VSG'ers how do you get back on track?

Hi Everyone!

It's been a while and I have been a bad VSG'er! 

I have gained 12 pounds since the summer/fall. I can't believe it. I truly believe it's 9 and I am having some lady bloat, but 9 is 9 too many. Goodness I started off well and I was doing the right things but then this year started and I went back to school along with starting a new job and my planning isn't what it used to be. This  is something that I am going to have to improve because I can't continue to gain. 

I am making an appointment to see my doctor and nutritionist because I have to get myself back together. Saying good bye to the lane bryant was something I was so proud to do (although I still go there for underwear-because they have coupons) so I can't go back. I just refuse to let myself do it, I just have to get back on track. 

If you all have any suggestions please let me know I definitely will welcome them. I just am not happy about this!

Harness your WHY Power - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlp-Q4KFQkA

Planning is the key here...I noticed you said that's gone by the wayside, but this is what you need to work on most.  If you do not plan, life will get in the way and you'll turn to your old habits....and we know where that gets us.  My best advice is to go back to planning and tracking.  You have to be honest and accountable.  It's the only way to get where you want to be.  Good luck to you.  Know that you CAN do this!

Deb

You need to start by identifying WHY you gained those 9 lbs - too many liquid calories, bigger portions, grazing, junk/carby snacks, no exercise.

Then, make some changes. Come up with a realistic plan that will work for the long term (I dont advocate a 5 day pouch test or any kind of crash diet - doesnt help address the underlying issues). You can "go back to the basics' - really the rules we should try and focus on for long term maintenance - plenty of water, protein first, avoid high carb meals/snacks, good balance of fruits/veggies, some form of enjoyable exercise (dont force yourself into a routine you hate and will quit after 3 weeks).

Planning and packing lunches/snacks ahead of time will help you stay on track and have more control during the day of what you eat and avoid unplanned trips to the vending machines or through drive throughs. That's the one thing that is critical for me at this stage especially during times that are stressful and my will power is reduced.

You definitely have not been a bad VSGer - you've simply been human (and by the looks of the population, you are still doing better than most!)

Failing to plan is planning to fail.  Trite, but true.  You know what to so, since you've been super successful already!  Congrats on that loss!

Track you food, measure, drink water, exercise!  Make losing the weight your TOP priority and plan accordingly.  You can do this -- you've come to far!

Mental health, obviously, has been a big key for me so far...

BUT to get back on track, I have to really go hardcore. If I let too many carbs in, I know because the carb monster comes out growling and I turn into the snack queen. So, I pull back and cut out as many as I can.

I know some have to ease into it, but that doesn't work for me and I fall right back off the wagon.

It sucks, but so far... that's what works for me. I got off a six pound gain I gathered for a week of retreat fun in one week and I'm back on track (for the most part). The rule seems to be that I have to stick with it for three days. Three days and I'm golden again. BUT man... that carb headache coming off... brutal.

I was dealing with 4 lbs. what I did: food tracking to find out where the extra calories were coming from. Then, I was able to make the necessary changes to get back on track. 2. Lowered my calories a bit. 3. Started back with a consistent and varied exercise program . I am back on track and within one pound of my goal weight. Food tracking and exercise are the keys for me.

I think the first thing two things you have done are great and have set you on a path to success.  First you admitted that you had fallen back into old behaviors.  Everyone does that.  For some people it lasts a meal, for others a few days or a few months.  However, you recognized the problem and said...enough is enough.  That makes YOU a success.  It isn't whether we fall back into old behaviors...it is whether we recognize it and don't stay there as long that makes a person successful.

Second you are holding yourself accountable by posting in the whatcha eating thread...there is something about writing it down and sharing the truth about what is going in your mouth with other people.  Compliance then becomes day to day and reading what others are doing also helps you identify if what you are doing is working and perhaps how others are eating and losing weight.  

Finally don't be too hard on yourself.  You recognized it after 9 pounds and said STOP,  Some people regain much more weight than that and some regain all your weight.  So celebrate the fact that you have changed your lifestyle and made the changes before things got out of control.  Congrats and good luck.  You can do it.

Thank you all for the encouragement. I am going to get it together! Your suggestions are awesome and will help me get a handle back on things. Planning definitely needs to be done better than I did previously.

LOL -- I do it, but I don't enjoy it. Some days, it seem like "plan" is just another four-letter word!   You'll get this under control!