Need prayers and thoughts (already giving myself a swift kick in the a**)

I really need help.  I am not doing well at all with my diet.  I am only four months out and have lost almost one hundred pounds,but for the past four weeks, I have not lost any weight.  The first couple of weeks were a legitimate plateau, but they I started eating more and more.  I am eating WAY more than the 4 ounces per meal that I am supposed to be eating--probably closer to 8 ounces.  Two days ago, I bought a food scale and have started weighing and measuring my food out again.   I honestly am shocked at how little I am supposed to be eating.  I did REALLY good with this yesterday, but at lunch today I totally blew it--I ate a bunch--to the point that my stomach HURT.  I can't say that I am eating out of hunger--it is out of boredom, frustration, anger, etc. Also, it is REALLY hard for me to have NO one in my day to day life that had WLS.   If you could all keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I try to figure out what is going on with me.  Journaling my emotions and possibly counseling are in my immediate future, but any other suggestions would be great.  I would also really like to hear if any others havegone through this, done this.  Thanks all!

Hey Maddie *hugs* First of all, don't think of this as a diet.  This is not another diet.  You have to change your lifestyle.  You had someone rearrange your guts, that's not just another diet.  And its HARD.  Its hard when you are an emotional eater or a boredom eater or whatever.  You've been reinforcing those behaviors your ENTIRE LIFE, you aren't going to break the habits overnight.  Take it one day at a time, and do your best.  This surgery is somewhat forgiving, especially at first because your calorie need is so high when you are heavy that it would be really hard to not lose weight (AT FIRST). People make mistakes all the time and still end up successful in the long run because they don't give up and they get better and better at making the right choices as they see the pay off and they establish new behavior patterns to replace the old ones.  You have to recognize a mistake, acknowledge it, accept it, and move on.  Every day is a new day and an opportunity to make good choices.  Every meal is an opportunity to establish and reinforce new healthier behaviors.  It just takes time, and we all fall down sometimes.  Journaling is a good idea, counseling is a good idea, weighing your food is a good idea.  You are being pro-active, you have the right mindset.  You just have to keep working at the food thing.  Surgery didn't change that for many of us.  Most of us are still hungry, most of us still love food and think about food often.  Its tough, but people are successful despite those old food demons.  If your priorities are set and you are determined you'll get there, stumbles or no stumbles.  There are few people who get to goal without ever making a mistake. 

This journey has been one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, but also one of the best.  There is nothing easy about it.  My Mom told me one day I was lucky in that I had lost so much and was doing well maintaining. "LUCKY" I said?  There is no luck in this, I work hard each and every day. I made up my mind the day I was approved I would not fail. I've had a few days where I too have eaten until I felt sick, my pouch would hurt. I'd wait until that feeling went away and then I'd eat someone an hour or so later. It took me awhile to realize that I was doing this but figuring out why was even harder. I make it a point now to not eat while doing something else like watching TV or reading. I am more aware of the wonderful tastes in my mouth and I tend to feel full faster when I'm paying attention to those feelings. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you can do this, heck I'm doing it, and I'm living proof that it can be done, as are other successful people on the board. We're here for you.

Maddie,  I found this on a "friends" profile! I would like you to read the things she had to say about herself!  1. Getting into and out of my car is MUCH easier-I actually have a couple inches between me and the steering wheel! 2. I can actually zip up my coat!!!!  With extra room!!!!  I bought this coat around four years ago and could never zip up the coat!  I love being able to zip it up--so warm and cozy!  AND I love having POCKETS on my coat!! 3. My joints don't hurt all day, every day--actually they hardly hurt ever!!! 4. I can buckle the front seatbelt in my best friend's minivan!  WOOHOO!!! 5. I can fit into clothes that before my surgery I couldn't! 6. I can walk faster and longer than I used to! As far as having someone in your day to day life?  I hope you know you can always count on me!  Hugz  Estelle

It's a step-by-step process.  You've already taken the first step with having WLS.  The second step that you've taken is that you realize that you have issues with eating even after this surgery.  The third and most important step is that you've asked for support.

That's why this group is here.  To lift each other up and provide support, a slap on the hand, a reminder as to why we all did this surgery - to get our lives back!

I would recommend keeping track of everything that you put in your mouth.  There are several good websites out there that are free.  I see most people use fit-day.  I started with my-calorie-counter.com and have all my custom foods loaded in there so I don't want to switch.  But  no matter what, it's a great way to see how your food choices affect your weight loss.

And, as far as the weight loss goes, those stalls get to you and are frustrating.  Don't let them.  Just keep doing what your doctor and Nut taught  you to do to be successful with WLS and plug through those stalls. My biggest thing is that you should be exercising.  My doctor told me because of my size that I should work out 5 days a week because I am going to have it that much harder in my journey because of my high BMI.  I took his advice and have been doing so pretty consistently since 3 weeks after surgery.   So, I feel with you, we all do, but get back on track.   Make sure you track your food intake and get moving if you aren't already.  You can do this!

What you do mean, you don't have anyone in your day to day life that had WLS?!  What are we, chopped liver?  (ooooooh, chopped liver!). I think there must be some kind of evil fur in the air right now, I know several people who are struggling with a variety of issues (not all WLS related).  I'm struggling myself.  It's much easier now to eat when I'm not hungry, so I have to be vigilant and recognize when I'm eating just to eat and not because I'm hungry. Are you journaling your food?  I have started journaling again.  Also, weighing your food on the food scale is a good start. Follow the basics, protein first and water, and you'll get back on track.  It's really hard to binge on dense protein because you feel like you've eaten an anvil! We're here for you, and we have all been there. Kix