It will always be a struggle for me...since I can't eat a lot at one sitting, I found a way around it by grazing....i lost 90 pounds and have kept off all but 8 pounds. I work hard to try to get it off, and won't give up....8 lbs may not seem like a lot, but when I start to see the scale inching up, I panic....because I never want to live that life again.

This forum helped me a lot when I was going through pre-op, and recovery...i haven't been on in awhile, but so glad to see it's still here and helping so many. I haven't seen too many blogs out there dedicated to gastric bypass, so I started one a few months ago. I would love you to subscribe and join me in our new journey. I talk about my experiences before and after WLS. I would love input and support. Just inbox me if you would like to know the site. thank you for reading and be well! Michele

I know you don't want to hear this but eight pounds is a lot. For me it is the difference of two dress sizes. You will be much less stressed if you make yourself a plan and lose that eight pounds.

I track everything is My Fitness Pal. I weigh every day and stay on track. I eliminate 500 calories a day to lose one pound a week. It would take eight weeks to lose eight pounds and if you start today it can be gone by Christmas.

Oh no, I agree, and said so in my post....to some it isn't, but to me it is...some of my pants are snug and I am never giving up on losing that 8! Thank you for replying :-) My fitness pal is great, I agree!

I hear you and white dove.

Pototoes come in 8 lbs bag.

I learned early on..that it took me around 8 weeks to lose about 4 lbs after my honeymoon (literally and figureatively) was over.

Lesson well learned.

And I am so glad that you are aware of this, as it minimizes the back sliding.

Michele,

Thanks so much for your post. So nice to see that you have been so successful over the years. Gives me real hope. I agree with you, once you've been obese, you'll never go back. I have lost 90 pounds in 10 months and it's a heck of a lot of work to stay here. But so worth it.

Robin

Hi Michelle, you have done a great job! Here are some steps that helped me get back on track and lose some regain. Maybe these will help you lose those 8 pounds.

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

Yes! I would like to know about your site... surgery two decades ago, and as you say it is a continuing journey. my handle yahoo .I lost a total of 132 lbs, did regain 25-30, somewhere in there, but am almost back to my origional goal, and am lowering that goal by 15 lbs. Stress made me gain. So find your stress relievers, know you are doing what you can and Just do it.Denise

8 lbs can be a lot or a little. You know what you are doing wrong. go back to sit down meals, make sure to get protein and good carbs first. Make sure you get your vitamins/suppliments and water!

I'm not sure what "inboxing" you means, but I'd be interested in participating in your blog since I had the RNY and know that it's a life-long battle and process. Just let me know what I have to do. Thanks!