Starting over?

Okay, here I am again!  I need your help...please!

My surgery in 2003 took me from 344 to about 230...and, though I never approached goal, I felt and looked wonderful...better than ever in my life.

Now I feel like I've blown it.  I have "given in" to weight gain.  And I don't like myself any more.

Please tell me:
1.  How can I start over?
2.  Is protein still the most important thing, regardless of calories?  (I ask because I still love cheese and can't stand the fat-free stuff but am concerned about the calories.)

Answers please!

Sheryl

I too am starting over too. Just after3 years I am listening to my doctors. It is never to late for a freshs start. We can all do this together.
I want to be healthy...

amy

Sheryl-

I just saw your post, and am really in the same boat! I had RNY surgery in 2001, lost 117lbs. within a year, and felt fabulous! I thought my life had changed forever! I guess I got too confident, started eating whatever I could hande, including sweets, and have managed to gain over 40 lbs. in the past few years. I am sick about it!

But, you know what...today is the first day of the rest of my life. I am back on track, starting today! I have been given this tool, I know how to use it, and I once possessed the motivation to do this. I can do this again. WE can do this again!

I have started a food journal on Fitday, and am committed to write down everything that passes these lips. I am going to count calories and protein, drink my water, eat 5-6 small meals daily, and excercise.

I spent half the night last night on Obesityhelp.com, and the support here is phenomenal. I am going to do this, and I know you can too.

-Melissa
RNY 8/30/01
275 pre-surgery
158 one year out
205 current
BACK ON TRACK!

First let me congratulate both of you ladies on your weight lost, and its never too late too start over.  We have a gift  called a tool or WLS (Weight Loss Surgery).  I may be what some consider new to the game, but we all fall down and need to get back on track or back in the race.  Nothing has changed.... to start over:

Go back to the Basics

1. Protein  80 to 100grams per day (Very important)
2. Vitamins - Calcium (something that you should never stop taking)
3. Calorie 1200 - 1400g per day 
4. Water
5. Exercise - Exercise - Exercise (not easy?  Get up and dance to the commercial music)
6. Confidence in knowing you can do this!

You make want to try the www.5DPT (5 Day Pouch Test) to try to bring that new feeling back to your pouch or you can just check to see what other members are eating to kind of give you an idea of what you should be eating.  Throw out all the snacks, go back to Protein Shakes...work at it like its your first day out of surgery.  Go to support meetings and come back to the boards...there's always someone here to help.

Thank you, Dream Girl!  I know what to do...it's the "doing" of it that I've not worked at for quite a while.  I appreciate your words of encouragement.

Sheryl

I have to agree with the above post. Go back to basics, exercise, get lots of water and take those vits. Your tool will still work if you work your tool. I like to track my food and exercise at thedailyplate.com . Its very eye opening sometimes, LOL. And please remember, You have NOT blown it!!!!! You've been given a gift, you just have to decide how to use it to the best of your ability. We all struggle, we have our moments when we feel like failures, but its what you do in those down times that really shapes who we are in the future. You took the first BIG step by coming here~seek out any and all support! You CAN make it to your goal!!!! Good Luck!!!!

Tracy, I was hoping you'd respond!  I've watched you on this board for a long time and see that we started at a similar point.  Please continue to think of me as I endeavor to "GET BACK TO THE BASICS!"

Sheryl

I too WAS in your shoes. I have now been back on track for 1 month. I eat 3 meals a day of Lean protien and Greens. I am back to exercising, getting all of my liquids ( 64-100 oz). I have always been faithful with my vitamins. I got really bad at grazing and definately was eating unhealthy alot of the time. I had put back on approx 40 lbs but am proud to say in that 1 month I have taken off 14-15 lbs! My tool still works! I just have to work it! Good luck!

Thank you for your encouragement! It's nice to know that someone else has been there, and is back on track with good habits.

This has been an eyeopening day for me...I have eaten about 1500 calories (including a protein drink and over 80 grams total of protein), and feel that I have eaten SO MUCH LESS than I have been eating. I know that I was eating way too much at each meal, and grazing in between meals. This day has really shown me how much excess I was actually eating. Scary, but facing this reality is very liberating.

One day at a time, I can do this!

Yes you can!