Veterans *****REGAIN***** If so, what did you do to lose and were you successful?

I appreciate you being vulnerable and putting this out there and accepting the given feedback, assuming positive intentions. I read through the thread and they are great reminders for me as well. We all can do this, we are all worth it.

Good morning Emiepie,

Yes, we can. The threads are very helpful.

I appreciate you all very much !

You know what to do or not to do.

If you want to be able to have some freedom of eating chips - you may have to accept the higher weight. I can lose weight and maintain it, but I have to control what and how much I eat.

IMO -95% is what we eat and now much. I am 10+ years post op. My goal is 150-155. Over the years I was anything between 138 to 175. I am currently at 175. I hated how I felt at 138- 140. Because of my large frame, at 140 I was close to 15-16% body fat (that is very low for a woman my agr), plus at that weight I lost most my muscles, and felt very weak, in pain.

Now at 175 I am much stronger, I rebuilt my muscles, and got some fat on me. But my knees and my back hurts more now. But I can not eat for 3-4 hours and my bs doesn't drop.

I got to my lower weight because I was very diligent what and how much I ate. I got down to 155 and I was maintaining. But then I got ill and I had problem eating, type of food and qty. I could only tolerate some proteins and a few bites of veggies. I lost without trying another 15 lbs.

But once we fixed what was wrong with me, now I can eat more and more veriaty of foods, including some fruits (apples, berries). I have not have apples for app 7 years before that.

So now I am going well overboard with that. I eat protein based foods and apples as a snack. Many apples. Apples help with nausea I have due to some med I am taking.

At this point - I am not ready to order give up apples. Or other fruits. But fruits are carbs. I can't lose weight if I eat carbs. Plus I have a lot of gas because I eat carbs. And chocolate.

So for now, I am maintaining. At 175.

If you want to have flexibility what you eat -you need to reset your goal. If that is not negotiable ,- change what and how much you eat.

Good morning H.A.L.A.B.

i agree with what you and all *****plied said. Yes, I believe we all know what to do, but sometimes we need that extra reassurance to get the ball rolling. I did just that! I started CAMAW yesterday and I have already taken off 1.4 lbs. Oddly, I feel a little lighter and not so weighted. I am trying my best to stay focused and accountable and if I walk away with a loss of just 4-5 lbs. I will be super happy!

I know all the things that got me here. Chips, going overboard with chocolate and Coke soda.

You are right I do know how I got here and I am willing to fight to get where I want to be, because I NEVER, EVER want to be where I was! The freedom just to walk and not feel as if your lower back is about to cave in I cannot put into words! This surgery has been so liberating for me, body, mind and soul. I cannot turn back!

Thank you H.A.L.A.B.

When I do CAMAW I HAVE to make sure I get enough magnesium and potassium and sodium. Plus take enough miralax to maintain daily COMPLETE BM.

People tend to get severely constipated while eating proteins and dairy.

Even with daily BM - if they are not complete, we may deal with constipation.

For magnesium and potassium I use eelectro-mix by Alacer. 2-3 packs a day. For sodium - either add more salt to my diet, and, or get no sugar added pickles, that not only help with getting enough salt but also due to accidity help digest the proteins.

Don't ignore fat - good fat for me is avocado, olives, and full fat good meats. I.e ground bison or free range beef, can be made as taco meat, burgers or meatloaf.

Fatty fish - if I can I chose wild caught, can add veriaty.

I often make chicken or tuna salads, mixing some proteins with finally chopped pickles, cellery (that adds volume without adding lots of calories) and mix some mayo and mustard.. I chose no sugar added (pickles, mayo, condiments, etc) do if I really want something else I have "space" for a square or 2 of 80+% dark chocolate.

The 80+% dark chocolate does not spike my BS , plus it is an aquiered taste. I really allow myself to eat as much as I really want of the 85% dark chocolate (Lindt), one square at a time. Surprisingly, I often stop at one square, not wanting more. The sweetness combined with the bitterness gives a really good "punch" to my taste buds.

If you have not liked the 85% dark chocolate before, just take one small piece, and allow it slowly disolve in your mouth.

Good luck.

Thank you

Hala,

You are always so thoughtful and kind in your responses. I am thankful for you on this board.

Only one thing works for me and that is counting calories. Obviously I am healthiest and feel best when those calories come from dense protein. I am just barely 5'2 and must stay at 800-900 a day to lose one pound a week.

I am a long term vet and you know the answer.Ditch the chips. I also gained about 12 pounds from my lowest but have stayed the same now for 15 years. My secret? Portion control. Try having on hand carrots sticks, celery for that crunch . You can do it