Help! Out of control and scared out of my mind.

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the group and I'm in desperate need of help to refocus before it's to late.
November 10th, I'll be 2 years out. I had lost a total of 157lbs and was about 15 lbs from goal.
Somehow, my old eating habits have come back. I'm eating way to much, to often, and the wrong foods. I say today is the day to get back on track, but I can't seem to stick to it. The same old thinking as pre-op.
I've gained 15 lbs and I'm scared I'll go right back up to where I was or worse.
Please help me. I don't know what to do or how to stop this behavior.
Perhaps just listening to you will help me remember what it was like post op.
Thanks in advance.
Darlene

Welcome to our group Darlene.
Ohhhh you are at a very tough spot in your wls journey for sure! But NOW is the best time to get things back in control and stop the regain in its tracks, before it ends up more. I am 2 years and 2 months out, and still lose a lb or 2 every now and then.

You need to get back to the basics Darlene. Its very hard, but you can do it, and we are all here to cheer you on and help with advice, suggestions, and support and heaping helpings of encouragement.

You likely will be and are overwhelmed when you think of getting back to the basics cold turkey. Its too much to handle all at once. So start with making some small but positive steps in the right direction. Try to begin by reducing the portions you are taking in by 1/4 cup per meal, increase water intake and cut out any bad liquids you might have gone back to a bit at a time, replacing them with water, crystal light, iced tea (no sugar). There are going to be lots of areas to work on, but you can't overwhelm yourself, or you will lose heart and we do not want that happening.

Do you think you could try by starting with the above suggestions and we can work from there?

BIGGGGGGGGG HUGSSSSSSSSSS

I'll be honest, I've been attacking the food for some time, and even remember how much I'm supose to be eating in oz or cups.
Today I started weighing my food and I've been sticking to 6oz per meal. Sugar has been under control but protein and water was lacking.
Should I go back to drinking shakes as a meal?
I've also timed my meals so there's no snacking. Today was a good day. Tomorrow isn't here so I'm just taking it one day at a time.
Thanks Patrece

I do not suggest replacing too many meals with shakes, as you likely will not find this satisfying enough at this point. BUT maybe replace one meal or snack per day with a shake.

Once you are at 1 year out from surgery and more, 1 cup per meal is a good goal. maybe even 1 1/4. This is for the whole meal, not each individual item in your meal. The more dense protein you have in a meal, the more it will satisfy you, and the less it takes to fill up.

As you begin to make positive changes, keep them manageable. Overwhelm will not be conducive to succeeding.

Congrats on doing well this day! keep up the great work. You can do this!
Hugs
(You are welcome)

Today I decided doing the 5 day pouch test. I had tried once before, but make it though the day without food which left me discouraged. I think this time is different because I have support. I don't know, but for what ever reason, I'm sticking to it.
I'm glad to know 1C is all I need. I'll be measuring so I don't exceed it.
When it comes to weight, is that 8oz?
Thanks for you support.

Welcome to BB Darlene. I'm sorry you are going through this tough adjustment right now. All I can say, is remember that these things do happen and that this is the time you have to take things into your own hands and make a firm decision where yiu want to go from here. Remember your "tool" is still there working for you, all you need is to use it again. I know how hard it is to go back to basics, but that is what you need to do. Take a good hard look at yourself. What is making you stray off? Is it the love of food? Is it some other underlying problems?
You sound like you don't want to go back to where you were pre-op. Hold on to that thought, work on it, let it become your major thought. Work on one day at a time. Today, pretend you just came out of surgery. Remember what it was like? Try living on protein drinks for ONE DAY. When you see it doesn't kill you, tomorrow you can try living on proteins alone. The next day introduce some veggies. I'm willing to bet that after one week of doing this, you will be back on track.
I'm talking from experience, because I was getting off track a couple of months ago and that's what I had to do to get back. 
You were smart to come back and seek help now before it's too late. Be smart again and remember who is in control - you or the food?
Have you tried the 5 day pouch test? Look it up on google. Just type in 5 day pouch test and you'll be taken to a page that gives you explicit directions.
We are here for you Darlene. We will help and support you in any way we can. Good luck.
Amalia
 

Thanks Amalia.
I took your suggestion about the 5 day pouch test.
I hope it jump starts my habits back to post op, and gets the scale moving down again.
Today I'm having 2 protien shakes, clear and cream soups, and lots of water.
Thanks for being there for me.

Darlene

Hang in there Darlene. Dense proteins keep you satisfied longest. It is easy to slip into old and unhealthy habits. You have a couple of years of experience behind you. I am so proud of your success. You may be bouncing in the area of finding which weight is best for your body. Get in the protein, fluids and supplements. I brought up the idea of going back to shakes for a while with my dietician recently. They recommended that I focus on the dense proteins, remember to separate fluids from the meal and boost my activity levels.

The dense proteins do keep me satisfied longer. I find that I mix up hunger with thirst. Hugs

I think I was doing just about everything wrong. Drinking to close to my meal, eating to much, the wrong foods, not caring about protien, not taking supplements, and not drinking my water.
I was in full fat mode.
I know I was mixing hunger and thirst too, and oh lets not forget a  healthy dose of boredom.

When I decided to have this surgery, I had my mind set. There was no room to budge an inch off my program. Slowly, something changed, and the old habits came back. Right now I'm feeling that empowerment again. Like I have control again.
I know it's because of you guys. I know it's because of your support. I also know it's because I was honest and really WANTED the help.

Thanks again, and it was nice talking to you in the chat room.