1 year out....down over 100 pounds ....stalled for 4 months!

[hollieann71]

Have a feeling I am thru losing weight.... I eat whatever I want until my sleeve says STOP... I still have restriction...especially when I eat protein first... my BIG problem is ... CHIPS!! or CRACKERS..they go down soooo easy!!!! I find myself snacking all day!! and the concept that you NEVER feel hungry again..doesnt fit in any catagory of mine!! I think I am always hungry! my start weight was 326 now I fluctuate between 217-223 .... I think my biggest problem ..is that I lost 100 miracle pounds without even trying!! now I need a "DIET" program.... uhhh this is why I had surgery! I SUCK at diets!!!
went from size 28/30 pants to a 16..... and Im totally fine with it..... maybe i shouldnt be!
I need motivation to change my snacking habits...but I DO NOT HAVE it!!!!!
any words of encouragment ? any one else feeling this? any ideas???

[Aleetx]

I'm pre-surgery, so I guess you could say that I'm VERY motivated right now. Are you getting ANY exercise? Perhaps replacing one meal like breakfast with a protein shake could be a start. I've noticed (day 2) that taking my vitamins are helping with my energy levels. Are you still taking viatmins? Maybe if you cut out just the chips or crackers, replace with a healthier snack (veggie or fruit) that you like? I know my downfall is sweets!!! I do my best to keep them out of the house. I just don't buy them! Maybe any or one of these suggestions would be helpful for you! I really wish you the best. You've come this far and you're so close to your goal!

[blslaga]

I you know that the snacks are a issue then why buy them. Really not meaning to sound rude with that comment. I'm just thinking after a year all those old habits should be gone. Not stronger than ever - maybe you could do some pre measured snacks so you don't over do it??

[Theresa]

The sleeve isn't the 'magical cure' it is a tool. YOU still need to work on YOU and your bad habits.

Eating chips and crackers and crap is what got us to the point that we needed to have our stomachs cut out in the first place. Those same bad habits are why you've stop losing. I know it's a struggle. I have only been sleeved for 2 weeks. But I was on the low carb high protein diet for 6 months before surgery. I know that will have to be my way of eating for the rest of my life. Is it easy? hell no.

If you want to continue losing weight you're going to have to lose the snacks. Go back to basics. Get rid of the carbs because they make you want MORE carbs. Stick with the protein. It curbs the hunger too.

Do you have a support group you can attend through your surgeon's office? that might help you get back on track Hollie!

[lshepler]

When someone reaches out for help, the last thing they need is a slap in the face. Hollie, I feel your pain. Some snack (a.k.a. "slider") foods do go down far too easily once you've hit the one-year mark. One thing I've found as a super duper filling snack item is celery sticks dipped in low-fat ranch dip. It doesn't take much, but BOY is it filling. And with the ranch dip you feel like you're cheating. That's one healthier alternative to the crunchy potato chip dipped in full-fat ranch. Another option I have found helpful it pistachios. I used to plow thru some sunflower seeds, but have found that the fact you have to take the time to crack open the pistachio shell really slows you down, but you still get the salty, crunchy fix. And they are YUMMY! Hope this helps. xoxoxoxo

[TucsonAmy]

When someone reaches out for help, the last thing they need is a slap in the face. Hollie, I feel your pain. Some snack (a.k.a. "slider") foods do go down far too easily once you've hit the one-year mark. One thing I've found as a super duper filling snack item is celery sticks dipped in low-fat ranch dip. It doesn't take much, but BOY is it filling. And with the ranch dip you feel like you're cheating. That's one healthier alternative to the crunchy potato chip dipped in full-fat ranch. Another option I have found helpful it pistachios. I used to plow thru some sunflower seeds, but have found that the fact you have to take the time to crack open the pistachio shell really slows you down, but you still get the salty, crunchy fix. And they are YUMMY! Hope this helps. xoxoxoxo

Lisa, first of all, congrats on your sleeve success and your kindess shown in your comments. But i thought we could never eat celery. I hope i am wrong!

[lshepler]

Oh my! Amy! I am so sorry anyone told you that! The way I understand it, our stomach is fully functioning in the same way it was before surgery...since we have had no re-routing of our intestines, everything works in the same way it did before! It's just much, much smaller. Celery, (along with all the other veggies, fruits, etc) are such an important part of healthful eating, and provide much needed fiber, vitamins and minerals, I am so surprised someone told you not to eat it! I have absolutely NO restrictions on what I can eat. I do, however have one food group I struggle with and that is bread. It simply doesn't feel good when I eat it; it doesn't go down very comfortably. I am curious to know why you were under that impression though! Do tell!

