5 months out and struggling!!!

I'm 5 months out and I'm really having a hard time with eating the right foods, I've been eating really bad and unhealty lately and I just cant seem to stop! I've lost 70lbs and I feel great and everyone keeps telling me I look great but lately this past month I haven't lost any weight and I know it probably because im eating bad!! I dont know how to get back on track !! Im sorry I'm venting but thanks for listening!!!     Anyone else have this????  Any suggestions would be appreciated!!


starting weight 325
now 255

I would say since you admitted it its the first step! I have a picture of myself at my heaviest on my fridge. It seems to help when i want to make bad decisions.

The problem is that early on you can eat so little you will lose no matter what you eat. It helps to make a decision early on to eat the right stuff, but there's no reason you can't do it now.

Honestly, I think you do know how to get back on track but are hoping there's some easy way out. There isn't. Here's what you need to do:

Eat protein foods. Stop eating carbs (even fruits). Just stop. Don't put them in your mouth. Measure your portions and log your food (I use myfitnesspal.com). Some examples of good food choices:

Chicken (or chicken salad with a LITTLE mayo)
Tuna (ditto)
Egg (ditto)
Fish like talapia or salmon
Turkey
Beef jerky (about 1/2 size servings, it fills you up, and no more than once a day)
Cheese - I even eat whole fat cheese, but no more than an ounce at a meal
Lean beef, but chew well

Almonds (about 14 per serving and only one serving a day)
Lowfat yogurt, but only if everything else you eat is very low carb

Eat those things. Add a few veggies if you have room. Make it simple, keep simple eating habits, and don't give yourself permission to stray - ever!

The basic plan:

70+ grams of protein
less than 40 grams of carbs (20 if you're counting "net carbs")
600-800 calories
At least 64 oz of liquids
Exercise!

Sorry. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but what you needed to hear.

Good luck. I'm rooting for ya!

 well said!  i would only add...  you made the commitment to yourself to take this journey - as a fellow vsg partner with you... i want to encourage you to KEEP pushing forward... :)

You can do this... one pound at a time...

you are correct!!

I have to get back on this wagon also!!

Thanks again!!

What Mom4Jazz said.  I would only add, are you tracking your food on an online program like SparkPeople or FitDay (I think that's it) or Daily Plate or something?  If not, start.  You'll be amazed how accountable it keeps you.  You'll also have good visibility into whether you're getting enough protein, keeping carbs where you want them, etc.  I use SparkPeople, and I added calcium and fiber to it, so it tracks those for me along with the usual calories, protein, fat, carbs.

One additional bit of advice that might be motivating:  your health depends on compliance.  That's no ****  When we can eat so little, we MUST focus on the things that our bodies need to maintain good health: protein, a multivitamin, B12 (sublingually!), calcium, and for some, iron.  This surgery is about weight loss, of course, but it comes with a requirement that we comply if we want to be thinner and healthier.

Good luck sweetie.  You've done great so far, but because we can eat so little early out, it's almost inevitable that we lose weight.  Continued weight loss further out, and maintaining the loss, require mindfulness, focus, and diligence.  You can do it!

You do know how to get back on track. The principles are the same - protein first, limit the bad carbs, exercise, drink your fluids. Measure and track your food, and plan ahead.

You will have to make a decision to do something differently if you want to see results. There's no way to get the results you want with the way you are eating now. It's a choice you have to make. I know for me, I had to decide that I was absolutely not going to touch certain foods - fast food, chocolate, candy, soda, pizzas, chips, etc. There is no "moderation" when it comes to those foods - they have no nutritional value for my body, and there's no such thing as "just a little". Not everyone shares my approach, but I cant do it. One bite leads to two and so on. Its not easy, but I have bigger things to look forward to.

One thing that I really really believe is that you need a goal. Not just a "lose weight" or "weigh X number of pounds" or "eat healthy" - you need concrete goals that you are working towards. If you don't, there's really no reason to avoid the junk, to exercise, or live a healthy life style. I have my goals hanging up and I look at them every day. WHen Im struggling, I ask myself "how is this going to help me reach my goal?" I keep pictures of myself at 420 lbs around and look at them daily and ask myself if it's worth one bite to risk ending up back in that position.

Dont wait until tomorrow. Or Monday. Or next week. If you are serious, you need to make a commitment to get back on track and do it now - if it's really what you want to do. If you are struggling with food addictions or emotional eating, seek a counselor or something to get some help.

Good luck to you!

Find/use recipes for lean protein meals that you really enjoy.  Make them and freeze lots of leftovers so you always have something you're happy to eat that's on plan.  Protein first is my biggest rule, and it helps if I'm really enjoying it.  If I get stuck on cottage cheese and yogurt (it's easy and cheap!) I will get bored and stray...

Hi Samie.  Go back a few pages and read oldmedic's post. 
You must take full advantage of the first 6 months to a year!  Start now by getting rid of those carbs.  You didn't risk your life to not get to goal!  You can do this!!
When you're hungry and you've met your calorie count for the day, drink warm liquids (tea, coffee, whatever).  Make sure it's cal free.  Keep us posted.  ~Jennifer

You took the words right out of my mouth. I was going to post a very similar post earlier today but we had a storm blow through and I decided to get off the computer. I have decided to recommit. I don't want to get fat again! I cannot allow myself to fall back into bad habits. We can do it together. I believe what mom4jazz said as well as what acbbrown said. We can do this it will just take work. I know I am a food addict and everyday I am like an alcoholic walking into a bar. There is a candy bowl at work and I have 3 kids at home so getting rid of bread, pasta and all carbs is not an option. I have made a recommitment to myself today! My life depends upon it. I know I will have to go through carb withdrawl once again but it has to be done. Thanks for sharing and please know you are not alone. Everyone has demons, this just happens to be ours. I know God is with me and I know if I turn to Him, He will help me. So that is my new strategy. (Well, it's not new, just time to recommit.) We can do this and we will be back on the losers bench in no time. It will not be easy, but it can and will be done. Believe in your self. Trust in your abilities and know all things can be done with Jesus as our strength. Take care and lets start over together. Ready.....Set.....Go!