***REGAIN ***Veterans, question?? What has worked for you with regain and losing it??

I just passed my 6 year surgiversary, and had regained almost 60 pounds (of 105 lost). I knew what I should be eating, but I couldn't make myself stick to it. I've finally found an online coaching program that's helping me work through the mental / emotional reasons I overeat and binge on sweets and carbs (and how to stop doing it!) 20 pounds of regain lost so far, and for the first time in years I have hopes of getting my skinny clothes out of boxes and back in my closet.

I'm off all sugar and non-veggie carbs (I know that works wonders for me, I just needed the help sticking to it!) Part of the program is intermittent fasting as well. I never thought I could do that, but it turns out it's not that hard, and is really helping me regain that feeling of restriction with smaller meals. My current fasting regimen is two meals in a 6-7 hour eating window and 17-18 hours fasting. Still tweaking that, as I'm not sure I'm getting enough protein in (averaging 50-60 grams / day).

You have already taken the hardest step by saying enough is enough and now I want to get back on track. I maintained 118-125 for over 10 years after losing 200 pounds. Due to a personal tragedy I gained and hit the 190 mark a year ago. After several starts it finally clicked and I am back to goal again. Here are some steps that helped me and I hope they will help you too! You may have several starts and stops but don't give up, don't beat yourself up. IT WILL CLICK!!!

Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery? How many meetings, classes and such did we attend? We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success. And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods. Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

Journaling

Get back to journaling. This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life. Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating. It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband. It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food. Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker. Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself. Make them realistic and small. Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea? I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass. So I was either pushing to be diabetic or get cancer. I found once I started carrying a bottle of water around 24/7 (yes had one at my bedside) I lost the cravings for the sugar and I KNOW those artificial sweeteners are not good for me. Look I am old and if you add up all the artificial sweeteners I have consumed I am sure I am at the rat in the lab getting cancer threshold.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving. If I could not go to the gym I would walk. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back. So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV. Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Kathy S.

Thank you for your post... I printed it and will use it as a guide. I will be 6 years on 4/23/18. I lost 190 pounds and maintained for 3.5 at 163-165. I was going to the gym 6 days a week for 2-3 hrs a day. I had to have surgery on my left knee and wasn't able to go for 5 months and thats all it took. I lost ALL motivation and was still eating like I was maintenance which was whatever I wanted bc I burned it off.. Long story short I have since struggle for the last two years trying to lose the 35/40 lbs that I gained. I always said " I would not be that person" and here I am feeling like a failure. I know what I need to do but cant seem to get it together. The scale went down as of this morning so I will continue what Im doing. Thanks for the suggestions :)

Congrats on the loss!

I will be honest it took me about a year before it clicked. My head issues dealing with my loss kept blocking me. Keep trying and learn from each reset and you will get there!

Interesting! Can you share a link?

Is this the keto diet?

how do you get in needed protein? Do you do protein drink?

blessings, Tami Lynn