Disappointed in Myself

As others said - it happens.  

App 2-3 years post op I started gaining and I gained 35 lbs ...10 was on purpose the rest keep pulling on. 

I did not think I was eating badly or to much . But I was not counting and I had ocational treat here and there. I was eating fruits, and the so called "low carb wraps" and I had a glass or 2 of wine here and there. I ate yogurt and had my "latte"... After all - milk has proteins? No?  There was a point that my BMI was over 30 again, and I started having back my back pain.  Eventually my pcp  doc told me that I am obese again and that I got to lose 15 lbs to start with. I was eating too much for my body and my metabolism. That I need to cut back. 

I had to take a very good and long look at what and how much I was eating. A bite "here and there" was not working for me.  

I strted planning my meals - eliminated fruits and grains, decided my 800 calories into 4 meals and concentrated on dense proteins, non starchy veggies and fat.

In 800 calories - I was getting 100gr of proteins (4 x25 gr) 40 carbs (4× 10gr) and 40gr of good fat. (4x10) .

The fat could be an avocado, or olives or pay of butter ...or a piece of 85% dark chocolate.  

Was it easy? Hell no.. And the first 2 weeks the scale moved 2 lbs total. That was all. I was super disappointed...but I kept pluging along... By the 3 months mark - when I was supposed to see my PCP again - I lost 18 lbs.. And eventually I lost the rest 10.... It took me another year to do that- my body got smart and ...I was breaking "the rules" ...and I would lose 4 lbs - gain 4 lbs... My motivation was also not as strong. Until I was ready to get dedicated again. 

But I had to be very strict with myself. 

Now I maintain...and I can eat app 1500 cal per day ...as long as I stay away from grains, and starchy carbs...and most fruits.. And alcohol. And diet drinks (they give me horrible cravings for sweets) ...

I also weigh myself daily when I am home (not traveling) and I have my 5 lbs range goal... When the scale is at the lower end or below - I can be more careless...but when it gets too close to the top number ' I am back to weighing and measuring and journaling (even if it is in my head only) . 

I went on vacation... And I was supper good (no scale) and when I came back - the scale showed the bottom of my range.

It can be done - it it not easy, and it may take a while for the body to let go of the fat... 

Gentle exercises like walking is all I did during losing my regain.

Thank you for sharing. Were you full eating 800 calories? I see now you maintain 1500 calories.

800 calories is not a lot of food. But I would chose very dense proteins, and fat and ...high fiber non starchy veggies. After a few days of decarbing - I was very content with the amount of food.  I would eat until I was not hungry.. I did not eat until full. Now I do, since I don't want to lose anymore weight. 

I am currently 150 lbs, size 6-8.., and I have relatively low body fat %.

When I was losing - I would have days that I would eat less than 800 calories followed by days with more than 800... I would avoid fruits and starchy veggies. 

I.e. cucumbers and celery are virtually no calories ...I would have a lot of that. Home cooked meats, some eggs. 

I would avoid diet drinks - or carbs - they would give me cravings - making me feel more hungry. 

I used 85%dark chocolate as a "dessert" once in a while.  

I would do that for 2-3 weeks. Then I would have a week or 2 or more food (1200 cal - same low carbs, ) to try to maintain...then would go back to 800 per day on average. ...during my 1200 cal per day weeks I would add some berries...more variety... If I get hungry - I drink more liquids. Coffee, tea, green tea, Perrier (i can handle bubles now) , etc. 

Even now - I try to maintain that lifestyle.

It is ok to be a little bit hungry.  I had days that I could not eat 800 calories and days that I choses to go to bed early so I would not eat more than 1000 cal. 

You are not alone, I think more people have regain and don't come back and post b/c it's embarrassing. I'm 1.5 yr po and have gained 10 pounds, I"ve been wrestling with them for a few months now and can't get my mind right to cut back to low enough calories. I reached my physician's goal+10s, I never lost 100% of excess weight. I was ok with that, it's this weight coming back I'm not ok with. I have really tried to look at what I"m doing and I have realized I snack too much and don't plan ahead for my meals which = poor choices. Everyone has their issues, just wanted to let you know you aren't alone!

Thank you so much for sharing. You can do it!

I am 6 yrs post op w the sleeve. my highest 311, surgery 297 current 187 goal 175. I never met my goal. I actually got down to 198 and around year 3-4, gained almost 40 lbs. I felt like I stretched my sleeve but eating till I was full, putting the food to the side, waiting till that fullness when down and eating again. The emotional eating, self sabotage eating, not exercising which is CRUCIAL. I have t been on this site in forever.

Journaling was helpful to find out my habits but I read someone say put it on here or some where that you'd be held accountable. Be honest w urself too. I started working out A LOT. I also added more fiber and protein in terms of food (fish, turkey, etc). Pushing myself I am now closer to my goal of 175 w my changes than the first 2 years of surgery. My current weight is 187 but I had gotten down to 184 but I fluctuate between 188-186 over the last couple months. I don't deprive myself but if I have a bad eating day I know I have to buckle down and get myself in check. Usually I can get it done in under a week. 

Sites like this this are helpful as they inspire and if your program has a support group... attend! You can course correct. You can do this!!

That was motivating. Thank you so much!

You have gotten some great advice. There is a link at the bottom of my ticker for the 5 day meat test... It is really about taking a few days to get back to basics, protein forward and dense protein will keep you full. It also helps with hunger and to get the carb monkey off your back.

I am finding at 2+ years out that I was slipping into protein bars almost daily and continuing my shakes. The shakes were great in the beginning, but now that I can eat more, I am not a newbie anymore...they really are just liquid calories. Do I enjoy them? yes but trying to not make them daily...

Thank you for sharing!