Getting back to basics

I admit, this past week and weekend was the hardest I've gone through in a while. Issues with Midget Girl's school and medication damn near drove me over the edge. We're also looking at my husband being medically discharged from the Army. The thought scares the hell out of me because we've been living this lifestyle for 6 years.

 My girlfriend and I decided to go out and let loose. She didn't force me to drink. I made the choice. I had a few Sex on the Beaches, and danced like no one was looking. (Court date pending haha) I knew what it could do to me. I still made that choice. Yes, I suffered for it.

Today is all about the basics. I'm going back to focusing on my fluids and proteins, even if that means drinking more shakes than I had recently been used to. My question is this: how long do you take to get back to "normal"? I'm willing to do whatever it takes, but I'm just wondering if I have screwed myself up for a while.

Go ahead, give me my lashings. I deserve it.

I am hoping to have my surgery soon so do not have any advice on getting back to normal.  I do have some advice on being gentle with yourself and claiming success for recognizing a behavior that does not lead to success.  Everyone of us will have a meal or drink(s) that are not what we plan  to reach our goals.  You can't beat yourself up for it- kind of useless at this point.  Get right back on track and focus on your goals.  If you find you can't do this, get to a nutritionist or get some help.  Keep writing and reading at this site.  Life is tough with lots of hurdles and pitfalls. We need to learn how to navigate through it without eating or drinking in excess.  No lashes- just love!  Also consider that after this surgery, some people switch addictions from food to alcohol or shopping or gambling- be very watchful for what you use to cope with problems.

EXCELLENT advise.  Yes, be very very careful about picking up a new addiction.  It is called "Switching deck chairs on the Titanic". For some, it is debting and shopping (going deep into credit card debt to buy all new wardrobes), others it is drugs, others alcohol.  I can absolutely see myself picking up a new addiction to deal with the scary emotions, FEAR and intense life stress which I am currently under that food used to mask(scary hard high-tech sales job and 2 small babies).  When I lost all the weight 14 years ago, I got deep into the debting and shopping (had to declare Bankruptcy).  I hope you have an accountability partner or therapist or someone you can talk to to keep in all in check. 

Thanks for your honest and vulnerable post.  I know you will get right back to the basics because you are a STRONG and FIERCE WOMAN!

Sounds like you had fun. I heard that pole dancing was tough so I don't think I'll give it a try.

Your big win here is that you are on top of it. This could easily spiral out of control. I had a night like this a couple weeks ago and suffered 4 pages of lashings. You sound like you have this under control. Very Nice!  I would say do this for at least a week but stay on top of your fluids always. 

Thanks Keith. It was REALLY hard to keep away from the cakes and snacks we have here for hubby's bday party yesterday. I'd say I'm doing ok. Just gotta stick with my shakes. :)

You dont deserve any lashings - you are human. 

Cutting out the carbs and junk is good, but you should spend some time making a plan for how you will get through this rough patch and find a coping mechanism that will help - whether you and your husband commit to a daily walk together, or a date night, or you just schedule some alone time or take up an activity - that will be more beneficial than just going back to shakes. If you dont deal with the underlying cause of the indulgences, it will keep re-occuring until you are totally out of control. 

This is very true. Thanks for the idea! It's amazing that something THAT simple can slip your mind when you're going crazy.

Where's the "LIKE" button???  Great advise!

No lashing from me -- just sympathy that you've had such a rough time lately that you needed to let loose to the extent that you did (no judgment, I just know how hard it is to get back on track after a big carb binge -- I don't drink, I reserve my carb catastrophes for food!).

What I found before (I haven't done it post -op because I slid so fast down the slippery slope when I was doing Atkins), was that once the "on" switch was flipped, I never really got it flipped back off until my VSG.

I how long will just depend on how hard you fight back now when you have cravings.  Some people can take in more and not be triggered, and others, not so much!

I'm hoping you recover from this quickly, and since Midget Girl and your husband may have drive you close to edge many, many more times, that you find a way to cope without going off your plan.  Can you cut loose and dance like no one is looking without the alcohol?  

Sending you hugs, and if I could sending you other ways to cope, I'd do that too!  Take care of yourself!