Question: I'm frustrated!

Hi Grads! I have lost 30 lbs in the last 3 months (of 40 lbs regain).  My bday was less than a month ago.  Around my bday I kinda "stopped" my diet, and was moderate, but still ate carbs, didn't exercise, etc.  I have not gained... thank goodness! I had been very "good" when I did lose the 30 lbs, ate protein, drank water, etc. etc.  When I kicked sugar the first time, it was damn easy!  I thought, "goodness, I can actually do this"... NOW it has become extremely difficult as Monday is always a chance for me to start over... Has anyone experienced this?  I have also become very comfortable because I now get a lot of complements, etc.  I was doing a modified version of the Atkins diet, removing all carbs, etc.  But It has become so extemly hard this time around. My questions: 1.)  has anyone experiened this, and 2.)  What are some of your methods for losing more weight after the honeymoon period? I appreciate your guys' advice!

From previous posts, I see that you are more than 4 1/2 years post-op.  In a previous post, you said:

"I had just one little itty bitty peice of See's candy.  I STARTED TO CRAVE it more and more!  The next day I had two little squares of chocolate.  Then the next day more!  And last night I had chocolate fondue with girlfriends (was planned to stay off diet for that one night) and today I have chocolate all around me!  I guess my point is that, for us sugar sensitive people, really, it is better for it to not pass our lips.  Really.  Cause the sugar demon in me that was asleep for about a month started to get tugged at a little bit.  I woke it up!  Has anyone else experienced that?"

I completely identify with your sugar problem the way you described it.  I'm also about five years post-op and have regained 40 pounds, 90 percent of it by eating chocolate that I couldn't put down.  I am currently working on this problem (finally). But  this weekend, I went out to dinner and had a  few bites of a great piece of chocolate cake  for dessert (it was like a giant truffle).  I brought the leftover cake back to my hotel room and put it in the fridge.  I almost couldn't *sleep* for knowing it was there, and had to chuck it out in the morning because the mental hassle just wasn't worth it.  Losing sleep over chocolate -- how much do I hate feeling that way?!

Since you recently lost 30 pounds, it seems clear you were doing what you needed to do.  You know where you slipped up.  Do protein shakes help you stay on track?  They help me.  I'm just following the pouch rules (protein first, especially dense protein, with some help from 1-2 protein shakes a day).  And exercising.  Mostly I'm just trying to get back to what worked before, and avoid what I know doesn't work.

Good luck (we need it!)

Suzy C.

Which protein shake do you use?  I have tried NUMEROUS shakes with no avail, as everything I try is straight, nasty.  What can you recommend? I know what you mean about the chocolate cake!  Im already thinking about a chocolate peanut butter bar I have at home.. PATHETIC!

(1) May I suggest you ditch the chocolate peanut butter bar you have at home, because you can't handle it right now? 

(2) I like Proscore 100 Chocolate protein shakes (by Champion Nutrition), mixed with water.  You may not like the taste of that, either, but I found it more palatable than most.  I look upon it as medicine -- too bad if I don't like the taste, it if helps me remember I'm fighting obesity here and helps regulate my appetite, then down the hatch it goes.

I don't know if this will help but I did the herbalife diet for awhile and lost 30lbs.. I haven't had surgery yet... but anyway I loveee their protein powder. It doesn't really have much of a taste and I would just mix it with my shake or add it to my drinks... not bad at all...

sugar is not our friend. i am about 20 months out and i will only eat sf candy.  i will not even try others, becasue im afraid i might start to eat them again. when i crave sweets i eat a pouch (2 cookies) from south beach diet.  they are ok and come in two flavors.  i wont keep other cookies or cake in the house. if my hubby wants something i let him buy it himself and although he eats different than i do, he has learned to buy one donut not half a dozen when his cravings set in. i have also made sugar free mousse with jello sf pudding and lite cool whip and low fat milk.  i have made pumpkin for turkey day and also chocolate.  eveeryone loved the pumpkin one.  they had no clue it was sf. as for carbs, they are a sticky issue.  i hardly eat rice, bread or pasta anymore.  i will eat crackers and if im totally crazed a few chips or pretzels.  but in very limited quantity.  they have no nutritional value other than they fill a craving.  i buy snack size bags when i want something.  better not to have them hanging around i find. its a battle, every day. hugs to all, jacki

You've done very well.  I didn't have any trouble getting rid of the bad carbs as I thought I would with the 5DPT...Trying to lose weight when I am as lazy as a hibernating bear in winter makes losing weight even harder. It wasn't until I started moving again (along with going back to basics) that I lost my winter fat. But maintaining it is quite a struggle without a consistant exercise plan.  I have tried to eat only three times a day...and I cannot do it.  I must eat approximately every three hours. When I try to eat a nice hearty meal...I only get too full and am still hungry 3 hours later and end up eating more than I need for a day....so... I eat 3 good meals with 6 friendly as possible snacks a day is what I try to keep.  If I get hungry between these meals... I eat veggies to offset calories, high carbs and fat. I have found that I am eating too much fat so now I have to tweak that little loose nut! I hate anything lowfat!  Yuck! But like Suzy C. said...if it's gonna help...down the hatch it goes (para-phrasing from memory which I could be wrong but I think that was the general idea) Good luck to you... Anita

If sugar is a heavy trigger for you, you may need to decide if you want to allow it in your life.  For some folks, that first bite of sugar is like the first drink to an alcoholic:  big trouble.  For others, they can have a little sugar and it doesn't trigger carb-seeking behavior.   I'm not 100% clear from your post if you're asking about processed sugars/carbs, or all kinds of carbs.  I eat good carbs regularly - whole grains, fresh fruits, low-fat dairy products, etc.  Those kind of carbs don't trigger me.  But give me a bite of cake or a spoonful of ice cream, and I just want more, more, more.  So I'm very careful about eating those things - I have them as occasional treats and I do not bring them into my home, unless I've bought a single serving of something.  And then I'll split that with my roommate.   In terms of how to continue losing after the honeymoon is over, it's still about calories in, calories out, and regular exercise.  I'm 28 months out, still losing 3-5 pounds per month, but I also use a daily food journal, track my weight daily, and exercise about 10 hours per week.  Every pound I lose now is hard-won, but still worth it.   Good luck on your continuing journey -  Kellie