We can do this! Back on track!

Thanks! I agree so much with this, we are on different paths and need to find the plan which works for us.

Yes, we are all on different paths and need to find what works for us.  I don't call what I eat "dieting"...I never have.  And I don't (fortunately) have to try to survive on 800-1000 calories a day.  I didn't use to count calories at all, because I had dieted so long that I knew almost to the letter, the calories in certain foods that I ate all the time.  I joined myfitnesspal.com and based on my needs, I was "given" a 1200 cal diet which I follow, but almost always come in under my limit.

I eat very well (no starving and hunger here) by eating low carb, no refined carbs, no sugar at all, no white flour, low fat, etc.  I eat lean beef, chicken, fish, and I make it special...no hard and dry planks of boneless, skinless chicken breast for me.  I have always cooked creatively, but for those who don't cook, there are lots of low carb, low fat recipes out there.  I eat the way I will eat for the rest of my life, even after losing my re-gain.

I originally lost (RNY 4/4/2000) from 344 lbs to 167, regained 71 lbs (to 238) over the years, started BOTT in February this year, and have lost 54.5 lbs of my 71 lb regain wt (today I weigh 183.5) and have not looked back.  The biggest key to losing and maintaining IMO, is eating right combined with EXERCISE!   We are all well aware of how easy it is to put the lbs back on, but if you continue to move your body, you can at least burn off those "little infractions" committed here and there.

It took an epiphany for me to realize this too, but finding BOTT and the crew, posting daily, being accountable, and revisiting my old journals has done what nothing else could.  I am happy, satisfied, and losing.  It's GREAT!!  Off my soapbox now.........:)

!WOW! , you have also done an amazing job or losing your regain.  You have lost 71 pounds since February.  That is great.  Congrats on losing the regain and continuing to lose more.

Thank you, Signer...actually, I'm working on losing the 71 lbs plus 7 more to get to my original goal wt of 160.  I've lost 54.5 of the 71 lbs with 16.5 lbs to go to reach my lowest wt of 167, then I want to lose 7 lbs more to get to my goal of 160.  I eventually want to settle under 155.

I hope you find what you need to work for you.  Recognizing the problem is the first step, so you are there!  Good luck to you :)

Did you totally eliminate SUGAR. Did you eat any bread at all, not white, but the whole wheat, did you eat fruit.  Sorry, so many questions, but I want to do the same thing that you are doing and you have been successful with your wight loss.

Refined sugar is out for me.  My sugar comes in the form of fruit, which I eat in moderation.  I love watermelon and cherries, but find if I keep it around, I'll consume too much..so I keep it out of my reach as much as possible (luckily, the season for both is ending).  I eat 100%  whole wheat sandwich thins (1 and occasionally 2 a day), no other breads at all, no ice cream, candy, cookies, cakes or other sweets.  I eat SF puddings and yogurt occasionally. 

I am a savory foods person....not into a lot of sugar and chocolate treats, so that helps tremendously.  I did use Quest protein bars for awhile for a treat, but give me a few strips of turkey bacon and I'm a happy camper!  I also like vegetables.  I'm not a salad person per se, but I'll cook a pot of cabbage, collards or kale in broth and eat that between meals if I want to nibble on something.

I've considered trying the NSA ice cream, but I don't really see the point since I'm not an "ice cream person" anyway, but if the occasion came up that I'd need to serve ice cream, then I might try it.  When I want something sweet, I make an iced coffee with Splenda and SF creamer, a protein shake or a piece of fruit.  This is how I have adapted my plan.  Exercise though, is essential.

I don't mind questions...I had many myself (and still do :)  It helps to look back on the board to see what others are posting and what they're eating to get ideas.

Thank you so much Sheila.  This helps more than you know.

You are so welcome.  I'm here every day, and so are many others.  Please post as often as you can.  There's help here, from a great bunch of giving and non-judgmental people :)

I too an struggling with weight gain.  I am trying to lose 50 more pounds including the weight gain.  Can you please tell me exactly what you did to lose your regain.   Congrats on your loss.

Hey Signer,

Its tough to put things into words sometimes. I had to work pretty hard to understand what I needed to do and still working on it. A lot of self awareness work to figure out at least partially why I act the way I do and what triggers my weight gain. Here is a partial list of what I think helped:

Accepting my responsibility in managing my weight
Discovering in part why I overeat, tirggers and trigger food
Clearing away the BS to discover what my nutrition plan should be
Using the pouch as a tool
Increasing my activity through exercise and recreation
Goal Setting

The list is a bit short and does not fully describe everything I have been thinking or doing. Probably the most important was getting past the calorie myth. That calories dont matter if you get the protein in. Some choose to interpret this literally. Instead understanding that if you follow protein first you can satisfy your physical needs. If I follow the plan it helps minimize the emotional need to keep filling up the hole with food, which in turn makes calories irrevelant. Might not be making a lot of sense lol. I'd be happy discuss further with you. Do you suggest on this post or possibly should I open another?