10 months post- i SERIOUSLY need some support and direction

[mi75 1,235]

greetings to all- i just really need a boost in my support and motivation. i thought for the past month or so that I was just in a stall, but it occured to me just now when i ate a SANDWICH for lunch, that i am completely off track.

i have 19 lbs to go until my goal, and about 11 wks until my 1 year anniversary. i really want to be there. i am in grad school and really going through a HORRIBLE semester so stress eating is definitely in play too.

i feel like i don't know WHAT to eat anymore. i am doing some egg salad, Soups, P3, cheese sticks, etc. i know i must be eating way more calories that i realize. i know i'm eating some carbs that maybe i should avoid (even though my bariatric program allows ALL foods) so i will cut them. i am going to start trying a food diary again. i would love to go to an actual support group but the one in my area occurs during my grad school class time so that's not an option for me (same class night for spring AND fall semester too!).

right now i'm going out for a walk. i just really need to get refocused. i had MASSIVE focus pre-op and even though i have been successful up until now, i just do NOT want to fail this surgery. failure is not an option. i keep reminding myself of how TERRIBLE i felt when i was so big and unhealthy, and even though it's good motivation, obviously i have a major food addiction because i just go and eat things like SANDWICHES...

please no ugly feedback, nobody can make me feel more terrible than i already do. i was SO focused a year ago. i was SO motivated. i still want all of the positive outcomes. i just seem to have lost my way.

any words of advice...any workout DVD options...any simple recipe ideas...any ANYTHING to give me support and focus is VERY much appreciated!

[UK Cathy 977]

Try planning out your meals so that you know exactly how much protein/carbs/calories etc you will have. Then if possible pre prepare some of them. Look at your exercise regime and especially Water intake. Write everything down in MFP or something similar.

[LisaDomalewski 79]

1. start with the food diary. I always thought I was eating much less. Weight loss is calories in vs calories out, sleeve or not.

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

You have the right mentality and it sounds like you know what to do. Get up. Dust your knees. Track your food (MyFitnessPal is an easy app to use), plan your meals, eat every 2-3 hours. Your meals and Snacks should be small calculated calories/portions, that way you are never starving or overeating and you're constantly feeding your metabolism--not allowing it to slow down.

Here is an example of one of my days:

Morning:

*5:00 am-Premiere Protein shake (as soon as a wake up)

*7:00 am-slice of wheat toast with a teaspoon of Nutella, sliced strawberries and blueberries OR an oatmeal cup from McDonald's (if I haven't shopped for groceries! Lol)

*9:00 am-Premiere Protein Shake

Lunch: a lean Protein, a small portion of a complex carb (like sweet potato) and veggies (it varies, I usually pre-prepare). Sometimes I'll buy a grilled chicken salad to go when I did not have time prepare my lunch.

*2:00 pm- sliced gala apple with Peanut Butter (if you're trying to stay away from sugars, you could do celery sticks with Peanut Butter, or a cheese stick high in protein with a handful of nuts.

*4:00 pm-Protein bar

*5:00 pm-Workout time (I take pre and post workout supplements)

Dinner: lean protein and veggies (no starches!)

*9:00 pm-Premiere Protein Shake (I take in a lot of protein because I strive to build muscle mass...helps with muscle recovery and repair!)

Hope this helps!!!

[Rogofulm 2,440]

For me it's all about the carbs. Doesn't seem to matter how many calories or fat I consume – if I can stay in ketosis, the weight comes off. Very slowly now that I'm at my goal weight, but it's still inching downward. So I'd suggest that you detox from the carbs, and eat your 60-80 grams of Protein plus drink 64+ ounces of Fluid every single day. Getting 30+ minutes of exercise helps too. If you like sandwiches, eat the guts without the bread, and supplement it with a Protein shake, yogurt, or some other meat if you're still hungry. tuna and chicken salads are pretty satisfying without bread. And if you feel munchy, always chose a protein option like nuts, cheese, Jerky, meat, or Greek yogurt. I sometimes find myself going back several times for a handful of almonds, but it doesn't seem to matter, as long as I don't have any starches. No booze, fruit juices or sodas either. And avoid all sugary desserts! If you crave something that tastes sweet, sugar-free Jello, pudding, or popsicles can help with that. And I agree with the others that you should log everything that goes in your mouth for a while. If you're honest with yourself and your food log, that will help you make better choices. If you can do all these things, you stand a good chance of making your goal.
Good luck! We're all behind you!!!!

[glitter eyes 1,398]

You can refocus- especially since you are aware of the things that are holding you back. I am almost 10 months post op too and I think this is the time it can get really hard. Our stomachs are healed and can hold more and for some the appetite comes back (happened to me). However, we can do this!! I am upping my exercise. I just brought a fitbit to encourage me. I am also cutting my carbs way back. Try logging your food again and see if that helps. Also, being this close to goal it becomes a little harder to lose those last few pesky pounds!! You got this!! Good luck

[tomi71 581]

Don't beat yourself up. Take it from me, I am an expert at beating myself up.

Realize we all fall off the wagon. You realized that and that is half the battle. Keep on trucking. It's called a journey for a reason.

Celebrate your achievements and don't cry too much of failures.

[chasingpolaris321 214]

I know this thread is a little old, but I just wanted to chime in and say thank you for posting! I am almost nine months out and these past two months have been so much more challenging than I imagined. Like you, I was 1000% dedicated to this surgery and have done really well up until recently. Now I can feel the old habits slipping back in and that is a very scary thought when you have spent so much of your life letting yourself down with weight control. I have really been trying to get back on track, and one thing that has helped me is asking my friend (I live with three close friends from grad school) look at my food journal every evening. It sounds a little weird, but it helps me to stay on tracking knowing that if I write cookie on my journal she is going to see it. Obviously that won't work for everyone, but my point is let's get creative and make sure we can keep winning the battle! Good luck!