completely disappointed in myself

Lindy, our numbers are similar.  I was 319 at my highest and my post-op lowest was 158 at about 15 months or so.  I did not maintain that for very long and gained 15 pounds the second I hit the two year mark.  I did manage to diet back down to 159 but now at almost three years out my weight is about 180.  I exercise a lot and I think that is the only reason I have not gained more.  I am really disappointed in myself.  Anyway, I went back to Weigh****chers a couple of weeks ago to try to get some sanity back into my eating.  I really like their Core program which focusses on low fat, lean protein, complex carbs, and lots of fresh veggies and fruit.  I also acquired a blender to start making my own protein smoothies for B-fast.  I am losing about one pound per week.  I'd love to lose faster but I'll take a pound a week.  I highly recommend Weigh****chers!   Good luck!

I am 4 1/2 years out. I have had to live with major headaches since my surgery. I have finally been put on Depakote which has almost taken the headaches away. It's a great thing but it also made me gain almost 10 pounds. No matter what I did nothing helped. Finally after spending 5 days a week at the gym doing cardio at a really fast pace and keeping my heartrate up I have lost 4 of the 10 pounds. I am telling you that you have to go to the gym. No I will do it later or I don't want to. I say this because these are all the things I tell myself. My first 2 years I didn't exercise at all the weight just fell off and stayed off. That is not happening any more. I am not a great eater don't like to cook for just myself, sometimes things make me sick but  I try to do better. I am running 5 miles an hour and rowing 15-20 minutes 5 days a week. I HATE IT BUT I DO IT. If I gain over 10 pounds I am afraid I will never get it off.  You have to go to the gym there is no getting around and you have to work hard a nice walk will never keep you at a weight you will be comfortable with. It is the only sure fix to keeping your weight where you want it.

It is very nice to know that I am not the only one out there.   I have been cutting back on how much I eat and have made considerable changes to what I eat. I am working at cutting out sodas completely.  I have also made an effort to get into the gym on a daily basis.  Question on working out though.. I have done some research on the internet as to what the best fat burner workouts are.  I havent found any conclusive informaiton.  One site says higher heartrate better weight loss another says lower rate within target zone.  I am afraid I will either over do it or not do enough.  Regardless, I am working out within target heartrate zone for at least 30 mins a day.  No results so far, but its only been a couple of days.  I will continue with the changes and see what happens. Thank you to everyone that posted.  It is really comforting to not be alone.  Good luck to you all. Lindy

Dear Lindy: Reading your post gave me support.  I too have been out almost 5 years.  At my lowest I was 145 and I am now up to 195 and I am totally freaking out about it.  I am very depressed over it and feeling lost and very scared.  I read your post and the replies from other people and felt a glimmer of hope.  I guess I know what I have to do.  Get back to basics.  Just protein, no water with food and stop feeding my emotions with food.  I have to also get back to the gym. Thank you for sharing your post.  You made me feel that I was not alone in this.  I was feeling like such a loser for screwing up and putting on the weight.  Now I realize that other people are struggling just like I am. I hope that it works out for the both of us.

I think running or spinning are the things that burn the most the fastest. I have to do what I will get the most results from. I hate exercise so much I want the biggest bang for time. I am 50 years old and at the end if my run my heartrate is 154. Good for someone in their early 40's so I think I an doing pretty good. But I will say when I get in a mood going to the gym is the last thing I want to do. I also know that too many days away make me hate going back and its really hard to get started again. No more then two days off in a row or I may never go back...  Everyweek start upping your time. Add 5-10 minutes to everywork out. Right now I start out at 4.8 and go up every 10 minutes and then up every minute for the last 10. I have to make is somewhat interesting or it seems to take forever...  Good luck and remember you just have to get up and move it will make things better in the long run. Get it run funny huh   

I think I have figured out my downfall... CARBS !  &  FAT!\ I started writing down everything I put in my mouth.. OMG.. the fat and carbs!  Not as many calories as I expected, but the fat and the carbs. So, just like everyone has said already.. back to the basics.. Protein!