VSG Maintenance Group
What the H is going on? (major venting)
Yikes, I am worried.
My surgeon says don't hit the panic button unless your weight has gone up or down by five pounds. Well I am looking for the button because in the last month I have gained four pounds.
Yeah, I know its the holidays and all that but I really have stuck pretty close to my maintenance plan and only had a couple of spoons (ok heaping ones) of stuffing and gravy or about a tablespoon of pumpkin pie and no dessert at christmas. I maintain at 1100 to 1200 calories and day and journal all this stuff faithfully and while I have exceeded 1200 just a very few times, it was by 100 calories or less. I have noticed my carbs are somewhat higher like 70 instead of 50 - mainly from fruit or these 90 calorie reduced carb mini breads.
We all bounce up and down a pound or two every day but seems like its only in the "up" direction for me right now. And lately it seems my restriction is less noticable. I get much less reminder of it when nearing the end of a meal.
So I look in the mirror and still see this very slim person and my pants fit fine and all that. But this change on the scale has me wigged out because deep down there is the fear that I am headed for regain like in the past except in the past I was eating so much more.
I guess I could go back to the weight loss phase diet of 600 to 800 calories (along with my 6 week vsg husband who is doing well) . I know I need more exercise and maybe I am less active with winter. I try to journal accurately but maybe my portions are creeping up and I am not being honest with myself.
Anyway it would be totally fine to weight 122 instead of 118 for the rest of my life but the scary part is that I can't attribute this to anything I am doing. Can you tell I am a bit of a control freak?
Well I feel better after venting. Anyone else have this experience at two years and what did you do about it?
Diane
My surgeon says don't hit the panic button unless your weight has gone up or down by five pounds. Well I am looking for the button because in the last month I have gained four pounds.
Yeah, I know its the holidays and all that but I really have stuck pretty close to my maintenance plan and only had a couple of spoons (ok heaping ones) of stuffing and gravy or about a tablespoon of pumpkin pie and no dessert at christmas. I maintain at 1100 to 1200 calories and day and journal all this stuff faithfully and while I have exceeded 1200 just a very few times, it was by 100 calories or less. I have noticed my carbs are somewhat higher like 70 instead of 50 - mainly from fruit or these 90 calorie reduced carb mini breads.
We all bounce up and down a pound or two every day but seems like its only in the "up" direction for me right now. And lately it seems my restriction is less noticable. I get much less reminder of it when nearing the end of a meal.
So I look in the mirror and still see this very slim person and my pants fit fine and all that. But this change on the scale has me wigged out because deep down there is the fear that I am headed for regain like in the past except in the past I was eating so much more.
I guess I could go back to the weight loss phase diet of 600 to 800 calories (along with my 6 week vsg husband who is doing well) . I know I need more exercise and maybe I am less active with winter. I try to journal accurately but maybe my portions are creeping up and I am not being honest with myself.
Anyway it would be totally fine to weight 122 instead of 118 for the rest of my life but the scary part is that I can't attribute this to anything I am doing. Can you tell I am a bit of a control freak?
Well I feel better after venting. Anyone else have this experience at two years and what did you do about it?
Diane
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
Diane,
I've written about how I gained some weight, a little later than you did. It was last March (at about 3 1/2 years out) when I suddenly put on around 10 lbs. very quickly, for no good reason. I had not changed my eating habits, though I'm sure my portions had gradually gotten bigger, and I hadn't yet really started exercising. It happened over the course of a month or two, so it was very quick and I really couldn't believe it was happening. When the pounds came on, I was at the bottom of my range and I have managed to come back down a couple of pounds, so I seem to have stabilized at about 5-7 lbs. over where I'd like to be ideally. I, too, still fit in pants and look slim, but I agree that it is frightening. In my case, I've been hoping that it's because my thyroid stopped working (have you had yours checked recently?) and I still have hope that I may drop 5 lbs over the next year. I tried really restricting calories, even doing the pouch test thing once (which I'd never done) and the weight didn't come off. (Possibly thyroid related?). I also FINALLY took up exercise, which I guarantee I (still) hate just as much as you do, lol. I do it at home because I HATE the gym and once a week with a personal trainer. And while I have built muscle and undoubtedly helped my cardiovascular system and upped my metabolism and strengthened my bones, I haven't seen weight loss.
