Can Anyone Else Identify?

[enjoythetime 1,457]

Ok, so I'm just wondering if anyone else has had or is having these feelings. I've been banded for 8 mo. now and LOVE my band. Lately I've been feeling worried and nervous about what's to come. I'm approx. 26lbs. From my goal weight and find myself worrying about gaining a pound, being able to maintain my loss and worried about not reaching my goal.

I think its because I've been eating out a lot this month like every day. 90% of the time I make the healthiest choice possible, count my calories and always come in at or under 1200 cal. Per day as per Dr. Recommendations, my portions are staying the same etc. I look at carbs and sugars but dont track them. Are we suppose to only really watch our calories or should we track everything? Sorry for the long post just feeling a little nervous and overwhelmed about what lies ahead. Thanks!

[gowalking 10,790]

I watch the calorie count, and try to avoid too much sodium and sugar as well. I used to track everything but just over a year out at this point, I know what I can/can't eat and usually how much as well. I understand your fear of backsliding into bad habits again...I feel the same way.

All I can do is face the day each day with as positive an attitude as possible and focus on how much better I look and feel and hope that the feeling carries me through the rough Patches.

Good luck to us both...and here's hoping we will be as successful in maintaining as we are with losing.

[B-52 7,113]

Is it YOU or the BAND that is doing the work to bring you this success.....

I have no fear of ever gaining any weight back, because i know it is not me doing the work....I have tried and failed so many times, I know my failures, and I know if left up to to me this would not work.......but it is not me....

That is after all, why I needed surgery...to do what I tried and failed at several times...

I'm done with dieting!!!!

Edited January 29, 2014 by B-52

[enjoythetime 1,457]

I watch the calorie count, and try to avoid too much sodium and sugar as well. I used to track everything but just over a year out at this point, I know what I can/can't eat and usually how much as well. I understand your fear of backsliding into bad habits again...I feel the same way.

All I can do is face the day each day with as positive an attitude as possible and focus on how much better I look and feel and hope that the feeling carries me through the rough Patches.

Good luck to us both...and here's hoping we will be as successful in maintaining as we are with losing.

Gowalking~

Thank you!! You're absolutely right! My big hangup has always been looking too far into the future at the BIG picture instead of taking things one day at a timd. I need to focus on today and enjoy and be thankful for how I feel.

Thanks so much for putting it into perspective for me!

We've worked too hard to look back now....we've got this;)

[kll724 3,055]

I can definitely identify. I felt the same way, talk to your surgeon about this. Mine chose to do nothing. But someitmes you might want a slight unfill to help you stabilize your weightloss. Good luck, Karen..aka.kll724

[mrsto 2,925]

Enjoy - staying in the present is hard to do; I have the same issue. I'm better now than I was years ago (I'm 58), but still find myself projecting what's to come. Just a suggestion.... When you find yourself reeling out of control mentally, pull back and focus on your breathing. That should bring you back into the present. Do it as many times as you need to do, to keep pulling yourself back. Worry is the illusion of control, so just focus on today

I think the reality is, for most of us, that there will be times when we DO gain a pound or two. That is just life. The band doesn't make us perfect people, but it's a good tool to keep us in check. I was a lost cause and couldn't lose any substantial amount of weight to save my life. But now I'm near goal, which would never have happened without the band. A couple of weeks ago I saw a 2 pound gain on the scale. That was the first time since surgery. I know why I gained, but seeing it in black & white was a slap right back into reality. I've since lost those 2 pounds, plus another 2, and I'm back on track. Getting right back on track has always been my biggest issue, but I've done it over and over in the last 10 months. It's a fricken miracle!

It sounds to me like you are doing just fine. A doctor said to me years ago, that long term weight loss isn't about being a perfect dieter. It's about being able to get right back on track when you go off. I think it's important to focus on making continual small changes, and keep your eye on the ball.

Regarding tracking food, with the band, I think calories and Protein are the two most important things to track. If you have other health issues that require you to watch sodium, sugar and carbs, then certainly track those as well. But generally, calories and Protein are the two major keys. At this point, I'm like gowalking....I no longer track my food because I eat the same most of the time.

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I worry about gaining the weight back, but I don't obsess about it. I notice that if I make bad choices for a few days and the scale responds negatively...I just get back on track with proper eating and hydration and in a couple of days I'm back where I started. As long as you don't overeat and stay below your calorie count, you should be fine. I would suggest digging your heals in and getting closer to your goal before you stray too far off again though.

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

I understand your fear. I've felt the same fear..... Why not? I lost 100 pounds TWICE in my life.... Both times in my twenties. How sad that I gained it back plus some additional pounds.... So yes, I have that fear too. But from the bottom of my heart I KNOW it will be different this time around. I'm participating in a long term (5year) study as part of this lap band surgery. The findings so far are very promising. And I'm a different person now than I was three decades ago. I am on this lifelong journey ONE DAY AT A TIME! Best of luck STAYING IN THE PRESENT.

[enjoythetime 1,457]

This is why this group is sooo valuable! Its so nice to know that you have a place to go to get advice and strength from those who know exactly what you're going through, who are walking in your shoes, and supports you through those "what if" times! I truly appreciate everyone's perspective and I feel much better just knowing were all in this together!!! Thanks everyone, I truly appreciate it!!!

[enjoythetime 1,457]

Is it YOU or the BAND that is doing the work to bring you this success.....

I have no fear of ever gaining any weight back, because i know it is not me doing the work....I have tried and failed so many times, I know my failures, and I know if left up to to me this would not work.......but it is not me....

That is after all, why I needed surgery...to do what I tried and failed at several times...

I'm done with dieting!!!!

B-52, I totally get what you're saying about dieting and youre right about that, this is a lifestyle change. However, it is ME, US, doing the work, God is the reason for my success and the band is an awesome tool that helps my journey with Portion Control, but the tool is only as good as the operator. Im not looking at this as a diet but I do want to contol the effectiveness of my band by making the healthiest choices possible vs. Getting a fill so I can eat whatever I want just not as much. I know this brings much better overall health and success.

[arose 16]

Hi There,

Congrats on your weight loss! Being a long-time banded (7 years), all I can say from my standpoint is that it is still important to log in what I eat. During the years I have fell in and out of love with my band. Life will get in the way. It is a lifestyle change and for me, I have had my ups and downs. I had to be banded because I have a problem with food. I have to be held accountable. It's just the way it is. If I slack off, then I know I will pay for it.

I know it's really hard sometimes and you have to lighten up and give yourself a break now and then, but ultimately, to be successful we do have to follow the band rules and it's not so bad!! The end result is sooooo great!

[Jack 855]

Congratulations on your success!!!

re: "the BIG picture instead of taking things one day" IMHO 'each day' IS 'the BIG picture'.....in the grand philosphy of 'wei-wu-wei' as I apply it to *my* life (however in error it may be) those tiny grains (whether sugar, sand, or 'days of our lives') individually SEEM like but tiny images like the mirrored ball at the prom---yet the qualities and characteristics of each separate tiny piece adds and modifies and summates to make the BIG picture....so they are inseperable multidimentional interrelated phases of each other.

There are a lot of RIGHT ways that individuals find that work for themselves, based on a few principles and guidelines. As long as we take daily steps (little picture) in the direction of our goal (big picture) our progress is demonstrated by sucess. What kind of shoes we wear or the pace of our journey is not as important as that we continue onward. The details important to some are less so to others.

We succeed by action based on results; focus on the goal helps maintain our proper actions. Our rational brain controls those actions.

Certainly your results demonstrates your actions are properly focused.

Hope this isn't too dopey sounding.

Edited February 2, 2014 by Jack