Thank you for the response.  I had been eating lots of carbs.  I am a self professed carboholic, love breads, muffins, pastas, and pizza has been my downfall.  I cut carbs out cold turkey about almost 2 weeks ago.  I think perhaps another cause of weight gain is that I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2005, had surgery and RAI, and am now on generic synthetic thyroid supplements.  I won't blame all the weight gain from that, but my weight began returning in 2005.  I don't feel the synthetic thyroid supplements are as good as your natural body's thyroid. 

 I am focusing on proteins and fresh veggies.  Zucchini is my new favorite vegetable.  I do feel perhaps at my age and sedentary lifestyle (I can't exercise or walk much due to severe arthritis in both knees.  I have tried chair dancing, I like that!), that I need to reduce the calories to yours - 800-900 per day.  I'm back to supplementing protein with protein shakes.  I hadn't had protein shakes in over 10 years.  I'm determined to get some of this weight off to help my knees. 

I am trying to get back on track after gastric bypass in 2002.  I lost over 300 pounds, but I've gained back 120 pounds.  I'm so ashamed.  My surgeon is no longer in the area, I have lost track of all the documentation he gave me.  Could someone post what size portion of protein I should be having?  For example... chicken?  Should it be 3 oz??  4 oz??    I've been measuring and weighing, but since I don't have the long term diet, I'm a little lost here.  I was 51 years old at surgery, I'm 64 now and I am sure my caloric needs are lower.  Am trying to keep calories between 900-1100.  I can do very little exercise because of severe arthritis in both knees.  I know I'll never get back down to my low weight of 192 (for about a minute), but if I get some of this weight off, I know my knees will hurt less.

Thanks for input.

Have fun at the lake!

Vacations can be challenging to staying on track for sure. We are driving from Upstate NY to Branson, Missouri in June for a nursing conference I'm attending and I'm concerned most about the travel time. I have been trying to plan take along snacks and food to keep me on track. I know it will be interesting, but I can do it.

Good luck and have a great vacation.

After work today, we  are going down to the lake for a week.  It is one of my top five places that I love.  It is a place where I really rejuvenate and recharge.  We spend family time together and it is a special place and time for me.  There isn't reception but if there is (big IF), it is sketchy at best so we'll have to drive about 15-20 miles to wi-fi.  

The new tradition I want to create this year is taking my back on track at home habits with me at the lake.  It was so hard for me to get on back on track a year ago that I don't want to go off just because it is vacation.  In past years, I've done a version of back on track but really less than I was happy with.  

I'm being proactive by posting this here with you because that weighs heavily with me.  I'm taking a vacation from the daily routine and work, but not a vacation with my back on track promise to myself.  

I'll be accountable and let you know about my new or former tradition.