Need Encouragement

Where do I start????? Surgery was 4/11/05. Lost 71 pounds. Very depressed about things going on in my life, not really weight loss or surgery however..... It seems everytime I introduce another "food" into my schedule, it slows the loss down. I guess at first I was losing about one pound a day, now I am not. Constipation.....started taking a stool softener and have incorporated fruit into my shakes. I guess it is working. I think I can eat more than 4 oz and and should I be able to already? Just can't get my butt up and walk. I was for awhile and then you know what happens....one day you don't, then two days you don't, then three days you don't, and now you have the rest of the story. Just in a major slump and need some encouragement. There are other things going on in my life and I have been very depressed for the last two weeks. Please pray for me. I am not regretting my surgery. All though, I am sitting at work and we are having a food day, which was supposed to be a salad bar today, but everyone has chosen to bring in donuts, cakes, etc. too and it is all sitting within 2 feet from me. I am not tempted because I don't want to be sick and I am not mad because I shouldn't have it. It is just there. This would have really bothered me the first three weeks, but not now. Help!

Dear Janet, I was able to eat more than 4 ounces very early on. From talking with a lot of folks who are 2-5 years post op, they said that what has helped them keep (or not keep) the weight off is counting calories. Simple equation...if you burn more than you take in, you will lose wt. At 2 months post op, I was taking in about 800 cals per day. Now, at 6 months post op, I'm taking in about 1400-1500 cals per day in little 250-300 calorie meals about every 3-4 hours. I found that if I eat when I get hungry (which is every 3-4 hours) I am not tempted by the junk and impulse foods. A healthy food gives me as much satisfaction as a junk food because it makes the hunger go away. I carry protein bars with me so I don't get caught without food and have to go for that impulse feed just to satisfy me. I don't know what to tell you about evercise. You just have to do it. I have a metatarsal injury now that has really slowed me down. I can't walk or use the Nordic Trac. Thank goodness that it is summer and I can usually get some laps in at the local pool. Hang in there. We are all in this journey together! -Angie 302/203

I have not had the surgery (yet) but my mother has. And every time she levels out she ups her portien. And one thing everyone was telling her was to eat a little more. I have noticed that a lot of the people on here can eat from 4 to 10 ounces so try a little more. I know I am not much help but keep truckin you'll get there. Ruthie

Hi Janet, Start by being proud of the fact that you have lost 71lbs and not gained 71 lbs~! Second be proud of the fact that you realize things are not going the way you think they should. Third be proud that your still alive and have the chance/ability to make chnages where you might not have had the ability to before. Fourth be proud that you realize that right now times are tough for you and that they get better. Life has a funny way of testing our faith and our mental health which plays into our physical well being. As for the weight leveling off. This happens for alot of folks and is a minor issue. However, if your adding foods high in calories, or carbs that may be part of the problem. I suggest recording your intake for a week, liquid and food and when your taking then in. Then look over what your eating and when. Maybe there is a food that isnt agreeing with your new diet, or is high in calories/carbs. Then just reduce the amount of that item you take in or add other foods with less carbs/calories. As for walking, well it is bloody hot in St. Louis right now and not a real good idea unless it is late in the evening. But I tell ya what, walk around the house for a while, or go to a local mall and walk in there. At least there is AC in those places. No matter what though be proud of where you are with your weight loss and know that we are all right there with you and are going to go through the same stuggles. I hope this finds you well and in good spirits and if you need to yap my e-mail is always on... Remember we are here for a reason and that reason may not always be apparent to us but it is to someone... Smile 71lbs~!! Phew thats alot~! Gevin Elder 307/269/150 ish...

Thanks so very much for your replies. I guess one of the reasons I am frustrated is because I know I DON'T eat things high in calories or fat. Basically, I have a protein shake in the morning. Then for lunch and dinner, i usually have chicken or turkey, or tuna. Nothing deep fried or breaded. If I get my protein in early, I eat some salad. If we go out, I order salmon baked or grilled. I have had a little of pasta like twice. I have increased my protein intake to somewhere between 70-100 grams. I am getting in my water. Can you see any problems with that?

you really might want to try upping your calories. when i hit a slump, i asked Ann at DePaul, and she said to try increasing my calories. I'd keep a couple days record of how many calories you're really consuming, and then try increasing it by a couple hundred. it seems like a lot, but if you do it smartly (having an extra chicken breast, or veggies/fruit), you can jumpstart your metabolisim to get going again. I know how frustrating it is. I've been stuck for several months now... and I'm nowhere near goal, so that's no excuse. However, i do realize that i'm eating too many carbs, not getting in enough water, and not exercising like i should.... so it's not like it's some major mystery to me. i'm just shooting myself in the foot - and apparently enjoying it enough to NOT get up off my a$$ & fix it. :-/ I keep putting it off, & putting it off & putting it off..... always starting "tomorrow"... but tomorrow never comes. I'm a carb-a-holic, and I know it. Problem is, I can't seem to kick them. Bummed out with ya'.... Cathy