Old timer needs major help

I'm over 3 years post op and gave birth to a baby boy May 25,06. 3 weeks after baby was born i went on the evil depo shot and gained 30 pounds in 4 months and the scale keeps going up i have gained 50 total in 5 months not counting what i gained after my divorce I am however remarried now I am asking what the heck can i do? Basic is all everyone says i go back to this and I starve i feel like i am not getting full and i have no insurance. Anyone of a meal plan or something i could maybe try I confess I craved things that I shouldnt have ate while prego and now there demons to me but for the love of god i cant seem to let them go. I have a little boy that needs me and i dont want to be 319 again. Please i am asking for your help and support no flames please Any meal plans and the basic list would help

No flames, I promise!!!! First of all, congratulations on your sweet little boy!! He is adorable! Secondly, I too curse that damn depo shot!! I'm convinced there is some horrible little chemical in that thing that whispers to the scale and BOOM! Up it goes! My doctor's office told me that weight gain with the depo shot was no more of a factor than with the pill. I should have listened to my inner voice and RUN out the door! I gained weight with the pill, so why would the shot be any different for me? With that said, I chose other options for BC, but the damage was already done! Okay - so what do we do about it? I certainly wish I had a magic cure for our situation, but the true fact is that you (and I) already know what it is - go back to basics. Start over. Think back to when we first had surgery - how diligent we were about what we ate, when we ate, how much we ate, getting in all that protein, no carbs, getting the proper exercise and plenty of water. The bottom line is that it worked back then, so it will work now - only this time it's going to require a little more will-power and diligence. Have you read the "Rules of the Pouch"? If not, I will send you a copy if you would like. When I read it the first time, it helped me to remember those early days following surgery and how I was so accute to everything about my mind, body and soul. It was sort of like a refresher course! Now - do I still struggle to reach my goal three+ years post-op? Yep, I certainly do! I'm still trying to lose those "Depo Pounds" and get back to where I was on the scale prior to that EVIL event. But knowing that I'm not alone and that I still have the most important thing in my favor - THE POUCH! It's the best tool in the world and WILL work if I choose to use it like I should! Again, I have no magic diet plan or cure, but I do have some suggestions that have helped me. 1). Keep a food journal. FitDay.com has an excellent (free) food journal that will really help you keep track of where your calroies are going. A week or so of honest food journaling can be a real eye-opener! 2). Get ALL your protein. 3). Stay away from the bad carbs. If you have to have them, at least track them in the food journal so you can "see" what kind of damage they do. That will help the next time you want to snack on those empty carb calories. 4). Exercise. It's an evil word to some, but it's a necessity for weight loss and healthy living. We all know that. Choose what you like to do and stick with it. Get a work-out buddy. Better yet, walk with your baby - he is the best work-out buddy you could have! Mall walking in the winter time is great! Move, move, move. That's the best we can do for ourselves. In the meantime, don't beat yourself up about this. I know it's hard not to - I'm the worst when it comes to doing that to myself. But know that you are among "friends" on this board and we all sympathize. Share your struggles and frustrations and I promise you that someone will send kind words of encouragement your way. It will truly help! Keep in touch, please! We want to know how you are doing! Big hugs! Kristi

Kristy, Can you send me a copy of the pouch rules. I need to get back to basics too. I would really appreciate it! Amy

Hi Kristi, I, too, have "fallen off the wagon." I have fallen into the bad carb world and don't know how to get out. I have this horrible sugar craving. I know the answer is to not have it in the house, but is just too easy to get to out of the house. I wonder if you can send me a copy of the pouch rules? Thanks. Joyce

Hey Joyce! Send me your email address and I will be happy to forward a copy of the Pouch Rules to you. Hugs! Kristi

Joyce, I haven't had the surgery yet, but I heard something on the news this afternoon that may help with the sugar craving. A Dr. has come up with "Sugarest". It is sold on the internet. I just did a search for it. It supposedly coats the taste buds and lasts about an hour. They did a test on some people in a sweets shop. They took the pill then bit into a super chocolate sundae. The one girl siad it was horrible and tasted like salt. The other girl said hers tasted like water. Might be something to look into. Good Luck! Charlotte B. kid4ever

Marsha- It's sounds really hard. I can hear the frustration/desperation in your voice. It's so familiar to me. I have really struggled with trying to get "back to basics" and I have only had partial success. I feel like I know what to do, but I don't do it. I often feel hungry when I logically know I can't be. In the last few weeks I have found relief by going to Overeaters Anonymous meetings. I'm only speaking for myself, and what finally seems to be easing my struggles. I'm by no means a "convert", but for some crazy reason the day after I go to the meeting I don't eat as much. I don't believe all people who struggle with weight are compulsive overeaters, but I know I am. I hope you find some peace soon. This just sucks doesn't it? Tracy