HELP... Gained 15 pounds and I'm scared to death

okay - it's been WAY too long since I have been on this site and yes, I need help.  Noticed that my clothes were fitting a bit tighter these days so I finally got back on the scale to find that I hav gained 15 pounds (since my lowest post WLS surgery).  NOW, i can't even remember what to do / eat to get the weight off.  I am already exercising, but I know that I am not eating properly and snacking WAY too much.   I need someone to remind me of how to eat... PLEASE!!!

Protein, protein, protein... lots of fluids (but NOT with, or right after, meals)... limit the simple carbs (white flour products, sugar, etc.) in favor of complex carbs (beans, fruits, veggies)... NO grazing.

I still eat 3 meals and 2-3 protein snacks per day, but some people find that eating the "snacks" makes them want non-protein snacks so they are better off with just 3 meals and no snacks.  (Not only can I feel my blood sugar drop between meals, but eating protein snacks helps keep me AWAY from the carb-y snacks).

Lora

Thanks Lora - I picked up the water again today - almost at 64 ounces now!  gonna try to not snack if possible.  really appreciate the encouragement and posting to me - Thanks for taking the time for me.  Have a super rest of your week.

Chris:  I am with you.   I had surgery on June 20, 2004.  I lost about 135 pounds (285 down to 150).  I am now at 169-170. I had a change of medication which was really problemic. Of course, it didn't make me put food in my mouth, but it seems like I lost the ability to make good choices.  I need to get back on track, and I'd love to do it with you.  I will focus on proteins, and lots of water/crystal light, etc, and get back on track.  I promise to do it each day this week, and see what happens, as I will be out of town over Labor Day weekend and know I will not be as strict.   I find that it can be helpful to write every morsel down.  I keep track on Calorie Count Food Count--one of those website daily calorie places.  I know we probably don't NEED to write everything down, but it is always eye opening.   I would love to check in with you each day this week and see how it goes.   I think I shall try to 'plan' a menu for each day to get back on track.  Good luck to you!  I know we can do it.   ****pt this weight off for 5 years before that first 5 pounds came on.  I don't think anything has broken!)   Vicki

Great Idean Vicki - Let's do it! 

It will be great to be accountable to someone on the board.  I went to Sams today and bought several high protein/lowfat & low sugar food items so I am off and running.  I was down the .9 this morning so only 164 but I have got to get back to the 150 or ELSE!!

I am leaving on a 5 day cruise on 9/11 so I will probably be "not too good" during that time, but I will get right back on it.

Good luck - we CAN do this - thanks for the encouragement!!

Chris

Earlier this year i also gained 15 lbs.  It scared me.  But then I realized that i allowed that to happen since i stopped weight myself at least once a week.  So now - I do.
Since then - I lost the extra weight - and i am doing OK.  But I pick a day during the week to weigh myself - it is usually Sunday or Monday. And if the scale shows high normal - I make sure to adjust my eating.  It is hard to gain a lot of weight in one week - but 3-4 weeks of not checking it -  means 2-3 months of trying to lose the lbs.

For me to lose weight mean going back to basics. 
6 meals a day + 64 oz (min) of water in between meals.
protein first - every meal, then some veggies or fruits.
Lean proteins + some good fats (supplements or eating fatty fish, or good food with fats - i.e. avocado, nuts, etc) - goal 120 gr of protein per day (for VG - min 80 gr??)
Vegetables - non starchy
I do best limiting starchy carbs and some fruits. \
Limit fruits to 2 servings a day. (I would only eat berries - and that with proteins also)

Then activities - not heavy lifting - but min 30-120 min at a time - the body starts burning fat after app 20 min).  i do yoga, brisk walking, etc.  Weight lifting are better for me to build muscles - extra muscles =extra weight. 

And making sure you get your vitamins.

If you need to count calories - do not get less than 1000 or more than 1400 (or more if you burn with exercises) BTW - make sure that you do not get the same amount of calories every day.  i.e. one day 1000, the next 1400, then 1200, then 1000... averaging 1000-1200 per day over a week.

Thank you so much!  Great info that I really needed to hear.  I have had a good day today - lots of water - an EAS protein shake and a little rotel chicken tonight.  NOW...if I can just STEP AWAY FROM THE SALTINES tonight (and every night from now on!)

I need to take vitamins - haven't been doing that at all.   I do an hour of Pilates 5 days a week but I need to add some cardio (which I still dislike).  So glad to be back on this journey.

Thanks again - have a great week.

Chris

These are some things that seem to help me from day to day:

1. Keep a food journal
2. Water Water Water! (I drink around 100 oz a day)
3. Eat meals around the same time everyday, that way you kinda train your stomach when its time to eat and you don't reallly get hungry until those times
4. Eat all carbs before 5pm- this has been my life saver the past 5 yrs. For dinner I usually have a meat and a veggie, then if I get hungry before bed its either nuts or cottage cheese to snack on. I will sometimes have decaf coffee before bed with sugar free creamer.
5. Exercise first thing in the morning before breakfast, you burn tons more fat before your first meal of the day.
 
Hope that helps a little, good luck! You can do it!!!

Candy

First things first, relax! You're a normal person now, and normal people gain weight! Not just us former-bariatric patients. :)

 I got down to my low weight of 142 and gained back 20 pounds. I lost it again before my wedding. Then, yet again, I let myself gain it back and now I'm losing it again. We're just like anyone else. We gain and lose. It's part of life. Relax, eat well, pay attention, and exercise. You're going to be just fine. Good luck to you!

I would like to thank all the members who posted their helpful tips on the board.  It is helping me get back in line too.   I totally agree with the scale suggestion--if I weigh myself at least every other day, it keeps me in line.  I somehow got off track with that when I was dealing with these medication issues.   I'm glad to be back on the board & reading all the suggestions.  I've even made the bean/barley (5 day pouch) soup, so lots of protein, yet healthy & satisfying.  THANKS!