Hopelessly Off Track

Guess I need to put in a disclaimer about the not dumping. I DO dump - just not on sugar lol...and not often. It's not much of a detractor for me lol. Therapy has really been the BIGGEST salvation for me....that and lots of introspection. You can do this!

Changes are all about baby steps....... Take it in baby steps and it will be a little easier. When I get crazy on snackies -- I try to make one healthy choice. Sometimes that's all I can manage. And look at your successes by the hour -- minute if need be. Snacking is really the devil for me -- and I know it's dangerous. I can look at several people at my large work who have had the surgery and gained alot of their weight back. They eat a little bit ALL the time. I do notice that when I eat more protein and less sugar and flour, I crave the carbs less. You can do this....We can help.....Just remember....baby steps. And cut yourself some slack. After all, they operated on our stomachs not our brains. Otherwise, we'd never had been here in the first place. You are trying to take back control and that's the most important step to success. {{{{{{hugs}}}}}} Joni

As far as the nothing tastes better than thin feels, i would beg to differ. Many things taste better than thin feels, espcially when I am certain moods. It is hard. I don'r dump much either, I will occasionally, but it is sporadic. I do also struggle with wanting to graze and wanting to make good choices. The best way I have to cope is to plan my 6 meals a day and TRY to stick to it. So far I am maintinaing pretty well, but struggling with the 5 pounds I gained over Thanksgiving thru New Years. (cookies) I also work real hard at NOT beating myself up if I make a mistake, which is why I would not ever flame you. We are all here for the same reason, at some point we were out of controol and became morbidly obese. no one is above anyone else. so if anyone gives you a hard time just ignore them.

Tracy not a lecture here just a hug, and to say I am proud that you are taking back your control....I home that OA is the answer for you, if not do not give up gratitude is my attitude AmandaDS October 2001 highest >350/342 start of wls journey/163 @goal & new muscles

Hi Tracy! I could have written this post myself - except I never reached goal like you have. Please don't feel alone, because you aren't! As a matter of fact, I am reading your responses with great hope in my heart, because I have been so discouraged as of late. I have an 18 month checkup next week and I'm terrified of what they will say to me. I feel like a failure much of the time because I stopped losing waaaaay back. I hope and pray you find your solution and your way back to the track. I hope you'll pray for me, too. and P.S. It's good to see you again, and your pics on your profile are amazing!

honey, i am in the same boat. i am up 20lbs from my lowest and best weight. I am sooooo sad maybe we can help each other...maybe email or even phone. just a thought. melinda

Tracy, Welcome to my world! I regained more than 20 and struggled for six months and lost 10. Then I had knee replacement surgery and gained all that back. I'm a little over 2 months post-op from the knee surgery and still on VERY restricted activity - I have to take 10 mg hydrocodone just to get through the workday and to be able to sleep at night because of the pain. A week ago yesterday, I started taking Relacore (all natural supplement that is supposed to help with anxiety, stress and help reduce cortisol which causes the retention of belly fat). I've lost 10 pounds this week and feel terrific. I don't have problems eating between meals and very small servings make me very full as satisfied - it's like being 3 months post-op again. I even have to remind myself to eat and that is such a good thing. I got the Relacore at WalMart and you take 2 capsules three times a day. It takes about two or three days to notice a difference in mood and eating patterns. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone - I think rebound gain is a real problem as it's so easy to get back into old habits - the bad ones. The old saying, "it's just a tool", is so true - and we have to use the tool for the rest of our lives or we will be fat again - maybe not as bad as before but more than we want. Don't hide away - become active in a support group - online and, if possible, in person. And don't be embarrassed. You might get some flak from people who are still in the so-called "honeymoon" period or those who have somehow managed to stay true to the tool, but most of us are human and we have all slipped alon the way. Keep your chin up and take one day at a time. Feel free to email me or to IM me if you want to chat - I will do my best to help you and at the same time, help myself. Patty