Need help regaining control.....

Hello ladies and gents !!

     It has been a very long time since I've been on the boards.  I guess life got exciting and I let the message board posting slip away.  I lurk once in a while but not often and posting is something that I rarely do..until now..

     It will be three years since my surgery in Februaury.  I'd do it ALL over again.  I love my freedom that I have now...it's a great feeling. 

     My problem is that I have gained 12 pounds and I want to nip that in the bud.  I know that it's going to be a challange getting this weight off because I'll really have to 'work at it".....I guess I feel bad too because I wanted to get down to about 140 pounds and my Dr. tells me that he doesn't think I need to get that low.  When I was weighed at the doctors and weighed 190 pounds he told me that he thought 190 was a good weight for me,  I wear a 12/14 bottom and a large top.  I don't mind the size clothing....I just really would like to get lower...do you now what I mean????  I have never been 'thin"...people are generally shocked when i tell them that I weigh nearly 200 pounds....LOL!!!  I know I need a tummy tuck and I am going to jump through those hoops in the spring...I know my insurace company will cover it IF it's medically necessary. 

     I am trying to kick the carb monster AND get my weight back down but I NEED HELP!!!!!  If I do protein shakes for the next several days do you think that will move the scale and kick the cravings????  I really need to stop the scale from going up....I know that I need to end this NOW!!!

What do you suggest????

TIA,  Chrissy

I use to have a picture for my profile and I accidentally deleted it...I have to figure out how to replace it ...UGH!!!

Hi Chrissy and welcome back.

I don't think there's any "rocket science" to this - it's the same formula that you succeeded with in the past - exercise and intake.  Try logging your food the same as you did immediately post surgery (I use and love sparkpeople.com for that!) and measure and weigh everything to "reset" any portion distortion that may have crept in.  

You might want to do a 5-day pouch test, not so much to kickstart weight loss as to get your head back into the game.  5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html  (no need to buy the book - the plan instructions are online and are very simple - you can google more info if needed)

And, as Nan always says - just go back to eating exactly the way you did when you were 6 month out from surgery. 

Easier said than done, I know - particularly if you've let any of the old addictions creep back in (sugar, high fats, white carbs)... so you may need to re-detox on those items, which will help you get over the cravings.

The other thing I'd recommend is posting on here daily - we have a daily menu thread, which can be great for personal accountability (no one's going to judge what you're eating, but the act of writing it down makes the plan more "real" and more likely to be stuck to), and a daily exercise thread.

We're here for you - and we KNOW you can do it (you've already DONE it - it's something you know how to do, you just have to get your head in the right place!).

Karen

Glad to see you back posting! 3 years seems to be a tough one for us post-ops - I've been struggling as well and I know a lot of others about 3 years out have been posting about putting on a few and sort of panicking. I'm not panicked yet, but I know I have to do something to get off these few I have put on - I'm not skinny either - but my clothes are getting snug and I don't like that feeling one bit.

I would definitely try the protein shakes - cut out the carbs - some go on the 5 day pouch test - you can google that and see what it involves. It really helps rid you of the carb-monster and get back on track. I haven't attempted that yet but I might.

Good luck!!

Kathy

I am excited to see you post!  I'm also 3 years out and picked up a lot of old, bad habits and put down many of the better ones.  I just re-started myself, and am on Day 4 of sane eating.  It's back to basics for me.  I am withdrawing from sugar and white flour.  I pulled out my Barix Bible and started posting here for support.  I plan my menu daily and post that here also, along with any deviations so that I can feel accountable. 

I try to live my life based on a 12-step program, as I have had lots of obsessive/addictive issues during my lifetime, including food addiction, obviously, as well as developing alcoholism after gastric bypass surgery. 

I'm sticking with AA for face-to-face support right now, but there are GBS support groups out there, and you may find them helpful to get back on track.  I know, for me, I'm having trouble even figuring out what to eat and what not to eat.  I sure wish I had written it all down when I was 6 months out.

Anyway, so glad you are here.  Keep coming back.

