Need Help and Support!!!

I used to be a regular on this board, then life started to evolve. I know I have gotten to commonplace after surgery. Desperately want to get back on track, get finished. I know it needs to be back to basics, and the first step is right here, back to posting regularly, support is the number one key to success. So many things have changed...The whole layout of the boards is different. I haven't a clue how to convert my profile over, or how to get the most out of the new OH, need a tutor. LOL HELP, HELP, HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now that the holidays are over, I really need to get back on track, I lost down to 181 the first year and then during the last 1.5 years I have slowly gained back to 195-205. I will be 3 years out come May 2007 and I want to be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At my goal, which is 165. As an added motivational tool, I have a wedding to attend that month, and I want to get my skin removed before the end of the year. I keep telling myself I am going to get strict, but life gets in the way. I keep saying I am going to go strict with protein shakes and bars only for two weeks, and increase my water. I have a very bad habit- my addiction to sugarfree iced lattes. I am lousey at remembering my vitamins, though have been making an effort in that area as my iron levels have plumetted, though the iron tabs are causing severe constipation and abdominal cramping, to the point I have had to start taking colace (stool softners) daily. My exersize dedication sucks. I was doing great until spring of 05 when I fell 14 foot off a ladder a messed up my knee, never have been able to get remotivated. I have a friend who is in the same boat as me but two years further post-op, she refuses to switch to diet drinks, but is frustrated because she can't get off her platuea. HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your story is so familiar...it is me all over. I joined WW (in Oct.) to get motivated and it was working until Thanksgiving and then I have been struggling to get back on track. Yesterday was my first day back on track, I wrote everything I ate down and was consciously aware of what I was putting into my mouth. It helps to write things down because I was eating and not really aware of what or how much, until the end of the day and I was trying to remember what I had eaten and then it was...OMG, I ate way too much today and I was grazing a lot too. So, you may want to start with that...writing what you are eating. This helps me evaluate whether I really want to eat it or not. If you are careful you can incorporate things that you like into you daily "food plan", like the SF iced latte's. I have a SF vanilla latte almost everyday and I acount for that ( it is my breakfast) and then I eat a snack about 2-1/2 hours later (which is 4oz. of FF cottage cheese). It is important to get all of your protein, exercise, water and vitamins too but I forget to take mine more often than not and at the end of the day I am cramming to get them in. DON"T beat yourself up. Try to make a plan or schedule and see how it goes. I will help you in any way that I can because in return it is helping me be accountable for the things that I am eating/doing as well. I also like to see what others are eating, it gives me good meal ideas and it also let me see that I am eating a lot more than they are...so I am trying to cut back! By the way I am 18 months out an down 141lbs, and sitting at 207lbs...so maybe we could help each other!

I'm still confused about the changes on the boards too and I haven't converted my profile yet either, LOL, and I'm here pretty much every day!!!! So, it sounds like you know what you have to do. Maybe you could start by making some small changes to avoid making it so strict right off the bat that you can't/won't stick with it??? Some small steps would be: ~increasing your water intake ~do you drink with meals? If yes, then go back to the 30/30 rule ~are you getting in your protein and making it first at your meals? this will fill you up faster and keep you full longer. ~if you're eating alot of the bad carbs, try cutting back on them and your hunger will probably decrease too. ~try to exercise. walking is free, easy and does the trick! Having something to focus on and motivate me helps alot so using the upcoming wedding and possible plastics should help to keep you on track! You CAN do this!!!! Good Luck! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Sounds like you know what you need to do, you just need help getting it done. So I'd say you've come to the right place! I woud suggest you record everything that goes in your mouth on www.fitday.com If you are unfamiliar with it, it is a free online service where you can track your food, protein, fats, carbs, etc.. I'm almost 2 years post-op and I still enter every bite. Seeing it all in written down in black & white holds me accountable and lets me see exactly where I'm slipping (too many bad carbs & fats for me). I've gained 4 lbs since Thanksgiving and I've got to get myself back on track too. Fitday is the best tool I've found for keeping me honest. Time to go back to the basics, eating right, walking & getting in all my fluids. Good luck! We CAN do it!! Vickie J.

Ok, just one thought here out of all that are running through my little pea brain - your addiction to iced latte's - ever think of carrying around some protein powder and asking them to toss it in for you while them make your oh so YUMMO beverage? You'd get your fix AND your protein in. i know I'm feeling like I need to do something more myself, it's not bad in anyway shape or form. I'm actually content where I'm at but I know that I could be 10 pounds smaller - because i was there. But I sure don't get all the negative comments anymore about oh you're too skinny or you look sick. I kinow in a way our efforts are differnt, yet the same. Ill think super good positive thoughts for you - now go pack some of that protein powder in a zip lock bag and haul it with you to the coffee shop!

I like that idea, I will ask tomorrow morning, they could maybe go to total skim milk instead of 2% and add a scoop of whey protein powder. They love me there I'm their number one regular customer, plus I make them platters of candy and cookies each Christmas. As for eating diary: From 2400-2400 1/13/07: 2400- lemon cookie (bad) 0300-whey protein shake (1.5 scoops powder with 8 oz skim milk) plus 1/2 a preimer Protein bar 0500- 1 oz tositos scoops 0600- 1/2 preimer protein bar 1000-1200 half of my 32 oz SF reduced fat iced Latte 1200-1530- sleep 1530- 1/2 oz cheddar cheese 1545-1900- sleep 1900- 2 oz roast beef, 1/2 slice of bread, 1/2 cup tossed green salad with 1 T Thousand Island Dressina and 6 croutons 1930-2200- sleep 2200- 2400 rest of latte BIGGEST PROBLEM NO WATER!!!!! Goal today GET IN WATER

Hi -- I like you am three years post op. I had my surgery 2/4/04. I also have struggled to get to my personal goal weight. As far as my surgeon is concerned, I have reached goal. I also struggled during the holidays just like every one else - including those who have never had a weight problem. Last March I joined weigh****chers to learn how to maintain my weight and develop new habits. I lost 30 lbs this year and of course gained 5 during the holidays. I am trying to follow the core program which is most like how we are supposed to eat. protein first, fruit and veggies. I would like to lose about 25 more pounds this year but my goal is to not count my food, exercise and live a "normal" life -- what ever normal may be. In 10 lbs, I will receive my life time membership and then I won't have to pay a weigh****chers fee any more. I also have hopes of becoming a WW group facilitator. I have talked to my leader who hires facilators --- have to get to goal first. I have to be real honest -- WW seems to be one of the healthiest groups that I have ever attended in that they give out GREAT information. My surgery helped me get to goal -- weigh****chers will help me stay at goal. This is the part of the journey that our health care providers didn't tell us about. Good Luck -- find a group that you are comfortable with. Debra

I am so there! I just joined the OH site, as I find myself needing some support. I am 23 months post-op, and did really great for about 18 months. I opened the door to "just one Diet Coke" and now I find myself slipping into bad habits. I'm drinking the soda every day, and even eating fast food at least once a day. I'm not exercising, not taking my vitamins, not drinking my water... I'm just now realizing that the WLS surgery did not exorcize my demons - all my food issues are still there waiting to be dealt with. I'm determined to deal with them. I will NOT go back to where I was 90 pounds ago. Good luck to you. I hope you find the strength to do the right thing. I believe that anyone who can take the drastic step of WLS can find it within herself to get life under control. All the best to you.