Not doing very well

I hate to admit this but I have gained 4# on my dr. supervised diet. I'm hoping that the main reason is due to it being that time of the month, however I haven't been eating very well either. I have been slacking off and that's not good, you see this is my pattern I do well for about 2 weeks maybe 3 weeks then I start to slack off and lose motivation and "poof" I have blown my diet! I didn't think this would happen again because I have my surgery to look forward too. I can't do this again I have to think about my surgery and how much I want it. I have to lose like 20# before they will do the surgery so this is going to be hard for me does anyone have any suggestions for me on how to stay motivated and how to give up the things that I love such as soda and sweets!!!!! Thanks, Bev

Bev im sorry that there isnt any magic bullet you can take. Just keep your Eye on the Prize. You will just have to go cold turkey off the sodas and sweets and keep busy. walk and walk and walk some more anything that will keep you out of the house or in frount of the tv. those two places are bad. Will keep praying for you I know you can do it. Jan

Dear Bev, I understand your frustration first hand-been there-done that. I had to do the protein liquid diet for 8 weeks or more before my surgery and had to take off 40# (I lost 51# first-but day of surgery was 44# due to my monthly visitor) ok-so....first of all-you HAVE to be extremely disciplined....your time of the month, stress, poor eating choices - they ALL Play into it....but-when I did the protein liquid diet-I lost 19# in 12 days-I was faithful-except for munching on sunflower seeds to have something to chew and occasionally a pc of gum as a prize! I kept telling myself that MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT...I WAS going to DIE if I didnt follow the rules. Some people gave me and others on here some good advise-first-Sherr (Blondie) and I made each other accountable for what we ate each and every day-that helped. We talked, talked, talked and gave each other tips and inspiration. I didnt have a computer at that time, mine died-but I know it helps to get on here and talk to people too-cause they have been there in one form or another. Then: Keep your eye on the prize (jan C saying) Dont put anything in your mouth unless its going to taste good enough to risk your doctor saying he cant do your surgery (dont think even death by chocolate tastes that good-LOL) If you believe-you WILL achieve If God takes you to it-he will get you through it YOU ARE WORTH IT-your life will be more awesome than you ever thought to be possible. I hope that this doesnt seem harsh-because I am not meaning it that way-I just KNOW you can do it-once you set your mind to it-and honey, this is just the pre-test-once you have the surgery, YES-90% in the beginning is the tool and 10% is you-but thats just a year-and then its turned around-so you gotta get your mind set that you want this bad enough to change it for more than 2 weeks! I know mentally, for me, has been the hardest part of the surgery, but I had almost a year of preperation, and then I had 4 months between my seminar and my surgery-and I took myself off of ALL sugar-ALL soda, no goodies, cigarettes and changed my eating pattern totally. I am so glad now that I enacted these changes before surgery and although I HATED it at the time, I am glad I was on the protein liquid diet that long, it prepared me for what happens after the surgery-I wouldnt change it-because its hard enough post op dealing with the new pouch-to have to deal with sugar, caffeine withdrawls and all of that. I started eating healthier and learned so much going to the NUT and how to read labels-and through MY lifestyle changes and learning, I also helped my family become healthier because of what I learned-I cant believe how much sugar is in some juices or fruit snacks-that you THINK are healthy for your kids-my 16 yr old has lost 30# and my little 4 yr old lost 3#-they had considered him overweight as well-so, once you get into it-it WILL become 2nd nature to look for things that are better-and you can and will succeed. I wouldnt freak about 4# around your time of the month though, some gain 7-10 or more-it will come back off-just drink a lot of water or Crystal light (walmart makes the generic and I like it better actually) no sugar or carbs. Its great. Well, I hope this helps some and you arent thinking "Screw you, Janet" I am saying all of this out of love and concern-and because I have been there. If I can be of any help to you-let me know-I am always happy to help. Love and Prayers, Janet

Janet, NO, your not being harsh at all I apperciate your honesty and input I needed that. I was trying to wean myself off sugars and soda but it's not working for me I think I just need to do it cold turkey and see if that makes an impact on me? I know I have to do this it's important to me and my health. I will start asking myself those questions you stated I think those are very good questions. Thanks again for all your support and prayers, I enjoy reading all your post. Bev~

Bev... I see you met my "diet partner" Janet.... I had Type 2 diabetes and about a dozen other lethal issues when I went to MO Bariatrics for lifesaving measures. You DO have to quit sugar COLD TURKEY...throw out everything, do not buy it again...and that nearly KILLED me. Heck, Janet will tell you, I ended up going on (2) donut binges...once eating NINE FREAKIN' DONUTS....I called her...I was desperate...she saved me....She told me to take the rest to my parents house, and FAST..... The protein drinks POSITIVELY have to become your main source of food, in order for this to work, and like Janet said, she only varied by sunflower seeds...Mine thing was crackers.... Soda could KILL you, after your surgery, so you need to switch over to crystal lite or fruit2O or something along those lines....too. YOU CAN DO THIS YOU CAN DO THIS YOU CAN DO THIS! Sherr

It was so hard for me to quit regular soda. I have done it. I buy cases of water and mix half of lemonade crystal light with the raspberry crystal light and I lived off of this. I now drink just plain room temp water. I do have diet cokes but once in a while. It was indeed my hardest thing to quit. I love soda and would drink so many a day its embarrassing! I wish you luck! Lori.