Gained 20 pounds - 8 years out....Freaking out!

Hi I've attached the link: first 2 days all liquids, day 3 soft protein, day 4 and 5 solid protein.

For me a great tool, not only weight loss but regain control of eating...I've lost as much a nine pounds in five days.

You can youtube - "5 day pouch test"

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

http://5daypouchtest.com/

Thanks I am going to try this.

Awesome - it works. I usually wait until day 5 but got on the scale this 5th morning. I'm down three pounds already. That  why I like the plan...I still have two days.

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     http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/backontracktogether/

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

I am the same way, I changed job and have gained 40lbs 7 years out.  I will keep coming if you do and we will work together.

Absolutely! I will send a friend request as well - that way, we can exchange personal email addresses.  Look for it...

I am right there with you.....I am 12 yrs out and have gained 50 lbs give or take.....I have been struggling to loose it.  The previous response sounds like a good place to start.  And I am willing to try it to get back on the right track.....thank you for the encouraging words and letting me know I am not alone....

Good morning! isn't  it scary after ALL the hard work we put in? The pounds "just appear"  

I am on day 3 of 5 day pouch test - guess what? I have lost 3 pounds in the first 2 days -- VERY ENCOURAGING.  It bought back memories of the very beginning.

I think I will do this for another week in a row...I need to drop it fast! I will break on the weekend and start again on Sunday.

We ARE NOT ALONE......

There is no way I could do just liquids for 2 days unless it was just wine! HAHA! No really, but I am down 5 lbs in a week just from cutting out carbs. I am eating non stop but its grilled chicken, bacon, fish, shrimp, eggs, cheese, morning star farms vegetarian sausage or veggie burgers. I quit diet gingerale and just drinking crystal light. 8 more lbs to go and I will be at lowest weight I was at 8 yrs ago. GO GO GO! We can do it!

LOL! I KNOW...I love wine - where most of my extra weight came from - all the stress!