Trying to get back on track.

I had my surgery three and a half years ago.  In the past year and a half or so I've gained back some of the weight I lost.  I hate that I let this happen but I'm having a devil of a time getting back to the good habits I used to have.  I know there is no "miracle cure" for this..........I just have to do it.   Trouble is I'm not sure how to get back to that now that I know I can eat a lot of things I was too chicken to try back when I was on track.  Cooking stuff I'm not supposed to have for the kids dinner is going to be a huge temptation.  Would it be totally unfair of me to have them eat frozen meals, tv dinners, Hot Pockets etc.........stuff they can cook for themselves.............for a couple of weeks to make this transition easier for me?   

Why not cook for the entire family in the way that you need to eat?  You could all benefit from the healthy diet, and it would be so much easier for you to stick to your needs. Good luck!

Here's a suggestion:  http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com/2007/09/new-5-day-pouch-test-website.html I did this and lost 6# so far. I'm going to do it again next week. I'm going to incorporate this "test" into my lifestyle/habits until I can regain control. Hope this helps!

5 dpt is great, for the first 2 days you could make a hearty soup for the family, and only eat the broth, and you guys should eb able to fins some common ground by day 3. Good Luck!

Hi Dawn,   I am six years out and lost my way for a while too.  I have been back on track since Janually 11.  I have 6 kids at home and a very crazy schedule.  I did the 5DPT and that really helped me.  I also use www.fitday.com and input everything I eat.  I shoot for 1000 to 1200 calories a day and over 100 grams of protien.  I am on day six of very low carbs and am spilling moderate levels of ketones.  I will do this for about another week or so then I will be adding good carbs.  I have lost 8 pounds since the 11th and I have incorperated these changes.  I also try and power walk for an hour most days.  How old are your kids?  I have lots of ideas on what they can eat.  While you are getting back on track,  you could probebly prepare the same food but eat the DENSE protein first,  then you wont have room for the other stuff.  When I chose to have this surgery,  one of the deciding factors was that I wanted to change for my kids and while I was changing,  I knew that they would also eat better and lower their risk of obesity.  It worked.  They all eat much better today, and none have issues with weight.  They are 9, 16,16, 17, 18 and 19.  I changed my habits and the side effect was that it changed theirs,  When you eat, eat  for only 15 minutes and fill your pouch.  Plan your meals when you can.  Dont drink anything for 1 to  1 1/2 hours after your meals.  No grazing.  You can take a look at what I have been doing on my fitday link below if you would like.  Yesterdays report was not the best day but the other days may help. My weekends are the hardest for me.  I also check in on the accountability thread everyday and that really helps me to be accountable to myself.  I wish you luck and If I can help,  just ask.  This forum is a wonderful support, so you came to the right place.  I hope this helps and good luck

Dawn, That 5DPT is truly a great diet / test. I personally can't say enough about it to people. It makes you feel almost "new" post op again....I didn't realize how bad too many carbs was actually making me feel...because since I did the 5DPT, and continued to keep carbs to a minimum, my pouch feels sooooo much better... I had begun a bad habit of eating more carbs than proteins. That was something different than my regular holiday weight gain...I couldn't seem to get back in the old saddle this last time. Anyway...Below are some of the things that I gained from the 5 DPT.... 1. No more severe hunger pangs (yay!) 2. No more frenzied scavenger hunts for a taste I cannot satisfy (YAY!!!) 3. No more heavy gassy feelings (YAY for my family!!!) 4. Peace in the pouch! (a constant feeling of well -being) (AHHHH!) 5. I get fuller faster because I am acutely aware now, when to stop eating so the satisfied feeling can catch up to my brain. (the mouth is so much faster than the brain) 6. I'm drinking my 64oz  of water...and my skin and hair are loving it ...plus it makes me feel fuller and curves any severe hunger pangs...Adding a SF flavoring helps with random sweet urges 7. I cut my BAD BAD BAD habit of drinking while eating and washing my pouch clean before it knew I was full!  That was my biggest flaw. I didn't realize how important it really was not to drink before of after meals. It made an ENORMOUS difference in me. I'm almost back on track...I might aim for a new goal at this point and get go below my very satified 165 lbs goal that I have basically maintained for 3 years...(4 since surgery...I don't count the first year of losing) I battle a continual 10 lbs after the second year...My size 6 jeans never see winter...Never! LOL If any of the above is something you might want back...try the test.  Make your kids eat healthy too...If they don't like healthy food ...TRICK them!  They will have no idea if you start cutting out fats and carbs  and adding fresh foods that don't come in boxes by making better choices for them too! If they do notice, you're still the mom and you still do the grocery shopping...Play dumb. (Kids think parents are dumb anyway)...so it's not like you have to worry about it) ..hehee.....and say "oh no did I get 2% milk again??? Oh well...I'll be careful next time! Or keep a container of reg milk and pure 2 % in the container that says regular...once they get used to the taste they won't even care anymore! LOL  I did this! Yes I did.  Little things make a huge difference and it benefits all of your family. Hope you can use some of that!   Hugs Anita

You are right on it Anita,  My entire family drinks skim and have for years now.  It was hard to convince them but now they think they are drinking syrup when they do drink whole milk! Dana

Dawn, I too did the 5 day pouch test with much success......it's amazing how it changes the way of thinking and makes you aware of your pouch. I agree with the other posters on feeding your family.....there are so many options on healthy food.  I think the biggest thing for us is getting out of a routine of preparing quick, easy foods.   It's all about planning. Good luck!

Great new Photo Dana

thanks