HELP!

Hello everyone. I haven't posted in a while... I've been slacking off and I need some serious pep talks to get me back on track! I think that I have been doing everything under the sun that is wrong It has brought my weight loss to an almost stand still and I have been feeling so guilty. I haven't been on an eating schedule in ages... I haven't taken my vitamins or protein faithfully in weeks, I've been drinking diet coke, I've been drinking with my meals, I stopped working out and I've missed the last 2 PMRI meetings! I even missed my check-up with Dr. Wynn! My weight loss was always slower than everyone elses... I've lost about 53 pounds since May 19th..I'm still losing slowly... but I need some advice on how to get back on track! It's getting so easy to keep up with these bad habits but I know that I am only hurting myself!

Hi Tisha, First let me say I'm sorry you're struggling and I know it's hard for you. Second, I would suggest you go back and read your post. You have outlined very specifically all the things you're doing wrong..now, change them! You have identified the problems, now you need to work on them. We can help you in this, but remember you have to do the work. Maybe follow these steps: 1. Stop and really think about why you had the surgery in the first place, and the commitment you made to yourself. 2. Get on the phone right now and call the docs office and schedule a follow-up appointment. ( ok waiting for you, are you dialing yet? ) 3. Go over to that kitchen junk drawer ( I KNOW you have one, we all do lol ) and get out a notebook and a pen. Start writing down your food intake RIGHT NOW. No, " I will start tomorrow's" or "I will do it after lunch" 4. Put a small medicine cup ( or something along those lines ) on top of your fridge. When you get up in the morning or before you go to bed at night, put all your vitamins for the day in it and TAKE them. Remember the serious yet avoidable damage you can cause by eliminating this step. 5. Stop drinking with meals. Set a timer if you have to. 6.Mark your calendar for the next PMRI meeting and attend no matter what! Unless someone is dying, growing a third eye on their head, or wins an all expenses paid trip to Mars, you need to go and get that support. Find out the info on attending one of the other meetings such as the one in Newport or at the VA. Good, knowlegable people attend those on a regular basis and they can help you alot with ideas. 7.Lay off the Coke, it does nothing to help you. Save room for fluids that hydrate you and do your body some good. Maybe replace that Coke with a protein shake. Fluids plus a protein boost in one shot. 8. Go outside and have a walk today. Once again, write it on your calendar. Make an appointment with yourself and KEEP it. 10 or 15 minutes to start and try to go everyday. Keep it simple and don't overload yourself, it's more important that you do something consistantly than running a marathon and over whelming yourself. Small steps make big changes. 9. Consider calling PMRI and seeing one of the psychologists and or nutritionists. They can help you tweak your individual program to suit your lifestyle better. I don't care how good a program is, if it doesn't fit into your life it won't help. Definitely work on finding a way you can live with the changes. 10. Don't beat yourself up and don't feel guilty. Take a deep breath, do the steps above, and recommit yourself to success one step at a time. The changes above are relatively small and basic but can reap big benefits if you follow them. If you have an angel, call them and talk, that can help to. Good luck and keep posting your progress! Linda

Tisha I wouldn't add a thing to what LB wrote. CALL YOUR DR TODAY. Add the other steps a day at a time. You've been through too much to jeopardize your long-term health. Dianne

Hi Tisha, sorry you are having a hard time. It can be difficult when your body is able to eat the same types of food that you ate previously. My body is the same way, I am losing slower than most and I have had a few things that I know I shouldn't have had, but I have gotten back on track, especially since Dr. Miller got mad at me and spoke to me like I was a child . LB said it best, so I don't think I would add anything to her post. I would like to say if you add a partner to your exercise regiment, that would keep you and your partner committed. It's good to find someone in your current fitness level. Let me know if you are looking for a workout partner. I currently attend, Body Visions, and have a few guests passes, I also walk/run at battery park, and my soul line classes start tomorrow at New Castle's PAL center. Let me know if you ever want to hook up and exercise. Don't be so hard on yourself, we all falter sometimes. You just have to pick yourself up and start fresh. ~Shelly

