Confession time.... please forgive me

Ok, Im ready to stand up and take responsibility for my bad habits. I am 7.5months post and up until christmas, I was doing pretty well. Getting my protein in..water intake at least 64ozs, walking 50miles a month. Once christma**** I started snacking more and more. Now, I am back to the way I was before the surgery. I find myself snacking all the time. I am still drinking at least 64oz of water and I have faithfully kept up my 50miles a month walking, but my diet has been crap. I find that even when I try to eat more solid food (like chicken, etc) I just cant find anything that will stick with me for more than an hour. I find myself slipping back to my old ways and I will be damed if I am going to sit back at let my weight loss go to crap. As of right now, I am bouncing between 212-218 for the past month and a half. I am down from my pre surg of 334lbs. I am afraid that I will be finished losing and I feel that at 7.5months, I am too early post-op to think that way. I was just wondering if anyone else who has had RNY have expereinced this damn hunger issues and what have you found that helps curb this? I am sorry for letting you all down. I know there are people who would kill to be able to have this surgery and are unable due to its cost and I want to at least honor them by being successful and not being arrogant and letting my havits beat me and undermine everyone else's hard work. HELP HELP HELP

Morgan, I am pre-op so can't speak of any experiences. But come on now, you had a successful 7.5 months. Stick to what you know you NEED to do. Don't lose hope at this point. I am sure everyone runs into something like this. Pray for the strength to continue on the right path. drjco

Hi Morgan, It's true, as time progresses (for me about the 8th month), additional losses in lbs take a lot more effort and time. Fortunately though, the weight doesn't come back as easily. 212-218 is not bad, but sounds like you want to lose more. I would suggest cardio and weights combined, at least 6 days a week and low carb. Snack on small amts of unfried nuts. Good Luck, Dave

I was there too. Do a reality check. Track the number of calories you are eating. It may be you are not eating enough. (In fact, I would bet on it.) Your bod will make you eat or have cravings if you are not giving it what it needs. When you try and stick with the 200 calorie meals you ate as a new post op, you find very little sticks with you and this is when you should be adding in veggies or having larger portions of chicken/fish/beef ..

K, Fell down? Get back up... Just take a look around and note what you tripped on so you can avoid it later... "Go and Sin No More...." for practicality--- Add more low Cal veggies to you intake and you won't have enough room for the junk. See Christopher's post below... In it- http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/index.htm in that link- "*Berardi's First Law: If a food is in your possession or located in your residence, you will eventually eat it. *Corollary to Berardi's First Law: If you wish to be healthy and lean, you must remove all foods not conducive to those goals from said residence and replace them with a variety of better, healthier choices. *Second Corollary to Berardi's First Law: If you know someone whose house is stocked only with optimal food choices and yet who is not healthy and lean, look under his bed." Get the bad stuff out of your house **** in the Ice-Cream! And throw it on the porch... If it ain't there, you won't eat it.... Yes? Take a deep breath and go at it again! Best Wishes- Dx

Morgan: Thanks for the great honest post. I was struck by your choice of words in describing how this made you feel. "Please forgive me" boy can I relate.. when I saw these words I thought man he is being really too hard on himself... Than it hit me... that is how I talk to myself... If I had written what you wrote... would you think I needed forgiveness ?? most likely not... So when considering our struggles ( we all have them) on this journey; I'll pretend I am talking to Morgan or any fellow WLSER)... not Kevin... and lighten up on myself.... it feels so much better to be nice to me... and you guys.. it is a new way for me to live.. but I am willing to exercise these emotional, mental and spiritual "muscles" also. I may get sore.. it may feel difficult... I may not be in shape today.. but with practice; I can build a stronger and stronger healthy way of "self-talk".. firm but accepting... You are to be congratulated for your success to date... you and all of us cross over the line from time to time... you will find a comfortable balance once again.. Thanks for being willing to share this.. It helped me alot !!!

Don't beat your self up over this. Many of us have, or will, be revisited by the Munchie demons at some point. You have come a long way...100 plus lbs gone. That's outstanding. Even with your snacking you have stayed within a range that is better than where you started not too long ago. The men have given you some excellent suggestions, as usual. Keep a food diary daily, get rid of the junk that is beckoning you, nuts, water, get to a support group or maybe even counselling to try to determine what's causing this situation (e.g. depression, boredom, stress, etc...). Get back to the basics: low calorie, protein drinks & definately low carb for a week or so. I give myself a "cheat day" once a week. I have a few of the foods that I desire, but in moderation, and with the knowledge that it is back to the plan the next day. You have not let anyone down. You're just going through a difficult adjustment period. Hang in there Morgan. You'll get back on track. Good luck. BTW try the Men's Chat Room on Tuesday evenings if you haven't already. Jay

Morgan, I am only 22 days post-op, and I can't speak from experience, but I can offer kind words of support. PICK YOURSELF UP, DUST YOURSELF OFF, AND GET YOUR AZZ BACK ON THE WAGON BROTHER!!!!! You have come way too far to even think you are going to screw this up. Back to basics. Start going with more protein and less carbs. Whatever you do, just find what worked for you in the beginning, and go back to it! You'll be back to losing in no time. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! Troy