I have been a bad boy!

I had surgery on November 10th.  I did well at first following doctors orders, what to eat and not to eat.  However, I did a big no no and tested by body.  I now find myself grabbing a miniture candy bar or a piece of brownie.  I have started to use psychological warefare on my own brain, but I am not sure how successful I will be with it.  On top of all of that, I am not getting in all of my vitamins, calcium or iron.   I am doing well on my protein, but found after posting on another forum that I was making my protein shake with way too many calories and have since cut back.

I need help:  Be blunt and honest. 

Thanks,

WLS is not the easy way out like most people think.  You really have to change your habits and the first 6 months are your chance to get ahead of the game.  You know what you have to do and making excuses is how you got to the point of needing WLS.  Stop making excuses and start owning your mistakes.

When you get up in the morning take your suppliments first and get them out of the way.  Then take your shower and get dressed.  By that time the vitamins will be disolved and you will have room for a real breakfast.  eat some protien.  Shakes should be a last resort for your protien intake, not your first.

We all slip up, when you do get back on track, don't decide the day or week is a bust and destroy yourself, own the mistake and move on.

Pre WLS I did not care if I had sweets or not, carbs were my kryptonite.  Post WLS I crave chocolate and don't care about carbs.  I decided that rather than fight the urg I would do it smart.  I buy Hersheys Dark Chocolate in the largest bars that I can find.  I break them up into the small blocks and put them in the freezer.  When I need a chocolate fix I get 1 out, take a bite and let it melt in my mouth.  I get 3 bites from a chunk and by the time it all melts in my mouth I am satisfied and I have only had 1/2 oz of dark chocolate.  I am happy and I haven't ruined the day. 

Whatever your kryptonite is do the same.  Have it in small amounts to satisfy your craving and move on to the healthy foods.  Make sure you get your protien in from real hard meats or beans so it fills you up, kicks your metabolism into gear and keep you full.   Get in your water and move your ass.  

Your body will thank you and slowly you will create new good habits that replace the bad ones.

Good luck and keep posting we are here to help.

Bluntly??  It almost seems as though you have made a conscious decision to defeat the surgery.   The doctors and their staff spend a lot of time telling us before hand what is going to be expect of us, and we all agreed with their conditions.   I know I actually had to sign a paper stating that I would live up to the conditions, and I took it very seriously.  Maybe it's time to man up.  It really ain't so bad to follow the rules.

Scotty,
What do I say?  I think that many WLS patients go through this.  I want to say we all... but I know that someone will reply that they were the one who has not strayed or gone off diet at all...so I will say that most of us have tested things.  Most of us have strayed.  Most of us have tasted of the forbidden fruit(s).  It's not the end of the world.  I think that denying yourself of a craving is a bad thing.  You'll only want it more and when you give in the consequences will be worse.  I was also told this by the Nuts. at the St. Vincent Bariatric Center.

Use moderation.  At least your eating the miniatures and not an entire candy bar or box of candy.  I go to the Hospital Gift shop where I work and do the same thing.  I'm not remorseful about it either.  My wife and I both will on occasion split or have a little desert.  But, we use moderation.  I'm also running twenty miles per week and lifting weights, and riding a bike....and swimming.  I'm active and that's hugely important.  I missed being this active and I never want to be unable to do that again.

As for your vitamins and supplements.....You may think that you're getting away with it now but it will catch up with you.  It will show up in some bad ways that will be very hard to correct.  It's not that hard to take your vitamins and supplements. There is no excuse for not taking them....I mean NO excuse.  My it a part of your day.  Do it, no exceptions.  You've got a family that depends on you.  Failing yourself IS failing your family.  The sooner you make the changes the easier they will be to implement and correct.

Best wishes to you and your family,

Duane

Thank you all for your responses.  I used the word "bluntly" so that none of you would hold back on your responses.  I agree with what is said and I am no where near giving up.  I am just finding it to be difficult not to return to my old ways and that scares me.  That is how I got screwed up in the first place. 

It doesn't help that none of my family are helping me.  My wife is making cookies, cakes, brownies as "a treat for the girls".  I try to explain that the girls do not need to learn the same error that we learned (That sweets are a daily reward for eating or doing good things.)  I am tempted by all of these and find myself walking over and grabbing a small bite.  Then I feel horrible and walk away feeling like I screwed up everything that I have worked so hard for.  My parents house isn't much easier.  They have candy of all shapes and sizes there and fully fat laden foods for every meal. 

As for working out, I have been walking every day.  Admittedly, it isn't at an intesity to raise my heart rate.  The closest that I have been was when I was carrying boxes of documents out of a burned out building.  (Near where you are Duane.)  I was going up and down 2 flights of stairs to get these out.  Ugh! I would never have been able to do this pre-op.

All in all, I am scared and don't want to return to where I was. 

Thanks all!