Tisha, I'm still very new at this but, we all need support now and then and this is the best bunch I can think of! So, first off, congratulations on recognizing your weaknessses! At least you know you aren't perfect ('cuz who is?) - remember EVERYONE has faults. 2nd - go back to square one. Maybe start with soft foods & concentrate on proteins and fluids. 3rd - small walks, just as Linda suggested, start slow so you don't discourage yourself. 4th - find someone who you can talk to regularly. Did you have a surgery angel? Maybe they would be willing to talk to you daily, just to have a shoulder to lean on or an ear to vent to? If not, let me know, I'm willing to be a friend. 5th - food diary. I already see how it helps with the habits. Keep it faithfully, good days and bad. 6th - STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP! You're human and you are a great person! 53 lbs is NOTHING to sneeze at, in what 5 months? 7th - Tomorrow is a new day and this evening is a new night. Why not start now? 8th - DID YOU CALL THE DOCTOR YET? I know Linda was waiting! Keep in touch. I think reaching out and 'admitting' your downfalls was a great start. Like any program, if you can admit your issues or problems, then you have a foot in the door! Best of luck, Valerie

Tisha, The Drill Sgt Linda has given you orders. What can we possibly do to help you get back on track? You really needed the last PMRI meeting. Sounds like you have committed all 12 crimes. My number is 475-0950. I've copied the mistakes so you will know the new way that you are gonna need to follow to be successful. You have lost 53 lbs, that is great. Stop trying to sabotage yourself. Above all stop comparing your lbs lost with others. It is only a number. Please call on any of us to council you and help when you need it. You may need Phyc intervention to get you back on track too. PMRI & the Dr's office can help you with that. I don't know if you are married and have children or not, but please you made this decision to be healthy. What you are doing is not helping you accomplish that goal. Shake this off and pick yourself up and get started again. 1st step is posting and 2nd will be acting. The 10 mistakes were raised to 12 mistakes. Here goes. 12. Not keeping a food diary 11. Drinking with meals 10. Not drinking enough fluids between meals 9. Trying to sneak in sugar 8. Eating too fast 7. Waiting to get hungry before eating 6. Not taking the recommended vitamins & minerals 5. Starting on solid foods too soon 4. Drinking juice 3. Not using a protein supplement 2. Thinking the surgery will solve everything 1. Believing this is a low-carb diet. We all know whoever does not comply can possibly fail. Elissa

Hi Tisha, You've gotten some really good advice her so far....please try to use it. I would really suggest going to the doctors to get help QUICK!!! I am sure Dr. Wynn has some suggestions/plans. Please don't jeopardize your health any longer....we did this pre-surgery. Okay you made the fist step to recognize something is seriously wrong....now the next step is to act on it. My heart really goes out to you...because this can be a tough journey physically and emotionally. Please know that we are here for your online support as well as offline. Try to keep up with the support meetings as well.....they really help in times like these...especially the NEWPORT and V.A. Groups. In fact the V.A. Support group meets this Thursday @ 6:30p.m. Please let us know how make out @ the doctors office....If you need to talk email me....I can give you my number. Please don't give up or give in....the fight just begins Your in my prayers Tisha..... P.S. Get those vitamins and protein in ASAP......Remember once you become deficient in certain vitamins....It can cause damage to your body that is irreversable. Now you did come this far for you to take on other problems??? Shay

Thank you all for your responses... I am grateful to each one of you... I am definately going to start getting in touch with you all when I need a little boost. You all have helped me put things back in perspective.. and today I am re-committing to my healthy lifestyle! PS: I am going to see the doctor next week.

Tisha, You should be proud of yourself. You admitted that you have a problem. That's a step in the right direction. Seeing the doctor is the best thing you can do right now. Good luck to you and God Bless. I'm here for you if you need to talk. Deb