Question:
HOW CAN I GET BACK ON TRACK?

HELP! I AM GETTING SCARED I WILL GAIN ALL MY WT BACK! I HAD MY SURGERY ON 11/16/01 AND HAVE LOST 120 LBS. I KNOW THAT IS GOOD BUT I WANT TO LOSE ANOTHER 100 AT LEAST. THE PAST THREE WEEKS I HAVE BEEN MESSING AROUND, EATING ANYTHING I WANT AND NOTHING HAS BOTHERED ME.(I WISH IT WOULD)I HAVE ACTUALLY GAINED 1 LB AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET BACK ON TRACK. I HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE AND I AM SCARED. SUGAR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM EITHER, I WISH I HADN'T FOUND THAT OUT! ANY SUGGESTIONS!    — SANDRA W. (posted on July 9, 2002)

July 9, 2002
I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR YOU BUT I AM IN THE SAME BOAT! I HAD SURGERY 5/12/00, WENT FROM 276 TO 130 IN LESS THAN A YEAR! I AM NOW ABOUT 150 LBS., I HAVE GAINED AT LEAST 15 OF THOSE WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I CAN EAT ANYTHING AND IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME EITHER. I'M AFRAID I'VE STRETCHED MY POUCH. I'M WAITING FOR AN ANSWER WITH YOU. GOOD LUCK!
   — ALICIA M.

July 9, 2002
The two posts thus far seem to have potentially different issues. Lots of people go up a pound and down two pounds. Hang in there and give your low calorie intake some time. Also keep walking as it burns calories. When I get to a plateau my weight goes up and down for a few days (up to five days) and then drops. The second post is different in that 15 lbs have been gained in three months. I would definately talk to your doctor about that. Are you exercising daily? How many minutes do you walk? Good luck...
   — Thomas M.

July 9, 2002
I think it is fairly common to experiment and "fall off the wagon" to a certain extent once the newness of the surgery wears off. BUT you have done really well: Congrats on 120 pounds gone forever! Remember that you will fluctuate and "gaining" one pound is nothing to worry about. I never start to panic until I fluctuate up at least 5 pounds. For some people who have a lot of water retention issues that may be up to 10 pounds! Just make sure you are eating plenty of protein. That will help curb your cravings for carbs and especially sugar. Also you might spot check your calories. I use www.fitday.com to check how much protein and total calories I am consuming (it's free). Everybody is different but when I got to the crossroads you are at now I upped my protein to 100 grams a day and chose to eat a protein bar instead of a candy bar every (OK . . . almost every) day. The rest of the weight did come off! The choices are yours. You are obviously a courageous person because you put your life on the line to lose the weight. You CAN do this!
   — ctyst

July 9, 2002
Sandra: Please don't slip back into the "diet mentality," i.e. overeat, feel guilt, deprive, overeat, feel guilt, deprive. Just realize that you've made some bad choices and get back on that wagon. Remember, this surgery is ONLY A TOOL. Basically, the surgery just makes it a little easier for you to stick to a diet plan. It doesn't guarantee weight loss, and you WILL put back on every last pound if you give up on succeeding and label yourself a failure. Get back on that wagon!!! We all love you here and are here to support you.
   — Terissa R.

July 9, 2002
Hi there just wanted to tell you you are not alone. I had the hardest time during the 4th of July weekend sticking to mostly protien in fact I did not loose a pound I gained 1 which stinks. I was feeling bad thinking I was failing and I decided to mentally talk to myself. NO more Carbs. I find that when I am feeling blue now it is best for me to attend a support group meeting to help me remember why I did this. When I see the others that have succeded I know I will. Also I know they are a little expensive BUT I found that the New and Imporved Atkins bars are AWESOME. and I hate protien bars. Try them to snack on. They taste like you are cheating when you really are not. Congratulations on your success so far. I am almost 5 months post op and down 95 lbs. Keep Smilin If you ever want to chat email me.
   — swtnsxy0219

July 9, 2002

   — lindajenkins

July 9, 2002
Sandra, you have to figure out what you have to do. There are many good suggestions in the previous posts. There's not only fitday.com (which I use), but if you're having support troubles, go to a Weight Watchers meeting. It won't matter if you are not following a Weight Watchers program, the idea is that you will have real, live, in-person support. I'm going to go to a support meeting from my program tonight - it's supposed to be for posties up to 6 months out, but I just need some support....
   — Marjorie B.

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