Question:
6 mths. Post-OP and have NO Willpower.

I am 6 months post op and I have no willpower at all. I was doing do good and then all of a sudden, I eat all the wrong foods, I don't want to exercise. I am afraid of going back to the way I was before. I have lost 79 lbs. in 6 months and that is great. But I have stopped and instead of working hard I get depressed and want to eat. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? There are NO support groups in my area, however, I am thinking of forming one. My husband is having Open RNY in July, maybe that will help, because I will have someone to work with...but I can't wait that long.......HELP. Thank you: [email protected] (personal email welcomed)    — yodie123 (posted on April 8, 2002)

April 8, 2002
Heather - I just posted on a similar topic a few days ago. I am 8.5 months out and have had such struggles staying the course and began to really give myself grief for not "maximizing" my surgery. ARRRGGH. One thing that has been helping some is the website fitday.com to record my food. I have gotten used to entering everything I eat - even those days when I eat 2,000 calories ... it seems to help. I just have to realize that I still have an "eating" problem...even though I can't each as much or as quickly. I can defeat this surgery if I don't focus... but, like you said in your profile, it IS a day-to-day process for lots of us! Hang in there! Open RNY 7/17/01, -87 lbs.
   — blee01

April 8, 2002
Heather, I think you forming a group is a great idea. That would keep you busy and also get your mind off of food. I know for me the group is essential for my success. It might just be your calling and the only way you'll do it is by having a difficult time now. GOOD LUCK!!
   — ZZ S.

April 8, 2002
All of us make mistakes every now and then. Pick yourself up and move on, dont beat yourself up over it. If you are worried about not exercising then walk a little more during the day. Park your car in the last spot wherever you go. You know little things like that add up. And you dont have to get and hour in at once, it all adds up during the day. Best of luck to you. And you are right, 79 pounds in 6 months is GREAT!!!
   — nkoehler88

April 8, 2002
Dear Heather, Oh my gosh, I could have written the same thing you did. I'm almost 6 months out and my weight loss has stopped because I'm eating chocolate several times a day and snacking several times a day. The surgery was a great jump start but now I am dealing with the exact same issues I had before surgery. I also stopped exercising but went back today. I am probably going to find a 12 step program in my area, even if it's AA because I can't make it one day without the chocolate. Please email me if you would like to be email pals and overcome this thing together. One day at a time the mutual support might help. Good Luck, Lori Tan
   — lori T.

April 8, 2002
Hi there well I can say the same here....I started at 376 lbs and I have lost 122 lbs but it has taken two years and have gone from a 30/32 down to only a 22/24 only but I keep trying to remember what it was like w/the extra weight to make me realize even though I am still far from goal....I did something great and so have you!!!!!! Just remember the things we don't let anyone else know about how uncomfortable life was before this weight loss & how they are slowly starting to change. Like the idea of being able to ride a bicycle or get on a roller coaster which are two of my many goals I have achieved. I have to remind myself even though I feel sometimes I have failed because I have not reached my goal as quickly as the doctor said I would, I am healthy, happy and grateful for what I have been able to achieve. I am proud of your courage to reach out for help because it took your letter to make me think about my frustrations and say/type them out loud hehehehe....thanks for your words and much success...keep your chin up and email me if you ever want to [email protected]
   — Carmen B.

April 8, 2002
Heather, I have a very good friend who talked about exercise like this. She didn't want to exercise, but she did have activities that she liked. So she quit thinking about exercise as such and played tennis, rode her bike, played volleyball, etc. None of us wants to 'exercise', but I'll bet there are other activities that you enjoy that would get you out and get your heart pumping. With summer coming on, it's a great time to get out and play.
   — garw

April 8, 2002
You didn't say how much protein supp you're getting in. When I find myself "roving" aimlessly, I increase my protein shakes for a few days til I beat back the cravings. There is absolutely NO WAY I could maintain my wt without a helper when my will power WON'T!
   — vitalady