Something happened to me.....

I all.. I am 4 1/2 years post op.  I had a 40 lb regain.  And about 5 weeks ago, I kicked some ass (well, my own ass) and cut out ALL SUGAR, ate high protein, higher fat and veggies.  I have lost 23 pounds!  Because of the gosh darn holidays I was a lil tempted.  So I did pretty well on Christmas.  It really started on Monday.  I had just one little itty bitty peice of See's candy.  I STARTED TO CRAVE it more and more!  The next day I had two little squares of chocolate.  Then the next day more!  And last night I had chocolate fondue with girlfriends (was planned to stay off diet for that one night) and today I have chocolate all around me!  I guess my point is that, for us sugar sensitive people, really, it is better for it to not pass our lips.  Really.  Cause the sugar demon in me that was asleep for about a month started to get tugged at a little bit.  I woke it up!  Has anyone else experienced that? Also, I have been erratic with my exercising.  I did a graph on my weight loss.  LO and BEHOLD, I lost 3.8 lbs the week I worked out, and about 2 pounds the weeks I didn't.  (I also lost 10 lbs the frist week.. probably water weight).  So folks, the moral of the story for me at least, is don't wake the sugar demon and exercise! Pure and simple..... xoxo - good luck

I hear ya- I am 3 and a half years post op.  Currently doing the 5 day plan , trying to tame the carb beast that has woken with a vengeance.  I have to get back to the program. Sorry you are having your trobles but it's nice to know this is a phenomenon that happens to most of us- not just me. Best of luck to yo too and happy new year. DD

AMEN about the sugar addiction.  I think back to my first 18 mo. post op (give or take), when I ate NO refined sugar--and it honestly was not that hard, and I was not tempted--and then I did what so many "grads" eventually do (and what I hoped against hope I wouldn't):  I tested the bad carbs.  No bolt of lightning, no dumping, no instant weight gain, no bright "scarlet letter" emblazened on my chest!  So I did it a little more . . . not all the time, but since it's such a slippery slope, the once-in-awhile and just-a-little-bit eventually sucked me in.  My bad habits in the past 1 1/2 yrs. have gotten worse & worse.  At well over 3 yrs. post-op, I'm sitting on a 35 lb. weight gain.  I agree w/  you 100% that (at least for me), I don't think I can "do" moderation.   And, oh, while I have been very faithful to exercising since shortly after wls, with only a couple short interruptions, I have completely lapsed during the whole mo. of Dec.   I am going back to the gym next week, and I dread it something terrible.  You did FANTASTIC losing 23 of your re-gained lbs.!!  That is very encouraging to me!  I really, really hope you get back on the wagon and keep going.  I have been doing a little better w/ my eating this week between Christmas & New Years, but realistically, I know I won't really get down to serious business w/ my eating & exercising until after NYE.  Not sure if I'm going to do the 5DPT (I did a modified version earlier in the fall & did well) or just settle down and eat the basics the way I'm supposed to.   I'm joining the new "weight loss challenge" that Lea is organizing that run til 2/14/08.

the sugar demon is an evil beast that makes me want to eat more sugar and less food. i swear, it is as if my taste buds are stunted--nothing tastes good or even sounds appealing to me anymore. i'm cutting all sugar jan. 1 and not looking back. this is ridiulous. i haven't had any regain yet, but it's only a matter of time. thank you for the reminder!

I was so glad to find this forum this morning.  I am 2 years out from sugery and was very concerned that I had gained a couple of pounds instead of loosing.  I, too, am very sensitive to carbs.  I need to keep that in mind and get back on the right track.  What makes me push so much.  I know things that are not good for me and continue to do them.  I have lost 110 pounds am happier and healthier than I have ever been.  It is like I'm trying to sabatage it all.  Anyone else?

yep.."pure and simple"..but "hard as H***" to follow sometimes...I dare say most of have dealt with the sugar/carb monster from time to time. Just about the time I'm SURE he's DEAD, I'll tempt him, poke him a little, and WHAM-he's back..that mad cycle of carbs leading to carb cravings..yikes!!! We KNOW it, and yet..we still DO it..tough to be HUMAN, huh??? SOme people are "super WLSers" and NEVER ,ake mistakes...I was never one of those people. but..by the grace of God...I can start each day fre****ake NO Diabetes or blood pressure meds, and I can work 14 hour days without fallling over (usually..lol)..CONGRATS on the 23 lbs!!

Amen!!!  I cant do moderation.  It starts as a little and then I am snacking and eating junk.  I have to remind myself that I did this (gny) ultimatly for health.  So if I lose weight but eat junk, my health will be soon to follow.  Thanks for reminder and the post!!   It isnt just me or my mind playing tricks.  I cannot do moderation! I am also on day 3 of the Pouch Reset program and I feel SO much better. No cravings and I feel like I have been cleansed.  (WIth my frequent bathroom visits I probaly have been)

AMEN everyone!  I didn't realize the impact my post had on everyone!  Im glad it was a reminder for some of us (you!)  Yeah, I'm gonna try to not touch even the "sugar free" stuff.  That causes cravings also!  I had cut out diet soda also.  I think that even artificial sweeteners can do us in!  I think that I played with fire too early; thinking that I can have a peice of chocolate after a month of being sugar free.  I tempted myself too early.  The beauty is that we all learn and move on!!! :)

Happy New Years, everyone!  Make 2008 the year of health, fitness and RADIANCY!

Can I chime in and say Thank You! I thought I was alone in fighting the carb-craving beast. I'm a little ashamed of myself after eating some of the crap I've eaten during the Christmas season. I've banned all candy, cookies and cake from the house and I'm de-tox'ing.  And I'm so glad I'm not alone. P.S. I wonder if sugar cravings are a requirement for obesity? Dang genetics.

Has anyone tried Breyers sugar free vanilla ice cream? It is out of this world. I was wondering how can someone lose weight by eating high protein and high fat?