Keeping it Real!

Thanks Penny. Yes, it's a pretty great group of people here.

Barb

Good for you for getting back on track. It's so easy to slide back into old habits; way too easy.

Yup. Sure is!

Barb

Every time I see someone posting about regain once we start talking it always comes down to getting away from the basics that get us to goal and keeps us there. Here is my check list!

Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery? How many meetings, classes and such did we attend? We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success. And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods. Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

Journaling

Get back to journaling. This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life. Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating. It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband. It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food. Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker. Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself. Make them realistic and small. Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea? I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass. So I was either pushing to be diabetic or get cancer. I found once I started carrying a bottle of water around 24/7 (yes had one at my bedside) I lost the cravings for the sugar and I KNOW those artificial sweeteners are not good for me. Look I am old and if you add up all the artificial sweeteners I have consumed I am sure I am at the rat in the lab getting cancer threshold.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving. If I could not go to the gym I would walk. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back. So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV. Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Wow! Thank you Kathy for the awesome reply.

Everything you have written is key. Very insightful and it means a lot to me to get a response from someone who had surgery a while ago. I know you have lived this new life and your experiences are what we all want to hear and how to best avoid the pitfalls. I know I will refer to this list often. Thanks again!

Barb

Reach out anytime

I must admit i am a MFP junkie i think i am at Day 669 (yep just checked)

i find i am more accountable if i track every day. and it also helps if i need to show someone (NUT, Doctor, Nurse) what i have been eating and my protein and such.

and with My fitness pal i find it has great printable sheets that i can print to PDF and email away. great resource.

i am glad you are getting back to tracking Barb. it is a great habit to be in.

good luck and you are inspiring