help!

Ive never written on here before but feel the need to now. Im a little over 9 months out and am really struggling! I do so well during the day at work and then when I come home I just fall apart! I wont even be hungry and I'll be eating! I DONT wanna go back to my old habits but feel like thats where Im headed. Help please!

I struggle with evenings, too.   The only thing that has helped me is to make ure I eat a good dinner rich in protein that "sticks to my ribs".  I often also have a protein drink with milk awhile before bed.  If I'm good and full, the carbs that call my name often get ignored.   Not always, but often.  A handful of almonds also can help at night.

You know what's wrong and that is half the battle.   Keep strong and stay busy.   Try on old clothes. . .that helps keep motivation high!    Best of luck to you!

Tuna

Hi Jill,

                You are not alone in this behavior. I am 7 months out and my weight loss has stopped. This is partially due to a natural plateau, but I think the other factor is that the surgery has now healed and we don't get the full effect of bad choices like we did right after surgery. We have all "dieted" before and found that after a few months we get tired. or distracted or life events contribute a huge dose of stress.
                With the surgery, wwe have made a contious choice to make a PERMANENT change in our behavior, yet we are people and somehow we allow grazing, or "try" some forbidden food and find it doesn't negatively effect us. HMMM why do we? I don't know. Then there could be some other cross addictions if we absolutely dont deviate on the food front. Now you see why the have us visit a psychologist before surgery.
                So the question is what to do? So why the self destructive behavior? Too many compliments? People saying you have lost enough already? Afraid to be happy? Other friends or family undermining your efforts and you are allowing it? I ask myself these questions too. It may be like converstion, it isn't what is said but it is our response to the words that is important.

                I would offer that Dr Lana Boutacoff is a Bariatric Psychologist specialst, She has group support meetings that are very reasonable in cost and may help you more than one  of the hospital programs that deal more with the physical aspects. We are here to but we are not experts, only fellow travelers on this trail.  651-645-7318

                 Mostly, let us choose to be part of the successful group. Maybe one of the toughest parts is allowing ourselves to love ourself! Choose to take care of the one that really is important.
                                  

I picked up a hobby to keep me from thinking about food.

 It is tough at night!  I, too, can feel the bad habits starting to call me at only 3 months out.  Protein meal at night really helps, and I knit.  If you have yarn in your hands, there are no hands free for eating.  :-)  You could look for an activity that would keep your hands busy.

I think evenings are the hardest for a LOT of people.  We got obese because we were probably obsessed with food, and when the events of the day settle down and things get quieter - that is often still where our minds take us.  They operate on our stomach, not our brain.

Find a way to keep yourself occupied. Clean (I know, aren't I a party?), take a walk - with your dog, if you have one.  Pick up a hobby that has always interested you - scrapbooking? knitting? karate?  It's up to you and your imagination!

Limit the amount of non-meal type foods you have access to. Easier said than done, I have two teens at home who go a little loony if there isn't enough snack food available!  But for me, I try to steer myself towards healthier snacks.  At least if I give in to the urge, I can reach for cheese, or beef jerky - nuts, or maybe SF jello or popsicles, Crystal Light, or fruit. 

Just remember to tell yourself - 'nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!'  It's SOOOO true!

I to struggle with that and I liked having a protein shake at night told my doc at my 6 month check up he said not to have it at night should be during the day! UG I think it actually helped me from snacking! so I am not sure what to do!?

I love this time of yr cause there are endless apples and apples and peanut butter yep good fiber and protein! yum! and FILLING

Jill,

You have an awesome Dr. with Jeff Baker....:)   Get in touch with him or the nurse, they will help you get back on track.....After my 1 year mark is when I started struggling......To this day over 2  1/2 yrs, out, I still have my days......

Your human, but need to nip this in the butt.....Have healthy snacks ready and waiting for you when you get home, weather it's veggies or fruit or something protein, I happen to like jerky by Famous Dave's, high in protein and fills me up.....

Good luck, Kelly