Weight Gain

It's been 3 yrs 9 mo 5 days since my surgery. I lost a total of 98 lbs and was feeling well. In the last 2 yrs I've put 15-20 lbs back on. I have quit exercising and I eat anything I feel like eating. I know I am doing this all wrong.  My home has had an economic hit and I can't afford to eat that nice healthy organic food anymore. I feel like such a looser and not in a good way.
Someone please share your experience, strength and hope with me.

 I can't really afford organic, either, and I really don't see the benefit to it, to be honest.  The only time I buy organic is if it is cheaper then the alternative, which isn't very often.  I do shop at the Grocery Outlet and they have a lot of things that are organic that don't cost much.
I just buy things in bulk like chicken and shop at produce stands when I can.  I am still not eating a great deal so my food cost is still low.  I look for sales and buy the bigger package if it won't go to waste.  I also just ordered a big thing of unflavored whey isolate, 20 lbs.  That will last me a while and I can add it to shakes and other foods.  It cost about $100 but I figure I was using 4 to 6 lbs a month so this should last around 4 or 5 months, bringing the cost down to about $20 to $25 a month.  Before I was spending about $15 or more for 2 lbs.  This way it is about $5 a pound.
I hope you are keeping up with the vitamins.  They can get spendy, too, but believe me, the cost is much greater when you go without.  
It helps me to plan my meals and buy what I need instead of just winging it.  Since I eat pretty much the same things every day it is pretty easy.
I know that the carby stuff seems cheaper but in the end it's not worth the savings.  Today I would rather have a small amount of good food then a large amount of junk.

There is no evidence that organic food is healthier than non-organic. The reasons to buy organic, IMO, are more political as in not wanting to support the food industry. Sometimes organic food is less processed as well as being organic but not always.

For example, I get these certain protein bars which make a big deal about how all the ingredients are natural and/or organic. But they have something like 25 ingredients and a lot of them are just different versions of sugar. Organic cane sugar is still just sugar. LOL (I get them because they taste good, and work well as a post-exercise snack, not because they are organic/natural.)

These days, most of what I eat is out of my garden.  I buy meat when it gets marked down for quick sale and put it in the freezer.  I don't buy much that is processed and that saves money.  Veggies, especially this time of year, and meat and eggs is about it for me.  Cheese on sale.  My protein is the one place I spend but I do look for the cheapest on-line sites with free or cheap shipping.

Your tool is still there, you just have to put it back to work.  You can do it.  At least it is 15-20, not 30-40.  Walking doesn't cost anything.  Up your exercise, get back on the program and you will be feeling great in no time flat.

John you were right! I got back to the gym and got back in the fight. I am down about 10 lbs but I am feeling so very much better. Thanks for the encouragement.

I completely understand the economy issue but many here are doing it and we can help you too. It does not have to be completely expensive to eat healthier. Good place to start is with coupons, I know string cheese like Frigo often has a dollar off coupon in the paper, greek yogurt, Dannon and yoplait both have it for a dollar a container ( I know these dollars add up but when it is your complete meal, it tends to be cheaper than any fast food meal) Local produce stands will tend to give you a deal or even friends with gardens, get meat when it is marked down and freeze for a rainy day. Chili is always a good staple that you can make ahead and freeze in individual containers (again a full meal)
There are ways to do it, it just takes some practice, I have been doing it now on a very TIGHT budget for almost a year.
If you need protein powder, depending on what you like, I know Target carries Pure Protein for 20 a container and I believe it is 30 servings and I know Walmart has a cheap one too.
Vitamins, yes pricy but do able. I use the Centrum Chewables multi ( I like the taste) There are many out there that do not have to be ordered from the internet that will work just as well and I found because not all are the same when it comes to the amount per container, it is not hard to replace as I run out.

As far as organic goes, In my OPINION and only MINE, it is a load of hogwash! We have to eat to live and the food industry and others are trying to push this on us, with the right choices, you can make it very healthy... Good Luck, you can do this remember the reason you had surgery in the first place, to get healthy, we are here for you....


***Also dont mean it to sound harsh***

Hi and Welcome!!

I'm coming up on 3 years and I've put on 10 lbs.. so I feel your pain. 

Go back to the plan of when you first had your surgery.  Protein first, veggies then fruit.  Cut out all simple/processed carbs.  Go back to measuring and tracking your food on a site like myfitnesspal.com.  There's also one on OH here that others use, but I'm not familiar with it.

Vitamins are SO important, as are your protein shakes.  There is something called the 5 day pouch test.  It gets you back into eating properly.  You can google it and see what it entails.  It starts out for a few days of protein shakes, then adds proteins back in.  Its devised to decarb you and get you back in synch with your pouch.

Hey - If you want a 5DPT buddy, let me know.  I'd be more than happy to do it with you. 

I started buying the protein powder again, I have not stopped my vitamins at all! Haven't cut down on the simple/processed carbs yet (I'm such a junkie) but I am working out like nobody's business. So, I have lost 10 lbs!

I do use myfitnesspal.com and I wax and wane on that sometimes going 15 weeks straight, then fall off for a week or so, then back on...but that's the key I keep getting back on!

Thanks for your input.

 Gosh  I hate  that  F in  so called pouch "test "  yeah more like pouch STARVE   lol  .....


LOOK  I admit i HATE diets   .   I DETEST   DIETS   .   As far as im concerned  diets   make   people BINGE  .    

What will I say WORKS and worksFAST   likewe NEED it to ?     RUNNING    every morning ....whey based proein  coffee  or tea or  shakesto controlthe hunger .....  hott yoga ..... coming HERE   to menus and miles every morning .....  

hey growing a beautiful garden works too  beacuse  Ure  gonna figure out what to DO ith  the produce eventually lol  ...... and the FIBER and FRESH    WILL   make U thin  !!  

I'm an organic supporter.  I've had organic gardens since I was 8 years old.  At one point I was growing all of our produce and picking a cow out in the pasture that I wanted in my freezer.  Now living in a big city, I don't have a garden or a cow.  But I do have the ability to pick and choose when I want to buy organic food.  I think there are certain foods where it does make a difference in how it's grown.  Last weekend I discovered that Costco now carries the big bags of romaine lettuce in organic.  It's far cheaper than conventional lettuce, even at Trader Joe's.

I get it about how much money you have to spend on food and vitamins.  Many people just don't have what they need these days.

I think it's terrific that you came here looking for support.  98 pounds is no small feat.  You should be really proud of yourself for that.  The 15-20 are probably a result of carbs, yes?  If that's the case, you know what to do.  Just keep taking it one day at a time with basics and you'll be back down those pounds to where you want to be. 

You're still very much a looser in the best sense of the word.  Focus on your accomplishments and how you want to get back to that great feeling.  Stick around here because I know that at 3 years post-op, you have a lot to share with the rest of us!