Weight Gain

Good Evening all,

I am dealing with the task of trying to lost a 45 lb regain. I am almost 3 and a half years out from VSG and am struggling with getting myself back on track. I wi**** was as easy as when i first had surgery. Does anyone have any pointers as to what I should try/do?

Hiya!

If you're not already, you should get back into the habit of weighing and tracking everything you put into your mouth with something like MyFitnessPal. This includes liquids. This will help you figure out what you're eating and how you need to change your eating habits. From there work on getting back to your basics. Here are mine, but yours might be slightly different

1. Prioritize protein and water
2. Deprioritize carbs, especially the refined and processed ones
3. Make the most of healthy fats
4. Eat three meals a day with no snacks
5. Avoid liquid calories (protein shake for breakfast is my exception since I've never liked putting solid food in my stomach first thing in the morning)
a. Don't drink with meals or for 30 minutes after eating
6. Weigh portions and track/log what you consume
7. Eat mindfully and with no distractions aside from real live people
a. Try to eat at a table
b. Eat with utensils
8. Move as much as possible
9. Weigh yourself daily
a. But focus on the trend of your weight, not the day to day fluctuations
10. Be kind to yourself

Yes, it's hard, but you can do it.

Gwen

Thank you for your post, I am going to print this out and follow it too!

~Kim

Awesome List! I would add to this list to stop consuming alcohol. I do not know if you are drinking, but the ****tails, beer, and wine all have empty calories and directly affect metabolism.

Good add - I didn't drink alcohol before surgery, so it's not something that made it on my list. :)

I'm 6+ years post-op and had regained about half the weight. Last June I read an article on CNN website about how to do a 30-day sugar detox. That did the trick -- once I was off sugar, everything else fell into place and the pounds have been coming off (35+ to date... still have ~30 to go). I came to realize that my cravings are triggered by sweets (including fake sweeteners!), so a cold-turkey detox was the only way to go. Since then, I've also tried to cook more, concentrating on real, "whole" foods with as little processing as possible (since that's where they add all the sugar!).

Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Erin

Thank you for your post. I came back here because I too am dealing with a weight gain. This is the first time I have said it 'outloud'. I am 4 years out and gained 30 lbs. I am going to follow this post and send you all the good wishes for a successful loss. I know how hard it is... because I tried when it was only a 20 lb gain, and then a 25 lbs gain and then over Christmas it became a 30lb gain.

Good lcuk to you... I know you can do this

~Kim

Im struggling too between 30-40 lbs regain. Its not as easy years post op. Ill be 6 years post op on April 23, 2018. I need tips as well! After having surgery in 2015 on my knee that blew the 6 days a week I was going to the gym which sucks bc I did that for 3.5 years.

Being here and asking your questions is a great start.

I'm about two weeks ahead of your post, finding myself in an almost identical situation.

Gwen has a great list. For me I try to stay focused and mindful. That donut that was soooo good, is forgotten next week when my belt is tight. Focusing on the bigger picture and a long term goal that is enough to motivate but not to daunting to accomplish.

Not sure if I shared it here before. A book called "The Power of Consistency" helped start my reflection this fall. A quick read, wonderfully written, focus on having a plan. It dug into my core issues and probably caused some of my weight gain this year as I dealt with some baggage. I need to read it again and adjust my plan, but it's helped me with seeing and creating a vision.

Live with self worth!