been a very long time since I have been here

Hi all,

It has been forever since I have stopped in.  Life kinda got a hold on me.  Just checking in to see how all are doing.  Just a refresher,  I had my Open RNY 11/29/2005.  So I am a little past 3 years out.  I had maintained for a little over 2 years,  got so busy with moving,  starting a beauty shop in my home, dad passed away,  and very very busy schedule.  I have been eating on the run,  and have gained about 13 pounds back.  I am trying very hard to get myself back on track.  I have been doing a food journal again for about 6 weeks now,  just to make myself accountable for what I am taking in,  no one else but me sees it.  I have gradually started to hate cooking and we eat out alot,  kids are now out of the house, and living on their own,  and hubby doesn't cook so either we are eating very late and throwing something quick on for dinner,  cause I work late hours,  or we go out to eat.  This has taken its tole on me,  I cannot gain this weight back,  I refuse.   13 pounds is enough.  I would like to get this off again,  and maybe even lose another 7 pounds beyond that making it a total of 20 pounds,  doesn't sound too hard,  but oh it is.  Even with this tool,  that I am almost certain I have stretched a little bit,  it is still a daily struggle to keep those demons away. 

So I am going to try to stop in at least once a week and go to my monthly support group meetings when my schedule permits,  and hope to get back on track. 

Hope you all are doing very well.

Shannon Arnold
257/ 160/  140 goal.  

Hi Shannon!
Good to hear from you! I had also gained about 13 back, and then had a rediculously hard winter and gained another 7. I'm done with gaining. I did not go through all this just to gain weight. I am starting Monday on the South Beach Diet, which has always worked well for me. I am on a mission to regain a sense of control and be in a more healthy relationship to my body and soul. It sure is a challenge, but I am not going back from whence I came. That is not an option. So I'll buckle down and do what I have to do to lose the 20 lb regain and also reestablish a more wholesome relationship to this issue. OMG is it challenging!
I think it is great that you are journaling and maybe I should consider doing the same for a while. Just to humble myself.

Thanks for your update and keep up the good fight.
Hugs,
Amy

Thanks Amy,  Nice to see ya!!!  Glad I am not the only one going through this,  its like I hit the 2 year mark  and then for some reason  I let myself quit abiding by  the rules and boy was I wrong,  thought that I could venture a bit off,  but no way Jose'.  It wasn't all at once,  it was a taste of this a tad of that,  and boom there it was on me. 

But I am worth it and I am going to get myself back,  its just gonna take some time. 

I see you had abdominoplasty.  Did everything go well with it?  I have been considering it a lot lately.  I am sick of this skin and mushroom gut,  when it could be flat and smooth.  Plus clothes sure would fit and look better. 

Good luck to you as well,  I think carbs is my problem too.  Maybe I should find a south beach diet somewhere.  Do you know where I can find it online? 

Hey Shannon,
Yes, I had abdominoplasty coming up on 2 years ago. It was not a bad experience and the results are fabulous. My only complaint is some ongoing numbness and occasional itching which is hard to satisfy because of the numbness....it's almost like it's itchy and numb at the same time so scratching doesn't help!!! Annoying! I go back and forth about getting a boob lift. The scars might be as bad as the saggy boobs are and I'm not sure if it's worth it! I am really glad I had abdominoplasty though. It made a huge difference in how I look and feel.

Are you in the Albany area? If so, I highly recommend Dr Gerome Chao out of Albany Medical Center. He did a really good job on me.

Glad to hear you are determined to get back in control. So am I. Let's go gettem!
Hugs,
Amy

That is great!!!  I could deal with a bit of itchiness,  I have constant dry itchy skin anyway,  so prob wouldn't be any different, LOL.  I would love to have a boob lift,  one good thing with gaining a little weight back though is got some of my boobs back, Haha.  I don't care if I have scars,  would just be nice to be able to find a bra to fit right,  and not have to poke, pull and prod to get them into one.  And to be able to wear some of these, shelf bra tanks, bathing suits, strapless bras,  without them folding over  would be so great. 

I am no where near Albany,  I am in the lower mid western part of NY,  near Corning/ Elmira.  About 30 minutes from the PA border.  They call it the Southern Tier. 

So today I had my morning banana, (couldn't survive without them,  horrible foot cramps) ,  Mom came over and so we went to BK and got breakfast wrap, w/ egg cheese bacon,  and a few tater rounds,  coffee of course.   Right now having Chicken corn chowder soup about 3/4 of the container and some wheat thin vegie crackers.  Tonight will prob go for fish dinner with hubby, and I think I am gonna try some broiled fish instead of the deep fried.  I just hope they don't soak it in butter,  that kills my tummy. 

Do you know how many calories we are supposed to have in a day?  I don't think I have ever asked that before.  I know about the protein, etc.  But have never watched my caloric intake. 

 

Calories are not something I count anymore, so I wouldn't know. When I'm doing right by myself, it ends up being a low carb, low fat, high fiber diet....ala South Beach, but maybe not as strict.

Let me know if you end up having a tummy tuck. I think it's a fabulous idea!
Amy