BEGGING FOR ADVICE

Hi all i had my surgery 10/2005 i lost exactly 100lbs, since then i have gained about 28-30 lbs back. I have started working out and havent really loss anything.  I really haven't been eating right, I work long hours and when I get off at 9pm at night I may stop and pick up a kids happy meal eat it and go home and go to sleep, not ever night but to many times in a month. My sister in law start taking diet pills (adipex) and she lost about 12 lbs in 2 weeks. So I tried it and 2 weeks later I lost 2 lbs not what i expected at all. I then realized that the pill controls the appetite and that's not my issue, I dont eat much it's what I eat. I'm ready to get the 30lbs off and just need advice. I have stopped eating and drinking and that is very tough, but I'm doing it. I also considered ww... I hated the protein drinks in the beggining but if that's what it takes to get me back on the right path I will start drinking them again,also what brands/flavors do you drink? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

You say:  " I dont eat much it's what I eat " You got a wake up call. Now it is time to get back on track and eat the right foods. Cut out whatever you've been eating the last few months. If you started snacking on something different or started to graze, you need to stop now. And get back onto your surgeon's plan. Are you eating foods that will hold you over for at least 2-3 hours ?? Eating one yogurt for lunch will not hold you over. Eating crappy foods will not hold you over. You will be back in the kitchen looking for something to eat again in 15 minutes. Eat every 2-3 hours! This will keep your hunger under control Are you eating solid proteins at every meal ? eating meats like chicken, turkey, protein shake with fat free milk , 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with a piece of fruit -  will hold you over and you will be satisfied. Don't snack or graze on bad foods. You must eat low carbs. LOW GI carbs. Or you will gain your weight back. Drinking water also does help with keeping your hunger and appetite down.  As well as exercising!

Try to workout and exercise for at least 45 minutes a day. or little bit more if you can a day.  look at your diet plan and write everything down in a book that goes into your mouth daily! keep track of everything. I believe in - calories in and calories out. So keep track of everything in http://www.thedailyplate.com For weight loss you need to burn 500 calories a day to lose one pound a week. In order to do this, however, you will have to do something more strenuous than just walking. You can speed walk. That will be better. Try to challenge yourself and break a sweat! Keep active throughout the day so you will not be thinking about FOOD all the time. PUT your enegry into something else like exercising or a fun hobbie and activities that you love to do. perpare all your foods so you can grab and eat it when you are hungry. ( EAT every 2-3 hours ) bring snacks , and food with you if you go out somewhere so you can snack on YOUR healthy foods. You say:  " I dont eat much it's what I eat " Remember - you're in control , don't let the food control you.  follow up with your surgeon and nutritionist so they can help you get back on track! STAY on top of your eating habits , DO NOT let this weight gain get out of control. cut out whatever you've added to your diet the last few months and get back on track! Stick to a eating plan and exercise routine daily. Slowly eventually you will start to lose weight again. be consistent with eating healthy and exercising and dedicate yourself to YOU , because you are worth it! hang in there!! best wishes hugss Lizzy

Thank you so much Lizzy.... I'm going grocery shopping tonight.....

i am so happy to hear this! Great news! :-) Also for protein drinks ... i recommend you to shop around for protein drinks ....  ask the stores for protein powder samples and then taste them before you actually buy them. I know that http://www.unjury.com/  gives out samples. Try Unjury protein powders. look at Vitamin Shoppe's website. HERE search around for what flavors you like. also i read on the message board that people love Walmart protein shakes. you can also shop at www.drugstore.com    Click here for the protein powders. Also drinking FAT FREE milk helps to keep your hunger under control. Try to drink Milk. I use calorie count down fat free milk. It taste very good and i don't have any reaction to it. drink it so you can keep yourself full and satisfied. best wishes to you and stay strong and positive!!!! hugss Lizzy

Also , i hope you are not taking the diet pills any longer. we have a built in wls tool. you must apply yourself and use it correctly. Do not abuse your wls tool. Don't join WW's. save your money and go buy HEALTHY FOODS for yourself! you must eat healthy foods inorder to lose weight. I am proud of you , i know you can do this!! best wishes to you hugss Lizzy

WOW-great advice, and I needed to hear most of it. Thanks!

