Lost Weight, Gained Weight...what's next?

I had a VBG in 2003, and then a GB/RNY in 2006 because the VBG didn't work.  I went from 300 pounds to 229 pounds.  That was about 2 years ago (2008).  Then I gained 20 pounds and haven't been able to lose an ounce since.

I had NO post-operative nutritional guidance, so I do not know what i'm doing wrong, aside from not working out.  My job consists of sitting in a chair for 10 hours a day, having meetings on the phone and watching presentations on my PC.  So I'm pretty much glued there.  I know that i have to make time to work out, but can anyone give me any other reasons why I'm not losing weight?  I don't do shakes, cheesecake, icecream, or any of those "torpedo" foods.  What else am I doing wrong?   Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Are you journaling your foods? I mean if you know how many calories and carbs and protein grams you're getting a day, that would help figure out what to change..But you really need to know what you're doing now in order to change anything..even if you don't change anything.

also, are you allowed to get up during lunch or go to the bathroom? I have a desk job too but when I get up to go to the bathroom, I take the long way and it takes 5 minutes to get there. For lunch you can walk instead of eat..If you're allowed to eat at your desk you can snack before and after lunch and use that hour away from your desk for ACTIVITY..

And before work..you can walk before work or after work. Nothing strenuous like marathons or weigh lifting or zumba..just walk..a nice pace..before long that fresh air might become addictive and you'll be upping the pace and nearly running..

All really excellent advice!  Thank you, I will start journaling and (hopefully) walking.  No, we don't get a lunch hour because we are nationwide (so someone always schedules a meeting over everyone's lunch hours) and I work from home so it's no hike at all to the bathroom.  So, journaling will be easier than working out.  Aside from calories, carbs and proteins, anything else I should track?  And any advice on what I am aiming for daily in each category?

Thanks again!  You really got me energized by caring enough to respond!

So, journaling will be easier than working out.

Now, you realize, working out burns more calories.

If you want to lose weight you can do two things:
A)  Eat Less
B)  Move More
If you want to lose weight faster, combine A & B.

Journaling will help you figure out what "less" is, especially if you're weight stable.

Paula -

If you are working from home - that's great.   You can put the phone on speaker or get a headset and pace,  lift hand weights, stretch,  stand and wiggle your hips, and do toe lifts,  and/or move slowly while in meetings and you won't be bothering anyone else.  (Keep it on mute when you aren't talking).      And if a meeting finishes early - use that five minutes to climb the stairs, or walk around the block, etc.     I know it FEELS sometimes like your job  is super important and you need to be available for 10 straight hours,  but it is amazing how much more productive our mind is when we take regular breaks and take care of our body.

Dawn is right - it's hard to know what you are doing right or wrong until you start tracking what you are doing.    So get started doing that.    I suspect you will quickly see where the high calorie/low nutrutional foods are coming into the picture.

Remember to stay hydrated... keep tha****er bottle by your desk and add some steps by filling it up regularly.