Learning from weight regain mistakes to be successful now!

[mellowjoy]

In my adult life this is the first time I've been able to wear the same size clothing 2 years in a row. WLS really does work if you're willing to be open to change, follow guidelines, ask questions, and be honest with yourself. I was a professional yo-yo dieter for 25 years. I'm probalby in their hall of fame.

Like a lot of us, we could successfully lose weight but not keep the weight off. I guess I was always expecing a miracle to save me rather than understanding that weight loss is only temporary if you don't have a good set of guidelines in place control old habits. This time around I accept accountability for my eating and exercise habits because there are no miracles.

I don't always eat what I want. I eat what I need to maintain my weight loss. If I choose to eat a slice of chocolate cake then I'm probalby having tuna with steamed veggies for lunch or diner and probably walking an extra 30 minutes to balance out exercise and food intake. Food that I didn't think I liked before surgery I now incorporate into my diet, broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, salmon, tuna steaks, and chicken breast have become my new normal. I made it a goal to try all the veggies I thought I didn't like and to learn how to grill, broil, and bake. I'm not the best cook but I can say that it's healthy cooking. Seasonings are still hard for me but I don't give up and grab a burger. I eat my healthy meal and try a new recipe the next time around. It's getting better.

I get on the scales daily. I know everyday weiging isn't for everyone but it works for me. I log all my meals, bites, and licks on MFP. Logging works for me, if I don't want to log it then I know I sholdn't eat it. I also weigh my meals for portion control every meal.

I still have a real fear of gaining weight because from past experience I know how easy it is to do. Every morning I thank God for helping me make smart decisions and giving me good health. I'm probably one of the few that's glad that I didn't have surgery earlier. I'm not sure I would have had the dicipline to work through struggles to maintain the weight loss. I needed a number of regains from losing weight to learn from my mistakes.

I rarely post here but I do visit weekly because it keeps me motivated to here success stories. Thank you all!

[Ann2]

I HEART this post.

And I'm posting a link to it in a newbie's post about being terrified of WLS. This is such a great glimpse for her of her possible healthier, happier future.

Thank you.

[Dutchie]

I think this is awesome!
Thank you so much for sharing this.
This is so helpful to me.
This makes me realize once again, there really are many more people, who watch what they are eating, a couple of years after the surgery.
I still do exactly the same, but I am considered very strict and a bit strange in my wls community.
Not that I care, but that is how it is.
I know there are a lot of people here, that also are really vigilant, that is why I like it here so much.
Once again thank you!

[KiwiGal]

This is great. You have it all under control and know what you need to do to make this work for you.
It is inspiring!

[TheSassWay]

Balance is key!! Great post, thanks for sharing!!!

[Christie13]

Awesome post Joy! I love all your insight and truth. I am also a daily scale person as it keeps me accountable and helps me make adjustments if I need to. I bought an instant pot and it has made quick, healthy meals a breeze. Congrats on your long term maintenance success. You rock!

[Sandra3]

Such a nice post!
And same here, I wear more or less the same clothing for the past 18 months (some is a little too this Summer now but I like it that way during Summer) and since my IBS is gone (thanks to the sleeve!!) I can eat veggies any time and I'm not scared to eat a salad when having lunch or dinner outside the house.
Before the sleeve a salad could make me really sick..

I think about my surgeon often, mentally thanking him, because each time I'm full when my small plate is not even half empty, or when I can say no to dessert because I'm not hungry ....I know I could eat more of that potatoes dish, but after my protein and veggie...no more space!! those decision are so much easier compare to "before".

Even after my last regain (thanks to medication) I'm still optimistic at some point I will reach my own goal...may be in 2019!!

[denzel]

Absolutely I agree with the above.
WLS is just a tool, and it is up to the individual to use it wisely.
I was sleeved February 2015.

I put about 8 kg on last year/this year when I went abruptly off the Cymbalta due to a severe stomach bug that I was on for Fibromyalgia and went through Cymbalta Withdrawal Syndrome. I simply could not stop eating. There were no brakes. (I was still within healthy weight range).

I am back on Cymbalta, have lost 3 kg and have had a couple of appointments with a LCHF (Low Carb Healthy/High Fat) Dieitian.
I eat healthy food made from nutrient dense ingredients, rather than processed food, and use fats and oils that don't create inflammation in the body, and no sugar.
So sad to think of the many years that I was eating low-fat, exercising like crazy, starving myself and putting on weight.
I recently bought Mark Sisson's "The Keto Reset Diet" - highly recommended. "What the Fat" is also a very good book.

I have gone back to trying to remember and do - 20, 20, 20 .
I continue to use tiny cutlery as a tool, and appropriate sized crockery.

I weigh myself weekly and post my results on a number of other WLS sites to keep myself accountable.

[Stacey03]

Hurrah! :-)

[BarbyK]

You are doing wonderfully! This is for DutchSleeve, regarding your writing.

[Dutchie]

Thank you!
That is so sweet.