stepping off plan

On the 4th, I ate 4 chips along with part of a hamburger. It was planned. I tracked the calories for those 4 chips. I had a slight fear that they'd send me into a carb-craving rage, but they did not. I survived. I enjoyed the chips. I am not planning on having more any time soon, however.

Sometimes I plan, sometimes I don't. But I track it all so I can't kid myself.

I also have learned to not beat myself up like I used to. LIttle by little that is working ok, and I'm not using that to become lax or let myself fall into a hole of disaster. I'm very cautious but also recognize that eventually I want to think "normally" instead of "I'm good" or "I'm Bad", that's a drag.

I don't plan to stray at all until I'm at goal. Can I do it? We shall see. I've been at this for awhile (had to do a six month supervised diet), so on one hand... I know that I'm capable of being really strict. On the other hand, since I've been at it for awhile and have SO much more weight to go (130ish lbs)... I know it's going to take me awhile to get there... so hopefully I can continue to stay focused. Through therapy and self-reflection... I know that I am not yet at a point where I can have "just one" or "just a bite of something" and not want more.

I would think that someday, if maintenance comes, I'm going to eat something sweet. I don't know that I see myself living the rest of my life (28 now) without eating things like that at some point (on RARE occasions). What I'd like to focus on is not having guilt or worrying after doing it and how I can prevent a complete derailment. I'd like to have an actual action plan for preventing it from COMPLETELY derailing my progress like it has in the past. The "well, I ate something bad... might as well give up today." and then "Oh, I'll get back on track Monday" - you get the idea I'm sure. I think perfecting strategies for getting back on track will be key. Who knows though... I still have a lot to learn!! :)

I would suggest analyzing your eating habits.  What habits got you to the point you needed the surgery.  We are not all the same and have different reasons why we had the surgery, the only thing we really share is the goal of losing weight.  If you eat foods high in sugar and they start cravings, or your eat them to console yourself, stay away from them.  Do you start something you have a hard time controlling.  Also make sure it does not become a part of your loosing phase.  One or two bites over a month in my opinion is not too excessive.  The first 6 months are the honeymoon stage and you do not want to compromise your loss.

Personally I have taken a few bites of sugary foods.  I had 2 graduations in June for my daughters.  I think I had one bite of cake at each graduation.  If you do end up taking a bite or two account for it and make sure you make up for it throughout the day.  I do no****ch my carbs as closely as others do, but I still try to keep them low.

Your graduation cake example is exactly the type of thing I was thinking about. Currently, all refined sugar is banned from our house.  But, two of my daughters have birthdays next week.  The younger (13) one came to me a couple days ago and said sadly, "So, are we not having a birthday cake this year"   Made me feel a bit like the grinch.

Anne

Your daughter can have the birthday cake without you having birthday cake.  :-)

I am currently in weight loss phase.   I have completely stayed away from bad carbs (white carbs) since surgery.  I do vary a little in how strict I am with my healthy carbs, some days are all veggie, some days I eat some fruit. once or twice a week I eat a little oatmeal.  My calorie intake is almost always around 900 calories. No caffeine or carbonation post op. I managed to eat nothing off plan at my daughter's grad party yesterday. Like some of the posters above I am terrified of the slippery slope into carb abuse. When I get to maintenance i will add some "starchier"veggies and whole grains, but right now they don't even appeal to me or fit in my sleeve,  I don't know if I will ever be strong enough to 'take a bite" of a sweet.

Anne

I am a snacker - I graze - "bites" plus meals are essentially what got me to the point of gaining tons of weight. I am a month out from surgery, and I have 'tasted' a few things - sour cream, guacamole, and I had a lick of frosting off of a cupcake at my sister's wedding shower. I was actually terrified of this at the time. Haha! I am eating around 500 calories a day, and after each lick or bite, I did not feel the need to have more. The hardest part for me, at this point, is eating regularly and getting in my daily nutrients. A huge part of this surgery, for me at least, is being able to control myself by eating small amounts of nutrient dense foods, 90% of the time. It has been very difficult to get the necessities in, and so I have been forced to limit any kind of snack attacks I might have (all mental, for sure) to make way for my protein and my water. Besides getting to goal by the end of this year/beginning of next, I haven't got much else to do as far as food is concerned. My fear of going overboard is definitely still there - I've survived 5 social functions since surgery - but the fear subsides quicker now when I think about what I need to do. Cooking for others helps me with this, I must say - I have always enjoyed cooking for others, and though a taste (ONE TASTE!) isn't out of the question, cooking eases my fear that I'll a)never eat normally again (**** I can still cook normally!) and b) binge eat. I haven't sabotaged myself, and I do think I will be able to eat "normally" - though not normal by the standards of restaurants or many other people who I know can sit down and put it away. I believe I will find my "normal" eventually and, like many others have said, hold myself accountable for each bite I take, track it, and burn it off somehow.

That's my journey thus far - learning how to do this, each and every day, and knowing myself and my triggers.

I write this and there are salty chips all over this house from Saturday's gathering and I haven't had one. No chips! hahaha.