Regain issues

Hi everyone!

So I had DS in 2009. I was 450. Ended up getting to 180. 2 weeks ago I was 216. I ditched the carbs and got to 205. Now I'm 206. Is it possible I'm eating too much protein? I'm getting frustrated!! They say just eat low carbs and don't count calories but this is crazy

First off congrats on doing so well and keeping it off -  and jumping on the regain quickly. A pound up is really just a fluctuation...or are you on a plateau?

Do you count your protein grams? It is always possible to eat too much of anything. How many grams a day are you eating?

Not sure what you are eating - but sort of the general rule I see thrown around in WLS communities is for every gram of protein something should not have more than 10 calories. ie. 200 calories= 20g protein.

Maybe change up some of your choices...

Good idea. I will track this tomorrow. I've been keeping carbs at like 10g a day. I'm dying for something sweet

I don't know if you are a coffee drinker but if you buy those torani or daVinci Sugar free syrups you can make a latte - I use fairlife milk that has Lower carbs and more protein... or just coffee, SF syrup and use some heavy cream or 1/2 and 1/2, for lower carb. I also heat the premier protein to make "Hot Chocolate" and then put a little whipped cream on it. Helps with the sweet tooth.

You can buy the syrups on Netrition.com or at Homegoods/Marshalls/TJ maxx. World market.

Of course it is possible to eat too much protein.  The real reason  for weight loss is that we learn to eat less calories than our bodies burn.

Eleven pounds in two weeks is great, but it is going to take a while to get rid of all thirty six pounds of regain.  When I have regain, I give myself a week to lose each pound.  Then I track my carbs, calories, fat, fiber and protein. I weigh daily and always do meet my goal of one pound off a week.

Sometimes it is a bit faster, but usually pretty close to that amount of time.  My goal is 136.  I eat 1400 calories per day to maintain and 900 per day to lose a pound a week.

First of all, you lost an amazing amount!  Some regain is perfectly normal and you see how you can lose again when you need to.  That being said, regain is natural, even with the DS, at the rate of 15-25% of your excess weight lost.  The amount of your regain is at the lower end of that range, so for a vet, you're in wonderful shape, there.  Since this is normal expectations, trying to get lower will probably always be a fight.  You're doing it right by low-carb, though.

You have already taken the hardest step by saying enough is enough and now I want to get back on track.  Here are some steps I hope will help you. They helped me...  Also, be sure and join the Back On Track Together group.  

Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery?  How many meetings, classes and such did we attend?  We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success.  And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods.  Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits. 

Journaling

Get back to journaling.  This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life.  Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating.  It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband.  It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food.  Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker.  Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself.  Make them realistic and small.  Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea?  I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass.  So I was either pushing to be diabetic or get cancer.  I found once I started carrying a bottle of water around 24/7 (yes had one at my bedside) I lost the cravings for the sugar and I KNOW those artificial sweeteners are not good for me. Look I am old and if you add up all the artificial sweeteners I have consumed I am sure I am at the rat in the lab getting cancer threshold.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving.  If I could not go to the gym I would walk. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back.  So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV.  Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group.

Keep me posted on how you are doing