I've kind of made my peace with the slightly higher weight in that I stabilized again very quickly so it didn't seem to be the beginning of a massive weight regain. It's a healthy weight for me, and I know I still look great. If I cut out ALL sweets, carbs, etc., it would probably come off now that I'm on thyroid meds, and I may gear up again to do that. But I wonder if I would be able to maintain. It's such a balance. I'm in a place now where I can have my few treats, so I don't feel deprived. In some ways, it's been a good thing because after 3 1/2 years without any gain, I may have gotten over confident. Any complacency is a thing of the past and I know that I will forever need to be vigilant.
Maybe this is your "normal" bounce back? Or maybe it's just because it's cold and it will come back down! 4 pounds is still a normal swing...
I just read a really interesting article today that Ms Shell posted on facebook..Let me see if I can put the link in:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html
It's kind of depressing but it makes me SO glad I have the vsg...
Lizanne
I've written about how I gained some weight, a little later than you did. It was last March (at about 3 1/2 years out) when I suddenly put on around 10 lbs. very quickly, for no good reason. I had not changed my eating habits, though I'm sure my portions had gradually gotten bigger, and I hadn't yet really started exercising. It happened over the course of a month or two, so it was very quick and I really couldn't believe it was happening. When the pounds came on, I was at the bottom of my range and I have managed to come back down a couple of pounds, so I seem to have stabilized at about 5-7 lbs. over where I'd like to be ideally. I, too, still fit in pants and look slim, but I agree that it is frightening. In my case, I've been hoping that it's because my thyroid stopped working (have you had yours checked recently?) and I still have hope that I may drop 5 lbs over the next year. I tried really restricting calories, even doing the pouch test thing once (which I'd never done) and the weight didn't come off. (Possibly thyroid related?). I also FINALLY took up exercise, which I guarantee I (still) hate just as much as you do, lol. I do it at home because I HATE the gym and once a week with a personal trainer. And while I have built muscle and undoubtedly helped my cardiovascular system and upped my metabolism and strengthened my bones, I haven't seen weight loss.
I've kind of made my peace with the slightly higher weight in that I stabilized again very quickly so it didn't seem to be the beginning of a massive weight regain. It's a healthy weight for me, and I know I still look great. If I cut out ALL sweets, carbs, etc., it would probably come off now that I'm on thyroid meds, and I may gear up again to do that. But I wonder if I would be able to maintain. It's such a balance. I'm in a place now where I can have my few treats, so I don't feel deprived. In some ways, it's been a good thing because after 3 1/2 years without any gain, I may have gotten over confident. Any complacency is a thing of the past and I know that I will forever need to be vigilant.
Maybe this is your "normal" bounce back? Or maybe it's just because it's cold and it will come back down! 4 pounds is still a normal swing...
I just read a really interesting article today that Ms Shell posted on facebook..Let me see if I can put the link in:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html
It's kind of depressing but it makes me SO glad I have the vsg...
Lizanne
Well, that article was very sobering and in line with what I heard at the Obesity Conference that I attended last May. We have a daunting task ahead of us, and our bodies may be working against us. With WLS, our hormonal levels have been altered, but I don't think it is known, for how long these changes last. We must always be mindful and viligant. I don't take anything for granted anymore.
Gail
Gail
" 
Thanks Lizanne.
I am learning that this happens to lots of people after 2 or three years and just is another phase of the journey that has to be managed. So while I can't explain this gain I will just have to deal with it.
I have started exercising which i need to do for more health reasons than just weight. we have a high quality treadmill in the great room with big screen tv. how hard is that to do? DH is making great use of it and doing well.
today i am down a half pound so glad to see the gaining stop. I swear just whining on OH helps break stalls and other bad patterns.. Thanks for your valuable thoughts.
Diane
I am learning that this happens to lots of people after 2 or three years and just is another phase of the journey that has to be managed. So while I can't explain this gain I will just have to deal with it.
I have started exercising which i need to do for more health reasons than just weight. we have a high quality treadmill in the great room with big screen tv. how hard is that to do? DH is making great use of it and doing well.
today i am down a half pound so glad to see the gaining stop. I swear just whining on OH helps break stalls and other bad patterns.. Thanks for your valuable thoughts.
