4yr. surgiversary and NEED HELP!

It has been a very long time since I've been to this board, or posted!
Next week will be 4yrs. since my surgery where I had great and quick success.
I have managed, however, to regain about 30#'s!!! I was warned and told of this happening but you never think it will. It's crept up gradually to the point where now I look down and my tummy seems to stick out and my butt seems to stick out again. Sigh...
I was looking back at 6-month and 1-yr. post-op pics and I can't BELIEVE how skinny I was!!

I need serious help, advice, kick in the butt, and from somewhere, motivation to get back on track!!
I have found I don't eat quality foods. I eat almost whatever I want, just smaller quantity than I used to be able to pre-op. And I have become a wine drinker of at least 2 glasses every night!

ANYONE else out there May 2008 or 4-yr. post -op that can help?

Are there any support groups in Fargo/Moorhead area??

 I will say that once I stopped drinking wine regularly, I lost 8 lbs without doing anything else.

I think we all need to remember the basics-- small portions, protein firs****ch the refined carbs-- all usual stuff.  Easier said than done, I know.

I find that when I start tracking everything I see just how much extra crap I'm eating, and it helps me realize very quickly where I need to make changes.  I use mydaily plate, but there are lots of other tracking tools.

I understand totally.  I have gained weight and became a beer drinker.  It started out with 1 1/2 little bottles of beer ( im talking the tiny bottles) and I have now graduated to anywhere from 5-15 cans.
Saturday is what did it for me, my stomach still does feel the greatest, can't eat much at all.  How stupid of me, I liked the feeling of it and it started every other weekend, then it was every weekend then it was every weekend plus 1 day a week, then 2 days a week, and the weekend, ****I am here for you, we can beat this and get back on track.  If you want to send me a IM.  I go to Fargo once and awhile to see my mom and visit my dads grave, so when I get that way I will let you know and we can maybe hook up.

Take care and WE CAN BEAT THIS......................

Hey Marsha,
That be cool if we could hook up. Your situation does totally resemble mine. I am not sure how it graduates so fast from occasional drink to a couple every night. I just look forward to that glass or two of wine after I put the kids to bed!

Problem is I am a "single" parent most nights of the week and my time literally goes by SO fast with other stuff I literally have no spare time to exercise. I know it sounds like an excuse but I can't make extra time in the day!! And I am SO exhausted by 8 or 9p.m. when things are all wrapped up.

So between the (increasing) drinks and lack of exercise...uffda!

My situation is similar, but I don't drink alcohol...I eat chocolate.  I know it doesn't sound the same and I know it sounds stupid. But I get crabby and irriitable if I don't eat it and I think about it all the time. I have been known to go for "walk" (so my BF doesn't know what I'm going to do) and I'll walk to the gas station and buy 2 or 3 candy bars and have at least gone by time I get home and hide the others to eat while I sit and do homework or am on the computer.  I feel so out of control and unable to stop. So while I may not be drinking, I understand addiciton...