Feeling Like a Failure

[Mercel]

Hello Everyone
It has been quite some time since I posted here. As my weight loss started to slow then stop I became embarrassed because after a whole year I had only lost 54 lbs. When I started this journey I weighed 275lbs. The day of surgery I was 263lbs. On 11/2/12 ( 1yr post sleeve) I weighed 209. As of today I'm 217lbs. The weight loss was slow but I was still losing. Now, I am completely frustrated. I have changed my diet and exercise and nothing has helped. I feel like I have failed just like with the many diets I tried. This sleeve was my last resort and I couldn't even be successful with doing that. What am I doing wrong? I admit the weight gain came because of my lack of discipline during the holidays, but it seems as if my mistake has caused the worst for me. I don't want to go back to being as heavy as I was. This is scary and depressing, and being an emotional eater makes it more difficult. I'm not trying to bring anyone down. I found this forum to be a great support when I started my sleeve so i'm hoping for some advice, encouragement, and motivation.

[xxtac66]

Start from the beginning...when you first got your sleeve. If you are like me, you've completely relaxed in your discipline and eat whatever you want only less of it. I need to get back to protein and leave out the carbs and cut down on the fat. I eat whatever I want, just less than I could before. For me, my mind is still a food addict. My body just prevents me from REALLY over doing things. We can do this! Get back to basics!

[Gayle]

Come on, chica! We can do this!
I have been awful lately but I keep an eye on my awfulness and I think that is helping me a bit.
I track everything -- good, bad and downright ugly on MyFitnessPal and Livetrong and get encouragement from the What's on your menu thread.
Join me -- we may not be on a single track -- but we will get there.
Hugs!

[Socaldixiegal]

Are you writing down everything you eat so you can see how many calories and the types of food you're eating? Are you exercising?

[LealScott]

I am sorry you are feeling like a failure, but this is just a setback. As others have mentioned, document every morsel you put in your mouth. Last week I made all these amazing nuts as a fundraiser and I started sampling. Once I put the calorie count for citrus cashews and cinnamon almonds and other goodies in myfitnesspal.com and saw the numbers I freaked out and quit. Yikes!

Go back to basics with a liquid diet and just start over. You know what to do! Each week you stick with it reward yourself with a non food item or splurge. Look forward to the splurge, not the food and see if that helps.

Are you getting consistent exercise? That might also be part of the issue. If you are not, start small and build and reward yourself with no food items for achieving goals in that area too.

Are you working with a nutritionist and behaviorist? You say you are an emotional eater. Maybe it's time to find out why? I know people who had WLS and they still attend OA or Weightwaters or other groups to help. Having a weekly in person support group might help too.

Hey, my weight loss is at a crawl so I hear you, I really do and so do many of us. It's natural to boast about successes, less fun to share failures and frustrations. The fact that you posted at all is HUGE. You can do this. Please post again and let us know how you are doing no matter how it's going.

[Lea]

Listen to everyone's advice...u will be fine. You still have the tool. Stop eating between meals and drink. You can't eat and drink at the same time. That will help keep you from straying ...good luck!

[Jersey John]

Mercel my dear I was here from the beginning to see your success, it's in no way a failure. We are our own worst critics and enemies. By being so harsh on yourself, you are bringing yourself down and probably eating more because of it.... STOP the madness and break that cycle.

Do the 3 day pouch test diet and jumpstart your metabolism again back to basics like everyone else has said. But do one more thing for me (and for yourself)....

Pack a backpack with 46 pounds of weight and carry it around for just 5 to 10 minutes..... Then come back on here and tell me you're a failure. I dare you to try it, because you're already a winner - you just need to finish this race and it's a marathon... not a sprint.

Much love and hugs, now go get 'em girl!

[annc2966]

Do you realize how much healthier you are now than when you started? You've made so much progress in the right direction! I agree with what others have said - try and go back to liquids for a few days (getting in lots of protein) and make sure you're still journaling and keeping a food log. Do you Pinterest? If you do, search for boards dealing with WLS and/or VSG, fitness, health, motivation, etc. Have you tried cutting out grains? Dairy? There's a great book I recommend. It's called It Starts with Food. You have the strength to do this, and we're all right here with you. Sending positive thoughts your way.

[lindmar]

Listen to all your friends!!! You are VERY close to onederland...maybe concentrate on 199 I also heard somewhere that the sleeve is considered a success even if a person just loses 25 lbs. Think of it in terms of a 25 lb bag of flour!

[Camscrib20]

i feel ya girl I was stuck at 216 for abt a yr now gained a few pounds over the holidays but have got them back off by doin a weight loss comp w a group of friends trying to also lose weight I have officially broke the 216 curse and now am 210 I am determinged now to get my sleeve working for me again amd get under 200 pounds and hit 100 lost that's the ultimate goal even after 19 months out it is harder now but I know I can do it I am on day 4 of the 5 day pouch test and my sleeve is still in action and tight I have just been eating too many slider foods and not enough protein that is changed from now on lots of protein and started a new boot camp class never consider urself a failure don't measure against someone else u are lighter and healther than u were before and its never too late to make a lifestyle change forever my husband had the surgery 1 week ago today and I think we forget how hard it was to get to where we are u get comfortable in ur new life and body and easy to forget but seeing how rough this week has been for him is kicking my butt into gear because I never want to go back to where I was good luck to you and glad ur posting for support that's why I am back here also after a yr of being gone

[MrsB0324]

Everyone has said some pretty encouraging things but WOW! I'm really impressed with your words of wisdom.....I hope by the time I have my surgery, you'll be around for some moral support in the event I need it........

[pkdavis]

Don't give up, Mercel! I agree with the others about going back to basics. Something else I started doing before surgery was to visualize my food providing nourishment to my body instead of focusing on the satisfaction in my brain. This has helped to shift me away from emotional eating to some extent. If you're eating something special that you really do want some satisfaction from, make sure you are fully present in the moment and try to experience your food with all five senses. That gives you the most pleasure with the least calories. Don't drift away from us this time. Stay connected so we can support you!

[MomMaestra]

Such great advice here! I am not sleeved yet but I am on pre-op diet. I hadn't realized how much I ate before ... my daughter never finishes her cereal.. so I do...just a little bit but then, kids don't finish their dinner... I do, grazing at the pantry, fix dinner: have to taste it once (or ten times), make cookies, eat about 6 cookies before they are baked, staying up too late... start getting hungry start grazing again. And then there is when we are out in the car... always stop SOMEWHERE for a snack or meal... holy smokes batman! It does add up so quickly!

You are not without the tool... you still have it... just listen to the people who are there now... they all say get back to basics. This is not undoable... get back on here where your support is and you will do this!

[Mbshil]

Jersey John Pls tell me more what is the 3 day pouch test diet? I am in the same boat as Mercel.Feel like I am screwing it all up again, Making bad food choices and not losing anymore for the past 3 months.

[Mbshil]

Mercel I know exactly how you feel. I am there right now. I think one positive thing is that we are back on this forum cause we know we need help. That is the first step to get back on track.I staRTED TODAY ALSO TO TRACK MY FOOD INTAKE AGAIN I think that alone will help and open my eyes. Let's both keeo checking into this forum and see that we can get back in the swing of things and make it to our goal