What do you credit for "long term success"?

I was on another forum when I had regain and really got nothing from them except being told that if I was sticking to my plan I would not have regained.  They advocated going back to nothing but protein shakes and of course that is what they were selling.

I learned about bounce-back regain from this forum. I talked to my surgeon about it and his nutritionist said absolutely no to going back to protein shakes.  It took me months of careful dieting, lots of exercise and water. The weight went down one or two pounds a month but eventually I got back to my goal.  Now I am careful about daily weighing.  I don't want to go through that again and know that weight comes back one day at a time.   

If my weight is up, I don't attribute it to gaining muscle, water retention, constipation, or the time of the montn (I had a hysterectomy years ago).  I don't get into a panic, but I do cut out a little food that day and do a little more exercise.  Sometimes it takes a few days and sometimes it will go up a pound or two before it comes down, but I always get back to goal or a pound or two under my goal.  My surgeon is happy and so am I.

Martha, you are about the only person that I have heard of who did not have a regain.  I found out later that the people on the other board who were telling me it was all my fault had much more regain than me, but kept in denial.  They post about how the scale is not important, but I know that the scale is the reason I did this and it is the only thing that will keep me honest.

I may have had a regain, but I have always done what you are doing now, if I am up two or maybe 3 pounds I up my exercise and cut some calories. Losing 1, 2 or 3 pounds is much easier than 10, 15 or more. I take full responsibility for what the scales say every day. That is why I don't believe in "bounceback". It is weight gain, I refuse to allow it.....

Martha 

Im going to keep coming here as well, it does feel like it keeps me in the game! I feel motivated and encouraged reading other peoples successes, your success is a great motivator for my own! HUG (even tho Im not a hugger LOL)

 I AM going to hug you in October girl!! (I will keep it short and sweet!)

Martha 

I am thankful I stumbled upon this site. It has given me the opportunities to express myself openly and honestly which others outside of here do not truly understand. I feel encouragement daily when I read other's posts.

I am grateful for OH.  It truly changed my life by allowing me to make friends with others who have gone thru the surgery. It allows me to communicate my ideas no matter what they are and gather knowledge. THANKS EVERYONE!

I,  too, stumbled across this site. When scouring the Internet for before and after photos and stories, I came upon this website. I haven't left since!! I DO consider people here that I have never met my friends and everyone here is an important part of my success!

Martha 

I agree with you 100% on this one! Even after four years, I continue to check this site (and participate) every day. I definitely have had a pretty significant regain from my lowest weight, but I got too low so that's a good thing. I'm still well within my goal clothing size, and feel great! You guys keep my head in the game, and serve as a constant reminder of who I am, where I come from, and that we CAN do hard things!

If you went too low and feel better with a few more pounds, then that is great. I like what you have to offer here!

Martha 

This site has helped, but also becoming a support group leader for my facility's bariatric support group keeps me motivated. Knowing that I have to sit in a room full of pre- and post-op patients as something of a role model reminds me that I am accountable for my continued success.

Besides the support groups (online and onsite), my family is a huge motivator. I'm an only child, so my parents will someday rely on me for support. I have two young children to raise and a husband to grow old with. I'm booked for the next 60-something years -- I don't have time for obesity-related problems!
 

I wish that my on site  bariatric support group was better, sigh. But, I have this one here for me every day, whether I post or not.

Martha