Best practices roundup - What have been your keys to long term weight loss

What works for me is at least 100 grams of protein a day and 100 oz of fluids.  I don't drink 30 minutes after I eat.  I avoid refined carbs, sugar and gluten.  I've never been much for exercising but I enjoy riding my bike, especially when the weather is nice like lately.  I don't consider that exercise, though.  It is just doing something I enjoy.  My main motivation is more for mental health then physical since it helps with my depression.  I weigh myself daily because when I was gaining weight I avoided the scale and that kept me in denial.  I swear when I saw my surgeon again before my revision I would have sworn I weighed about 195 lbs since that is what I had weighed the last time I got on a scale.  I weighed 220 lbs.  I wore stretchy, baggy clothes (well they got less baggy over time) and was able to fool myself.  So as long as I get on the scale I know I won't be able to lie to myself.

I also read OH daily and post whenever I feel I can be helpful.  Thankfully I haven't needed to post for advice too much lately because things are going fine but I try to help when I can.

This is my third summer that I haven't been obese, a record for me.  I weigh about the same as I did nearly 2 years ago, also a record.  I don't believe I ever stayed a normal size for any length of time before.  I was good at losing weight and great at gaining but for me the challenge is doing neither.  This is the first time in my life that I have people in my life who never knew me as obese and haven't seen me go from small to large in a matter of months.

I know that things can always change so I try not to be complacent.  I am one bad decision away from going back to old habits so I am aware of my choices all the time.  I know that one cookie won't cause me to regain my weight but I also know that one cookie today will be two tomorrow and  before I know it I am back to eating a boxful every day, wondering how I let myself go there again.  

Ladytazz - great insights here - thanks for posting!!! And a big congrats on defeating your weight regain.  I particularly appreciate your candid response about "being one bad decision away from old habits." Your wisdom and self awareness will keep you on the path of lifetime free from obesity! 

I want to add that I am a revision.  I completely out ate my first WLS so I know what it is like to regain weight after WLS.  I hopefully have learned from my mistakes.  The things I do now are the things I didn't do the first time so I learned the hard way.  BTW, I didn't have my revision because of the weight gain.  I was having other issues that have been completely resolved since my revision.  And my revision was to reduce the amount of malabsorption I had.  My surgeon warned me that I may not lose any weight after the revision.  I just decided to use that opportunity to make the changes I never did the first time.

GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!  a round of applause, please!

Do you think that you received the proper guidance the first time out on how to make the lifestyle changes that would ensure your weight loss long term, or were you pretty much left on your own?

Today is my 2 months since my surgery so no wise tips from me but I am picking up alot of good tips from you all.

Question I seen several of you mention Primal/Paleo way of life what is it? Would you be so kind to tell me thanks.

Try reading this, Martha http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/149975/transformation

Posting is giving me trouble tonight. Anyway, I wrote all about my experience with the primal diet / 21 day total body transformation. And congrats on your transformation!

I have been post op for seven years and have lost a total 143 lbs.  I've gained about 20 lbs and I have recently lost 10 of those regained pounds.  I tried to be conscience of my weight gain.  When clothes started to become too tight to the point where I look like a stuff sausage, that was a sign to do something.  I'm slowly learning the importance of taking care of myself.  Through these past seven years, I am coming to terms with the fact that I am fine just the way that I am.  I can't compare myself to others as that would only discourage my goal of being a healthy person.  Of course, there are things cosmetically that I would like to done, but until my finances are in better order that will have to wait.  Having support such as ObesityHelp.com is useful as well.

I had a tummy tuck recently - 10 yrs after gastric bypass. It is never too late. Start saving! The surgery is life changing!

I exercise 4 days per week (brisk walk of at least one hour). I weigh every morning and if I am out of my two pound range, no snacks or extras till I'm back in range. I had a 5 lb. window, but I think that's too much for me, so I changed it to 2 lbs. I'm post-menopause so I don't get the monthly water weight gain anymore.

 I follow an eating plan that's fairly simple:

Breakfast: 1 dairy, 2 protein, 1 fruit, 0-1 grain, 0-1 fat 

Lunch: 2 protein, 1-2 vegetables, 1 grain, , 1 fruit, 0-1 fat

Dinner:  1 dairy, 3 protein, 1-2 vegetables, 0-1 fat

I generally stick with no fat or low fat dairy and protein, non-starchy veggies, and whole grains.  If I'm in my goal range, I have a treat after dinner or mid-afternoon. And I have 1-2 ****tails each week. 

Lynda