20 months out, up 9 pounds, struggling, please help!

I thought when I was on OH before, I had seen a re-commital/back on track forum/group but am now unable to find it. I started at 5'10" 341, lowest weight was 185, and now am up to 194-197, NOT GOOD. My target goal is 170, current goal is to get back down to 185. I need as much support and encouragment as I can get. I know I am eating more carbs again and have tried to cut back. I am just really struggling. I have gotten back into excercising some. Part of the hard part is that I am now living with my boyfriend so more tempting foods are around. I've honestly never been on of those WLS patients who only eats extra lean protein and can resist any food. I have been in a better frame of mind about food, but it is a daily struggle that has gotten worse in last couple months. Anyone have any tips or advice?

At 20 months out, you are past the honeymoon and apparently into the bounceback stage.  It will take a lot of hard work now to maintain, let alone lose.  Start tracking your food.  If you eat the tempting things, then write them down and count the carbs, calories, etc. 

Forget the past and start being one of those people who fill up on protein.  Cook a whole turkey breast, cut it up and put it in the refrigerator.  Snack on it and eat as much as you want.  You will get full very quickly and start to understand what a pouch really is like. 

Get on the scale every single day and keep track of every single pound.  You are at the point where Weigh****chers can be excellent.  Learn about what to eat and stay accountable by getting weighed every week.  Take charge of your health and work hard.  It will take way longer than you think, but it is doable.

 I would suggest making an appointment with your surgeon's group or a nutritionist to help you get back on track.  Also, I found counseling has worked very well for me it helped me learn how to eat to live instead of live to eat.  I used to use food as my 'drug of choice' if you will to make me feel better when I was sad/depressed/bored/stressed/etc. I had to learn how to have a healthy relationship with food as it was never appropriately taught to me.  

Good luck and congratulations for getting back on track.

Mallisa

Unfortunately you are learning a lesson the hard way.  We must change our habits during that "honyemoon" phase so we are prepared for "the rest of our lives" after weight loss.

No surgery is a magic bullet.  It is a quick loss tool that hopefully gets you to goal while you are learning how you must eat/move for the rest of your life to stay that way.  Is it too late for you?  ABSOLUTLELY NOT.

You STILL have a pouch and maybe a bit of malabsorption of calories going on.  The solution is simple:  Eat correctly, and burn more calories than you take in CONSISTENTLY so you can lose.

1) Begin tracking everything you put into your mouth.  You can do that here on OH in the Health Tracker or use a mobile app like myfitnesspal.

2) Determine your RMR http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php

3) Set your daily caloric level at your RMR - 500.  This will set you up to lose 1 lb per week, which is the safest level to shoot for AND it will give you enough food so you don't feel deprived.

4) Make 100-120 grams of protein per day your goal.  I eat a 6-7 oz chicken breast grilled every single day.  That alone is 53 grams of protein, and it is real food so I feel full.

5) Eat 6-7 small meals each day.  This will keep your blood sugar level and will keep you feeling full.

6) Exercise.  Everyday.  At least 30 minutes (preferably an hour).  If your heartrate is up and you are sweating, you are good.  Yes, you have time.  You have the same 24 hours in the day that the rest of the world has.  Exercise is a priority issue.

7)  Follow the rules of your surgery.  Do not drink with meals and do not drink for at least 30 minutes afterward.  Limit simple carbs and sugar, but don't completely eliminate them.  If you do, you'll feel deprived, and we all know how well that has worked for us in the past.......

8)  Come here for support.  We are here for you.

Bottom line:  YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO-you are choosing not to do it.  Put on your big girl panties and take care of you.  Does that junk food really taste so good that it is worth being obese again?  Only you know your priorities and what you are willing to do to reach your goals.

You have to power to make the changes necessary.  NOW DO IT.

It's hard, but it's what we all have to learn to keep this tool of ours working.

Who buys the Groceries??  My excuse was to get things I didn't need but why make my family go without...Honestly My DH does need to loose at least 40 pounds of gut and my girls when they lived home didn't need it either.  My oldest weighs way to much but she is married now and doesn't listen...  The thing is there is no need to have junk or snack food that is not good for you in the house...If the boyfriend wants a ice cream send him to a fast food.  At least till you get it under control again... Help yourself and him buy healthy snacks and foods.  And yes get your protein and water in!

Huge thank you to all for the kick in the pants and words of help and encouragement. Bf and I go together to grocery shop. He ate like crap when we met, is a diabetic, but has lost 25 pounds without trying since we met as I told him I didn't want cake, candy in the house. Unfortunately though he still wants pizza, chicken nuggets, poptarts, granola bars and such. Ive explained to him how important this battle with food and weight is, and he has helped me eliminate my night eating, but is happy with the weight I am at, so he just says be happy at weight I am at. But that is not acceptable to me. I am tracking food in livestrong and getting in more excercise today. Thinking about going to a free WW meeting to see what kind of vibe I get. I am a nurse, just moved to a much bigger city/hospital and switched specialties so am trying hard not to stress eat. Thanks everyone!