Introducing myself and looking for support after regain

lauraellen80
on 6/21/17 11:01 am
VSG on 06/15/15

Hi, everyone. I used to be on *that other forum*, fell away for several months when I was in the "at/below goal but not yet a veteran" stage, and then popped back in to find that the place had imploded.

ANYWAY...

I'm 2 years out from surgery. This time last summer I was about at my lowest weight (about 110 lbs). I probably lost a bit too much, but it just kinda happened without trying. Well, I got ****y and let myself slip back into some bad habits. I also changed jobs, and despite working in a park with several miles of trails, I am not getting nearly enough exercise. I dropped my YMCA membership for money and scheduling reasons, and my commute more than doubled when I started my new job. I stopped tracking my food and activity. I'm finding myself eating a lot of sweets and other crap that I know I shouldn't be eating.

Bottom line is, I've regained about 17 pounds. This morning when I got on the scale, I'd gone past the ceiling of what I decided would be my acceptable range. I knew it was happening... my shorts from last summer are really snug... but I have just kept making excuses for myself.

I had myself convinced that I was done with being someone who was always wanting to lose weight. But here I am again. I know I need to push past feeling sorry for/angry at myself. I think I need some support from others who've been through the same thing.

Thanks for reading!

--Laura

Gwen M.
on 6/21/17 11:08 am
VSG on 03/13/14

Welcome!

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Kathy S.
on 6/21/17 11:15 am - InTheBurbs, XX
RNY on 08/29/04 with

Welcome LauraEllen

You have already taken the hardest step by saying enough is enough and now I want to get back on track. I maintained 118-125 for over 10 years after losing 200 pounds. Due to a personal tragedy I gained and hit the 190 mark a year ago. After several starts it finally clicked and I am back to goal again. Here are some steps that helped me and I hope they will help you too! You may have several starts and stops but don't give up, don't beat yourself up. IT WILL CLICK!!!

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.

HW:330 - GW:150 - MW:118-125

RW:190 - CW:130

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 6/21/17 11:24 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16

Welcome! This is a great place to get support. I never felt "at home" on that other site like I do here.

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

pr31
on 6/21/17 11:27 am

I haven't been in you're shoes because I'm just a year post-op and just reached/will reach soon goal. I just wanted to offer my encouragement. You've taken the hardest step by taking accountability and action. From reading the posts of others, get back to basics and plan and most importantly track everything that goes in your mouth. You can do this! Better 17 lbs. than 170 lbs.

Surgery Date June 3, 2016

HW: 329 W at first consult 290. SW 238, LW 128, CW 139

(deactivated member)
on 6/22/17 4:18 am

You came back that is not a failure. That is taking your life back. The head part is the hardest to get.

What is funny. I had a bit of regain. I am not at goal. One day I will be. But I found myself lying to myself saying did you put this jeans in the dryer?

So it does take time.

lauraellen80
on 6/22/17 5:50 am
VSG on 06/15/15

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! I had a good day yesterday, tracking all my food and making better choices than I have been lately. Tracking my food is definitely a key element for me.

I'm already down a bit this morning after a few days previously of bloat-inducing eating, so that helps with motivation.

I am not interested in getting back down to my lowest weight (109-ish), which was just a bit too thin. I'd like to stick in the 115-118 range (I'm only 5'2"), as that's where I think I look and feel best.

(deactivated member)
on 6/22/17 10:30 am
VSG on 01/12/17

Also not just logging your food, but your water as well. Getting and staying hydrated is so important for weight loss. When I don't drink enough, my body holds onto everything I've eaten and refuses to let it go. I am still very bad at getting all my water, but have found a cute little app that's sort of a water logging app/game in one.

Kathy1212
on 6/22/17 9:24 am

Welcome, Laura Ellen,

You lost all of your weight in the first place; so you know how to lose and what to do. You've so got this, and will be back down again in no time.

Take care.

Pre-Op Visit: Jan. 10, 2017, weight 304, surgeon: Dr. David Lindsay, St. Joe's, Toronto

1st Day of (3 weeks worth of) Optifast: Jan. 11, 2017

Surgery Date: Feb. 1st, 2017

  Kathy  

Valerie G.
on 6/22/17 9:32 am - Northwest Mountains, GA

A little regain from your lowest weight is completely normal after a couple of years, and being such a low weight, it's probably looking very good on you and nothing to be panicking about. If it serves as a wakeup call to pay attention again, it's done it's job, but really, don't worry about it. I'm 12 years from my DS, and regained 25 lbs of the 146 I lost. I'm not worrying myself about it, either.

Valerie
DS 2005

There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes

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