Need encouragement

 I am 10 pounds from goal.  I've been at this weight, more or less, since December.  I think what happened, is that I went to see a nutritionist, and she told me I needed more carbs.  She made some very reasonable suggestions, and I took it and ran.

I need to break this carb addiction.  I am also avoiding logging my food.  I know this whole thing is mental, but I'm really mad at myself for not having the resolve to see this thing through.

My ticker is wrong - it won't change no matter what I do.  I had a goal of 140.  The nutritionist suggested losing to 125 or 130, which seems very low to me.  I'd be happy with 140.  I am 5'6" and currently bouncing from 151 to 153 - have gotten JUST below 150 once.

I'm also having trouble getting myself to the gym.  My husband and I were going together, and he has been really stressed and work and not wanting to go.  Him not going is my excuse.  I know it's an excuse but I still don't go.

Guess I need to see my therapist for all this head stuff.  I bought the Beck diet book, but haven't read it.  LOL!

Just wanting some encouragement that I can actually get to where I want to be.  I think I look pretty darn good right now, but I still have a roll around my belly I'd love to get rid of.

Average nutrionist knows just enough to be dangerous.  Honestly.

I say screw the carbs until you get to goal, then bring them back.  That tends to work for most of us.  I don't know what magic your nut said about putting carbs into your diet before goal, but here's how I think (I'm a biochemist):

Carbs raise insulin.  Your body responds by storing fat.
Protein and fat do not raise insulin.  Your body continues to burn fat.

For most of us, if you kick up your protein, like 80, maybe even 100 g a day, make sure water is above 64 ounces (way above if you're exercising), keep those damned, delicious carbs under 40 or so (don't worry about fiber) then probably that'll work for you ... 80% of the time?  Not for everyone, but many. 

Screw that excuse - both of you and your husband.  Forgive my bluntness, I'm stlil annoyed about the post of eating McDonald's fast food in the main VSG forum .  What I mean by screw it is two-fold - and I do say with love.  One is, you gotta be healthy unto yourself - regardless of whether your husband goes with you, right?  Two, you be sure to yell at that lazy husband of yours, tell him that Ruggie said he's much more stressed out and Ruggie still forces himself to run even though he looks silly and he needs to go to the gym with you because you love him and want him to be with you in your life for quite a long time to come, so his heart needs to be healthy so get up and do cardio.

And the secret is we all need a therapist.  Every one of us.  Especially the McDonald's girl.

Sorry, my apologies for being snippy. 

Oh, but I know you'll blast through this - you'll be posting your GOAL!!!! thread quite soon, I think.  Also, don't be mad at yourself - look at this as a learning experience, have peace moving forward into success.

 Boy, did I get a defensive response from my husband when I read him your post!!!  Guess I have to go by myself - that makes me pretty sad.

Are you serious?  McDonalds fast food????

I don't really get the therapist thing.  I've been going for awhile, and I don't get how it's supposed to work.  He has given me some good insights.  He can't give me self discipline though.

The nutritionist said my brain needs the carbs or I will have "brain fog", which I DO think I was having.  I think I'll stick to veggies for my carbs and nix anything witih grains.  My protein is really good usually about 90 grams/day.  I'm bad at drinking, I admit it.  

Thanks for the encouragement.  I didn't think you were snippy.

*LOL*  I can't believe you read the post to your husband!  Although, if he's defensive, you could encourage him to question the driver of that behavior.  I understand you're sad to go alone - I really do - maybe you'll end up encouraging him to get back into it.

The McD thread I was mentioning:  www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/4526578/McDonalds-Bacon-Egg-a nd-Cheese-Bagel/

Honestly, I think you've got to "interview" therapists until you find one that you just jive with.  

The brain fog is a temporary thing that happens as you transition into a low-carb diet - it WILL pass in a few days - so she was right, but wrong.  You can get through that brain fog by eating more carbs or waiting for your body to adjust.  

Not drinking enough water can have a suprising suppression on weight loss.  A lot of people don't believe the difference it could make. 

Does your therapist specialize in Cognitive Behavior Therapy?    This kind of therapy will help you relationship with and response to food and how you manage your feelings about food.

I benefitted dramatically from CBT and, though  still have some food issues, at least I'm not gaining a pound every week and have actually lost some weight.  I believe this will aid in acheiving success when I do get my surgery.

You must log your food. Otherwise, how do you know where you are at? If you're not logging, then you don't know where to make the necessary changes. Some carbs are okay, if they are healthy ones from veggies, small amount of fruit (although that might wait until maintenance), and a little dairy. At least that worked for me.
 
EXERCISE is mandatory, not only to burn calories, but to preserve your lean muscle mass so that your metabolism doesn't decrease. Go to the gym without your husband.

Read the dang book. LOL!

Some people go very low carb, but I kept mine between 40-50 during the losing phase. Your protein sounds good. Everyone has something that works for them.

I just want to give you a vote of confidence.  You can do this!  I shed 25 pounds during my second year post op.  My carbs had crept up over the holidays 2 years ago.  In January I pulled them back to 20-30 a day and upped my protein.  That did the trick for getting me to goal.

Can you find any friends to go exercise with you?  I totally get how difficult it can be to self motivate.  I have a group of friends from my WLS support group that I walk with as well as doing pilates, yoga etc.  Yesterday we took a 3 hour hike together.  For me it's much easier to buddy up with someone because while I will in fact let myself down, I won't let others down.  Once I'm out there exercising, I truly enjoy it.

You can do this!!

I went for a slightly (MacMadam don't laugh) challanging bike ride today. Only 4 miles, but some hills. I did sweat and got my heart beating. One of my goals is to get more invollved in a support group. It was frustrating to go and be the only one with a sleeve.

No more excuses!

Thanks everybody.

Ruggie is right in spite of his sarcastic tendancies. LOL  You really do need to cut the carbs to below 40 which pretty much insures they come from veggies and non fat dairy items. some people seem to tolerate more carbs than others. I bet if you cut them back you will lose again. 

and please start journaling food. just a little notebook will do. tell yourself you will  just do it for a couple of weeks to see where you are at and it may become a long term habit. and go to gym without your husband. he may miss you and decide to come along.

you can do this. you are nearly there!    Diane