Advice to get Back on Track

I am looking for some advise to get back on track.
Mentally I feel that I am finally in the right state of mind to get back to where I need to be. My problem is I don't know what to start with - I'd like to implement a 2 step approach.
Should I start by limiting carbs and increasing protein, or start with increasing exercise first?
Luckily even thought I've fallen off the wagon, I have religiously done some basic wls things.
I take all my vitamins, do not drink during meals, wait 30 - 45 minutes after eating, keep up on all blood tests, and attend monthly support groups. My grazing, poor food choices and lack of consistent exercise have led to my weight gain. Not to mention personal stresses in the last 4 years. Just wondering how you have been able to get back on track and be able to start to lose the pounds that have crept back on. Thanks.

Oops - I have always gotten in 64+ ounces of water too.

Sounds to me like you are doing most thing right... I personally would start with getting my eating back in control.  Up your porteins and watch the carbs, I've added protein drinks in for two of my meals and then a good dinner high in protien and low in carbs.  I do have a snack of fruit or veggies between but never grazing they are planned snacks. 
I also have been trying to walk more often, parking my car in the back corner of the driveway at work, taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  OH and I gave up those coffees from starbucks every morning. 

Good luck and you are in the right place for support.
BOTT
Darla

Thank you - I do have a protein drink every morning for breakfast - mostly 8 oz. sometimes 16.
I know that carbs and chocolate are my downfalls - crackers, cookies, m&ms etc.
I have brought my lunch to work this week - I make a chicken, cashew, craisin salad with fat free mayo and it makes 5 portions that I put into the small 1/2 cup glad containers for the week. I bring a sugar free jello or a sugar free applesauce to suppliment.  I eat a small portion of what I make for my family for dinner.  Thinking I should start keeping track of portion sizes and consistently writing down what I eat and when to get a better handle on what I really am putting into my mouth and body.

Viqueenfan,

You've already got a good chunk of the foundation down. Now, you just need to lay the rest of it. (Don't ya just love metaphors, especially cheezy ones)? Start tracking your food, every bite you eat, even those three peanut m&m's you grab out of the jar, lol. That's what I had to start doing. Our bodies are so finicky since the surgery. If you eat too few cals it will throw you into starvation mode, if you eat too many, you gain weight.

Once I started tracking my food, I used that as motivation to start exercising more. Ok...I actually started using it to exercise period.  

This is a great group to help you get back on track. Feel free to post often.

Hi Viqueenfan,
Did you check out Back on Track Together's Guidelines and Information at the beginning of this thread?  Cathy Wilson & Kathy S. put together a lot of good information you might find it useful.

Genie

Dreamgirl took the letters from my typing fingers    Check out the sticky posts on the forum and if you need anything else, just let the "Cathy/Kathy's" know. 

Take care,
Kathy