Almost 2 years out and disappointed in myself

[techteacher]

I will be two years out from surgery at the end of this month. A year ago I was at my lowest weight having lost a total of 77 lbs. Now I've gained back about 15-20 of those lbs. It started with a SI joint injury in Dec. 2012 that left me unable to exercise for months. I think during that time I started getting depressed and slipped into some bad eating habits. After that it just continued downhill. I now work from home, rarely get out of the house, and while I don't eat much, I'm probably drinking too many calories.

I'm so ready to make the changes to get back on track but I just can't get motivated. I pulled up the 5 day pouch test and might start it next week. I also need to force myself back to the gym again. I've not posted here in forever but figured I really need the support of the great people here.

Any advice out there from others who have been through something similar? Thanks.

[ximmia]

Hi Sherri,

Welcome to the group. This is a great community of people. I'm only almost 6 months out so I can't speak like a veteran but I know a bit about some of your circumstances.

Motivation is up to you. You know what you did to get to where you were at, but it can be hard, especially in the middle of winter. Perhaps talk to your doctor about a mild anti-depressant for the rest of the winter to get yourself kick started. It took me a quite a few months to get to the point where I really wanted to exercise, but when I finally did I find that I love it, and I love what it's doing to my body.

I'm wondering about what you're drinking, not in the calorie factor because I personally NEVER count calories, but because fluids slink through our sleeves really easily and it could be you're getting too much of a good thing. Can you go with flavored water instead? Clear liquids are almost always better than not. I will say that I drink coffee with creamer every morning without a stitch of guilt. More than calories, are you getting enough protein. Where I am right now almost all I eat for meals is protein and I get my carbs from my snacks, which works well for me.

The past is the past. Accept it and move on. You already know how to do this since you got to where you wanted. Keeping 60 pounds off is a great loss. If you want the last 20 you can make it. Give your body what it needs and wants, and start your exercise slowly, even if it's just walking around the house. I personally think your mood will lift if you can get out of the house too. It's the main reason I don't work at home; if I did I would probably just lock myself in my office there and not move.

Good luck to you. It's great to see that you've kept so much weight off for so long. Keep us posted.

[molitorr]

I'm in the same boat as you Sherri! Surgery was a little over 2 1/2 years ago. At about a year out, the weight loss stopped and keeping motivated has always been rough. I had dropped about 80 lbs and since have gained back about 10. My weight has stayed there for nearly a year now, but the worse problems has been my blood sugars have slowly risen. I went from insulin dependent to only 1 oral med, but since then 2 oral meds had been added back in, and just last week the slow release insulin to help control the blood sugars. I also work out of home most of the time and don't get out a lot.

I try to focus on the progress made, but the lack of further progress and the reintroduction of meds has been rough and hard to keep focused. I recently picked up a used elliptical to try working on that as it's here and accessible whenever there is time. I'm pushing to get myself on there regularly and hoping I can get moving in the right direction again.

Good luck, and hoping you can find your inspiration also!

[janerose]

I am two years out - I have gained 14lbs - slipping into some bad habits again; but mostly catch myself and try to get on track every day. I can eat more, but nothing like I did pre surgery. I went to my cardiologist who told me this is quite common and my body is determining where it wants to be; at the beginning of the journey he gave me the weight of 180 (from 260) that is what I am at now.

I feel great, look better at this weight than I did at my lowest ( looked gaunt) You know what to do - and what makes you feel good so live you life.

[pconrad]

Hi Sherri: I'm the same way...operation in oct. 2011; plastics Aug.2012 w lowest weight 144lbs. - now I'm 30 lbs. more. I am trying not to be lured back into over-focusing on eating/exercise as the culprits as this gets me back into the dieting mode and letting dieting thoughts overtake my mind.

I have been well aware of how I justify overeating and some of the reasons are things I need to change. Overstressing myself with too much work, not enough 'play', taking on too many projects, overinvolved with my kids' lives, and NOT ENOUGH SLEEP. I got overweight because I ate too much - I ate too much because I let my life become chaotic and justified eating too much to sooth myself. Merely focusing on my exercise and eating habits, while helpful, can just add more stress if I don't take care of the things that set me up for that behavior. I'm starting cognitive behavioural therapy with Judith Beck (not directly but using her book and workbook). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are proven methods for changing thoughts and behaviour.

That's my situation. I'm a therapist on an inpatient psychiatry unit, by the way, so I "know better" and now it's time to 'put my money where my mouth is" so to speak. The first thing is that one selects a food plan to follow then works through the workbook on changing their thinking. I get stuck on choosing a food plan...so many variables...so I never get down to choosing the food plan.

I waffle between going back to shakes, not dieting, writing things out, joining weight watchers to be accountable (although I have never kept with that more that 4 weeks), scarsdale plan, food exchanges..."F-ck"....I can really drive myself crazy. I'm thinking that choosing one food plan and making myself stick to it regardless for two weeks at a time could work...then if I consider doing something different, I can change after 2 weeks.

