Maintenance Honesty

Actually the only things I am really strict with myself are sugar and things with gluten.  I don't have a problem with carbs in their natural state, like potatoes.  I can have a bite or two with no problems.  I'm not a big rice person.  I prefer the cauliflower version, but I don't avoid any fruits or vegetables.  Bread and pasta I avoid unless it is gluten free.  I don't seem to have a problem with those but I don't have them very often.
If I go out and there is a potato side dish I will have a few bites but at home I generally don't make them.

Thanks Roz!!!!   Obviously we are not alone as I read through all the post.  I loved what Lee said... "lets' all see where we are at the five year mark.:"  Well my 5 year mark is in September 2013. 

I was one of that lost way under my doctors ideal weight.  He wanted me to be 163 and fussed when I went under.  I told him I didn't care, my personal goal was 140.  I did get there.  Now this is where I messed up.  I met my goal... then I relaxed.   Everyone around me kept telling me that I was tooo skinny and that I needed to add pounds.   When you hear that so much and start listening... well, that's when I messed up.  I felt awesome at 140.  I could wear anything and it looked good on me.  Getting dressed was so much fun.  Now I'm back to changing clothes 2 or 3 times and still not satified with the way I look.  

I agree with you, I don't have a single regret about having my RNY!!!!   It was the BEST decision I have ever made!  Have I been successful....YES!!!   I still have 87 pounds off and I'm still so much healthier and 16 is a lot smaller than 24.
  
My  brand new goal is to be at 150 by the 4th surgiversary diet.   Thanks for always being there... ((((HUGS!!!))))

What a great bunch of posts.

We are not alone in these struggles and there is power in that.

@ Lee...I have seen you write about your first year struggle with slow loss and
I appreciate this more than I can say.  I really try to not compare myself to others.
And if I don't lose another pound, I will be okay.  BUT, I am going to keep on
keeping on.  I am also VERY proud of the fact that I still don't know if I dump...
never in my life would I have thought I could not eat sugar, bread, pasta, etc for 15
months.  I am in the fight!

~~Jennifer

Thank you so much for your posts!  You are so encouraging!  I have been allowing those carbs to sneak in and I am only 7 months out and down 57 pounds.  I guess my honeymoon period is over!  I must set a goal for myself also. 

What type of surgery did you have. 

If you had the RNY  or the DS you are still in the honeymoon stage.  During that stage you can eat things like carbs and still lose weight.  It give you a false sense of  "I can eat what I want and still lose".  What we don'y realize is that it takes us longer to get to goal and we are still hooked on the sweets and carbs that made us fat to begin with.

After the honeymoon period is over (about 2-3 years for RNY and 5 years for DS) those sames carbs and sweets will start absorbing and we start to gain weight.

Use the last part of your honeymoon period wisely.  Break the sweets and carbs hold on you. 

I had RNY revision.  I had gastric bypass originally 1983.  I gained all my weight back and developed a gastro-gastric fistula, so had repair and revision 10/17/2011.  I have lost 57 pounds but have stayed the same for about 6 weeks now.  I keep going back and forth between 202 - 198.  I have to figure out why I have stopped losing.    That is why I am afraid the honeymoon is over!  Any advice will be greatly appreciated! 

I have heard of others who have been in stalls for long periods too. Maybe your cir****tances are different but I really don't think your honeymoon period is over yet. You have to eat as though you are still in the losing stage and DON'T GIVE UP!!!

The only thing I know of that will jump start you is Protein and going back to basics. Lots of GOOD Protein, Don't drink during. before. or after eating, Measure your food, small meals, no "Bad" carbs like white flour, white sugar, pasta, potatoes, rice etc. Lots of fluids. Even fruit will keep you from losing if you eat a lot of it.

I am not an exerciser but if you are maybe change it up a bit and do something different in your schedule, type of exercise, and amount.

(((HUGS)))

Roz,
Thank you so much for your honesty. We are all in this struggle together and you admitting you have gained some weight back does absolutely nothing to discourage me as a newbie. What it shows me is that this is not easy and this is a life long issue for all of us or we wouldn't have had surgery in the first place.

Hearing about peoples struggles who are further along in the journey with their surgeries re-enforces for me that this is not a magic bullet. That I will have to work to get to goal and work even harder to stay at a healthy weight. I have a thick head so repetition is the only way it slowly starts to sink in. The more I see/hear the struggles the more this truth begins to really take hold.

I loved hearing not only your current story but your earlier struggles. It helps me understand the way you always start your posts for M&M.

Thank you for your commitment to this group, to helping us newbies, me especially and for your commitment to your weight loss journey and health. You and many of the others that frequent this board are a source of inspiration and support to me. Keep on keeping on lady!