So Disgusted and Frustrated

It's been awhile since I have visited the PA Board and I see so many new faces.  About a year ago I changed jobs and my work schedule.  I went from night work to day.  I hadn't worked day work in almost 20 years.  Here I found myself not only with a change in hours, but a change in my routine, from my eating habits, to my exercise and sleeping  patterns. I am so frustrated and disgusted with myself. 

I am four years out and regaining weight.  My energy level is nonexistent and I seem to be hungry all the time. I pack my lunch but find myself straying and eating things I know that I shouldn't.  There is food and some form of temptation everywhere.

I sit in front of the mirror look at myself and cry. I am at a lost and just don't know what to do?

Any advice and suggestions would be so helpful.

Dreamgirl119

Disgusted and Frustrated, hope you don't think you're alone with those thoughts? I doubt anybody out there can say that they haven't had that post surgery experience.

Changing a shift is a major stress event. In the end days will be much healthier BUT in the meantime you have to get back on track.

Getting proper sleep at the same time consistently and getting some physical activity will help. Support groups could also play a key role in adjusting.

Thank you Roger.  With my pity party being over and a good talking to with myself I have completed the first hurdle.  When my grands came over yesterday...all the little snacks that I kept in the house for when they are visiting got sent home with them.  Other than eating breakfast out yesterday was a good day for me.  We ate out and I could only eat a small portion of my Spinach Omelet so I know my pouch is still working.

Today is a new day and a new beginning.

Thank you

A change in routine, especially a work schedule change, can cause a major setback.  Now, you have to get back on track.  Regular excercise, walking or going to the gym, will help you tremendously.  It will help your appetite as well.  Pack healthy snacks for work, and make the concious choice to eat those snacks instead of the junk you find.  Cheese sticks, yogurt, nuts will help you feel full.  High fiber carbs will also help you feel full...oatmeal is my mainstay.

Hugs,
Trish

Dear D&F - welcome back - this is the first step in getting yourself back on track - coming here for support. I'm almost 3 1/2 yrs out and yes it is getting harder to control my weight, maintain my exercise and be as optimistic as I was when I first started losing. But that's why I continue to come here - I know I'm not alone in this and either are you.

Major life events can definitely cause us to get off track and the further we are out from surgery the more devastating the results can be.

You still have your tool - go back to basics. Protein first - log your food - make some time, even if it's only 15 minutes a day to start walking.

Most importantly make time to take care of yourself - I've had a rough year after my mom died last february. I was so used to taking care of her that I felt lost after she was gone - I stopped exercising - my food sucked and I gained about 20 lbs. I'm just now starting to get myself back on track and yes it's very hard but not impossible.

This board is quiet today - holiday weekend and lots of people away. But continue to come here - we all help each other.

Kathy

Hey Genie,
Is that you? It has been a while. In fact it's been way too long. Roger, Trish and Kathy have laid it out for you. In the beginning we were told that you're never alone in this community. We all share in this. That has not changed. There are many new faces but still the older diehards remain and there are those of us who are further out who are fighting this REGAIN. I am one of them. At more than 6 years out so much that seemed to work doesn't work as well with the same effort. It takes more and the rewards may be less. So the work never ends for us and that is hard to face, but face it we must. This was NEVER the easy way out and as we get farther out those words clang like the Liberty Bell. It's all okay because even with regain we are still able to battle it with success. We are so much better than before even with the regain. It's a relatively small amount to lose as opposed to before. Still it doesn't make it any easier in our minds. It's okay to be mad or cry about it but when you're done, strategize and get back on track. You did it before and you can do it again. I can. We all can.

Hope you can make your way to a support group and maybe I'll see you there,

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Yes it's me.  Never thought I would ever be at this stage again, but I am getting back on track. Hope to see you at the support meeting real soon.

Thanks for reaching out.

Genie

Welcome back!  Let me tell you that getting back on track CAN be done!  I had my surgery 4 years ago, took a detour into alcoholism, had some regain and have now been back on track for nearly 3 months.  I'm glad you recognize that your tool still works, and that it is simply a tool.  The first step for me was defining my abstinence, which for me meant no more sugar, snack-type foods or fast foods, which had somehow made their way back into my diet.  Some people also give up other carbs (white flour, potatos, rice), but those things don't make me crave more.  I also started going to Overeaters Anonymous, where I met like-minded people, some of who have had WLS, but most who have not.  I've had to get back in touch with the feelings and situations that make me want to overeat, or eat compulsively.  As for exercise, I've taken that slowly, choosing to walk a few days a week.  I am now lookng for progress, not perfection.

Coming back here and posting is a great first step.  Check your food plan daily for "trouble" foods that make you want more.  I like to post daily (or almost daily) to the Roll Call thread where I sometimes post my plan for the day, or pledge 24 hours of sane eating.  You'll figure out what works and what doesn't with great support, advice and feedback from the people here who "get" you.

Thanks Jill...you will be seeing me around.


Genie

Welcome back and as you heard already, you are not alone. . .

I know very few of us who have not had a period of regain, but if we recommit to making right choices, adding physical activity, we can turn it around.  The tool is still intact and unfortunately our surgery was on our stomachs and did not come with a reworking of our brains, habits and the like. . .  which is why it is so important for those newbies to develop good ones that will help them long-term.  It is and always will be about calories in, calories out. . . 

I had a recent revelation to myself, which was that I thought that once I achieved my weightloss, it would be easier to maintain, duh!!!  if I could ever have achieved that, I would not have had WLS.  Maintenance it the hard part, no more "wows", we have to make our own, by setting new goals and facing new challenges, but now that you've taken the first step and shared your struggles, know that you are not alone, what are you willing to do differently, because we are here to support one another for the long haul. . .

I have recently gotten back into the gym, still not loving it, but doing it, making better choices most days and remembering that I worked hard to get here and now I need to work harder at getting back to where I want to be and staying there. . .

Hugs, Laureen