"Food" for thought for all of the gainers

Hi all. I'm just a newbie...11 weeks out of surgery, but sometimes we "kids" come here to learn stuff from our "older", wiser veterans. One thing I want to say is that if you've lost 100+ pounds and have recently gained 15-20, and you're coming on these boards to help you get back to basics...GOOD FOR YOU!!! (And obviously, you can tweak these numbers...I've just noticed a few posters calling themselves failures for gaining 15-20 pounds). You are a SUCCESS, not a failure, to notice some re-gain and look to do something about it. It's easy in the beginning (I know...I'm in it!!). I'm sure a lot of you would give your right arm to be able to go back to your "honeymoon" period and enjoy the relatively fast loss with relatively little effort. What you are going through is the HARD part, and a lot of us newbies are scared about how we're going to feel when our hunger returns, let alone when we're almost at goal and then start to gain. It's so incredibly normal to gain a little because the maintaining was always the hard part for us before!!!  Have confidence in yourself! You've earned it. Think about all of the health issues you've made immeasurably better by losing what you have. Now that's success!!! And I, for one, KNOW, that if you work to lose the weight you've re-gained, you can do it@!@! And remember, you don't want to keep gaining. Nip it in the bud now!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US!!! -Beth

What a wise newbie you are, Beth!  Thank you so much for the encouragement and also for looking, without fear, at what COULD happen to anyone a few years out of surgery. I'm five years out but just now learning that having a plan, a resource and support is absolutely crucial to success. I sooooo didn't want to log into OH during - and after - my significant regain (40 pounds). Other people's victories were so bittersweet to me. But I'm very glad I "cowgirl'd up" and re- visited this site! Just knowing you're not the Lone Ranger within your problem is a tremendous aid. Much success to you and please stop by (and post!) whenever you can... All the best... A

what a sweet giving personality, i'm sure you will be very successful and blessed along your journey.