help...

OK, dears... Have a situation that needs to be addressed. I have noticed that over the past week that I can eat fairly more than I should. In other words, those grilled cheese with tomato sandwhiches are plaguing me! lol Seriously, this last weekend, it seemed that all I did was EAT! I know that I'm not able to eat that much in a sitting but I felt that was all I was constatnly doing. Other friends have confided that, they too, are eating more...to include sugar--and it's not bothering them physically, but emotionally, they are tore up. I feel like I may be backsliding and need a real kick. Maybe it's just a plateau, so to speak? Any suggestions? Anybody else go thru this? (((hugs))) -Karen

(((((( KICK ))))))) So there's your kick. Send it right back to me when I hit that point, please! I have to advice but wishing you well and missed you Saturday.

Hi Karen, Maybe I am not the best person to answer this post because I have the tendancy to come off as being *****y when I give advice like this. At the risk of being labeled as such I will answer you anyway. When things like this begin to happen, it seems logical to go back to the beginning and start again with the basics. That would mean honestly journeling everything you are putting in your mouth, planning your meals so that you know what you will be eating when and having a back-up plan incase you get stuck out and are playing the day by ear. Making sure you are drinking enough, making sure you are exercising enough. Going back to basics and re-evaluating all the resons you wanted to do this in the first place. In addition to those things if you still find you ( or anyone for that matter ) is still having control issues, I would suggest addressing THOSE issues, it's no different having stress etc manifest itself as eating in a person with a food problem than it is for a person with an alcohol or drug problem, the underlying treatment is the same. You need to figure out if you're eating because you're getting lazy, or if you are doing it to cope with other things going on in your life. As far as the sugar goes, this is one issue I really can't understand, there are approximately 1 million gazillion sweet products on the market that fall within the food guidlines we are supposed to follow. They are readilly available almost everywhere, with the possible exception of maybe being a guest in someones home and not having much of a choice...well actually there IS a choice and the choice is to eat it or not. Carry something with you that you can have so you don't feel left out...or not. I guess in my opinion what it all simpoly boils down to in post-op life is deciding if we are going to choose the right thing...or not. We all know what we need to do. Do we need support in finding what works or seeing if anyone is dealing with a similar issue? Yep. Do we need to be told what to do after living the lifestyle for 6 months to a year and getting into a routine? No. We KNOW what to do, we know how to fix it, it's just a matter of deciding to get back on track and do it. If certain foods are a weakness, don't buy them. Bottom line is getting back to the program this minute, not next meal, not tonight, not tomorrow. Now. Follow the rules, figure out why you're wanting to test your limits and deal with it right away. Hope this finds you feeling better soon, Linda aka The *****

Karen, Missed you Saturday. It's still all about choices. Quanity & Quality. SUGAR's a NO NO. Don't make me eat sugar. If you're not drinking the protein drinks then you will need more food. Are you still counting proteins? Take a step back and start logging in what you put in your mouth. Get with Ms. Tina. You two can form your own support group at work. I can always apply for a job and can get into the support group too. Hang in there Missy. You've come a long way. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Hi Karen, I am going through the same thing right now with eating. My 1 year anniversary will be on the 29th and I have lost 131lbs. But since my plastic surgery and having the infection and being down I feel thatb all I do is eat. I have't gained anything so far. I am having a hard time getting back into my routine and I am getting braver with food choices!! YIKES!!! It's like I have lost control of myself and am so afraid I am going to sabotage what I have accomlished!! Of course I still can't exercise so that makes me feel even worse about my eating. I think we al go through a phase like that and hopefully it is only a phase. But I have read that as time goes on you have a tendency to handle more food (which may seem like a lot compared to the earlier days) and you can be hungry more. My problem is I pick all day except for at dinner when I eat a good solid meal. Peace~~ Hope

This a really great topic! The fact is that your honeymoon stage is coming to an end--Sorry to be the one to break the news to you. You are now at the point where calories in and calories out counts. You must be mindful of your food choices and your portions. This is the reality of the situation. The positive is that you have your tool (pouch) to make sure you don't get out of hand. You also can move your body so much better with all the weight loss, so you can expend more calories. This is the time when all the dieting and food knowledge comes into play. You are now like a "normal" person trying to lose those last pounds. I understand where you are coming from. I constantly have to watch my weight and what comes in. I has been a difficult year for me to exercise with all the surgeries, so it is super important that I monitor it on a daily bases. I never let me weight gain go above 6 pounds, as soon as it hits that I go back to the basics: journal, water, move, protein first, vitamins, 6 mini meals ONLY- no snacking. I hope this helps. Best of Luck to you and your adventure. Remember weight loss and maintance is a journey, it doesn't stop once you hit that certain number or size. You must stick with it-everyday-all day. Nicki

Karen, Missed you at the meeting. Believe me, you are not alone. Not sure when it kicked over from never being hungry, to realizing that you have to watch how much you eat at every meal. I haven't succumbed to the sugar fetish yet, but I do have a craving for nuts. I need to keep them out of the house so they don't shout my name. I have also gone back to measuring my meals since eating quantity is not a big problem. Get back to counting your meals, only six, no snacking. Avoid breads, potatoes, and rice, and eat plenty of protein. I'm constantly looking for substitute foods that I can eat without guilt and still have some variety. Here's a kick in you seat. Not sure after six to nine months you have plateaus, more like peaks and valleys. But you can always climb out of the valley, great exercise. Almost a year out...Rob

2 year postie here... I too have the same struggles everyday. It is oh so important to stick with the program. It's so easy to fall off the bandwagon. Just as someone one else referenced it to being an alcoholic, etc. This is certainly not a magical cure... just a TOOL!

WOW!! As always, my AMOS buddies to the rescue! lol And I missed you all at the meeting, too. That totally makes sense about the end of the honeymoon period (slap!). Of course! I didn't even think about that. Not to mention the emotional aspects of eating, to just becoming lazy...hit that one on the head, Linda. And you all have echoed pretty much the same thing...go back to the basics when things get dicey. SO...that's what I'm doing. Thank you SO much for helping me understand this...and to let me know I'm not alone! Love ya guys!!!! (((hugs))) -Karen

AAAAAAhhhhhhh Karen!!!! HUGS HUGS HUGS Guess eveyone else already covered it for you, but I still wanted to pass along some big ole hugs your way. Only one other tip that I don't think I happened to see posted ... when I find I am a bit "hungry" (not usually real hunger, as I am still trying to up my calories, but it is that nasty ole head hunger that I am talking about) anyway, when this starts tugging at me to hit the kitchen, I go ahead and do just that ... only I grab a stick of celery if I really need something to munch on and if I am low on protein for the day, I add a spoon of Trader Joes Better than Peanut Butter (thanks Rob *grin*) But most often I will use this time to treat myself to a glass of decaf iced tea, hot decaf chai tea, carb countdown orange juice or something along that line. Something that I don't allow all the time, but save for special occasions ( I know, weird, but it works to help keep my mind guessing) If it is REALLY getting the best of me, I start pushing water to the max. By the time I water load, my tummy is not wanting anything to eat (at least for a while). Hang in there Karen. You have been given some excellent advice from the others, and I know you are going to be alright. Take a moment to help you get a clear head and regain a clear vision of your destination. Then hop back on that horse and be on your way once again. You have done an awesome job ... just continue to plug along. It will all be so worth it! If you need my shoulder you have my number, anytime, day or night! I love ya chickie Hugs, Tammy