and I did not make good choices! I didn't get sick, and I didn't dump -- but my belly felt full till this morning! I learned my lesson! The fact is, we all have our moments when we lose our motivation a bit, or we get taken in by our surroundings. We just need to pick ourselves back up and get going with good foods the next day (which is what I did). I really like Lisa's suggestions - she's always got great ideas, and she's been very, very successful, so its worth taking her advice! This week I've been exercising more and eating better! So, my advice would be to move forward in the right direction, and don't look back, except to learn from your mistakes. Hang in there! God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau

Thank you both of you ... you're always great sources of info for people on these boards. Kathy -- we were in the same boat this weekend!! Thanks so much for the great advice & the commiseration too. I'm working on eating the healthy stuff again (Corn Flakes & chicken soup so far today!), and hope I stick with it at night -- my hardest time. Of course, I'm totally PMS-ing, so that doesn't help!! Once again ladies, thank you!!!!!!! Kathy F.