What I relearned on the OH cruise & have questions about-

How hard ongoing maintenance is!!!

There are 5 success habits that were reaffirmed for me by Colleen Cook-
1) personal accountability
2) portion control
3) nutrition
4) fluid intake
5) regular exercise
6) vitamins and supplements

as well 5 strategies:
1) understanding the basics
2) substituting poor habits with workable habits
3) understanding your own metabolism
4) having good support
5) having a system of accountability.

The hardest part for me is managing cravings and head hunger, managing the hunger panic and sense of scarcity that is often there for me. I also find that social situations are hard for me- the nervousness makes me want to eat.

I need to work out a managing system for myself for this that includes techniques beyond just white-knuckling it.

Anyone have any useful tips or tricks for this?

I get that hunger panic and sense of scarcity, too.  It's gotten better for me, though it still happens sometimes.  I just started reminding myself, often, that hunger is not an emergency and that I don't have to eat everything right now, I can have more later.  I thought about it and realized that it's very seldom that I have access to some kind of food that I cannot get tomorrow or the next day or whenever I want it.  So I don't have to eat as much as possible today, there will be more later if I want it.  That probably sounds obvious to most people but I used to feel like I better eat it now or it would be gone.

 This weekend I attended Grand Health Partners" Boot Camp" in Grand Rapids Mi. Dr Kemmeter is my surgeon. His professional group lead  discussions and lectures on  the same topics you listed. I came away with so many new ideas to help me with my D.S. health, mental and physical strengthening of  WLS directives. If any one lives close enough to come, they have it biannually, open to everyone, not just their patients. It was well worth it for me at 7 months out from surgery, and many were 7 + years out, in need of updating info, and getting back on track after regain. 

Since I have been going to GHP's topic and behavior lectures for the past 6 months, I have learned to  work  on my own personal reasons that sabotage my weight loss efforts. 
I too have the same fear of being without food. Mine comes from a childhood where my mom was too busy working in the family business to give me an afternoon snack, after school. I began at age 8 finding my own snacks, not comprehending what calories were.

Now I always pack in my purse a, ready made protein shake, sweet  protein bar, a salty tiny bag of nuts and a meat stick. When I feel hungry, I choose one( usually the shake) It fills me up before we go out to a restaurant , so I am not as hungry, and can wait for the meal to arrive, without devouring the bread basket, not even one bite.  ;-)

SANDRA-that sounds like a fabulous "boot camp"!

"Self-sabotage" was a major discussion at the support I attended this past Saturday. I have to admit I am SO guilty of this-and would so love NOT to be. I say and do negative things to MYSELF, that I would NEVER do to my friends-neever in a million lifetimes..

My fear of "being without" probably roots from my childhood also (doesn't everything?). There were 6 kids, and a quite limited budget, so all food was "off limits", because it "being saved for something"..like Fritos for Frito pie, crackers as filler for meat loaf, cupcakes for school luncges, etc. We got in trouble if we ate anything...Makes for the the only fat girl, in the family, winding up as a 340 lb adult woman..

I LOVE your idea of keeping each "kind" of food available, in your purse--sweet/salty/filling protein...I usually have some of those things-but rarely ALL-that will change-TODAY!

Thank you, so much, for sharing your experience and ideas-you really helped me-as I'm sure you have helped others

 Hi Gena,
Happy to hear you are inspired by my ideas!!  These weightloss surgery boards can jump start new directions for sucess. Since my surgery I have traded my high calorie crave foods with SF replacements, and high protein choices replaced carb filled foods. Find replacement flavors close to the foods you crave. I dont feel deprived ever now.

Protein chips- sea salt & vinegar, and ranch- Health Wise brand- are great. Lots of crunch, use to dip in hummus. 10g protein, 9 carbs, 130 calories a bag, very filling, replaces a meal for me.

Premier Protein ready to go shake- vanilla, replaces my ice cream cravings- 30g protein.  have one on the way out to dinner at restaurants so I dont eat too many of the wrong foods.

