Help Wanted
Please don't flame me....I desperately need your advice/help/suggestions. I've never posted on the Grad board because I consider myself a WLS babe (Lap RNY 7-11-06). I am sure that you guys have been where I am currently. I don't know what's wrong with me. I get so discouraged because I am not losing weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the weight I've lost but in my heart, I know that I should have done so much better. First of all, I didn't take advantage of the early months because I limited my calories to less than 500 a day therefore, my body was starving and I found it difficult to get in protein as I should. Needless to say, my weight loss was slower than some. In October, I joined the gym, began eating better, getting in the protein, and generally I felt great!!! SInce March 9, I've lost 14#. I just could cry. I know that we all do not lose the same and by no means was I a light weight. My preop weight was 358 and today I'm 235. I was hoping down at least 150 my first year out. I become a emotional eater and nibble on Cheetos and peanut M&Ms I know these cannot possibly help matters. My lowest weight has been 232. I am so depressed thatdon't know what to do. Also, I must admit as well that I have never really taken my supplements as prescribed. Sad thing about it is that I'm a nurse and I know better. It seems like I want to fail but God knows that is so far from the truth. Because I haven't taken my supplements/water, does this complicate the weight loss process? Please grads give me some encouragement and a swift kick because I need it badly. I've made myself a promise to get myself back in the gym Monday and to eat like I need to in order to get these last 50# off. Thanks so much for listening. Ree Ree
I can just feel your frustration, disappointment, GUILT, and panic. And you've done a very hard thing--you came here, posted, and let it all hang out.
The good news: you've lost 123 lbs. That's excellent. So it's not as much as you'd hoped, granted, but it's still super. Don't lose sight of this! More "good" news: you know some important things that you're doing/not doing that are affecting your outcome. (I realize that's sorta bad news, but you know what I mean.) You KNOW you need to get in your water, Crystal Light, whatever--I think that will have a significant affect. You KNOW you need to get rid of the bad carbs--and probably get back to portion control--and of course, this will make a significant difference. You KNOW you need to be exercising (I can't tell if you stopped going to the gym or exercising in other ways)--if you do some purposeful exercise almost every day, THAT will help tremendously. So . . . I can tell that you truly do know some things you're doing that are affecting your slowed down weight loss. Do I also know that KNOWING and DOING are two different things??--BY ALL MEANS!!
How to get back on track?? On this point, I'm not a great help, as I am also struggling myself with 25 lbs. of re-gain. I do exercise pretty faithfully--usually at least an hr. a day--but I'm battling the bad carbs and portion control DAILY. My only good news is that I seem to have stopped gaining. I absolutely, positively know that when I'm eating the way I'm supposed to and exercising, I lose weight AND feel better physically (duh!) and emotionally. So why don't I do it consistently?--hmmm. It goes without saying that counseling would probably help you too. I do think it's a challenge to find a counselor who is good with our weight loss issues, though. I don't know that supplements/vitamins truly affect your weight loss, but you know full well that not taking them is bad for many other reasons, most of which won't dramatically show up for awhile. Keep coming to this board! Most of us are struggling w/ re-gain--or not getting to goal in the first lace--or a combination of both! We build each other up, get ideas, and just in general get support. We need each other!
Always,
Jo
Anywho, it sounds like you know where you're off course, and what to do to get back on. Just take it day by day and keep it moving. Sometimes we get so down about not doing the things we know we should and a day off course turns into weeks and months of all out chaos. Every day you wake up is another chance to get it right...don't waste energy feeling depressed, turn it into motivation to get back on track.
Definetly get yourself a protein shake you like and start supplementing, taking the right vites, and getting your water in...many people lose the most over the first 18-24 mos, so that might jumpstart your loss. Go shopping and choose a bunch of stuff that's good for you and keep it at hand...that way, even if the grazie**** it won't be so bad. I know it can be difficult with kids in the house, but my son soon realized that lowfat store-brand triscuits were just fine when the cheetos and chips were no longer around! I think you'll find that when your more on track with your eating and exercise, things like a few M&Ms won't be the bane of your existence. You don't need a kick...sounds like you've been doing enough of that yourself! All the best to you! 
