Wh at helps you stay on target

I was sleeved in October and have lost about 14 pounds. I have not been sticking to the plan of high protein and lots of water. I've taken my sleeve for granted. I don't eat junk but I eat carbs sometimes. I.was low BMI to start and still have 15 pounds to  go. Weight loss is drastically slow and I get discouraged when the scale doesn't move yet it's  my fault.  I don't know why I eat carbs at times. I don't understand. 

I went tho Mexico and wish I had done weeks of counseling as I realize my mental state need help. Are there any online classes?  I just want that discipline do many of you have. 

There is no honeymoon here....no weight loss in 2 months and I'm afraid my window of opportunity is running out. 

The is no honeymoon because you have been off plan.  This is not a magic cure.  WLS is a tool in our tool box. Get back to basics.  Your tool will still help you do the work.

BASICS 

800 cal Day

100 oz water /Day

>90 g protein 

< 40 g carb

Measure everything you eat.  

Track everything you eat or drink

Meals of 3 to 4 ounces of dense protein 

Eat dense protein first.  

Consciously Eat slowly.  

Take small bits.  

Avoid liquids with meals.  

Weigh your food.

Track everything you eat in My fitness pal or another tool.

Under-eat your sleeve. 

FEED emotions with emotion food, fix your head

I credit nearly all of my success to two things:

1.  Tracking on Myfinesspal every day.  Makes me feel guilty for eating 1000 calories or 70 carbs in a day.  That used to be a snack for me; now its a bad day.
2. Reading this site every day.  I dont post every day but reading it keeps my head in the game.

I forgot to put that in my basics list.  This site is a God send to me.  I read it every day.  I have learned so much.  Still learning.  Thankful for All posters.  

Weighing and logging every bite of food keeps me on target.

Knowing that my weight loss surgery was my one time "get out of jail free" card keeps me on target. I have to work hard every day or I will gain it all back. I know it is not magic. In my 8+ years in the bariatric community I have seen way too many people mess it up and I will not do that to myself. Mentally I cannot go back to being obese again. I take things one day at a time and do what I have to do for my health. I am worth the effort.

I measure,record and track EVERY bite of food that passes my lips. I weigh every morning. And every time I go to the frig I look at the one "before" picture that I could find that is taped there at eye level. I do not ever want to be that restricted miserable person EVERY again! I will do the work and make the choices that it takes to ensure that my size 1s keep fitting! I am worth that! You have to decide that you are worth it too!

You need to find a real person or two or three or more who have had the surgery with whom you can discuss your progress.  I let one person at work know.  She told me of another, who told me of another.  I now know about 10 people at work who have had the surgery, one kind or another, and we talk about experiences and encourage one another.  I look at those who have gone before and been successful and keep the weight off successfully and it encourages me all day long, every working day.  I've only seen one who hasn't kept the weight off, so the odds are 90% at my work.  On weekends, I look at my sisters who are built like I was and it encourages me never to go there again.  Find your motivation and keep it in your face at all time.  You still have the tool.  It will still work, just work your tool. 

(Also, if my ticker is still the one showing an 11 pound weight loss, its because this site won't let it delete.  I have lost nearly 50 pounds since surgery in December). 

A few things and they have changed over the years: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2012/03/what- motivates-me.html

I'd suggest getting a therapist and working through some of the "stuff" and beginning your emotional journey. Call your local bariatric programs and ask them who they work with for psych clearances... and yes there may be some online or telemedicine options.

Ask about local WLS support groups... some surgeons don't allow non-patients but some do... OH maintains a list and www.obesityaction.org does as well.

Find a few fellow WLSers in your area... state boards aren't always as active (drop down screen above) but put a post up on there and your surgery type board and connect with others.

Go to events... OH has one (see events above) and in August 25-28 there's the Your Weight Matters National Convention www.YWMConvention.com 

Word of advice... the honeymoon concept and "x amount of pounds to go" idea there is a finish-line... this is for a lifetime... WLS is a helping hand and the rest... all on us... with no finish-line.

Best,

~Shelly

P.S. I went to Mexico too... it is up to us to seek out all the follow-up/aftercare... get your labs done too if you aren't doing that.