Diane
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
Good luck on the exercise--I'm glad you've started! We just gave away our treadmill, lol. My issue with most exercise is that it is BORING BORING BORING. So for cardiovascular (3X week), I do mostly step with the most complicated choreography I can find. It keeps my mind engaged so that the hour goes quickly. We also just bought and installed a TRX, which is one of the tools my trainer uses for strength training. It only costs about $200 and really offers amazing versatility for every level of strength and fitness. My husband has gone to my trainer a few times as well and she has developed individual strength and stretching routines for us to do at home to supplement the once-a-week session with her.
I have finally accepted the fact that I will never like exercise, but that is no excuse. I still have to do it, like going to the dentist! And my osteoporosis subsided back to osteopenia due to the weight training, so it's worth it!
Lizanne
I have finally accepted the fact that I will never like exercise, but that is no excuse. I still have to do it, like going to the dentist! And my osteoporosis subsided back to osteopenia due to the weight training, so it's worth it!
Lizanne
My trainer calls the treadmill, the "dreadmill." I agree with that. Since I started Spin classes, I try to do those, 2-3 times/week. I wish I could do Step, but I am just too uncoordinated. TRX Classes are great, and I especially, enjoy attending the ones that your trainer leads. She is very good. I find the classes motivating and I have enjoyed getting to know more people.
That is great news about the osteoporosis subsiding. Gives all hope to continue the exercise for all the wonderful health benefits.
Gail
That is great news about the osteoporosis subsiding. Gives all hope to continue the exercise for all the wonderful health benefits.
Gail
"
My goal has been to attend the 6 AM classes, but I haven't quite made it-yet. Since I have been off work this week, I did go to her Thurs AM class, which is a combo of low impact aerobics, light weight training, and some light yoga. It did get me perspiring a bit, but overall, it was light for me, which is also a nice change. Apparently, she just about killed people last week, so she toned it down. It is still a work in progress, but I really enjoy her.
The Tuesday AM class is using the TRX for stretching, ab work, and some Yoga. I need to incorporate more stretching into my routine, since the weight training and Spin classes tend to shorten the muscles. I need some lengthening, so this class would be great, but the 6 AM time is a killer for me. I am really going to try to make it this Tuesday AM.
Today, someone told me that she is working on her Yoga certification, so this may be part of the reasons for incorporating some Yoga into her classes. Plus, "fusion style" classes are very popular now.
She is teaching less than she was before, but she still does a Power Pump class on Monday AM, the two 6 AM classes, and TRX on Wednesdays and Fridays, plus TRX 1-2 Sunday's/month. She is very popular with the gym community.
Today, I saw a sign for 50% off a guest pass for the month of January and 50 % off the enrollment fee. If you really wanted to try the classes, January may be the time to do it, since it would be less expensive
Gail
The Tuesday AM class is using the TRX for stretching, ab work, and some Yoga. I need to incorporate more stretching into my routine, since the weight training and Spin classes tend to shorten the muscles. I need some lengthening, so this class would be great, but the 6 AM time is a killer for me. I am really going to try to make it this Tuesday AM.
Today, someone told me that she is working on her Yoga certification, so this may be part of the reasons for incorporating some Yoga into her classes. Plus, "fusion style" classes are very popular now.
She is teaching less than she was before, but she still does a Power Pump class on Monday AM, the two 6 AM classes, and TRX on Wednesdays and Fridays, plus TRX 1-2 Sunday's/month. She is very popular with the gym community.
Today, I saw a sign for 50% off a guest pass for the month of January and 50 % off the enrollment fee. If you really wanted to try the classes, January may be the time to do it, since it would be less expensive
Gail
"
She has gotten her yoga certification and I know that's it's something she wants to do more of. She incorporates quite a bit of yoga in the routines she does with me, and I find it very helpful. Her style is the much more aerobic type of yoga so it also gets the heart rate up. She's trying to get more classes, but apparently the management won't/can't give her any now, so she's a bit up in the air. She definitely is an inducement for me to join since I know her style and she knows my body and my weak areas...I do like that the gym doesn't have an outrageous fee to join and it's month to month...
L.
L.
Thanks for the information. Someone said the early AM was only time that she had available for classes.I hope that she is able to do more. The Yoga and Aerobic rooms are very scheduled, but there are several times that are open. Hopefully, she'll be able to do more. I think she lost some time slots, when she was out for so long.
gail
gail
"
