2.5 years out -- it happened to me (15Lbs)

Ugh -- so it happened to me.  I'm about 2.5 year out (not quite).  And a year and 4 months out from plastic surgery and I've fallen into the regain group.  

I'm still exercising a lot and recently started crossfit.  I want to say it is muscle gain, but I know the truth -- I joined crossfit at the gain.  

I'm eating carbs left and right and that is the culprit.  I'm a food addict and it totally sucks.  Blah!  I really just need to refocus and forget about little carby snacks.  

Life is still great.  I just got a puppy and I think I still look good.  I just want to clamp this down and fit back into my pants! 

I have been wondering how you have been doing! You inspired me when I first joined OH! You were super encouraging! Thank you for that!

I think you look fantastic and your puppy is adorable!

I have been struggling to lose 6 lbs and get my goal! I think if I cut a few things out I could get there too!

Good luck....you look fit and healthy!

Thanks :)  The last few are the hardest.  I got addicted to seeing a lower and lower number.  

I definitely need to get back to this site.  It is great motivation :)

Stacy-

     You really motivated me when I started out.  You may want to take a look at Dr. Barbara Berkeley's "Refuse to Regain".  It is full of great information on how the standard American diet impacts cravings, especially in formerly obese individuals. She has great ideas for removing the trigger foods and shift to eating/activity habits that take into account how our bodies physiologically respond to food differently than those who have not lost significant weight. Her philosophy framed a lot of my maintenance thinking/ planning.

Thanks for the tip.  I'll check it out :)

Aww luv the puppy! I've seen you on here a lot in the past. I still remember your "journeyman" post. I'm sure you'll get the weight off again. Being a food addict totally blows big time!

You are wise to stop this in it's tracks now. A friend of mine had the sleeve done the same time I had my RNY. We both got down to the same weight. It's been 7 years now and she has gained it all back. Do not let that happen to you!!

You can do this!!

Beautiful puppy and you're not so bad yourself!

Get to the maintenance group for lots of good tips.  You are right, its all about the carbs.  Gotta de-carb.  gl.  diane s. 

Adorable puppy!!  You look amazing - and it sounds like you are on the right track to try and get everything in check.  I mean this is life, right?  Somehow managing to stay in maintenance and recognizing when you have to buckle down.  You know the right things to do and you have always been fab!  You've got this!

You have already taken the hardest step by saying enough is enough and now I want to get back on track.  Here are some steps I hope will help you. They helped me...  Also, be sure and join the Back On Track Together group. 

Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery?  How many meetings, classes and such did we attend?  We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success.  And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods.  Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

Journaling

Get back to journaling.  This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life.  Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating.  It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband.  It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food.  Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker.  Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself.  Make them realistic and small.  Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea?  I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass.  So I was either pushing to be diabetic or get cancer.  I found once I started carrying a bottle of water around 24/7 (yes had one at my bedside) I lost the cravings for the sugar and I KNOW those artificial sweeteners are not good for me. Look I am old and if you add up all the artificial sweeteners I have consumed I am sure I am at the rat in the lab getting cancer threshold.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving.  If I could not go to the gym I would walk. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back.  So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV.  Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group.

Keep me posted on how you are doing