Any insight or advice out there is appreciated...DR. Phil "life isn't cured-it's managed"

[shazbiz]

I too am just over two years out and have found my appetite has really increased. I'm thinking about food a lot more than I used to and snacking an awful lot more than I want to. I have only gained a couple of pounds so far and do such a lot of exercise now but I don't want a few lbs to turn into a stone or two! I need to take control of my eating as I think it's starting to control me again.

[SeasonsChange]

I don't have any advice but I can offer some encouragement! Its so hard working from home! I have done that in the past and its so easy not to get up and moving. You already took the step to come here and post your struggles. I hope you can get headed back in the right direction. I know we are all pulling for you!

[itsmytime]

The only thing that has worked for me now is what worked in the past when I maintained my weight loss successfully before surgery for a while. I make a whole bunch of chicken breast every week, tuna, beef jerky, hard boiled eggs, sometimes I add a few triscuits and occasionally I will have something different like shrimp or fish or crab. These are foods I love and don't get tired of. I eat them day in/day out and sometimes on the weekends I will have something "off plan". It may sound boring but it works. I have maintained my weight this way without much of an issue. It's easier for me to keep the weight off eating this way after surgery than it was before surgery when I lost it "the old fashioned way" because I have a tiny stomach and it's easier to stick to it. When I gained weight in the past before weight loss surgery, I would just give up and feel hopeless. This little stomach helps a lot keeping us on track. What we have to do is choose foods that we like and are good for our bodies. What foods do you like that fit in with your new lifestyle and will help keep weight off? You can eat off plan stuff, but not every day. If you have a hard time keeping them out of your mouth--try to only buy them when you are out to dinner or something so you can't buy in bulk and bring them home. ya know? These are just things that work for me. I know we all have to find what works for us. Just try to keep an eye on it now because you don't want it to get any worse. You CAN reverse the weight gain. Concentrate on not gaining any more weight for now and try to figure out what you can do one day at a time. When you are ready, then you can worry about taking off some of the weight if you want to. Big hugs. It's not as easy when you are a couple of years out. There's more work in it now and I think we all know that now.

[azladyrider]

I work from home with my accounting practice and I am up and moving all day long. I do sit behind my PC most of the time but I also go visit clients once in awhile and get out to run errands mid day all the time.

[tmclenn]

All of these posts are excellent advice! It is reassuring to hear there are others faced with this issue. I have gained 5lbs too and have come to the conclusion carbs are my enemy, I crave them and they really cause my weight to go up, however when I do not eat them I crave them more. It is a fine balance, but the sleeve definitely helps. Last night I went to a potluck and what I ate all evening was about half at just one sitting in my prior life! So I was grateful for that. I am trying to focus on not buying the bulk bags as suggested, if its there I will eat it, even if its in tiny amounts over a week instead of at one sitting I am still getting the calories in eventually, so not buying it is key for me. Work, kids, stress, it all plays a part for sure, getting skills and help to deal with this stuff is key- it was the reason I let myself get so overweight in the beginning. I want to go for plastics next and have to get to a BMI of below 28, that is my incentive right now as I am at 30- set small goals for what you would like to see for yourself. And good luck, you/we are not alone in this. Maybe we should start a group for this???

[jfergie]

I have found myself gaining weight. My surgery was in 2011 and just this past 3 months I have gained 30lbs. My cravings have come back. I feel like I am hungry all the time. I am so sick of protein. I know I dont get enough veggies in. I found myself hooked on BBQ pork rinds. I love them. But I am wondering if those are part of my weight gain but there are no or very little carbs in them. I am craving sweets like crazy. I was a diabetic and surgery took care of that however I am now having low blood sugar I get the shakes. I need ideas of what I can do to favor my protein up with any ideas lady's. Thanks

[techteacher]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to make a few changes this week and try to focus on some basics. I know I need to drink more water and get more protein in. I'm going to start my day with a protein shake and then I'm going to head to the gym after dropping the kids off at school. I feel like just doing those two things are a good start for now. I can't let this weight creep up on me anymore. I have to gain control of the situation.

[w8loss4me]

I know how you feel about the weight creeping back on. I had surgery in Dec/2011. I've maintained a 107 pound weight loss so far, but I was down even further than that a few months back. I try to exercise every day at work during lunch time. Instead of eating for lunch I take a brisk walk for an hour. I've noticed this helped me start losing slowly again but it is frustrating. The longer the years that have passed since having the surgery, the harder it is to shed the pounds. Like others, I have noticed I can eat more as the years have gone by and I just try to cut back as best I can and incorporate exercise and continue to take my vitamins every day. It's a daily struggle. But, then again, the surgeon did say the surgery wasn't a "miracle" I had to work at it. I sort of feel like an alcoholic with their slogan - "It works if you work it". *Sigh* Good luck to us all.