Rosemar

I need some wisdom from anyone and everyone who is more than 10 years out. I lost 134 pounds after my surgery. I have been able to maintain a weight loss of more than 100 pound over the past ten years until recently. All of a sudden I am gaining a pound here and a pound there. I'm eating as I've always eaten, but I am always hungry now. I can be full and in about an hour, I'm hungry again. It's very distracting because I haven't had this sensation for a long time. Help, what do I need to do?

Thank you Glitter Eyes. That is so kind of you to say. I can use the encouragement, so your comments are most appreciated.

Thank you. I appreciate the time it took to write your response. I printed a copy and intend to keep it front and center where I can see it daily. Best of luck with your journey. Things get much more difficult when you get to the point where you can eat larger amounts again.

Ditto on Trevor's comment. I grab something to drink. The first 5 years or so Water bothered me (go figure) so I went to Vitamin Water Zero. It's still my drink of choice. I have a tendency to dehydrate easily so drinking all day have a double benefit ~ it relieves head hunger and it keeps me hydrated. It took me a long time to realize that my weak, dizzy, spinning spells were actually dehydration. Problem solved for me! Good Luck. Stay strong.

iamsoworthit, What a great mantra. I love it. Indeed words to live by ~ on this journey and every journey. Thanks.

Bandista, do you remember the name of the Ted Talk? I would love to check it out. First day with the personal trainer tomorrow. Wish me luck! Better yet, wish me the will to get this done!

I'm eleven years out and ready to start an exercise program to take off the 30 lbs that I've gained over the past years. I'm committed to taking a cardio swim class twice a week. I do better in classes because of the social aspect. And I have hired a personal trainer to work on specifics like strength and toning. I hate to exercise, so we'll see how this goes. I'd like to get those thirty pounds off. I was at my best health wise when I was at goal weight.

Getting your life back is worth any short term inconvenience or "yucky" feeling. Believe me, YOU are worth it.

Hello Cupcake, I noticed that we started out about the same weight. When I started the journey I was 316 lbs. I dropped down to 306 before my surgery. I then went on to a 134 lb weight loss. I also lost my knee pain, back pain and asthma. My goal weight was 172. After all this time I've adjusted it to 180. I gained some weight back due to inactivity and some unrelated health issues. I have recently rededicated my self to getting back to 180. I started exercising again more seriously and started taking a look at my food intake again - not how much I eat, but rather what I eat. I realized that I was eating unnecessary fat in some of my Protein. In less than a week I've lost two pounds just from lowering fat intake. I promised myself that I would never "diet" again after my surgery. I haven't. I've just made adjustments to what I eat, and it's worked. Being a part of these forums has been helping too. By talking to newbies, I am reminding myself of what I need to tweak. Being here is a win win for me. I wish you well. Take care of yourself ~ physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. You're the only one who really knows what you need, so be your own best friend.

Congratulations, this is a life changing decision. Good for you!!! Take advantage of this time to lose as much weight as you can. The bulk (no pun intended) will come off easily the first 18 months. Follow the rules and set yourself up for success. Plan ahead and plan to be healthy. It's not always a smooth road, but it a road well worth taking. Be sure to take care of your emotional and spiritual side too. This change impact all of you, and if you do it right, it will be in the most positive way. Be well and follow the plan outlined by your docs. Being on line here and getting support from fellow travelers is a first good step. Good luck - heck, luck has nothing to do with it... instead I'll say, stay strong and stay positive! P.S. I'm 11 years out and have pretty much maintained my weight loss. When they say that its' 80% surgery and 20% diet and exercise in the beginning and then 80% diet and exercise and 20% surgery after a few years they are right. Now is the time to get your life in order and to put your health first... go for it.

I would order the tilapia with steamed vegetables. Have them keep the shrimp (unless you want to take it home for your husband to have later). In a large group people seldom notice what are or aren't eating. Eat your Protein first, small bites and eat slowly. Engage in conversations so no one will pay much attention to your plate. You can pull this off. Try not to say that you're not feeling well. It's not a good place to go, on the contrary, you're doing quite well but you're just not hungry for some reason - go figure! Good luck. I've was in this situation many times in the beginning. I became a professional food on the plate arranger. If you don't want them to know... that's the plan. Don't stress. You've made a healthy decision - be happy and enjoy the company.