Ohhh my goodness, I'm sucking at this.

In full disclosure...I have had chips, candy and even a GF cupcake (bought specifically for me). Shamefully I post this.  I was stuck at 140 for a few months and was sick right before Christmas and lost a couple more pounds due to that cold.  Then my appetite came back and since the candy was in the house I thought "what the heck...I'll just try one".  Other than heart palpitations, which is not good for a woman of my advanced years, I had no other reactions.  So I ate more.  Time to stop this self destruction.  I didn't rearrange my insides for this.  Normally I have a problem with NES (night eating syndrome) and have only cheated after I have all my protein in but lately I've been snacking here and there all day and not getting my full protein in.  I do see a therapist...have for years.  There are no support groups in my area.  I come here to ground myself and you guys are all I've got.  Sorry for my rant just need to be accountable to someone besides myself.

Welcome to real life.  It's easy to be gung-ho in the honeymoon, but then life happens ...   stay here and stay accountable, a few days of weakness won't make a difference at this point, it may late on.

We vets try to warn about maintenance, it is HARD!!!    

Thanks.  Even though I'm glad I don't have as much restriction, I kinda miss it.

There was a time I thought I had "lost" the restriction - because I was eating carbs and not feeling full......but when I eat steak or pork or chicken, the restriction kicks right in.  I have re-committed to following the program as directed - dense carbs first, and I'm doing well.

I need to do that too.  Dense protein is not my favorite but I need to re-commit.

I applaud your honesty. I believe the real problem is when someone stops being honest with themselves. The best place to be is here, surrounded by those who understand. I will always make myself available for you to talk to.

Thank you for being a friend. Happy New Year 

Today is the first day of the new year; what better time to make it the first day to restart... RESTART ... R - E - S - T - A - R - T  !!   Me, too.

Yes restarting is essential.  I am so glad the holidays are behind us and also realize I can't blame it all on that but it is time to put away the Christmas candy dish.  Better yet maybe I'll toss it.

Thanks for posting this!  I have had a hard time over the holidays too.  It is not like other times have not been hard, but over Thanksgiving, for example, I did great.  Really stuck to my plan for the most part--mistakes were minimal.  I also went to EIGHT holiday parties/restaurant events, and I did great at all of those too! 

But then, Christmas!  Favorite traditional foods.  Neighbors and friends and co-workers giving a steady stream of food gifts.  Three boys out of school; daughter home from college; husband off work; the whole routine totally off.  Freezing temperatures. Significant increase in pain from a chronic health issue (probably due to too much activity and standing--I know that sounds weird for someone post-WLS, but I have to limit my activity and limit standing). And, quite a bit of stress for other reasons too personal to go into here.  Also, even though some clothes are actually looser, I just feel really fat and bloated. 

All of these things have happened before, and all of them will happen again.  I have to learn how to manage real life, learn how to manage stresses--and to do this without using food as a stress reliever.  I also have to learn to manage holiday times better.

Looking forward to back on track.  Daughter is back at college tonight; boys and husband back to school/work on Monday.  I will have to detoxify.  I still have probably 15-30 pounds to go (hard to know what my goal weight should be).  I want to finish strong and leave the past two weeks behind me as an unfortunate learning experience, where I have had to admit my faults.

Writing it here for the public forum--like barfing it all up.  Hoping to be absolved, which is not realistic.  Needing to find my personal strength again.