7 years Post Op - HELP!!!!

I'll keep this short...I was 313 pre-op and had RNY in '07. I got down to about 116 but leveled out around 135. I had another baby and was up to 219. After his birth I got down to the 160's and have somehow crept back to 188 where I have stayed. I was eating terribly and have tried to really cut back and consume more water but I know I could do better...I have completely forgotten how to eat properly and am not exercising!

Any advice out there or tips? I feel like I forgot how to do this..... I refuse to go back to Plus Size and  I am almost there!!!!

Thank you!

The good news is that you've got this.  You've had amazing success, you know what to do, and you'll be able to do it again.  So have faith in yourself :)  

First off, I suggest tracking every single thing you put into your mouth with something like MyFitnessPal.  Every thing.  That will give you a good idea of where you're at and what modifications you need to make.  It'll also get you in the habit of being accountable.  Then, I'd work on getting back to my basics.  Here's a list of mine - yours might be slightly different:

1. Prioritize protein and water
2. Deprioritize carbs
3. Make the most of healthy fats
4. Eat three meals a day with no snacks
5. Avoid liquid calories (breakfast protein shake is the exception)
6. Weigh portions
7. Eat mindfully and with no distractions aside from real live people
8. Move as much as possible
9. Be kind to myself

What Gwen said!!! 

I agree you can do this. Go back to square one. Do a couple of weeks of liquids and protein shakes to detox your body and reset your pouch. When you start to eat again track every single morsel that goes into your mouth. Start walking and gently exercise to build some stamina and keep posting if you are having issues.

I am 7+ years out and still a size 8. It takes some work but it is so worth it.

Linda 

What is it that you think liquids do to "reset" your pouch?!?

Lora

Please follow Gwenmo's EXCELLENT advice and do NOT go back to any form of liquid/protein shake diet - That is the worst possible advice.

There is a group that can help you Hope this is the one!

I'm in the same situation, except I was not pregnant. Had other personal issues to work on. But I'm curious as to why NOT to go back to basics. That is what I had been planning to do....I was thinking about two weeks, like post-op..

There is a difference between going "back to basics" and doing a fad diet of all liquids.  All that will happen if you go back to liquids is that you will be reinforcing the old (FAILED) dieting mentality where the food deprivation might or might not jumpstart weigth loss but will almost always restart the dreaded deprivation-surrender-regain cycle.  

Going back to basics means going back to eating the way you were when you were perhaps five or six months out: a balanced but protein forward, limited carb diet; measured portions; no liquids with, or right after meals. Doing THAT Will reinforce the healthy eating habits that you need to maintain the weight loss for the rest of your life.  

We all failed repeatedly with dieting, and it doesn't work any better postop than it did preop.  The people who do the so-called "five day pouch test" (a fad liquid diet for RNYers) usually end up doing it repeatedly.  Those who go back to basics learn that that is the only way to be successful long-term. Unless you don't mind doing a liquid diet every year or so when the weight creeps up, of course.

Lora