3 1/2 years out... GAINING!

It's so easy to switch addictions. I got tattoos . Now that sounds harmless, right ? Well I so don't fit the profile. Although more accepted now. Well, I didn't get 1 nope I got 1 a week for 2 years. It's all I thought about, that next tattoo. I am 65 and feel like an inked idiot. As far as weight gain. You know how to do it and with everyone here's help you will do it

Hi Kathy,

This made me laugh! Thank you for the words of encouragement. I have to get back on track. I am trying. Thanks!

Lisa

Tattoos were addicting after I got my first one. I started when I was 29 and I am 48 now. You are not an inked idiot. 

Hi Lisa,

I recently faced a regain after 10 years.  Here are some back to the basics that helped me....

You have already taken the hardest step by saying enough is enough and now I want to get back on track.  Here are some steps I hope will help you. They helped me...  Also, be sure and join the Back On Track Together group link in my signature area.  

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 carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies 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 fa

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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, lift weights. When I stopped, the weight came on.  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

Hello Kathy,

Thank you so much for such a wealth of excellent information and advice! I am going to print it out. I have a question and I know I should know the answer but I can somewhat confused about it. I very often hear, "protein first!". Do shakes count? (I am still hungry after a protein shake...) Or, should I be eating a source of solid protein first? Thanks.

I personally found solid proteins helped me from being hungry better than the shakes with protein supplements.  There is nothing wrong with shakes, but they are like slider foods for me.  They don't sit in my tummy and keep me full, like the solids.  Give it a try and see if it helps you!

I will! Thank you so much!

Lisa

Keep us posted on how you are doing and find something you love to do like biking or Zumba and move!  That really helps!