NEED SUPPORT

Hi,

What can I say I have seriously fell off the wagon..... I had gastric bypass 1/7/01  long time ago..... wow...
The bad news I have regained about 70-80 lbs... That is a guess since I have been scared to face the
almighty scale lol... When I started my journey I weighed 403 when I was still in the processing of losing
I weighed 184 at my lowest... wow.. that hurts but here I am right???????/
I have gone up and down thru the course of these 8 years... I have had nine surgeries in all...
wls,  plastics... wow what a mind blower.... One of my friends said I hope the threads never come apart...
so true...lol... anyway... The good news besides the fact I am finally admitting this to all my OH family....
The first step..... admitting you have a problem..... believe me I know I am not alone in this... but boy it sure sucks...
I am happy to say my surgery is still in tact.... meaning I do dump,  I still get sick.... I really can not eat alot... But
don't be fooled.... There are ways to cheat everything.... I do not want to give anybody any ideas..  believe me....
So I have read some encouraging things here... about starting out slowly.... taking one step at a time....
Oh by the way vitamins I believe need to be my first step.....  Is there anyone interested in helping me....
I really need it....... I know gastric patients do regain but this is really destroying me..... Thanks for listening... Eileen

 

Hi Eileen, and welcome to BOTT,

Its a brave thing, to be able to post publically that you've made mistakes.  But so commendable that you are willing to fix them. Its especially good that you know where your problem areas are. This will be very helpful for BOTTing.

Vitamins were the BANE of my existance ever since my surgery.   I never dedicated to them. I'd go a week taking them, then start slipping, then next thing you knew, it'd been 2 months without taking a one. Yeah, the doctor can berate you, yeah, DH can poke you... but it really is up to YOU to take them. What did it for me, though?... I associated vitamins with feeling full and losing weight. Sounds wierd. But I tricked my head into beliving that these chewey fruity chalky bites were making me less hungry, and giving me nutrients to allow me to eat less, but not feel exhausted all day. (Funny part is... I half believe its true!)... and when I decided to really dedicate to BOTTing, step 1 was ensuring I took my vitamins EVERY morning. How did I do it? I wouldn't allow myself coffee until all my vites were in. Now I'm a coffee FREAK, drink 6 cups a day, or so.  I love it, its my candy. So denying myself coffee for 2 days because I was too lazy to take my vites taught me an extreme lesson. I haven't missed a day since. If you can find a way to get your mind and body associating vites with something GOOD (aka, ), I think you can get back in the habit of taking them again.

Haha, also, don't you worry about sharing those tid bits on how to cheat. I think we all know those even while they remain unspoken, or we wouldn't be here!  

So it's not going to be easy, fun, and you may not do it with grace or style... but BOTTing is possible. Stick around, post on the daily Cardio and Cafe and keep yourself accountable. Join in the Thanksgiving Pledge. There are all sorts of things going on on BOTT that you will fit right into.

Sion

Eileen - We've all been there and done that or we wouldn't be here!  WELCOME  

Every one of us is here to help you - just let us know how we can best be of help

Many of us found that going to the article Cathy provided us at the beginning of our discussion board was helpful.  it is so easy to "forget" some of the really important things - or to simply let them slip by.  Fortunately, vitamins have never been a problem for me - my surgeon has us take Flintstone Complete chewable vitamins and getting to munch on little dinasaurs delights the kid in me.  I look forward to my two each morning.  (it takes so little to delight me LOL)

Remember how wild horses could not have gotten you off track at first, how lucky you felt to be able to have a tool that helped you, well, go back there a revisit and rekindle those feelings.

Give up the notion that life is fair - sure some people can eat Eat EAT and not gain weight - we are not those people - we have to play life with the hand we were dealt.  Consider we can see, move, think - that may be where life "unfaired" in our favor, but it is so easy not to even notice and I can assure you, we never complain about it LOL

Another blow life dealth us is that we are humans.  Now, being human is a terrible inconvenience because humans aren't perfect.  But hey, we didn't exactly have a choice.  So, maybe even before taking the vitamin step you need to take the forgiveness step - forgive yourself for being human and making a mistake.

Be kind a gentle, firm but kind and gentle, with yourself.  Take it 5 minutes at a time (even we can withstand temptation for 5 minutes) and celebrate success at the end of each one of those 5 minutes.

Write down your food - EVERY morsel tha goes in your mouth.  It helps to plan ahead, but if tha seems more than you're ready to do you can sure write down what you eat as you eat it. 

Know that you've already taken the hardest step - you publically acknowledged that you need help.  I know beyond a doubt that I could never have gotten back on track/stayed on track to reach my goal weight again without the support, caring, understanding and acceptance of the people on this site.  If you're comfortable, post often and allow us to share your journey with you.

WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER   Again, welcome

Welcome!!!  This is the place to be.

Back on the protocol is the first step...and stop beating yourself up.  I'm still trying to get over that part myself, and I have lost 11 pounds since I got back on track.  We are here to support you!!

