Question:
Has anyone else fallen off the wagon and what did it take to get back on?

I had an RNY a year and a half ago. I've lost 90 lbs. But nothing in the past months and it slowed to an absolute crawl for six months previous to that. There's no mystery as to why. I tend to graze during the day at work and at home. I'm still excercising but I just don't have the same drive to lose weight that I used to. I don't want to beat myself up over this but I do want to do something productive about it. I didn't go through risky surgery and a very uncomfortable healing process just to give up. Does anyone have a good idea about where I should start? I have my first appointment with a therapist in a week so I can work out any psychological that might be holding me back. I could use any feedback or support you're willing to give me. Thanks in advance.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 19, 2002)

January 19, 2002
You answered your own question. GRAZING is sooo dangerous. Been there, done that, regained 64 lbs between years 3 and 5...and got my act together and lost the regained weight and made it to goal in year 7!!!!YIPPPEEE I had to change my habits. Here's what I did: 1. Eat Protein first then veggies 2. Eat 6 times a day and no grazing 3. Drink 80+ ounces of water each day 4. Do not drink carbonated beverages (Old binge food with my grazing) 5. Take supplements 6. Do not drink with meals 7. Exercise You have the battle half won. You can do this. The tool will still work. I had to reset mine and it did work. I found out I am carb sensitive. Best thing I ever did was start low carbing. Works well with this surgery. Hugs, Rita in Vermont RNY 3/94 then 463...now 185
   — vt_rita

January 19, 2002
Rita's post is soo correct. I was on a very slow march at only 4 to 8 weeks. I was eating WAYYYY wrong... I am a carbohydrate addict, so that is what I ate. I only lost 13 pounds in 6 weeks... and that was week #3 to week #8... UGG.. Doc said LOSE the carbs and double your protein. I keep my carbs below a 50 each day and make sure my protein in well over 70 each day. And believe it or not I do NOT do protein drinks. Some meals are straight protein, ie salmon, red meats, poultry, cottage cheese and eggs. I do really like the Carb Solutions Protein Bar. It has only 2 grams carb (make sure to check this label as there is another one by the same name that is not low carb), 1 gram sugar and a whopping 22 grams protein. I only eat half at a time. It can be a meal replacement. By week two of doing this I was actually feeling soooo good. I lost 11 pounds in the first week of trying this. I bought me a protein/carb/calorie book from Book's A Million that is very extensive and I write down everything. I add my numbers at the end of the day... protien must be over 65, I prefer 70, carbs under 50, and calories under 1000(this could be a little more for you this far out, but if you want to jump start yourself... keep this under 1000). I have just one carb item a day at MOST.. of the bread/rice/potato kind. I have one fruit a day.. but the rest is protein and veggies. This has really helped me so if it helps great.. I hope you find what it is you are looking for. My best to you!!!!!!!
   — Pamela W.

January 20, 2002
I haven't had surgery yet (praying and praying, LOL!), but a co-worker of mine did and lost so much weight the first year, then she plateaued for the next. She couldn't understand why she wasn't losing anymore, so she consulted with a nutritionist (she wasn't encouraged to see one BEFORE having surgery!), and found out that her plateau was caused by drinking orange juice, which she did 2-3 times a day!!! My nutritionist could not say it enough: no calorie-containing beverages!! I wish you the best!!
   — [Anonymous]

January 20, 2002
Rita is right. NO GRAZING..!! NONE - ZILCH - ZIP - NADA..!! I'd be willing to bet that probably at least 70% of surgery candidates started their weight-gain slide because of grazing..! That's what happened to me..!! From now on.. whenever the urge strikes to 'snack' on something outside mealtimes.. grab a bottle of water or a cup of tea or ANYTHING like that and drink until you're full. Good Luck.. and know within yourself that you CAN turn this around..!! God bless..
   — Diane E.

January 20, 2002
I'm glad you asked this question. I'm sure there's many of us in this position, although we may be hesitant to say so. I'm in much your situation, but haven't gained that much weight. I've gained close to 10 pounds over the last 6 months or so. And, even though it seems odd to me, those 10 pounds really make a difference & I can FEEL the difference (I used to think 10 pounds overweight was NOTHING!). It sure is easy to get complacent & start believing you can eat anything, anytime you want to. But I guess once with these genes, always with these genes. The surgery does provide the much-needed tool, but it does require continuing effort on our parts. I sure don't want to go back to being overweight, but, you know it's easy after a few years to forget what it was like to be so heavy. I find I need to remind myself from time to time.... I'm having a hard time with grazing, too. I work at home, alone & it's a battle. Especially when I was able to eat whatever I wanted & still lose weight for quite a while. I have fallen back into the carbs trap, too. These foods are just SO easy to grab & go with. I appreciated the poster who said how she had been able to get back on track. I used to record every calorie & gram of protein I ate. Guess it's time to get back on the bandwagon. It's good to know I'm not alone, tho.
   — [Anonymous]

January 23, 2002
Glad someone asks this question it has been on my mind too! I am almost two years post op and feel I will never reach my goal. I know that the last 40 pounds are not going to come off if I continue to graze and do not get in the water my body needs. Thanks to everyone who answered this question it has helped me get myself back on track.
   — Rebecca D.

February 15, 2002
I had my surgery Aug. 1999 and lost 100 lbs. the first 8 months, then it slowed down and stopped. I got within 13 lbs of goal and came to a stand still for 10 months. Yes I said 10 months. I then decided this is crazy, I really want to reach goal. I did it today!!! What worked for me is keeping a totally honest food journal and I bought a treadmill and walk 2 miles as many days as possible. It came off very very slowly, but it has come off. I range from 1600 -2300 calories per day. My ideal is 1800. My goal weight is 143 with a loss of 143. I am 5'6". I will monitor every bite every day forever, I have decided I am worth it (as Richard Simmon's says). You can do it too. E-mail me anytime. [email protected] Sincerely, Cheryl
   — Cheryl H.