Lost control

I have completely lost control of my eating habits!  I worked so hard getting 100lbs off *ate right, exercised, followed all the rules) and the suddenly I've completely gone off track, and not just a little bit.

For the past month I just can't get control of myself.  I take part in a support group and a coffee club and still I find myself out of control.  I have started grazing on anything I can get my hands on, I'm eating to the point where I'm uncomfortable.  Every day I set out to start over and by 10 am something goes off on me and then the rest of the day is a disaster.

Has this happened to anyone and what did you do to get yourself through this?  I'm 9 months post op and down 100lbs and want/need to loose another 40.  Any suggestions?!!

You'll get lots of good advice here, take what makes sense to you and USE it! 

I'm sure some will suggest to you to see a counselor of some sort.  I haven't gone down that road, so my suggestions are somewhat more homegrown -

ALWAYS have a drink available!  If you find yourself wanting to nibble, SIP instead.  And if you keep a good variety of SF drink mixes available, the variety of flavors will help.

Keep HEALTHY, PROTEIN-BASED snacks on hand - NOT JUNK!   If you don't have it, you can't eat it!  And chances are, you're not going to make a special trip somewhere to spend money on something you shouldn't have in the first place.  If you DO, you will have plenty of time to guilt talk yourself out of it!

Make a list of other THINGS you can/should do when the urge to eat hits you.  Crafts, hobbies, housework, ANYTHING to take your focus off FOOD!!!

Come here for support and encouragement ANY TIME!  We all face the same demons at some point in time - just don't allow yourself the option of crawling in a hole and giving in! 

Sending  you hugs and lots of encouragement -

God I thought I was the only one that is dealing with this. I did GREAT the first year or two and now I've gained 20 plus lbs and I eat all the time. I still dump but I have "learned" how to control it so it's not as bad. I was going to the support groups but stopped since I was gaining. Darla that was great advice and I WILL try that but my downfall if coffee. I have to have it and not just plain. I am down to one caribou a day (ok maybe two sometimes) but then I have 2-3 large skim caramel/chocolate espresso at work! It's crazy, I don't sleep and when I do only for 4 hours max. I am going to my 3 year appointment tomorrow with Dr Kelley and I will be talking to them and I need to make sure that I haven't sabotaged this surgery.
Well as you can see I didn't have any advice but I so know what you're going through, just know that you are not alone.

OMGosh...  Can we say "Move over, Im in that boat..."  I need a major arse kick'n..  I have yet to go to my 3 year as I am ashamed and embarrased..  I need to relearn my tool and not be a cheater..

I LOVE Darlas advise and hope to work a new plan...

I do not feel so lonely now. I too have been struggling with grazing, eating chocolate, and ice cream. I have only gained 3 pounds but it is the ability of being able to do all these bad things again that is worrying me. I do not want to go down that road of having to try to lose weight again. Thus, I stopped making excuses and went back to the gym tonight. I also plan to start journaling faithfully everything that passes thru these lips (it keeps one honest, if you commit to doing it) and then I cannot excuse myself by claiming ignorance. We have come such a long way and it has been such a journey, I cannot believe any of us is willing to give up on ourselves. We all need reminders of what it is we are doing this for and keeping up with your Dr appointment is an excellent tool as well as this forum, and your support groups. Don't give up on yourself. Just keep on one day at a time. Good luck and thanks for reminding me that I am not alone.

You have been given good advice.......Just try to go back to the basics, Water, protein, no drinking with meals.......

I think we all go through this at one point or another......Try to get a handle on it yourself, and if that doesn't work I would seek help with a theripst or someone....

Were here for you......I myself snack, but I try to make sure it's protein at least.....

Do you exercise? Maybe instead of grazing, exercise or read, do something to keep you occupied......

Good luck, and I will say a prayer for you......Kelly

Great Advice Darla!  I'll sure give it a try...
I too find myself on the brink of crawling into that hole and giving up!  I really do try to do all the right things but I'm not perfect and I often eat the wrong things or find myself hungry alot and always looking for something to eat.  Sometimes I think that I am just not meant to lose any more weight or I am a failure or I am just one of those people that is never going to get close to my goal no matter what I do.  I dont even like to post because it is the same old sad story and then you get the guilt trip posts, so I have become a total lurker.  I guess the only reason I bother to post now is just to let you know that you are NOT ALONE!!

 I just had my 2 yr surgiversary at the end of August.  I havent seen my Dr since my 1 yr apt because I havent lost a pound since I was 9 months post op and I'm ashamed and feel like a failure.  Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt want to go back to where I started from, but I thought by 2 yrs out I would have lost more and been at least somewhat close to my goal.  I have come to realize that I will most likely never reach my goal and I'm not okay with that.   I hover right around 195-200.  I got on the scale last night and it said 202.  I am only 5ft 3in, so that is way too much!  I cant stand the way most of my clothes fit and when I look in the mirror, I see a HUGE reflection!  I have not tried therapy because I work 10 hrs a day and commute 1 hr each way.  I have a family and other obligations and not really comfortable with the whole therapy scenario. 

I'm trying to live with not being a success, and be happy where I'm at but its not what I expected after 2 yrs and it makes me really sad and really ashamed.

Since not having had surgery yet, I don't have any advise, but wanted to say to Marylou - How much of a failure could you be? I peeked at your pictures, and you're wearing a 2 PIECE bathing suit! Good for you, you should be proud. As all of you who have lost weight should be. I'm sure it's freaky going to back to old habits, but at least you're recognizing it and trying to stop it before it gets out of hand. You guys are great!!!

Thanks for your kind words!!
I probably should have thought twice about the bikini top, but what the heck, I never would have had the nerve to wear that 2 yrs ago, so that is a success in itself.  Weather or not I should be wearing a bikini top is an entirly different issue!

Thanks again!

MaryLou you are NOT a failure, you ARE a success!!  Please don't feel ashamed!  I can relate so well to you.  I had surgery in June 2006, after the first year, I quit loosing and then had to deal with thyroid problems.  I can't blame my lack of loosing on the thyroid though...I just plain started to eat more carbs.   I'm a size 14 and weigh between 182 and 177...I bounce around there lately.  I too have felt like I "failed" because I'm not a size 8 or 6.  And I feel totally sad when gals pass me up and continue down the losing road.  But then, I have friends and family that remind me.....look where you came from!!!  I weighed 349 pounds,, I had asthma, high blood pressure, high choloestal, and so on and so on!!!  Yes, I'm a size 14, yes, I no longer have HBP, no more sleep apnea!  I can ride a bike again, I can walk for hours, I can breath deeply.....I'M A SUCCESS!  I'm not a dress size, I'm not a number on the scale....I'm a SUCCESS and you are too!!  We are also human and need to love ourselves and give ourselves a break.  We have the tool and it'll continue to work for us.  Even skinny people eat something they shouldn't and might gain a pound or two....do they obsess about it.....probably not.  They know if they get back to their "normal" or good eating habits, it'll be fine.  I'm finally excepting myself and starting to feel good in my skin.  And most of all.....I'd rather be a 14 than a 34 any day!!!

Love yourself MaryLou and know you're not a failure at all.

Hugs,
Edi