Carbs are seriously evil for me

I lost my weight really quickly after my RNY in 9/06 - like within about 7 months I had lost 110#, which was more than I wanted to lose.  I got a bit too thin and my face and chest looked "sunken" so I tried to eat more, and that included carbs in increasing amounts.  If I could, I'd eat ONLY carbs - I love bread, chips, sweets etc.  I've gone totally overboard with carbs, and am now having to deal with the consequences.  I've gained 20# in the last 6 months.  I needed to gain only 5 or 10#, so now I'm back on the food plan suggested by my surgeon.  Why did I have to stray from that?!  Now I feel like I'm missing out because I'm used to having all the carbs and I like them!  I can't seem to be moderate with carbs - it's all or nothing with me.  Yuck!  And it's my own fault, which I hate!  I don't want to sabotage my health and the success I had after surgery, and I'm upset that I did this to myself.

First of all...what a great acheivement on your initial weight loss!  Secondly, don't beat yourself up, we all have/had some kind of food addiction and we all struggle with finding the right balance.  I only had my surgery 3 months ago and am a slow loser because I CHOOSE to incorporate carbs into my plan, I just cannot do pure protein and put my body into ketosis, I refuse to. 

I think if we are wise, we try to find a 'balance' perhaps going cold turkey works for you, but maybe over time you will be able to incorporate small amounts of carbs into your daily life so that you dont feel like you are being denied.

good luck losing those pesky pounds!!!

Thank you.  I am trying to look at the positive - I wouldn't have even noticed 20# when I was at my largest! 

I should have made it clear that I am having some carbs - fruit, veg, potatoes, rice, tortilla, english muffin.  But the carbs I have been having are candy, cookies, sweet rolls, doughnuts, etc.  I'm eating the healthy carbs, but I REALLY miss the candy and sweets.  I can't seem to have just one bite of the sweets - if I have some, I want all. 

And yes, it is definitely an addiction!  I've done the 12-step stuff and know my eating is disordered.  I wish I wouldn't have allowed myself to go this far, but I'm thankful that I'm stopping at 20# and not going further.

Thanks for your response!

Well there are lots of natural carbs in plenty of the "protein" foods we eat too.. milk products have carbs, etc...

I don't outright eat "carbs" but I choose to eat healthy foods that naturally contain carbs... As well as using whole grain tortillas, english muffins, etc for fiber sources.

I am almost  carb phobic and last week at my 6 month dietitian appt we talked about how I have to integrate healthy carbs... for more fiber and because now I am working out I need them as part of a healthy diet.

Good luck!

I have no words of wisdom except - don't be too hard on yourself.  That's a really good way to create a negative mindset, and a negative mindset is a perfect breeding ground for the kind of eating you want to avoid.

None of us got to be obese by being able to follow proper eating guidelines perfectly.  The beauty of having had surgery is that your tool will always be there to help you - you just have to decide to get back to the basics, and remind yourself of the rules you put in place when you lost the first 110.

Good luck and Happy Holidays to you!

evil carbs  

" If I could, I'd eat ONLY carbs - I love bread, chips, sweets etc."  That is SO me.  I'm super close to my original goal, and would ultimately like to get around 170-175.  IWhich is 10-15 more pounds.  've been allowing myself more and more junk carbs, and it's definately slowed my weight loss.  In addition, since I haven't been focusing on protein, I swear my hair is beginning to come out again.   My re-growth from the original hair loss is at least 2" now, so I don't want to go back to losing again. Hair that is.

At least you recognize your issue and are working to correct it. I'm kind of all or nothing myself, just limiting the junk probably isn't realistic for me. I don't want to be over 200, let alone 300 ever again.  Glad you posted Renee, I needed a reminder to get myself back in check. I've got to put a before and after picture of myself in my purse or on my phone. Maybe that would help me.

I'm new to my RNY (Sept 29/09) so I thought I could slide through the holidays without a problem because I'm so afraid of dumping.  Unfortunately... I've tried quite a few treats with no apparent issues.  So now I'm back to avoiding temptation!  Sheesh.  The treats are everywhere.  The only good thing is that I'm never hungry, so I can avoid them that much easier at least.