back to the basics, protein, fruits and vegetables. I like achieve and champion chocolate whey stack powder mixed with my coffee and a little milk. Stay away from the white carbs, and choose protein for those late night nibbilies. Also, what is your exercise routine? You can do this....and you can make right choices. You are not powerless and you will not fail, if you just stick to yo ur plan and this time don't get off it. You see, this is the way we have to eat the rest of our life. Food is not our friend, and will pull us down anytime we give it an opportunity. I work till 1 am, and drive alot with my job. I carry good foods with me all the time, use a plug in cooler for my car and keep protein drinks and protein foods with me. Because if I don't I will choose wrong. I know myself, and sometimes knowing ones self ifs the worst thing and the best thing. We are here to support and encourage you. You made the first step by reaching out!

Thank you for you kind words Tami.... I know I can do this.

Well...It seems someone already gave you the most excellent advice...so I'll just say "What LizzyL said"....She's got it down to a science! And while I like to gab...she saved me a long winded post! LOL I have to say that when I see WLS people who try diet pills and old diets that never worked pre op...It makes me sooooo sad.  You have the tool that works!!  There is no magic pill.  You know the diet plan that works with your surgery...There is no other magic diet food plan.  I always want to scream that out...but it sounds so rude!  Even though it's the truth and I totally understand the desperation.  The only magic you need is the will to do what you already know you have to do.  There's lots of support here!  You CAN do this! Hugs and good luck! Good for you, for trying!

God love ya.....I feel for you!  It's soooo easy to get caught in the trap.  Sometimes I don't get caught...I just jump right in it!  I HATED protein poweder early on in my journey.  I'm very lactose intolerant and so much of it really caused me problems.  Until I tried Designer Protein.  I live in Indianapolis, and you can find it at our Meijer stores.  Designer Protein makes a variety of flavors and also a protein especially for women called Aria.  I LOVE the Aria; it's half whey and half soy with no awful soy after taste.  It's only 12.95 a can a Meijer and I believe you can get online as well.  I get no bloating, etc with it.  Comes in vanilla, plain or chocolate.....haven't tried the choc.  I use the plain to make my version of an orange julius.  Loved those things!  I also use Wilton's meriguine powder.  The Wilton that makes the cake pans, cute cookie cutters, cake decorating stuff etc that you find at WalMart, Target, etc.  The meriguine (sp?) powder has some fructose in it I believe, but I've never had a dumping issuse with it and I'm very D-prone if ya know what I mean!  Go wild with the fruit combos; love orange juice and pineapple mixed, etc etc.  Here's my version of an orange Ju.....1 cup orange juice, 1 scoop Aria, 2-3 Tablsp of Wilton's mer powder, 1 cup of ice cubes in the blender and let it rip!   Sometimes add a little water.  You get the same frothy foam of an orange ju.  I also keep chuncks of pineapple in my freezer to throw in any smoothie julius type I make.  Hope this helps you in some way.  Take care.......watch for hidden salt......eat,  don't deny yourself and choose things YOU LIKE.  Treat yourself and check out some new products.  I could never tolerate yogurt because I hated the tangy taste, but I've discovered Dannon Light & Fit.  LOVE this stuff.  Only 60 calories....no D- Syndrome with it.....no tangy after taste.  It calms my pouch down when I've not eaten well.  Don't punish yourself.  I work 12 hour night shifts and I know how hard it is to organize meals, resist fast empty foods, etc.   I'm a Labor & Delivery RN.....we have food everywhere on the unit!  Someone is constantly eating !     Load your fridge with stuff you love, dust yourself off, forgive yourself, and move on.  As a very wise person told me.....It's the journey and the prize at the end.....not going for perfection.  Forgiving and restarting has done wonders for me.  As I move on in my life journey, I find that we really benefit from extending to ourselves the love and forgiveness we can so easily extended to others.  I'm 54 now.....and guess what.....Life really can be a do over until you take your last breath.....and heck ....then....what will you care?!   Hope this info and support helps you.......Here's a big hug coming your way.....Let yourself feel it!    Tgarr, Indy........PS.....I have a real problem with hunger and stress on the drive home.....found that if I keep a little cooler  loaded with healthy snacks sitting in my passenger seat....I can reach in & grab me a healthy treat, crank up the radio and in a few minutes I'm good to go.  Stress is down; I've had healthy much needed food and been good to myself all at the same time.  Planning...planning...planning.