Burnout

Yeah. It is tough. I am close to 11 years post op.

Unfortunately, the 2 times I gave up the daily weighing, and I stopped paying attention to my diet, I regained weight, getting 25-30 lbs above my personal goal. My back started hurting more, my knees. etc. I had much less energy, I felt blah.

In both cases my family doctor had "come to Jesus" talk with me. Short but effective "Your weight is in obese category, lose 15 lbs and I see me in 3 months" . Ouch. It hurt. Even though I was comfortable in my size 10, 12. But the extra weight was not good for my joints. So I lost 18 lbs in 3 months, then another 5 in the next 3 months. For a year I saw my PCP every 3 months. Then every 6 months. At my age, 58, things are falling apart, and he can help me or refers me to a specialist.

He is very supportive in my struggles, orders labs I need, so it was my way to show him I am serious about my health.

I had another burnout over a year ago. Too much food, alcohol, not really paying attention, very high stress, etc etc... Again I gained 25 lbs. And since most of my docs are in the same network, my PCP can see my weight recorded by others. Oops.. right?

I pulled myself together and lost the extra. I was already loosing when I had a routine appointment with him. At my age, and my doc age, we don't do half ways. My doc can retire if he chooses to, so he has no problem "losing a patient" who doesn't care about her health as much as she needs to. Right?

I get great help and support from the team of my doctors. It was a chore to find really good ones, and they take care of me. I put my work and effort to show them my health is important to me.

BTW: that far out I still have good restriction when I eat the proper food: dense proteins, and some veggies. As long as I eat slowly and chew my food, my pouch dictates how much I can eat. I pick correct foods, and I don't need to worry about qty. Carbs ,- I can eat and eat, wait 45 min and eat again.

To deal with diet burnout - I make sure I have many different options available to me : homemade prepared meals, or ready to eat food (i.e high quality burgers, portioned and frozen fish, shrimps, nuts, avocado, etc) so I have no excuse not to eat healthy.

Sure - pizza may be nice once in a while, but post op I developed food allergies and intolerances, so to stay healthy I need to avoid dairy and most grains.

My allergic reaction is mild, but I really don't like stuffy sinuses. There is do much pollen in spring in SC, that my sinuses are already unhappy. Dairy - any dairy cause sinus mucus overload.

I know that some people still would eat things that can cause them slight discomfort, but I don't like that. Last year, for over 6 months I got rebellious, and I was eating close to anything. Even dessert. And having wine or beer when out, or even at home. Not a lot, but enough to gain 25 lbs. I had to take double allergy pills, and I had to deal with other symptoms like itching, or nasal drip, etc etc.

How much is too much to gain and still be OK? Do you like yourself at 180? Do you feel confident? Happy? If yes, and that weight is easy for you to maintain, keep it.

I would happily gain 20 lbs if I could get rid of my food allergies and intolerances. I would like to have ability to eat more types of foods without getting negative reaction.

It is your life, your choices. As long as you are happy where you are don't allow others to make you feel less than that.

I don't like myself at 180. I'm happy at 170. I've just basically said f*ck it and went crazy on my eating habits. I think it's stress affecting my brain.

Yea. I got 25 lbs on me before I got back to my senses, and regained control and very my eating.

Don't let the 10 lbs turn into 20. Get back on the good eating plan.

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Sadly, staying at a healthier weight takes constant effort, and the only way to really combat burnout is to recognize the fear of regain. We will always have to work harder than "naturally" slim people, and that effort will, unfortunately for most of us, be lifelong.

We will always have to work harder than "naturally" slim people

That unfortunately is true.

But as our friends age, even some of the formally skinny people need to pay attention to their diet and activities.

Plus, some of my skinny friends were always aware of any 5 lbs gain, and acted on it. Seriously.

Having RNY gave me the tools and affected my appetite - putting me on a similar level as some my friends were all their life.

So true!!!! Ugh!!!!

When I'm super stressed or depressed, I think of something I'm good at and do that a lot. It could be anything and it can be small. It helps to build yourself up a bit.