Backslider....

Hi gang, I'm sad to report that I have gained 20lbs in the last year. My surgery was 1/04 and I dropped 110lbs total. Now I'm back up 20. I work a lot, don't go to the gym (even though I have a membership) - but I do play softball twice a week. I don't drink ANY water - I'm addicted to Starbucks lattes (2% milk, sugar-free syrup) and diet Mountain Dews. I can't eat a whole lot of sugar at once, but a half pack of M&M's is doable - and trust me, I do it! My clothes are starting to get tight again and I feel just awful - but somehow I can't make myself change. While today was a VERY bad day - I'll confess my horrible eating plan. Breakfast - coffee with ff/sf creamer & 3 Equal, Zone protein bar. Starbucks on my way to work. Snack - M&M's. Lunch - Snicker's bar (I know, I know). 24 oz Diet Mountain Dew. Snack - ff popcorn (snack size) with 10 almonds. Another snack - nectarine. Starbucks on my way home from work. Dinner - sf pumpkin pie without the crust (basically the filling - but made with real pumpkin and no sugar) and glass of white zin. Another glass of white zin before bed, and protein bar. Like I said - my day isn't usually THIS bad, but I might as well get it all out in the open. I know WHAT I need to do - I'm not sure HOW to make myself do it. Is there a support group in the Norcross or N Atlanta area? Maybe I need that? I know I wouldn't be so tired if I exercised - and I have no excuse - I have a gym membership, a great complex to walk in and an exercise trampoline at home. How did you motivate yourself when nothing else worked? I know I need help... Barbie

Barbie, Well, I think you need to remember, that everyone has their moments and maybe there is something going on in your life that is stressing you out. Before you reach for the next starbuck or candy, remember what it was like before the surgery. I am only 6 months out and I do find myself doing things that I can't beleive I just ate. But remember, it took us a long time to get the weight on. It kinda seems that you haven't reprogrammed your thinking. Remember veggies and fruits. It seems you know what to do and I know just doing it IS THE HARD PART. To me there is no easy solutions on how to motivate yourself. But maybe there is too much negative influence in your life that is letting you get by with your actions. I beleive in always "cleaning the closets" when I find myself doing the "wrong" thing. Set yourself a goal. The New Years will be here soon. Maybe set that as a goal. If you lose those 20lbs then you will host a party and buy an awesome outfit for it. Or you will treat yourself to a weekend at a spa. I keep a picture of me before the surgery and when I get down on myself or I don't feel like working out, I grabbed that picture and I tell myself, you gotta do this so you don't regain the weight. But keep your head up, 110 lbs is awesome. Lea Lewis

Hi Barbie, Who was your surgeon? My surgeon has a program called BACK ON TRACK that I am doing and have lost 20 pounds. (I too had put weight back on.) There is also a website that offers the back on track program on line, but it is a fee based website ($10 a month) The premise is to basically take you back to the very beginning, from when you first started out as a newbie... however, it's even MORE restrictive. PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN - trying to get into ketosis. NO dairy, sugar or breads/pasta/rice, starches. It was a breeze the first 2 wks, but the last couple I've struggled a bit, for feelings of neglect! LOL! I WANT A CRACKER! LOL! However, it is WORKING! I motivated myself with FEAR, of becoming what I was once before. I still fight the demons. When I didn't have a good weigh in the other night, I promptly went out and ate a TON of those crackers!! They were great when I did it, but I regret it now, cuz now I WANT MORE!! And I had gotten to a point where I wasn't craving that stuff anymore... Hang in there gal. You are showing concern...now's the time for you to do something about it before it gets out of control. GOOD LUCK!!!

Hey there, Do you by chance have the web site BACK ON TRACK... I would love to see what it is about. My surgern didnt even have a group so knowledge is very limited.. I am 3 years out but have had about a 10 regain since the lowest and want to lose it .. Thanks for your help Shirl