[TucsonAmy]

I believe i read it on here, but i also think my surgeon said the fibers/strings in the celery are not digestible and our pouches can not process them. I also heard if we really want celery we have to 'de-string' it. I do hope I'm wrong because i would love to have some peanut butter and celery!

[cowgirljane]

I think you have verbalized the reality that many people face. The weight comes off that first year, and then the real work begins. Most of the slim/trim women I know have to watch their food and need to exercise to stay that way. It isn't like some sort of free gift bestowed on the non overweight. (btw, obesity is a very complex topic so don't think I am implying it is easy, there is a reason we need this tool of surgery!)

I like to think I am changing my habits during the weight loss phase ( I do follow the "rules" and record what I eat) but who are we kidding, everybody LOVES snacky food. Not just heavy people, slim people like it too. The difference is that people who are watching what they eat just don't buy it, or if they do, they buy a single serving so they don't snack snack snack.

I was listening to a researcher talking about willpower and obesity. He said that trim people don't have more willpower, they have just trained themselves to better avoid NEEDING will power. It is alot easier to avoid the snack food aisle at the store then it is too walk by an open jumbo sized bag of chips sitting on your counter at home and not take a fistful. Make it easier for yourself - minimize the junk food in your line of sight.

I have been eating smart pop popcorn when I am dying for that crunchy salty snack. I have been losing great, so that isn't a problem, but i worry that even eating the popcorn isn't really "breaking" the habit - although I do not snack on it over a period of time, it is more like a meal. I think I need to try the celery idea, i think I could even mix ranch dressing packet with greek yogurt to make it have a bit of protein too! Thanks for that tip, sometimes, you just want crunchy type food.

Anyway, you have identified the issue, you maybe don't like it (and I am with you there too!) but you know what you need to do. I think you are on the road to overcoming this obstacle to your goals!

[jhope]

I feel for you, because late night I was grazing on crackers, and they have always been my down fall....So today, I am making a bunch of zucchini chips, and zucchini noodles, and egg plant noodles and ...you get the message. I am afraid I will fall the first week with crackers, so I have 32 days to make an arsenal of non cracker crackers. If you know anyone who is getting surgery on the 28 of march, let me know, as I would like to share a room.

[Chloe9926]

Oh, my!! I fully understand what you are going through! I was sleeved 10/29/2010. I weighed 427. At my lowest after sleeve was 287. I went from wearing a 32w pant to a 20w pant. Currently I have been stalled for 2 months with no weight loss. I have actually gained 7 lbs. Snacking is my downfall...its hard, really hard! Its easy to say, just exercise more or eat something different...its really hard especially when there children in the household and you are trying to finally get your life normal again. Whst I have did the last time I stalled and it helped was to go back to protein shakes for a day or so ONLY. After the breif protein fix, your body (at least mines) crave healthy things. But one thing you have to remember...no matter how hard is you came so far, there will be ups and downs, but just remember you are much more healther now then you were and if you gain one pound, you just lost 100!

[CraftyKelly73]

Surprise no one has mentioned DRINKING! How's your fluid intake? If you feel hungry all the time maybe you need to drink some more... There have been a lot of other great suggestions to try too. Often thurst is masked as hunger. Also, you could go back to measuring your food instead of eating till you're full. That sounds dangerous (eating till you're full all the time). You could start stretching out your stomach. Anyway, best of luck to you. I hope you will fink the key to get yourself back in line and start losing again.

[Aleetx]

FYI, I was on Pinterest yesterday and someone said to make the ranch dip from the packets and use Greek Yogurt. That's adding protein!!!

[Cattitude]

First, I am pre-surgery for what it's worth. However, I am already trying to change my mind to a new way of thinking in regards to food. The mental part of this is really hard and I suggest working on that OP. I am sure you know that it's better to snack on the healthy stuff so you need to figure out WHY are you eating the carby stuff? Yes it tastes good but is that really the only reason? Having surgery and losing 100 lbs is a fantastic feat. Now figure out what you need to do to clear the cobwebs and continue your success!

[scgal21]

Congratulations on losing 100#!! That is no small thing! Would it be possible for you to go back to a full liquid diet of protein drinks for a couple of days, then mushies for a couple more days, then on to solid food...just like in the beginning? This may re-set your weight loss and help curb those carb cravings. I was/am a carb junkie and if I give in, they will wreck my life. I can't have them around me. It's like putting crack in front of a junkie...LOL Don't beat yourself up, you have come such a long way! Every day is a new beginning, so seize the day tomorrow and start your journey over. You can do it Best of luck.