Hey everyone! I need some advice, help etc...on getting back on the weight loss track. I will be celebrating my 5 yr anniversary in July. In the last couple of years I have gained 80 of the 173 pounds that i have lost. Granted the last 2 yrs have been stressful and celebratory but I am getting back in the mode of "poor me, I'm fat" etc, etc, etc. I want to get out of that mode and get back on track. Any suggestions on diets, exercise etc that i should do? I live in a small rural area now and dont have access to support groups either. Not sure what vitamins i need, how much protein i need etc....I feel like i should start over again but just not sure how. Please advise.....

 Not sure how much help I can be since I am just getting back on track as well after a 20 lb gain, but here's what I can offer: I am finally starting to drink more water -- this has been a huge challenge for me but it's really helping with the exhaustion I felt and the hunger. I am up to around 30-40 oz no where near what it should be but waaaayyyy up from where it was.  I quit counting calories they were making me crazy  I went back to counting protein grams aiming for 100 per day. I have almost quit the chocolate habit I acquired when I learned I only dump if I eat large amounts at once.  I figure I will have that monkey off my back by the end of the week - that's the deadline I gave myself to totally stop eating it again, and I will suceed!  I've cut out all other garbage carbs and focus on protein first, then veggie complex carbs and if there's room, and usually there isn't I'll add fruit carbs.  No sugar ( other than the once ounce chocolate that I am getting rid of) and no junk like pretzels, crackers..cookies..damn them....it can be done!  There's many others from this forum who have gotten back on track, I hope they join in with some avice as they've helped m in the past.  Find other ways to cope other than food.  That's the biggest challenge and the most important one if you want long tem sucess.  Oh, for vitamins, I do 1 materna multivitamin, 2000 units vitamin d3, iron supplement, vitamin b12 , and 1500 calcium citrate.  

For me I stopped drinking and eating together , watching my calories, ensuring protein, exercising 5-6 days a week. I had falled off and and back on track. I do not think people need revisions I think that they can reset there mind and tummy.

I think the best bet would be to start by drinking more water, eating more protien and cutting all refined sugars, processed foods, pop, most carbs and get back to the basics. Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days a week - this can be anything from walking to riding your bike to doing an exercise video. The hardest part is learning to eat right again... mostly protien and veggies. Limit your fruit . You did it before and you can do it again. It will be painful at first and the cravings will be great but remember how little you ate after surgery and you survived... remember how good you felt when you lost all your weight. Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels! Vitamins would be a multi vitamin, Vit D3, Vit B12 (29mg), Iron if necessary, Calcium (1500mg), and a good probiotic. You CAN do this!
It has been about a year and 3 months since my surgery and I find myself slipping back into old habits and I fear I may begin to gain weight if things keep going in this direction. I am having this very same discussion with myself. I had to have a total knee replacement just about 6 weeks ago and I am excited about finally being able to start an exercise regime. Now I just need to focus on my diet and sticking to the program.
We are all in this together! Stay strong.

I found that I had to return to what I was doing soon after surgery and that I had gotten a little lax. I have re-introduced shakes to my daily routine and the energy and weight loss is AWESOME. Check this out -- http://blessedhands.myvi.net . I started with one shake per day and it reminded me of how I ate right after surgery. I didnt want to feel like I couldnt eat whenever I wanted -- but I also didnt want to gain. If you want to lose -- I moved to the Transformation Kit and I am excited at the weight loss. The best part is my Personal Trainer has done a lot of research and my Nutritionist supported it.

Best Wishes!