9.6 pounds until I’m back at goal

This is what I’ve learned—I thought I knew it, but I’ll repeat it to myself anyway.
1. The sleeve is a tool. It is not the miracle. It is a tool. It will help us as long as we continue to do the things that we are supposed to do to make us successful.

2. Remain conscious, remain vigilant of what you are eating, what and how much you are drinking. It was easy for me after 5 years to become complacent. I became very lax in my eating. I started eating things that I should have kept in moderation—because I didn’t gain weight, by eating them—AT FIRST. Remember, the sleeve is a tool—don’t abuse it.

3. I like being in control of my body. I like knowing what I’m eating is good for me. I like knowing the “numbers.” The scale is a point of reference, your measuring cups are a point of reference, the food scale is a point of reference. Again, your sleeve is a tool—don’t abuse it.

4. Use whatever apps, journals, websites, etc. that will help you stay “mindful.” Gastricsleeve.com is a great “go to,” for information. During my pre-sleeve days, it was invaluable to me. However, after I was sleeved, there were so many “whiners” that it started turning me off, and I didn’t come on as much. Now, I am back and just reading the posts always helps. It helps me to stay on track and to stay “mindful.”

5. My “Sleevie” is a tool. It is not a miracle and I will not abuse it again. I will stay mindful, I will stay conscious and I will stay vigilant. This will be last time that I will have to “get back to goal.”

Edited to add: I regained 20 lbs and rejoined WW on April 25th.

We're doing it together! We've got this!

Thank you Kenson.

I’m adding this to my VSG notebook. There are many words of wisdom in sharing your experience, strength and hope.

Bravo! You’re well on your way ;-)

Thank you so much for this post!
That is my greatest fear, that I am going to think "I got this".
And I am working on staying vigilant every day.
I know I will have to keep on working on not becoming complacent.
Posts like yours are a big help for me, so thanks again.
I am sure you will loose that regain.
You are a strong woman!

We've never "got this," that's for sure. But I am so proud of myself for getting to Weight Watchers and losing 12.8 pounds since February. My goal is 3.6 more pounds by Kilimanjaro in August. I can do it!! But I sure miss Colorado, suffering from mountain withdrawal for the past few days. If I lived there I'd have no problem keeping my weight off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dutchie

Thank you so much for this post!
That is my greatest fear, that I am going to think "I got this".
And I am working on staying vigilant every day.
I know I will have to keep on working on not becoming complacent.
Posts like yours are a big help for me, so thanks again.
I am sure you will loose that regain.
You are a strong woman!

---

Dutchie,
Thank you so much!!!

Thank you thank kyou thank you! I am working my way back down (-3) towards back to where I was.

I know I allowed "just a little" sugar which not only made me feel yukky, I broke out and sorry, but pimples and wrinkles on the same face is not fair. So, detox from the sugar, and back on track.

I will say even when I ate a a poor health choice, I have honestly written down the food and quantity. Now, why was I surprised I gaind?

Some of it was amedication adjustment, which I am in the midst of, but I am pretty sure that the scones from Starbucks, even in moderation, are not medication, lol.

Congrats Kenson on your weight loss and being 5 years out and maintaining. It was great reading your post, it also keeps me mindful that yes, this is a tool, this is a lifestyle not a diet, etc.

I'm glad you caught your problem and have worked out a solution. It is possible, the sleeve is a tool, it works if we work it. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AnnieG

Thank you thank kyou thank you! I am working my way back down (-3) towards back to where I was.

I know I allowed "just a little" sugar which not only made me feel yukky, I broke out and sorry, but pimples and wrinkles on the same face is not fair. So, detox from the sugar, and back on track.

I will say even when I ate a a poor health choice, I have honestly written down the food and quantity. Now, why was I surprised I gaind?

Some of it was amedication adjustment, which I am in the midst of, but I am pretty sure that the scones from Starbucks, even in moderation, are not medication, lol.

---

Ann,
I swear that sugar is the devil. I wished I had never started using it again. My problem is, I've tried all the different natural sweetners (scared of Equal, Sweet n Low, etc.), and I need a little sugar in my coffee. Congratulations to you on getting a handle on it and recognizing what was happening before it got too far out of control.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coopersmom

Congrats Kenson on your weight loss and being 5 years out and maintaining. It was great reading your post, it also keeps me mindful that yes, this is a tool, this is a lifestyle not a diet, etc.

I'm glad you caught your problem and have worked out a solution. It is possible, the sleeve is a tool, it works if we work it. :)

---

Thank you! Sometimes we need a reminder and being so far out--I started believing in a false "delusion" that I could pretty much eat what I wanted. WRONG!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kenson

Thank you! Sometimes we need a reminder and being so far out--I started believing in a false "delusion" that I could pretty much eat what I wanted. WRONG!

---

HAHAHA I sooooo agree with you on Sugar being the Devil. The little ^*@%#!&. I cannot believe how much sugar is in EVERYTHING even diet and low calorie stuff. The only sugar substitute I could ever use was Swerve, but since my sleeve I can't stand anything too sweet. Its crazy because I was truly addicted to sugar and carbs in general.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coopersmom

HAHAHA I sooooo agree with you on Sugar being the Devil. The little ^*@%#!&. I cannot believe how much sugar is in EVERYTHING even diet and low calorie stuff. The only sugar substitute I could ever use was Swerve, but since my sleeve I can't stand anything too sweet. Its crazy because I was truly addicted to sugar and carbs in general.

---

Sometimes if its absent sugar, the carb count is still crazy, like "creamers". I use Stevia, and it works in coffee....but my oncologist discourages all the others, except sachharine -- and except for Tab and Fresca, which has "fizz", sodas (which I would have to drink flat) have them. But water is boring....some days.

"I am pretty sure that the scones from Starbucks, even in moderation, are not medication"

You are so right there Annie. This did make me chuckle.

Thank you so much for posting this. If I could use it as a mantra I would (Too Long) I too lost and gained. I'm back with a clearer head and know where I need to be to get to my goals as well. It's a journey, but it's worth the ride!