Question:
How can I stop this cycle of weight gain. I am 6 mos. post-op, have lost 92 lbs

and have developed this terrible habit of snacking on candy and just too much food and snacking because I think I have stretched my stomach. I am in horror of gainning it all back because I just have gotten in a cycle I cannot break. I do not get sick, or dump on sugar, but do throw up on too much fried foods.I have not lost all I need to but look a whole lot better. Now I am so depressed because I think this will be so short lived. What do I do to change these habits? Having the will alone never was enough before. Has anyone else been able to break this cycle and get down in weight, and had my same problem? I am desparate and need some advise soon.I have gainned 6 pounds this past past week alone, and have gainned and lost these same pounds several times. HELP PLEASE!!!    — Jean B. (posted on December 5, 2002)

December 4, 2002
We had someone in our support group the same way. She was advised by everyone to up the protein and water and cut out the sugars completely because she was craving the candy too. <p> She broke her plateau and has lost her cravings for sugar in just the few days since she cut out all sugar from her diet...JR
   — John Rushton

December 4, 2002
Hi! I have been where you are. I had a hard time in months 5-8 because I could suddenly eat more, my appetite returned, my tolerance for sugar increased, AND the holidays hit. Not a good combination, huh? LOL Here's what I finally did that worked for me: 1)Up your protein to 100 grams a day 2) Be sure to drink all your water (or as close as you can get) 3)Eat ONLY protein for breakfast (eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, deli meat, etc.) 4)Work in a protein bar or shake for a snack--mid-morning worked best for me 5) Stay active<p>Once I figured this out, I went on to lose the rest of the weight in a couple of months. The breakfast thing STILL keeps my sugar/carb cravings in check, as well as my hunger. I don't know why, but if I eat carbs for breakfast I might as well hang it up for the rest of the day because I will be STARVING for carbs all day long. I think adding the protein bar as a snack gave me an outlet for something sweet without doing any damage. Everyone is different and what worked for me may not work for you, but it's worth a shot! Good luck and happy losing!<p>Oh, and I find that as long as I do this consistently, I have a very easy time maintaining my weight loss. I have been at the same weight for 9 months now and it is (virtually ;) painless!
   — ctyst

December 5, 2002
I think just cause you can... doesn't mean you should.. this is a tool.. and not something that is going to do the real work for you.. that's for sure.. if you read the archives here.. you know that... <br><br>If you can't have just ONE sweet a day.. like one piece of candy or one cookie... then admit it.. and give it up all together.. if you have control.. limit yourself to one a day.. otherwise.. SWITCH to sugar free candy... (eat too much and you'll get deadly diarrhea.. so that helps) or sugar free cookies... they all are out there... I even found something GREAT heavenly desserts meringues at CVS... they are essentially air and egg whites.. AND sugar substitute... <br><br> Some people think you shouldn't have anything sweet, artificial or not.. I think that would be a very boring life indeed... we're human... I control myself a lot most of the time, so I can indulge in a VERY VERY controlled way sometimes. Last night I had a quarter of a poptart.. it was sooo good.. and while I could have had the whole thing.. I didn't... not a good idea... Good luck!
   — Lisa C.

December 5, 2002
Increase your protein, and don't touch carbs for a few days. I'm not post op, but my husband is on Atkins and I learned a lot from him, and from my own experiments. Authorities now think that eating carbohydrates just makes you hungrier in the long run. Protein and fat (YES, fats-- just stick to healthy fats) stay in your stomach much longer. <br> I've found that when I eat carbohydrate for a meal, I need carbohydrates for the rest of the day. However, if I eat a protein bar for breakfast (carb solutions-- which feels like a brownie)-- I only need half the bar, and I'm set until lunch. Good luck!
   — Beth S.

December 5, 2002
Jean, can I also suggest that you seek professional counseling? You mention that you are depressed and that willpower alone was never enough before-that says that this has been a problem before-there is a reason why you can't control the snacking. And I know how desperately you want this surgery to work for you. Its not too late-goodness you are just at the 6 month mark, you have at least a year more to lose, but what better time than to try to get ahold of the problem early on? I, too, am a snacker. I have it under control (so I think!) by doing what Lisa below does-controlling the amount I take in, but its difficult. Lately I have tried water loading, increasing my exercise, and upping my protein to control it-also limiting what I bring into the house. Good luck.
   — Cindy R.