Feeling lost...

Hi Pam, No, you are not alone! Sweets are also my demon....crazy. I know better. I'd like to know how the Hoodia patch works. I've seen it advertised on tv and wondered how that would work. I definately need a jumpstart. Best of luck to you too! We can definately email back and forth and try to motivate each other! I'll email you personally soon. Thanks again! Theresa

You are found! Lots of kind folks here to help!!! I'm new too and I am learning A LOT! YOU ARE WORTHY!!! We all are. All Gods creation is worthy! We all face problems and we are here for support! you have come to the PLACE! Love, Jan

Thanks Jan! Yes, I AM WORTHY!!! We all are! I know that. I'm so happy I found this forum! You've all been so helpful. Just gives me the inspiration I need to get going again. Hugs, Theresa

HI Theresa, UHHHH were do I begin...I just posted the other day about the same issues...I was 336 the morning of surhery...may 13th 2004 and that same day 2005 I was just at 100 lbs lighter and also on that same day I found out that I was pregaunt and the story goes from the..was 226 and when I had my son in dec of 05 I was 261 and , I was like okay...I was preg and well just had my son ...Il get back to losing after I give birth.....I inattily 15 or so and well sence then I just have remaied around the same 261 mark.... I am so fearful and also ashmed of myself and I know what I need to do and , its just so hard..I know were you are and excatly how you are feeling. I have talked to a few WLS grads on here and it sounds like if we can do the liquid deit for a few days then our pouches should shrink up some and our "tool" should kick in again.. I keep saying that I am going to do that , but I really get hunger pains again now and I am weak , just as I used to be and I eat anything and everything... I too can eat about anything that i want and hardley ecer get sick anymore..thats also scary. What are we going to do ??? pray ..I have been and I need to start excersing again thats for sure and cut out the pop ...even diet and I am horrible about mcdonalds...I get the all american meal..and thats ically a kids meal ..but I want it everyday...its like I crave it and oh a small regular coke...:( I knwo how BAD !!! its like I ssay that I am not going to do it and then I crash...I want it so bad. Well enough about me...I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and if you come up w/ anything please share. Well take care and GOD bless you and all of us for the support, wisdom and courage that we all have... I believe that we can do this again Therasa !!! Its just getting started and feeling the weight melt off and looking in the mirror and getting that feeling again. Please feel free to write [email protected]. Take Care , Beth

Thanks Beth! It's hard to admit the bad habits we have redevoloped, but I commend you on your courage to do so. That's why I came here, thinking if I "said it out loud" and faced it, maybe I could get going in the right direction. I also know those of use out a few years are running into the same challenges. As I answered to Matt, the pouch really does seem to follow suit as soon as I give it a "breather". When I cut down and really watch it, I feel full faster, etc. It is important to LISTEN to our pouch, rather than think, "okay, I'm feeling full, but wow, this tastes good, so I'm gonna wait a few minutes and eat a little more". That's me in a nutshell. NOT the way to be. I know this. That little self-destructive way of thinking that got us in this perdicament in the first place is still very strong and likes to sway us. Lately one tactic I have found that has been working, is if I start eating something I know I shouldn't have, as I'm eating it I may say, "I shouldn't be eating this", and at the same time think, "It doesn't even taste that good! What am I doing?"...that's when I throw whatever it is in the trash...even spit it out if I haven't swallowed it. I've done this many times at work. The breakroom is a den of goodies! But I've saved myself countless calories by just spitting it out or throwing it out! I know it's something little, but hey, every little bit helps, right? I'm so glad I found this Board! Thanks for answering everyone and yes Beth, write anytime [email protected]. Hugs, and best of luck to you! Theresa

Congrats on being 3 years out Theresa! I probably can't say a whole lot, as I'm only about 14 months out. But, I can eat pretty much anything I want to, too. But I think you just have to consider going back to the basics. You still have your tool - the pouch is still there to help with quantity. We just have to consciously make the decision to get with and stay on "the program." 60 - 80 ounces of water a day, exercise 30 minutes daily, 3 meals of high protein with a couple "good" snacks a day. Also, we have to try harder to avoid those trigger foods - CARBS! I was (am) a carbaholic and I still crave them. Lastly, I would recommend that you consider attending a support group if you're not currently. Even though it will probably be a repeat of the same information you've heard 100 times before, it is good to go and get the information and the emotional support from the group in person, face to face. OH is a great place for information and some support, but it just isn't the same for me. There have been studies that those attending local support groups achieve higher degrees of weight loss and continued success than those who do not attend. Good luck, get motivated and keep the faith! Matt

Thanks Matt! Yes, getting back to basics is the way to go, I know. I also know that when I cut back and really pay attention, my pouch jumps back into gear and says, "Hey, STOP, I'm full!" So I know even being one day back on the routine, the pouch follows along, and that's good to know. Thanks for your suggestions and support! Theresa

my suggestion is to seek therapy to deal with the issues that are making you over eat. the emotional issues never go away on their own, no matter how deep you try to bury them they just sit there and fester and affect your life. If you are feeling depressed - get treatment for the depression. HUGS!

hey theresa! i know it's been several days since your post, but i'm new to this forum, and i came across your post, and it sounded so very much like me. i am 5 1/2 yrs. out-RNY. i started out at 275 and leveled off at 150. i went through a pregnancy and still stayed at 150 or even less after giving birth. during this time, i have gone through a complete hysterectomy, and since august '06 have been on a new hormone therapy. it has helped me in so many ways, but i have gained about 20#. i think the hormones have contributed to my weight gain, but i feel exactly as you do about myself. i hated everything about myself before losing the weight, and i was very happy with myself at 150#. i can feel my confidence level going down, and my opinion of myself is dwindling daily, however i seem to want to "medicate" myself with more food just like i did before. how stupid is that?! anyway, i have gotten serious with this starting yesterday. i am looking for support fron people who have been through the same thing i have. my family cannot undertand b/c they simply haven't been there! i think one of my biggest problems is that i became comfortable with myself, and i could eat whatever i wanted and stay the same size and weight. i slowly became what i thought was normal again---just like everybody else---until i realized that i actually was getting bigger, and i did not have control anymore. i guess i thought, even though i knew differently, that i was fixed and would never have to worry again. i know i have rambled on about alot of stuff, but i really needed to get this out in the open, and have some people there for me, and hopefully i can help someone along the way as well. thanks for reading, and good luck to you.~beth