HELP! I need to get things back on track - 4 yrs post-op.

sammygirlwpc
on 3/15/07 1:37 pm - Hood River, OR
I need so much help and I am feeling so down and out. I am over 4 years post op. I was one of the people who had everything researched, had all the answers, and knew everything going into this surgery. I knew it was only a tool and I knew I could gain weight back. Unfortunately, I did not do those important life-ha*****anges after surgery. I started my weight loss journey at 367 pounds. One year later, I was 160 pounds less and bottomed out at 208 pounds. Over the past 3 years, I have gained about 40 pounds. I am soooo ashamed!!!! Now I am needing to get back on track but don't know how to start. I talked to my follow-up surgeon (who was not the surgeon who performed my surgery because I live in a different state now) and he said I need to discipline myself. EASIER SAID THAN DONE!!! I really need some help with how I can get back on track gently and realistically. I know that changing my current eating habits (which stink by the way) and exercise habits (which are virtually non-existent) drastically is not realistic. Any helpful hints on how I can change things realistically and consistently? I also can't find how to motivate myself to exercise and do the right thing. I am part of a support group in my town, but it only has new post-ops and pre-ops. They don't really understand because they are not to my state yet. I live in the country where there are no safe places to go walking. I can't afford to go to a health club. The fact is, I could make every excuse why I don't exercise. I am almost embarrassed to exercise. ESPECIALLY in front of my family. I don't really know why. If you have any suggestions for me, please let me know. I can't keep doing what I am doing!! Leslie
Leavchip
on 3/19/07 5:51 am - Orlando, FL
Leslie, Congrats on taking a big step to reach out and ask for help. The first thing you need to do is get back to the basics of eating. Journal down for a week everything you are consuming, including drinks, snacks and any bite, taste or licks you are doing. Once you have a clear picture of what you are eating, then eliminate the high fats, sugars and simple carbs. Now, You need to spend some time reflecting on why you are not being compliant with your eating and working to keep the weight off. Is there an emotional issue you have not dealt with? Is there something from your past you haven't worked through yet? Exercise.. obviously there are issues from the past that are holding you back from embracing this part of getting the weight off and keeping it off. If you aren't comfortable exercising in front of your family then don't. Find the time to walk in a safe location.. aren't there walking trails along the river? A park area to walk in? If you want to succeed, then you have to look for the answer. There are a ton of ways to work out without joining a gym... look for a walking group in your area, search the internet for at home exercises and do them when no one is around. I am 2 years post op and have hit the wall at times with my weight and have to tweek my eating habits all the time in order to not fall back into the old habit of poor eating. I do workout 5 days a week and I have to make the effort in order to do this. I have to rearrange my schedule, I homeschool and to put me in front of the daily demands of parenthood is tough, but I have to do it and my family does understand. It's not easy to complete this journey, but nothing worth having has ever come easy. I do wish you the best and hope this helps you somewhat. blessings, Leavchip
(deactivated member)
on 4/2/07 2:26 pm - Leander, TX
Leslie, I gained so much weight back after my RNY. I am now 5 years post op and it's slowly coming back off. I started taking very small steps to get back on track. First of all, I had to stop drinking with my meals. I immediately noticed that I felt full faster and it lasted longer, but even though I know that I still slip up and have a drink with my meal sometimes. Recently, I cut out the snacky carbs. I was allowing myself whatever food I wanted, but when I would eat chips or crackers or any high carb snack food I would end up consuming way too many calories that day. So, now I try to stay away from the processed carbs. I eat fruit and some whole wheat products, but I try to eat mostly protein. I write down what I eat and usually I consume about 100-125 carbs a day now. I have lost about 18lbs with these changes, but it has been alot slower than the first time. Lately I have noticed that when I drink soda, even diet and caffeine free soda, I want to snack more. I am not sure what's causing it, but it is definitely related to the soda somehow. On the days I drink only water, crystal lite, milk, etc then I don't feel as hungry. I don't "exercise" as I have never really enjoyed it. I make a point to move my body at least 2-3 times per week. One day it will be yardwork, another day swimming in the heated pool in my neighborhood, one day dancing to music for 20minutes. It's never a real "workout". I do occasionally like to do stretches, leg lifts, sit-ups and things like that just to feel my muscles, but I never have a set workout. I choose walking alot as my movement, but it's never forced. I just move my body more than my everyday activities. If a week goes by that I didn't do anything I don't beat myself up. If a week goes by that I "moved" more than 3 times then that's great too. I hope this helps you, but mainly I hope you know you aren't alone. There are so many of us who have gained back a substantial amount of weight. The tool is there and it really does still work. I am amazed sometimes at how it still works. It's not as easy as the first time, but it's easier than dieting pre-surgery. Good luck. Angela
jamlanae
on 5/16/07 10:36 pm - GA
Leslie, your message sounds EXACTLY how I feel!!!! Did you get any motivating feedback that you can share? I just do not want to blow this and it's only been 1.5 years for me post-op. I LOVE feeling and looking good but why can't I eat right and exercise? Like the surgeon told you to get disciplined.....whatever! I lack discipline and that's the problem!!! I need help with getting back on track! Let me know if you've found anything else that works for you! Thanks and good luck to you! I know we can both do it but it's just a matter of reaching inside of ourselves and really really getting it done!
jennyn
on 6/4/07 8:53 am - Kingston, TN
First, THANK YOU! I am so glad I came back to OH! I am 6yrs out and have regained almost all of my weight. I have felt like such a failure, it is such a relief to hear that I am not alone. One thing that I failed to do the first time was follow up with support. Now I am looking to OH for that and will try to do it again for good this time. Good luck to you and all the rest of us that are starting this journey over again.
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