need help getting back on track - Post - OPS July 2006

Hello to all you wonderful people. I recently had to move from FL to GA and have not been able to find any support groups locally. I am now to the point I need help, encouragment, etc...

I had gastric by-pass surgery in July 2006. My doctor was the BEST. Dr. Brett Cohen in Hollywood, FL. The support there is awesome too.

I got rid of 120 pounds from the surgery and doing the right things. Now due to the move, laziness, etc.. I have put on 25 pounds of what I lost. I am very discouraged.

My daily routine does not help. I work in Atlanta, GA and live near Macon, GA. It is an 80 mile drive one way. So I am doing 160 miles a day in the car for 3 hrs a day. Excersise has stopped. I am too tired to even walk when I get home. Get up at 5AM (that is tough enough) and work till 6 PM. Get home at about 7:30 PM or so (if traffic is good) and then eat dinner.  Try to eat right but I think I am back to eating too much (larger portions) now that I can. I do not like it!

No one to blame except myself.

Lunch is tough too because I am REQUIRED to go to lunch with my co-workers and they always go to fast food resturants.

Any support, suggestions, encouragement, help... Is greatly appreciated. I am tracking my food intake effective today. So hopefully it will make me more aware of what I am eating.

Best of luck to all who plan to have the surgery. IT IS WELL WORTH IT!!! I went from taking 14 pills a day to 4.

Thanks,

Tom

They can FORCE you to eat with someone? That's horrible. And it's horrible that you can't bring your own food. Effectively they are telling you what you can eat. Boy, I'd look into the legalities of that for sure.

As for the drive, I'd have two bottles of water there in the car. I already drink water each and every time I start it up. My commute isn't 80 miles...just 35 and traffic can be a hassle..That's why I drink water. AND I put on jumpy peppy music. I'm "dancing" in the seat most of the way.

During work, can you walk laps? I mean a short lap around the floor or department.

Thanks for the quick response. A lot of "politics" here. I am going to attempt to bring my lunch next week and see what happens.

I walk as much as possible at work. Unfortunately I am a Forensic Computer Analyst and stay on the computer most of the day.

Thanks again. And BTW, You look great... Keep up the good work.

I'm an expert at eating at my desk all day long. I bring a cooler with water bottles packed with ice and keep small things at my desk to keep my appetite at bay...cheese sticks, tuna salad, shrimp and ****tail sauce...even small salads work for me. Might not work for you but you might think about what you can have as a snack that can double as a small meal.

Actually, my lunch is scheduled too at 11:30 but I eat at my desk before that and then take my lunch to do fun stuff, taking my water bottle with me. Like shopping.. You could do the same thing and just drink a water bottle while your co-workers eat..It might feel weird at first bu****er is SO good for you..

What kind of snack can double as a small meal?

1 oz mozzarella stick with a peice of roasted turkey breast deli meat wrapped around it...and then a small apple. That's a good snack/meal.

a bag of beef jerky. 2 oz and a small piece of fruit.

a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and some applesauce.

Pahu 3,

Thank you for your post.  I too had gastric bypass surgery in December, 2005, and my appetite is now back.  I need to get back to the grass roots of this process or journey.  It's a very scare thing to feel out of control again.  Even though I walk 4-6 miles every day and am just a few pounds over my goal weight, it's a feeling I know too well from the past and I don't like it.  I am also having transference of addiction issues and am trying to replace all my old habits with healthy ones, but a few bad ones have slipped in there.  I read some of the other replies to your post and there were some good suggestions, like water.  I am not good about drinking my Crystal Light and I think I am confusing hunger when I am really just thirsty.  I'm going to start drinking more liquids and am going to start with protein shakes in the morning again.  But I think it's very important to remember that this is a journey and we all know how to do it...  Hang in there!  Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!  

Best regards,

Janet

Hi all!

Jeez - it's been a while since I've been on these boards with (pfff) my busy life ... which now has suddenly become not so busy (or more so depending on how one looks at it) - AND I have been struggling with those pounds "creeping" back in.  Have now gained 15 lbs over what I consider my ideal weight which I reached in Spring of 2006 .... mostly over the last year and a half. Every excuse ... working 12 hour days so no time to exercise ...  meals with clients or luncheon events to attend ... whatever! Lol!

It IS time to get back to those daily protein shakes for breakfast - up the water intake (which I too agree that we mistake thirst for hunger - CUT THE CARBS (my weakness then and now) - and up the exercise ....  and since I am now involuntarily unemployeed thanks to the economy, I have no freeking excuse!!!  Back to basics .... proteins, fruits and vegetables .... it wasn't hard then ... as my wonderful pre-op "counseling" queen so frequently reminded us, it's about MINDFULLNESS ... being aware ... and staying faaarrrr away from those bad habits! 

Anyone up for "doing it together"?

Hugs and have a healthy day!
 

Marie

LapRNY 6/16/05 Highest: 225/Pre-Op 220/Lowest 129/Goal 135/Current 150 (ARRRGGHHH!)

 

I just started lifting dumb bells in my car on the way to and from work.  It keeps me awake and I don't work out my arms like I should.  I do one arm at a time.  biceps, lat raises, ticeps, etc.  it's not a lot but it done some toning....
Thanks,
Selena

what an awesome idea! Thanks!