I've gained & have to track food, need suggestions

It appears I've put on a little weight. (Well, it more than appears that way, I have put on 15 pounds, 10 of them in the last couple of months). I'd like to get ahold of things before I have a real problem. It has helped me in the past to log my food because I get some real awakenings when I see where my calories are coming from. I went on thedailyplate and sparkpeople before. They are good sites, but dang, it takes a long time to find and enter all your food. What works best for other people? Just putting it in a notebook or using one of the sites? I looked at thedailyplate today and it says I should have 1,545 calories a day to lose 2 pounds a week. I have been diligent with my work-outs (weights, yoga, walking, etc.). I usually eat the right things, but instead of eating one snack in the morning and afternoon, I've pretty much been cramming all day long. Since my RNY, I can cut down for a day or two and it feels like my pouch has closed back up on me, so surely I can manage to control myself long enough to get going in the right direction. Another thing - what are good snack options for all of you? I like to take in a lot of fiber, but that usually goes along with carbs, which just make me want to eat more. I've got some Soy Joys and plan to try them next week. (I can remember a day when I would have spit a Soy Joy out, but I like them now.)

Hi Wanda,
Girl, I feel your pain. I've been so bummed because I can not seem to get a grip. I've gained about 30 lbs now and mentally it's doing a real job because I can not wear the summer clothes I wore last summer. You know, I have gotten the most wonderful advice from this forum. I've read their food journal entries everyday. I do believe journalling is very helpful. But, Wanda, perserverance is the key, days and days, weeks and weeks of doing the right thing. Yes, I've crosssed the line I wish I'd never crossed, candy bars, bread, sugar cereal, etc... I feel like I'm on a run away train, very scarey. I do believe, just throwing in the towel is not the answer, fall down 6 times, get yourself up 7 times. Who knows that 7th time, it may just click: success. Let's have a good week, like never before. Be encouraged.     Kathy

I started cutting back yesterday.. I had my physical and the doctor was actually pleased. He said most people haven't been as dedicated as I've been, so I felt a little better. But, I put on a skirt this morning I haven't 'worn in a year or so, and it's a little snug around the thighs. The pleats don't want to stay shut, so I'm not so pleased with myself. I didn't expect it to be easy, but it was so much fun the first couple of years to eat what I wanted and never seemed to get bigger.

I feel your pain!  I cannot wear the majority of clothes from last summer.  It all started when my father who had terminal cancer, passed away in March.  My family spent six weeks living at the hospital.  Well, I went back to eating sweets (never dumped on anything but grease and ice cream).  Suddenly, I got up and tried on a pair of pants, and taadaa, they would not fit.

 I try to simply write everything down.  I write down my planned meals (five a day) on a note pad.  If it is unplanned lick or all out chow, I write it in red or I put giant stars all around the area.  Also, I eat a lot of fiber based foods.  I NEED them, and I am not willing to have a heart attack on the toilet.  Sorry, I know that was TMI.  Anyway, I got to the point that I was lurking and finallly posted on the revision board.  I am eight years out.  I tend to eat, what I feel is a lot more food than others I see doing their accountabiliy; however, when I am dilligent, I lose weight.  Now, I will say it is achingly slow.  If I weren't so scared, I would consider a revision.  I wish you luck, try the notebook method.  When I am good, the posting book is helpful.

Best Wishes,

Oh, I know how you feel. When my mother was sick and dying from cancer, I gained a big 80 pounds, on top of what I needed to lose anyway. It's hard to take care of yourself when something like that's going on. I also need to eat a lot of fat to keep things operating. I did WW before my RNY and that couple of pounds I lost wasn't worth what it did to my insides. If it makes me keep a few extra pounds, so be it. Thanks for your reply.

Important thing is to write it down.  So you know what you are eating and how mucj. Sometimes - we forget to measure or underestimate the qty or the calories of some foods.

Once we start writting things down - we are forced to measure and check the labels.

Not getting toomuch and not getting too little is important. If for a few days you do not get enough calories or proteins - your body will react and make you eat things you did not plan to eat.

There are days that I do not want to eat - but then - I know if I do not eat - there will be "hell" to pay later. 
i noticed that you can find food high in fiber but still low in carbs - relatively - vegetables, fruits (berries), some high fiber bars or adding fiber to drinks...

Once you find out what your trigger foods are - and can remove them from your diet -you will not crave them as much.

I'm going to start keeping a notebook, and then when I get time, trying to figure out my calories, etc. I threw away my scale, thinking I had it all figured out and wouldn't need it anymore. (I was wrong.)

I was snacking too. I've cut them out except veggies or fruit if I have to. No snack carbs (I was sneaking in pretzels and crackers) I'm measuring and getting good protein. The measuring is important because when stressed I over eat. I try and eat about every 3 hours keep it between 300-400 calories. if I'm hungry (or think I'm hungry) I try water first. I find the more I alow a snack the harder it is to stop. Sometimes I find myself just looking in the pantry - not hungry at all. I stop and tell myself "what the heck!" LOL.

By doing these few things I've drop the 6 pounds I've gained. Now I've been on vacation so hiking and kayaking almost daily. Since I'm back today I'm going to get my 4 days in of exercise (scouts honor )

I'm back on the boards too. I do better when I stay connected

Good luck Wanda - WE CAN DO IT!
Heidi

I've had a little success. I've lost 3 pounds since Monday, jus****ching what I put in my mouth. I didn't realize how bad I'd been, but as I sat on the couch Monday night and started to head towards the kitchen and realized I've been eating a lot lately while watching TV. It's been fairly healthy food, but still, way too much of it. I'm fortunate in that after a day or two of cutting back, my pouch shrinks back up to where it was a year or so post-op so I fill up pretty quick. If I could just quit stretching it back out ... You're right, we can do it.

I'm down about 3 pounds as well. Congrats!