trying to lose weight i regained

Hello, I haven't been on OH for awhile and I don't think ever on this board.  I had open rny March 24 2005.  I weighed 324 that morning.  One year later I weighed 157.  In Oct 2006 we had a car accident and after than alot of stress, nervous snacking etc for me.  I got back into bad habits and have regained back up to 240.  2 weeks ago I started walking again and cutting out all snacks.  I've lost 10 pounds so far.  I just can't remember how many cals we're supposed to have durning the losing stage?  What about carbs?  What number should we stay at?  I'm drinking more water and of course, nothing with sugar.  My doc allows us to drink diet sodas and I have since 6 weeks out from surgery.  But I don't drink them constantly.  I drink water, propel. diet green tea, crystal light, tea with splenda.  I also started doing my protien shakes again.  Any words of advice for someone who's determined to get this back off?  Anyone want to be my weekly weigh in buddy and support one another?

Thanks
Ange

Hey, Ange! Congratulations on MAINTAINING an 84 pound weight loss! You are starting over again on the road to a healthier life, so Kudos to you! You can do it!

The rule for approximate caloric needs for weight loss is:
Sedentary life(exercising 30 minutes, light sweat, 1-2 times/wk): Desired weight X 12
Moderately active lifestyle (exercising 30-60 minutes, serious sweating, 3-4 times/wk): Desired weight X15
Very Active lifestyle (exercising 30-60 minutes, heavy sweating, 5-7 times/wk.): Desired weight X 20-25

So, if you want to get to 157 pounds, try to eat about 1,884 calories per day by these guidelines. Make sure 60-75 grams of this is good, lean protein, keep fat to 10% of calories if you can, cut out soda completely, eat 5 fruit and veg per day, and all the stuff I am sure you already know!

I try to spread my calories around by eating lots of salad (chew chew chew) and drinking a cup of coffee or tea in the morning for its appetite-suppressing effect. Earl Grey is yummy!

Plus, I keep a diet journal. I measure most of my food, rather than just eyeballing it, because I have had problems with portion control in the past. The journal helped me achieve success and has kept me honest with myself so far. I kept it daily for the first 18 mos. of my weight loss journey, and I pull it out whenever I feel myself go off track. It helps me feel in control when "going out of control" is so common for food addicts like ourselves.

I also weigh myself, at most, once a week--more often, once a month, because I hate the scale. And I make sure I am completely naked with no pee in my bladder or food in my stomach! I want to know what I weigh, not what my stomach contents weigh! :)

Exercise is also awesome--I encourage you to start with walking and amp it up slow and steady. There are many people doing the "Couch to 5k" program on Cool Running.com, I think it is--I've seen them on the OH Exercise and Fitness board. You don't have to be a skinny minnie to reap the benefits of exercise!

With these kinds of lifestyle changes, the weight will come off, but not as dramatically as when you could only manage to eat 600 calories a day! Remember, it took 3 years to put it back on, so give yourself the time to take it off again. The changes you make will last longer because they are happening over a lengthy period of time. Lots of folks quit or feel discouraged because they don't see the same results as fast as when they first had surgery. Ignore the negative nellies out there! This is a defeatist attitude and totally unrealistic.

Congratulations for getting back on track, Ange--you deserve a gold star!

Hello and thank u for such a encouraging response.  I do keep a food journal also now.  Well I've restarted about 2 weeks ago.  I also do hot tea, or the general foods international french vanilla sugar free coffee.  Your response is very helpful and I'm so grateful!

I have not been up here in a while but ur posts are so helpful to me....I have gained 35 pounds from a 160 pound weight loss. Please let me know what I can do to help and I will do the same for you!!!!

I had gastric bypass in 2006....

My surgeon had me on a total liquid diet that consist of protein shakes, liquid broths, liquid soups and vitamins my first 2 weeks. Then he transitioned me to a ground diet of protein mostly then a few veggies.

You may want to try the 1 week startup liquid diet to kickstart your weightloss. Then transition to protein (mostly meats ) and a little veggies as well. Watch a run from the carbs....
I do be hungry sometimes but I eat something that is protein. If I eat a burger, I take off the bread....