Help gettig back on track

Ugh! I had surgery November 25, 2008. I had complications but lost nearly 100 pounds in the first 5 months. I'm at month #10 now and haven't lost an ounce in the last 4 or 5 months. I'm getting frusturated and discovering that I'm going back to old eatting habits. Out of frusturation I'm sure. Any ideas to help me get back on track? Thanks so Much.
 

Kristin

Hi Kristin, i'm in the exact same prediciment, I have slipped back somewhat into old patterns of eating wehn bored, and sometimes eating sweet foods, even though i know it will make me sick with dumping syndrome.  Also my excercise regime has slowed right down and whereas i used to go daily to the gym I now only go 1-2 times a week.  But yesterday I gave myself a good talking too and am on protein shakes for the next 7 days to try and kick start my healthy  behaviours again and loose the 3lbs I gained!!!  I am hoping others will also be able to give us some advice, but i do know that i dont want to end up as heavy and miserable as i once was and that is enough to get me back on the right track hopefully!.  And also I do know other members fall off the wagon every so often, no-one is perfect but from reading their blogs they gain control again and start back with their shakes and protein as that helps with further weight loss and of course continues to motivate.  One last thing, you and I have both lost over 100lbs and so it does take the body a while to balance itself.  We may end up loosing some more or we may have hit a plateau, but turning to our bad habits isnt going to help the situation, so just keep thinking about far far you have come and look in your closet to see the lovely regular size clothes - that in itself is a motivator for me!!!  Good luck.

Yes, we have all been there! Don't despair, Kristin. I've fallen off the horse and climbed back on myself. Remember, food does not control you. You are not helpless in the face of weight gain. You are responsible for what goes in your mouth, and you can create NEW eating habits that are healthy and good.

My advice is to start keeping a diet journal again to track your calories, weigh yourself at least once a week and BE ACCOUNTABLE. Don't even have trigger foods in the house if you find yourself wandering to the cupboards for a snack, even if you do have a daughter who might want chips or ice cream. Teach her to enjoy healthy snacks. Keep only fruits and veggies and healthy protein available.
 
I found my knitting and crocheting to be AWESOME in keeping my hands and mind busy so I don't THINK about food. Exercise also suppresses the appetite. I was a couch potato 4 months ago. Now I run about 20 miles a week! It's amazing and a great new way to relieve stress, so why not try walking at least?

You can do it, Kristin! You have the power to take charge, go back to basics, and get back on that weight loss train!

I think you have some great suggestions in these two replies. Another direction is to explore is why you are having those old eating slips.  How do you answer the question, "Why did I eat that?"  Understandably you are feeling frustrated, but how much frustration are you feeling? Does it turn to being pretty harsh and critical of yourself? how much pressure or tension is caused by your expectations to lose weight?  Unfortunately, eating can quickly alleviate  these uncomfortable reactions to weight loss frustrations...at least for a little while. It may help to explore the nature and intensity of your frustrations, tensions, expectations and judgments and see if they could be an underlying cause of your old eating habits. Good luck!