Tuesday, May 3rd

Hi all!

Had a good session with the shrink. Diane O. turns out I have been doing the cognitive behavior strategies all along and that I'm very clear on why I have been triggered to eat more. I guess I just didn't want to say it aloud outside the safety of therapy. It basically boils down to the fact that home life has changed since the beginning of February when Ron's job with B&N ended. The changes - particularly him being around much more and being a couch potato and being mildly depresses and his two bouts with illness - and dealing with his un-medicated ADHD have my stress level high. Add the pups into that mix and I have been less focused on taking care of myself, and more focused on simply coping. Coping for me includes medicating with food.

Yesterday was a successful food day. Ate within the parameters I set for myself. First, I did not succumb to the carbs and sweets on the lunchroom table. I did not lower calories, per se, but stayed away from sugar and processed carbs. I ate plenty of protein, nuts, fats, and had 1.5 oz. of sweet potato at dinner. I did not track. Perhaps I will begin tracking today.

I find it somewhat interesting that we are all having a bit of a time maintaining a rigorous food program currently. I wonder if it has anything at all to do with the changing of seasons. Is there more stress overall as summer approaches? I'm curious. Perhaps it is plain old coincidence.

WLS, metabolism, maintenance... very complex issues. From what I understand WLS alters the metabolic state of our bodies so our reaction to profound weight loss is greatly lessened compared to those who lose weight in the traditional drastic reduction of calorie way. I think what will eventually be proven is that the reduction of leptin in the body is going to be key to long term maintenance. Leptin is one of the main drivers our bodies use to get us to eat to return to our previous weight. They have proven without a doubt that people who lose weight without WLS have a huge rise in leptin levels as the reduce their weight. As a result, these people are actually HUNGRIER than they were prior to losing weight. They are literally biologically driven to eat more. It is virtually impossible to control such a strong biological urge. Does this sound familiar? It certainly does to me.

I know for me, one of the keys to my overall success in getting the regain off is that I have only moderate hunger. It is not that difficult for me to stick to a 1200-1500 calorie a day weight loss program. I think the fact that I am able to lose weight on a 1200 calorie a day diet also points to the fact that my metabolism is in pretty good shape. In my opinion, regain or not, WLS is what has given me a fighting chance at maintaining my weight over the long haul.

Our restriction really is just the tip of the iceberg and it's the metabolic response that holds the most promise. Hence the current investigation of wls for reversing type 2 diabetes in healthy weight diabetic patients. 

Hi Skinny Protein Seekers

Flirting with 130 today.  I swear stress and worry wears me out. I napped after dinner, went to bed and didn't even play i pad games and slept for 10 hours.  Almost have the new care service set up for my mom and the whole thing has really stressed me out. Cranky roommate keeps telling me to fly out there but I can get more done here without interference. 

Hug that Sadie for me.  She deserves some loving.

Hey I saw the picture of the ll bean boots and thought maybe those were the pistol boots!!!!LOL even I am not that dumb. I have some big yellow wellingtons which make an excellent fashion statement. I am not much of a shoe-**** - nothing fits.  My gold lame tennis shoes are about the fanciest. 

Well take care all. Sounds like we are all having our share of stresses.  Stress is no reason to get  fat over. Yeah it happens but just isn't necessary. 

Whoo Hoo tuesday is old people's discount day at the Coop.  Think I will get some of their overpriced veggies.  Persian cucumbers are the best. try them if you haven't. they are thinner skinned, finer textured and have a slight lemon flavor.  good with humus. 

Thinking of you Lorna. 

Hubby is really getting into 2 mile walks with Prince Chip. I get the old girl Liza out in the stroller once in a while.  There is just so much to do!  How did I ever have a real job?

diane s

Still 129.8 today. I'm trying to push water, and the food has been back in place. Thank you for your positive thoughts for Sadie. She is miserable... part of it is discomfort and part of it is being totally annoyed with the E collar. Also, except for a few weeks as a puppy, she has never done her business on a leash. Such a learning curve ! Fortunately, I have the upper body strength to counter balance her butt on the sling on stairs.

Yes, I've been researching a bit too, and it appears that bariatric surgery does protect us somewhat from the total devastation that happens to many people's metabolism when they lose significant weight. I'm also reading that maintaining a significant weight loss for a year goes a long way toward "normalizing" metabolism. All the more reason to stay the course with total conviction.

Sadie needs loving... have to run. I'm feeling your support !

You guys are great! I love it here, though I realize I'm not yet in the groove of posting much.

Congrats on all the accomplishments this week so far. "Just keep swimming" is my motto....keep doing the little steps and the big goals will follow on their own, I hope.

I had an insight this week that struck me as particularly important to my journey:

I have a 23 year old son who struggles with making LOADS of bad decisions. Long story that I'll spare you, but I'm talking big, bad decisions. I have been trying to guide, advise, PREACH to him for years about the relationship between choices we make and the consequences that follow, all seemingly to little or no avail.

Often, I've shaking my head asking aloud, "Why does Eli continue to make the crappiest decisions though the outcomes are clearly painful for him?"

Uh...d'oh, Mom. I do the SAME thing. I have chosen before to eat chocolate, ice-cream, bread, and other carb/sugar heavy things only to find myself so physically ill I'd have to lie down and sleep it off, or so ridiculously fatigued and brain foggy I could hardly function.

Why do *I* keep making bad choices in the face of horrid consequences? Turns out I'm human too...and seemingly think I'm "normal" or invincible in the face of challenges.

I'm not. And realizing that I struggle just like Eli...though admittedly with far different poor choices...made me feel highly hypocritical. How dare I expect him to make better choices when I clearly have not.

Time for a wake up call.

This is now helping to guide my behavior. It won't be perfect...but so far, it seems to help.

Ok...done with rant. :)

Keep on keepin' on and thanks for all your support! :)

Michelle