I think of eating out as a tasting experience rather than an opportunity to fill up. My husband and I have been trying a wider variety of international restaurants with more intensly seasoned foods full of spices. The enrichng experience of trying new spicy flavors is part of the fun. Went to an India buffet, and Morrocan restaurant this week with a belly dancer. I ordered a steak, not very adventurous but on my food plan, left room to splurge with a dark, moist  spice laden date cake. Had 4 bites, brought the rest home. It was so rich and full of flavor, I didnt need any more than a few bites.

We have noticed when we relax  in front of the TV we crave crunchy snacks like chips, popcorn, nuts, crackers. I realized the sound in my ears when chewing crunchy foods mimics the woshing sound of pulsing blood flow, or heart beat heard by an unborn baby in uterous. I wonder if we are craving "crunchy" to replicate times from our past? 

If we can figure out the "why" we make our choices to eat and "what" we eat and "how much", we are on the way to maintaining  our perminent weight loss goals. Its certainly not easy for any of us.

The lectures at my surgeons office- Grand Health Partners, have been inspirational in helping me think and analize as I choose my foods and journal at the start of each day, making a plan to help me succeed in every way- watching carbs,protein and hydration with plain water- at least 32oz of the 64 oz minimum.

I raised my 2 kids from the start with an open pantry policy, filled with all kinds of snacks, chocolate, chips, cookies, everything- the opposite  way I was raised. All grown up , my daughter told me she never craved anything because she knew she could always get anything she wanted any time. She thought it was a smart idea, but I didnt want them to have the same head issues with food I have because of food rules.

My behaviorist calls it "head hunger". My surgeon advised addressing  this problem or any weight loss surgery would be useless over time. I really appreciate the insite he gives us, to help us succeed. What other surgeon frequents D.S. support meetings, and comes to dinner groups with his patients? We are really lucky to have him. His idea is to give his support all along the life long journey we have chosen for ourselves. How refreshing!!!

 I just started reminding myself, often, that hunger is not an emergency and that I don't have to eat everything right now, I can have more later.

I also have issues with fear of food scarcity; I think it stems from my childhood. We were so poor, at times the only thing I remember having on-hand for lunch was store brand white bread and a jar of peanut butter. Since my WLS I really don't feel physical hunger until it is to the point of shaking; however, I often have the desire to eat and it feel almost like a panic button has been pushed. I find it VERY helpful to say to myself "your desire to eat is not an emergency" and "you will be able to eat whatever you like when _______ (you get home, it is family meal time, etc.)" over and over, almost like a mantra, until I feel calmed again.

 Anne ... that is awesome ... and you took away EXCELLENT tips.... I aways have an AWESOME time at the OH Conferences and take away a whole lot... I hope you met Connie Stapleton PHd ... I think she is just AWESOME too ... along with the group of presentors they always have.  Kim Gyurina (sp?) does an awesome job putting these together.  I hope to see you in Atlanta ... if all goes well I am venturing out with DH again this time.

Those are great tips.... my major fear is not being able to move ... that I would go to bed one night and experience the aches and pains and stiffness and inability to move my joints as I want to as I did in the past ... that I would not be able to run or to swim or to just walk ... I have nightmares about that and wake up drenched in sweat ... there is something about not being able to move that gets me moving...

I seldom have cravigs and after the first 8-9 months all head hunger was gone ... I guess they got sick and tired of me ignoring them LOL...

Thanks for sharing this.

Anne - I loved Colleen's suggestions... Looking through my photos now to find her slides...

Lovely funny you, I loved meeting you in RL!

Thanks for the ideas, all of you. The boot camp sounds fantastic! And I like the idea of carrying an assortmant of snacks, along with my iPad and myriads of other stuff, including the kitchen sink. Who knows what I might need when?

And I did meet and have workshops with Connie Stapleton- she is wonderful for the social and relationship aspects of recovery. She and Colleen encouraged me to go the the professional ASMBS conference in June in San Diego, which I think I will do.

Please keep the ideas coming! It's ironic, but I gained 3 pounds on a bariatric support cruise! So back to my personal boot camp...