It can happen because life happens. As weight loss surgery patients, many of us don’t want to think about it, acknowledge it or spend much time talking about it. This happens to other people, not us. We have our surgery and, for many of us, it is the first time in years (or ever) that we feel in control of our food choices, our weight and our lives. Then, wham! Something occurs in our lives and we start to see the numbers on the scale increase. Weight regain! Five pounds turns into 10 pounds, 10 pounds can go to 20 pounds before you know it, then 50 pounds. Weight regain can and does occur in weight loss surgery. We hear it many times, but it is truly only a tool. WE CHOOSE to use our tool to lose (or maintain). If we don’t choose to use our surgical tool and instead choose unhealthy foods, don’t exercise, emotionallyeat, we can begin an upward trend of regaining weight. Even though many weight loss surgery patients don’t want to think about the possibility of weight regain, it is a reality. It is a reality that we need to face and discuss in our support groups.There are various reasons for weight regain. However, there are some commonalties to weight regain among weight loss surgery patients. Some of the most common are listed below:

• Grazing.

• Emotional eating.

• Return to bad habits such as eating sugary and high fat foods.

• Complacency in practicing your new healthy habits since weight loss surgery.

• Unresolved issues not dealt with that result in a return to overeating.

• Physical challenges which prevent activity and following your exercise routine.

• Medical conditions.

You can combat regaining weight or, if you have experienced a weight regain, here are some helpful tips:�
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• Note the healthy habits you have adopted in your life that caused you to lose weight. Next, take an inventory of where you are now with those healthy habits. If you have strayed from what you did to lose your weight in the first place, return to those healthy habits. For example, are you grazing, eating more carbohydrates, decreased or stopped exercising, decreased your water intake or other habits that got you to your lowest weight before your regain?

• If you find yourself eating emotionally, turning to trigger foods or undergoing changes in your life that you are turning to food for comfort, seek the help of a mental health professional. A mental health professional can assist you to set up strategies that will not include food to�cope.

• Go to your support group meeting regularly. Volunteer to help your ObesityHelp Support Group Leader to be involved and participate even more in your group. It is a common practice for support group members that have regained weight to stop coming to meetings. If you have regained weight or are struggling with your weight loss, reaching out to your support group members and leader is one of the best ways to get and stay on track. Remember, we’re all in this together!

• Join an OH Group. Become active by posting on ObesityHelp’s many message boards. When you give support to others, you gain support for yourself as well. You can also start your own OH Group. Do you have a special interest? If so, create an OH Group so other like-minded members can connect with you.

• Pursue a hobby or activity you enjoy. If you used to take dancing lessons but stopped, get back to it. If you’ve always wanted to take a water aerobics class, do it now. There is no time like the present to develop interests that you have. Food took �up a considerable amount of time and energy in the past. Fill that time with anything that brings you pleasure and joy.

• Keep a food and exercise journal such as ObesityHelp’s Health Tracker. Compare your current nutrition and activity to what you did previously before the weight regain.

• Give yourself a weight range. Due to body fluctuations, an indulgence, food choices, water retention and other factors, your weight can vary. Give yourself a weight range that you will NOT go past. When your weight reaches a certain number, you have a plan for your food and activity to lose those few pounds.����

Weight regain does occur. Be aware of the possibility and stay committed to your healthy habits and regain won’t be an issue for you. If you have regained weight, don’t�despair. Follow these helpful tips and return to what worked for you when you initially lost weight. Remember, you lost it once; you can AND will lose it again!

Join us at Central Connecticut Cares ....... Dan

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