Almost 10 Years out and need advice on how to lose some regain

Good Morning OH DS Family!

It has been a while, life was going on, and thanks to the beauty of the DS everything was working beautifully. I have been good with eating the right things, stay low carb and having my protein. The lowest weight I was able to get to was 150lbs, and in a size 4/6. I'm 5'2 and for me I was happy with that size. As the years have passed and life has gone on, I went up to around 160-165lbs size 8 and stayed here for over 6 years. I went up and down but never more than 168. Then in 2016 I thought I fell in love. So, I got comfortable and cooking and going out to eat, but then I had a bad break-up. I am a emotional eater and donuts became my very best friend. I was just eating tons of carbs and sugar, it was awful. I finally got my head together and got over my mess, but as a result, I was 190-195lbs!! I was in such a stuck place, I didn't know what to do. I then remembered why I had the DS, and when back to basics. I have also joined a 4 week workout challenge, the workouts are intense but I've not given up. So far, I'm at 180 maybe even less, I try to stay away from the scale.

I know this is a bit long, but I have hit a block (won't call it a stall just yet) and need advice from you amazing folks. What should I be doing better? Any help offered will be taken very seriously!!

Thank you so much

Deirdre

Welcome back. Sounds like you're living life and the good news is that you had the DS and it still works.

You're doing the right things but it takes time - especially at this point with trying to lose 20-30 pounds. Maybe up your water consumption (I know that helps me). Because you're working out you may need to up your calorie intake - more protein.

The DS is great - I was in the same boat - 15 years post-op and getting a little complacent and before I realized it I was up to 165. Without consciously doing anything except removing some of the really bad carbs I've managed to lose about 12 pounds in the last year - I love my DS :)

Keep up the great work!!

Hello carmeldip32

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 losing 70 pounds of regain. Here are some steps that helped me (I had the RNY but feel the basics are the same) 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!!! Our tool works if we work the tool and get back to the basics.

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. If you didn't make a Weight Loss Surgery bucket list when you first had surgery do it now. GREAT reminder of all the things you can enjoy in life after losing weight.

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. I found once I started carrying one of the metal bottles of water to keep it cold I drank water all day.

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. Grab a cart and walk all the isles at your local box store. 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. Come here on OH daily for support and participate in one of the food threads. It helps you be accountable and also great ideas for food prep.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Nix the low fat recommendation. We need that fat.

I'm in the same boat! Reading all the good comments! It's hard but has to be done ?

Here's something that can't hurt you that I have never seen fail anyone. I have no idea why it works but it works. It's simple. 1 gallon a day of mint tea. Unsweetened. 7 days on and 7 days off. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I drink it cold and just keep the gallon jug in the fridge.

Thank you, I'll definitely try it. I love tea

How's it going?

Liz