Gained 10 lbs and I need help!

I am here for help, encouragement, advice, whatever you may give me because I am becoming very very depressed. I am 2 years and three months out. Within the last two months I have gained 10 lbs. I know BOO HOO WAA WAA, I really disgusted with myself. Initially I got down to about 138 lbs and was holding steady around 141. I weighed myself today I weigh 151, I also noticed my stomache looks area looks bigger. I am stil eating pretty good, but I have two weeknesses. One is rice cakes, I can not get enough of them. I will eat a whole bag in a day. Two, I probably am not getting a lot of protein in, only the ADA daily requirement of 46 g. I am sitting here crying because I do not want to gain the weight, my goal was to get to 130 by Christmas, and now I am over 150. I had literally no metabolism before surgery now I feel my metabolism is shot again. I am unhappy, taking it out on my family, the rice cakes are emotional eating I know because I get depressed if I do not eat them and excited if I do. Do you think the plateau buster diet will help? Any suggestions, I want to be back down to 135 by Christmas. Lori Feeling once a fattie always a fattie....

Hi Lori. I had my surgery the same time you did. I have also gained back 10 pounds. I got down to 136 but didnt stay there long. I bumped back up to 142-144 and stayed there for almost a year and now am between 149 and 151. Its scary to see that dang scale go up so fast. I am eating about the same types of foods, but maybe a little more than usual. I try not to snack so much but thats hard at times. I munch on pretzels and crackers with cheese. I work in a bank so its not so easy to eat healthier food on the line. I know how you feel though. We just gotta get rid of those munchy foods and keep them away. I did make brownies last night and had one, but I brought the rest to work today and made all my co workers eat them. hahaha Dont worry...we will get back down to what we wanna be. We wont let the food win again!!

Hi Lori, I too have regained approximately 10 pounds. I was eating way to many carbs (tortilla chips and late night snacking). I have lost 5. I did that by cutting way back on the carbs. You can get it under control. Just be firm with yourself. I will be 2 years out in August. Get started right now. Don't wait another minute.

I forgot to mention that I noticed that the fewer carbs that I eat the less that I crave them. Hopefully that will be the case for you too.

It sounds as if you already know your problem areas (too high on the amount of refined carbs, too low on the amount of protein and depression); you just need to figure out the best way for YOU to change those areas. Eat more protein...you will not be able to eat an entire bag of rice cakes if you actually EAT protein-dense foods. If the rice cakes are your trigger, don't buy them. Depression is treatable, with self-exploration, prescription medication, therapy...or, all of the above. There's nothing wrong with asking for help...after all, the psychiatric profession would not be in existence if it were not needed and warranted. *wink* Whether or not the PB Diet will work, who knows...it may help you to get off the 'crack' (rice cakes) and concentrate on protein, giving your body a chance to detox from the high amount of refined carbs you've been eating. OR, it could send you into even more of a downward spiral...meaning..."I need to do this to succeed, 'cheat' even once, then, it's back to being a failure and doing a swan dive back into the bag of rice cakes" scenario. I've been there, done that... *shrug* You've mentioned carb/protein consumption...what about exercise, vitamins and other needed supplements and water consumption? I'm sorry for the 'book' I seem to have written...I'm going through a similiar situation right now and I'm just typing what I have been telling myself (over and OVER again)...*sigh*...if only I were more adamant about taking my own advice. (((Hugs))) ~~Sherry

Three words: "Know Your Triggers" ... Everyone keeps telling me I'm getting too thin but there are still foods I won't have in the house. Just because I can eat them doesn't mean they're not a trigger. I'd rather feel my way thru the maintenance process with healthy foods then let in foods I know I can't keep away from. Compulsive behavior with food is compulsive behavior with food ... translates to unhealthy/obsessive. Sorry, I'm sure you'd rather not hear it ... But say "buh-bye" to the rice cakes if you want to get to where you want to be. Plain and simple. It's only food, Lori ... It's only food. It's not like I don't practice what I preach. Good luck and God bless.

Hi Lori, Not many of us can stay out this long and not gain a little weight. I'll be out 5 years in December and that 10 lbs has snuck up on me too. I can give a lot of excuses but the deadly combo too much sitting (thanks to school) and not saying no to myself! I started on what's called the lemon cleanse and for the first time in a year I feel like I can do this again! My sugar craving is gone and I'm not hungry! 3 lbs gone, although I won't say forever as we all now know that's not true. My mind is coming back under my control- remember this surgery helped us but I know so many people that don't realize WE did this and can do it again! Hope this helps. Tara

Hi Tara! I was wondering what the "lemon cleanse" is exactly, and what all it entails, if you don't mind sharing! Thanks!

This is the diet that Robin Quivers on Howard Stern did to loose weight. 2 tablespoons FRESH squeezed lemon or lime juice (approx. 1/2 lemon) 2 tablespoons genuine organic maple syrup, Grade B (the darker the better)* 1/10 teaspoon (a small pinch!) cayenne pepper, gradually increase (the more BTUs the better) 300 - 500 ccm (10-14 oz) pure water In a 300ccm (10-ounce) glass (to allow for 227ccm and mixing room): 2 tablespoons fresh (and organic, if possible) lemon or lime juice (absolutely no canned or frozen juice). 2 tablespoons real (and organic, if possible) grade B or C maple syrup. (Don't use Grade A maple syrup or maple-flavored syrup. They are over-refined, which means that they are mostly refined sugars and lack essential minerals.) A small pinch of cayenne pepper (to taste). Spring or purified water, between room temperature and medium hot (but not cold) - fill to 1/4 liter (8 oz). Mix all the ingredients by thoroughly stirring or shaking, and drink. Or, in two 1 liter bottles: Juice of 3 lemons, divided equally between the two bottles (about 85ccm or 3 oz per bottle) An equal quantity of grade B or C maple syrup in each bottle (about 85 ccm or 3 oz per bottle) A pinch of cayenne in each bottle Spring or purified water (fill bottles to the top) Mix all the ingredients by thoroughly shaking; then drink throughout the day. Use fresh lemons or limes only, never canned or frozen lemon juice. Use organic and vine ripened when possible. Also, mix your lemonade fresh just before drinking. Don't mix it up in the morning for the whole day. You can, however, squeeze your lemons in the morning and measure out the 2 tablespoons when needed.

Hi Lori, I dont know what advise to give you as I am not that great at keeping away from carbs, but I am getting in at least 80-100gms of protien and I think that helps to keep full enough to avoid snacking all day. But I did want to let you know I just read about that diet in a magazine I really hope it works for you, keep us posted! Hang in there and remember how far you have come. Good Luck Melissa