How do you deal with going off track and then getting back on?

Shelia,

You can reach your goal! Think your post speaks volumes about what many of us go through. I think you are saying pretty much the same thing as I am. Never give up! We are here for you if you need us.

For me losing my regain has been a hell of an experience that I keep learning from every day. The reason I posted this was because I have come to believe we all go off track at some point. Even if its just a little little bit. I am consumed by so much guilt when it happens I can let myself be sidetracked a long time. For me getting back on track is about how I learn to do it, day after day. By practicing this I actually feel like I have more control of whats happening, not sure, but how I feel. lol

Chrispy

Thank you for your support, Chrispy, and you have mine also.  I have really learned from this experience.  Logging in every day, and REALLY keeping track of my food...I've found that I don't stress out over it anymore.  I know my limits and I respect them because if I don't, I'll be spiraling upward again.  I understand what you mean by the guilt, and sidetracked had become my middle name!

I can't say I don't still indulge at times, but it's not the same as past indulgences.  I won't touch desserts, not even SF ones (except an occasional SF pudding) and it doesn't really faze me because I'm more of a savory foods person, and low carbing helps tremendously.  But some days I'll eat a little (or a lot, lol) more watermelon than I should, and then I balance it out with a longer bike workout.  For me it's a system of checks, balances, exchanges and substitutions.

I also think that most of us get a little lax after awhile following our surgeries.  We get thinner, get complacent, and begin to eat whatever.  Every person I know that had WLS has regained at least a few "noticeable" pounds...EVERY one I know.  And that is the reason I eat the way I do...just the way I will continue to eat after goal....no sugar and low carbs, but still getting in my beloved burgers, cheese and a few other non-diet friendly foods.  And let's not forget EXERCISE!  It's not easy by any means, but it has gotten easier.  I hope you continue what is working for you.  You've done an EXCELLENT job!   

Great thread!

I think for us sometimes or for me anyways it does feel like it is all or nothing! I am not sure why.  But even when I am a little bit off track I tend to feel a bit hopeless and forget that I HAVE done this before and CAN do it again.  

I travel a lot for work and I know how difficult this is to make the right choices when they are not so easily available.  One of the things I try to do (if it somewhere I have been before) looking at what my breakfast options are in the morning at the hotel. I usually stay somewhere I can get hard boiled eggs and fruit.  For lunch and dinner, if we go out and I have an option, I always stick with lean meats and seafood when I can, and pass on the breads and stuff, and somehow always pass on dessert for the most part (because I am lactose intolerant so I have extra reasons not to eat it).  Point being, it is tough, but take it one meal at a time.  If you have one bad meal, it is ok. Just make a better choice next time.  We can't be perfect 100% of the time, as others have said :)

Don't be too hard on yourself.  Keep going and take it one day and one meal at a time, you GOT THIS!