Hello Eileen, and welcome to Back On Track Together.  We are all here to support you in getting Back On Track.  You don't have to tell me about finding ways to cheatbeing easy.  You see I just ended a love affair with Mike & Ike (candy) and I know it hurt them, but I was more devastated than they were.   You've made the first step on your road to recovery, go back to basics and definitely start with your vitamins, protein, exercise, water and the most important thing journaling.  If you put in your mouth...write it down.  Read the Back On Track Together Guidelines put together by Cathy.  I'm sure there is a lot of information in the guidelines that you have forgotten.  Visit us here often and check put the Cafe and Cardio for food ideas. Any questions, don't hestitate to ask.  We are here for you in more ways than one.

Genie

Welcome to the club.  We are all there, been there, may be there again.  But the main thing is that you have taken the first step and admitted it.  You have been honest with yourself.  Now you can deal with it and take the next step.

Ruth

Thanks so much for all your comments... believe me I really appreciate it.. Well I have started getting my head together...... I thought about coffee and vitamins..... believe me it does help.....
Okay I need some advice...... I am a chocolate freak.... I really do not think at this point I could not go cold turkey
.... what do you think about having ... some chocolate daily just until I am able to cut it out.....like certain amount of xxx or ooo... please do not judge me or be too critical we all have something... right.......  I remembered the days of old surfing OH and getting so caught up....
Then I thought about an old member... Kirk Thompson..... I am shocked to hear of his death....
I mean I cried for about 1hr.... You know you do not realize how much people effect your life....
It truly made me think.... I NEED TO GET MY ACT TOGETHER..... DEAL WITH ISSUES...
SEEK HELP..... GO TO COUNSELING IF I NEED IT..... ETC., ETC.,..... STOP MAKING EXCUSES
ABOUT LIFE SITUATIONS AND CONTINUE TO EAT EAT EAT.... Sorry its been awhile since I shared my heart.  I hope I do not sound psycho..... I guess I could really use some counseling....
On a positive note.... I started thinking about protein, protein, protein.... thinking healthy choices....
Does anyone have any great quick breakfasts ideas?????????  Thanks again.... Eileen 

good morning Eileen!
I'm new to BOTT, but I"m an *oldie* too. I had my surgery 1/29/02, andhave managed to gain about 30lbs since my lowest of 178 lbs...I averaged out at about 185 for almost 3yrs before I started gaining. in the last 3 weeks of getting back on track, I've managed to lose 11lbs!!!............ I have to be honest here, and say, that my being back on track is completely because of my sister giving me a good swift kick in the ass because I wasnt taking my vitamins (hadn't for about 3yrs!!), and me having the nerve to complain that I really felt like crap and couldnt figure out why!!???... (my sister is a nursing student and knew way more about my vitamins than I did! and how the lack of them was affecting me)... anyway.. I started taking my vitamins again.. immediately lol... and at the same time, went back to the beginning.. only this time, I decided to journal everything I ate (including my vitamins lol).  I never journaled before, didnt think i needed too because, hell.. I cant eat that much...............but as we all know, the further out from surgery you get, the more you can eat (and we do! unfortunately)... always testing ourselves, our pouch... and our successes....... 
Go back to the beginning Eileen.. only start journaling... everyday... be accountable for yourself...start taking your vitamins!!!... all of them... and make sure you get your protein and water in... everyday...  I dont have any breakfast suggestions because I usually just have coffee and a protein drink for breakfast, but..your chocolate cravings........try a Detour protein bar.. the best!  tastes like a snickers only yet get 20g of protein in them... I also use Muscle Milk Light protein mix chocolate of course (from GNC)... tastes pretty good and doesnt make me gag lol... and start exercising again..  you know the drill hon............you know what we have to do to get back on track..... read this post from another member... it really made an impact on me.. .and just how lucky I was!!!http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4023792/Vitamins-How- important-are-they/

chin up hon........think positive...start from the beginning... you *can* do this!!
{{huge hugs}}
Tina K. 

THANKS FOR THE WEB SITE ABOUT VITAMINS... WOW this is scary business... that enough to
get anyone to take vitamins for life.... I put it in my favorites...


THANKS FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT...

Chocolate... - What do you take for calcium suppliments? I take viactive chocolate flavored chews. They taste and feel just like tootsie rolls. Try different things like that, which are slightly more healthy than normal chocolate. Hershey's, Russel Stover, and Reese's all make a slightly more healthy, SF version of their classic chocolates, also. I know it'll taste a little different, but its something, and a step in the right direction.

As for fast and easy breakfast, I have come across one of the easiest things, I'm just psyched to try. Here's a few variations. I'm also sure they work exactly the same with egg beaters, for a more healthy version. (HAPPYLAPBANDER, the second one's just for you!! )

Ziploc Omelet

Super thanks to my buddy KJ for sending this to me:

Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) and shake to combine them. Put in a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc..

Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up. Place the bag(s) into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot.

Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed.

--

 

Ziploc Zip N’ Steam Omelets

If you use Ziploc’s new Zip N’ Steam bags, you can make an easy microwave omelet!

Ingredients

1 Ziploc Zip N’ Steam bag (no other Ziploc bags can be used - must be this specific kind)
2 eggs

Mix ins: ham cubes, green pepper, onions, cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, whatever you’d like!

Directions

Crack egg yolks into your Ziploc Zip N’ Steam bag. Zip up bag and lightly shake and squeeze the egg yolks to mix. Reopen bag and add your mix ins. Make sure all meats have been cooked ahead of time. Re-zip bag, letting all excess air out. Cook for 2 1/2 minutes in the microwave.