Hi Chrissy,

I remember you and glad to see you came back. . .  12 lbs is not so bad, I put back 15 from my lowest weight and I wanted to reach 150 and got to within 6 lbs of that and well, I have not given up hope that I can make that, but it takes dedication daily and exercise to do these things and I have been more dedicated to eating right, just have to find myself back to the gym, which was my intention for Monday, but between some things I have going on physically and one of the ladies in my office quitting, I have to be in earlier and there has been no time, as soon as I know my health stuff is cleared up and they hire a new person, I will be going to the gym 4/5x a week, as that is the part of this journey that I need to do.

Life post-WLS is wonderful, but I am still subject to old patterns and behaviors when it comes to food, most especially stress eating and not making choices that are in my best interests, Karen was right to suggest the 5-day pouch test as a way to clear your body of the things that are probably not helping you out, then it is about monitoring yourself via accountability, as Jill suggested.  The great thing is that we have a tool that works, if and when we choose to work it.

Best wishes and don't be a stranger. . .  I don't post as often as I used too, but have been trying to more often lately.

Laureen

Thank you ladies for all of your encouragement. I really do appreciate it !!! 

Tomorrow I'm going to start the 5 day pouch test.  I am very fortunate that I am not out of control with my portion size.  I am very full after eating 4-5 ounces of solid protein.  Im not a bread eater either.  My biggest thing is "salty snacks"....chips, pretzels, crackers...things like that.  After I eat them sometimes I feel awful..and if I eat sugary things I do usually dump..so I stay away from the sugar !!! 

Thanks again !!  I'll see you tomorrow morning and I really do want to post daily!!!

Someone asked me what does TIA mean.....Thanks In Advance !!!  ;o)

I too remember you.  Welcome back.  For that matter, I have not been here for a very long time and decided that I, like others 2 or more years out, could always use more support and suggestions.  Things are no longer as easy as they used to be.  If you are anything like me, I am hungry and can eat almost like a normal person.  (Oh those early days.....to not feel hungry.....I would love that again). 

For me, I have let pretzels become way to important in my life.  In fact, I hate breakfast so I eat pretzels for breakfast.  Not only do they go down easy, but in a short period of time I am hungry again but it is too early for lunch......so guess what I eat.  Needless to say, I keep on giving them up and thinking I am strong enough to let them back in and then I am back where I started.  Also, I am a really picky eater and pretzels are always there, calling my name. 

You said you needed help, and I know that I also do......we are not alone.  I am going to attempt to give up pretzels yet again, but I just have to figure out what I will eat in its place.  Let's start with baby steps and hopefully we will get back to basics. 

Step 1 for me......give up pretzels!!!!  What is your step 1?

Missed you,

Linda

Linda...I remember you !!!!  (((HUGS)))    PRETZELS....yea, I can relate to you on that one.  I like pretzels too and crackers.  I have also got into the habit of just having a "handful" of crackers or pretzels or...chips ...and then a little while later I'll eat another handful.  It really is a bad habit isn't it.  Of course I keep these things in the house for my boys (five teenagers) but I really try to buy the brands that I don't like.  Or I'll buy just enough for them to have for their lunches and NOTHING more.  That helps me stay out of things. 

I am very lucky that I don't ever feel hungry.  My doctore told me that I certainly am very fortunate.  I am also very satisfied with 4-6 ounces of solid protein.  Really I have no excuse for bad eating habits especially when I am this fortunate.  I guess that I just started to get sloppy and like you said the pretzels and other soft, slider type foods go down so easy.  

My first step is doing the 5 day pouch test.  Of course today is Day 1...and it's going to be hard...but I'm a trooper and I know I can do this..I'm stubborn and I need to use that to my advantage...LOL!!  I am worried that if i don't get a grip on things NOW that this could and will get out of control. 

So...off I go to get a protein drink ...thank goodness I still really like these things...LOL!!

Take care and it's good to see you on here !!  Looking forward to posting with you again!!!

You are going to do awesome because you truly want to improve.  I am here for you whenever you need a friend.  I think I may do the 5 day pouch test again.  I tried it once and it really helped.  I just need to have some time off work because I cannot work a 12 hour shift on only liquids....the problems of being a nurse. 

So glad you are back and look forward to following along with your successing!!!!!

Linda