Help getting back on track

OK, no whining, just the facts.

I am just a little over 2 years out. Started as a lightweight and got down to 142 at my lowest. (goal was 135). Over the past year, I have gained 20 pounds and I'm ashamed of myself. I know what I did wrong...all the bad habits came back...drinking with meals; grazing; carbs; soda, etc.

With the new year, I want to get back on track.  I want to lose those 20+ pounds in 6 months (or less).

So, I started with the high protein, low carb diet like in the beginning. I get all my fluids and plenty of protein (over 80g a day). The only carbs I"m eating is the Greek yogurt.   My calories are right about 800 a day.

Is it dangerous to eat that few calories? Isn't that the point of a restrictive surgery? (VSG)  Other than going back to basics, I don't know what else to do. Any feedback from the vets?

Thank you for reading. Happy New Year!!  ~Jocelyn

I so hear you...My surgery day was March 16 2010.  I've done the same thing and started to develop those nasty habits that made my obese in the first place. I started out at 350..not sure if i would be classified as a mid weight or heavy weight, but sounds like we've walked the same path. A few days ago I finally weighed myself and found myself to be 227 lbs...my lowest was 185 and a size 14. I think my ticker has my goal at 175 or 165..I would love to be 165 lbs..

I started doing the same thing as you. So on  Jan 3rd I began my high protein...low carb and drinking alot of decaf tea and water probably with a calorie intake of 900-1000 cal and this morning my scale said 217 lbs...down by 10 lbs !!! I'm planning to lose 52 pounds by Aug 23 2013 for my end of summer shopping trip. That equals less than 1.6 lbs a week.

Something else that is going to be helping me is that my husband will the having his rny this yr. I wish the best for you in your journey..don't give up !!!

I too would like to hear from the more experienced.

10 pounds! Way to go!!

I've lost 2 in the last week. This is going to be slow and painful, I can tell!

Good luck to your husband :)

Hey Jocelyn,

     I am 4 years out from a VSG. In the last year, I have really slipped into some old habits and gained about 15lbs. Like you, I am very ashamed of this.  Carbs, Sugar & wine my downfalls. The day after Xmas, i started slowly cutting back. It has been a weaning process. I'm sooo hungry though. Protein bars are filling but get old quick. I'm ready to jump on the the bandwagon too. Really need the support of others.

Mis

I know what you mean about those protein bars getting old quick. I"ve been drinking the same protein drinks for 2 years now. Blech! Maybe its time to find something else to drink.

Hi Jocelyn:

 

I know that 800 calories is not much but as long as you are getting 80+ grams of protein a day you will be fine.  We all start on this WLS diet at around 600-800 calories a day and survived a minimum of 6 months.  After you get closer to your goal, you can raise your calories up by 100 calories at a time.  When I was losing my regain, I eventually got my calories back up to 1300 a day without any gain (no loss either) but I was close to my goal.  Protein is dense and should keep you from getting stomach hunger.  Head hunger is another thing...

I wonder if I can do this 800cal diet for another 6 months?

1300 calories sounds perfectly reasonable for maintenance.

Oh yeah, and head hunger has been kicking my butt. I need to kick it right back out of my head.

Thanks for the tips. :)

I did the 800 calories for 3 months, then I did 900 calories for 2 months.  I moved up to 1000 calories for the next 2 months excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas day.  I slowing increasing anywhere from 1000 to 1300 over the next six months.  I loss 70 lbs. in 9 months by doing this.  I also walked everyday starting at 30 minutes a day and working my way up to a hour a day.  This is what I did to lose this amount of weight.  I know it works.  I have been maintaining within 5 lbs. for a year now.  Prior to this weight gain, I had maintained for 4 years.  After almost 7 years, i have still lost a total 150 lbs. from my original WLS.

Hi Tess,

After reading about what you did to get on track I thinking my calories are way too high. When I wasn't trying at allover the holidays,,, I was getting a little over 2000 or more a day. I dropped down to 1500-1600 a day and lost a little. I'm thinking I need to go to 800-1000 calories expecially since I'm not very physically active.
I have started going to a gym 3X a week doing 20 minutes on the bike. It's the
easiest thing for me to do right now the treadmill is kind of pounding on my knees.
I do plan to increase exercise as I'm able. I don't know if I'll ever be able to do
an hour a day but maybe half an hour every day and keep my calories lower.

Thanks for the info, I think it's gonna help

Your welcome.  It is hard mentally for about the first three days that it takes to detox off most everything but protein but afterwards it gets much easier.  I think three times a week on the bike is fine.  You can do this.