Happy to find this group!

Good morning!

When I had my surgery almost exactly 6 years ago, this website was fundamental in my success.  My Jan '06 group literally saved me from insanity many times and I am convinced that I would never have have reached goal without them!

But, as it happens, time passes and people get on with the business of living.  I stopped visiting the site and went out into the world.  I was doing pretty well, too!

I have a profile here that pretty much sums up my journey...until a point.  I reached and maintained my goal of 160 for a long time (I am 5'10").  I got pregnant in September of 2009 and STILL maintained my weight until about 4 months into the pregnancy.  I only gained about 25 lbs in total.  Then I had my little man (man #2) and post partum depression hit me AGAIN.  For my weight, this was actually a good thing.  I very quickly got back down to within 8 lbs of my goal (I was full-on miserable but that is another story ).  I ended up living with my parents for the first 9 weeks of my baby's life (I am WAY TOO OLD to do that but my husband's job was intense then and, with my post-partum issues, it was best if I was not left alone with a 5-year-old and a newborn). 

Well, my Dad was having none of my "I am too depressed to eat" way of life so he plied on the goodies...and introduced me to frozen Milky Ways.  And that was the end of my post-op mentality.  And, really, ever since then, I have been eating like a pre-op.  I am not blaming the baby or my Dad.  I simply threw in the towel and my weight has been going up, up, up....

So it dawned on me the other day that I need to fix this NOW or forever hold my miserable peace.  Prior to 2006, when I weighed close to 300 lbs, I did not like to go out.  When I did, it would be wearing crappy sweats or oversized men's shirts.  Between the years of 2007 and 2009, I LOVED going out.  I mean, I would dress up to go to the Post Office as if I were going to the Oscars.  Every outing was an opportunity to put the "new me" out there.

Well, guess what...I hate going out now.  And, when I do...I am wearing jeans and oversized shirts again.  And the jeans are not fashionably tight...they are "I am busting out of them" tight.  I am, once again, a fairly miserable human being.  Plus, I swear...I literally developed lines on my face the day I turned 40 last June!  My face was completely line-free before then!  It is all very depressing!  I browsed through my profile here (some of the photos are still visible) and I thought...well, I could keep doing what I am doing.  OR...I can FIX IT.

So I have come back "home" to fix it!  If anyone would like to share their story with me, I would LOVE to hear it!  And if anyone wants a buddy to help along the way, I would love to be your buddy because I need one, too.  I CANNOT do this alone!!

I will read up on the 5-Day Pouch test and start it tomorrow or Friday.  I would love to hear how everyone is doing with their tests.

Have a great day, everyone!  I am so glad to have found you!

Jersey Mom
Highest Weight (2006):  293 lbs.
Lowest Weight (2009): 158 lbs.
Goal Weight: 160 lbs.
Current Weight: 196 lbs.  Damn.

Hey Jersey Mom...
It sounds like you have had a rough few years! Post surgery we eat sleep and breathe our weight loss but at some point we have to join the real world again.  I am new to this group too. I am on day 5 of the pouch test and I feel great! My eating, esp the carbs, was out of control and the diet helped to kick the carb cravings.  It also felt nice to have so control again. Last night I had chicken and I couldn't eat more than 3oz. I was stuffed! My calories have been pretty low too. It amazing how low in calories a high protien diet can be. Give it a try and keep coming here. It really helps! It also helps to post in the cardio and cafe post.  Its nice to see what others are doing and it helps keep you accountable. Take care!

Kriste

Thanks so much, Kriste.  I am definitely going to start the 5-Day pouch test.  I was going to start it today but never go the chance to look up the "rules".

So...within the next day or so (although Monday seems like a better day to start this ).

I will try to post in the cardio section but, in order to do that, I should probably DO some cardio!!  :)  I will give it a shot.

Thanks again!

Jersey Mom

 The rules are pretty basic. The weekend maybe a better time to start since you may be a bit grumpy coming down off all the carbs. Good luck!!

Then I will definitely start on Monday.  I would rather be a raving b**ch to people at work than to my sons!!

I will let you know how it goes...and thanks!

Just wanted to say Hey to another tall woman :) Im 5'9.  

You should be proud that you caught yourself at 25 lbs! That is WONDERFUL!!

I never got to goal...so that is my mission. Never been under 200 lbs (I think in 6th grade maybe. I was 5'9 then as well) My personal goal is 180, but my very first goal is anything under 225. Thats my lowest adult weight ever.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Hi Fellow Tall Girl!!!

Well, not 25 lbs.  I WISH it was 25 lbs.  I am actually 35 lbs from goal right now.  I had gotten to a point where I thought I would NEVER get back there.  But, coming back to this board has revived me...so now I know it is a matter of WHEN, and no longer IF, I get to goal!!

225 is a significant weight for me, too.  That is the weight I started my current job at back in 1998.  And I felt pretty good there...it helps when you are tall, right?

I know you will get under 200!  You and can both meet our goals!!

Hugs,

Jersey Mom

Hi JerseyMom!
I just wanted to welcome you and let you know that we all know what you are going through.  That's why we are here, to help each other out and to cheer each and every pound lost!  The most important thing is to get back to basics, read Cathy's post at the top of BOTT page.  Start getting in some exercise, walk those little one's!  Start to post your menu on our Daily Cardio/Cafe forum.  This really helps keep you on track, because you'll know exactly what to eat.  It keeps you from "shopping" through the fridge and cabinets.  JerseyMom, YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Please contact or reach out and someone will be here for you!
Deb

Hi Deb!

Thanks so much for the welcome!  I am definitely getting back to the basics now...and I am trying to find some of the post-op "high" I had back then.  For me, emotions and success are very closely linked!!

Thanks so much again for the support!  I SOO appreciate it!!

Jersey Mom

Oh JerseyMom, I hear you!

I had VSG in 2007. Quickly worked my way down to 156lb, which at my 5"8 frame was exactly where I wanted to be. I laughed when you mentioned that you dressed up to go to the post office. I used to do that too when I reached my target. And I soooo enjoyed going out. It was awesome going into my closet and finding all kinds of choices and feeling great in anything I threw on. Enter pregnancy in mid 2008. I gave birth to my baby girl in March 2009 and lost most of the 40 lbs I had gained within 4 months.
And then something hit me. I don´t know what it was. My new life, no time for myself while running after the baby and working... i don´t know. But whatever it was, I´ve managed to balloon back to the weight I had on the day I gave birth!
Ugh.
About a week and a half ago I weighed myself, assessed the damage and went on a very low carb regimen for 5 days. That helped kill the carb cravings and got me back on track. i´ve been adding excercise to my life again and I´ve started to feel so much better.
I´m actually looking forward to going out tonight, and expressly asked my friend to pick out a restaurant that would be supportive of my low carb regimen.
I have to wear one of my tent shirts today, but it will look a hell of a lot better than it did 2 weeks ago and I´ll feel better getting out and seeing people. I think part of the regain I experienced had a lot to do with me spending so much time alone after my baby came. (that, and picking at whatever food happened to attach itself to my hand and whatever given moment...)

So, seriously, I know where you´re coming from. And this site was also my salvation back when I had VSG in 2007, which is why I´ve returned. A more supportive bunch doesn´t exist.

So good luck with your journey and keep us posted!
Marisa