4 Years out and never thought I would say this again.

Well Im 4 years out and I never thought I would have to say Im on a DIET.    You know we all got to our highest weigh in for different reasons.. I don't have to sit here and say it was depression or having kids or medicine.  I gained my weight because of my sincere love for food.. I love the way it smells, taste etc.. I also love looking in the mirror and seeing myself slim and with nice shape.. So I guess which one of these loves wins the over all battle.. Well I would love to say looking in the mirror but I guess not.. I was at 320 pounds when I started all of this.. My goal weight was 145 pounds.. Well I never got there but I was satisified at 160.. Well now Im topping the scale at 180 a few weeks ago.. SHOCKED to say the least!   .... Everyone has there issues with sugars or fruits or vegetables.  I don't.. I mean I can eat candy which I try to watch my intake.. I can eat the breads and all.. I have gained will power to limit myself even though I give into temptation.  I will have a bite here and there regardless if I need it or not.. I have always hated feeling deprived of anything.  Well Since my shocker at the scale reading 180.. I have re structured my eating schedule and cut out my morning bagel with cream cheese and replaced it with Non Fat Yogurt and a Special K breakfast bar.  Making my breakfast 190 calories verses 450.  I can eat full portions and that is something else that concerns me.. I never thought I would be able to eat like this again.. I crave food.. Still not having any real hunger pains.  The other thing is I drink Caffiene free Diet cokes all the time.. I never really thought that those would put weight on me..I guess they dont but they make me crave other things... Plus with all the diet cokes I drink I dont get my water intake in at all.. So my question.. Does anyone else suffer from these issues.??. Any suggestions on how to get back to being a looser????    Also I was told about having a Colonic to jump start my weight loss.. Anyone had this done and I wonder if it is safe considering our surgery???

I understand you completely.  I never lost my hunger.  It was always there. But I don't think you have to think of changing your eating as a "diet".  Just think of it as a different way of eating. Yes, I know, it's just a different way of saying it but then you won't feel deprived. Also I think you could have a bagel and cream cheese once in a while.  Make it a special treat once a month. I know that was always my problem.  My special treats lasted all week.  I guess our weight loss will always be a work in progress.  I know when I have the white carbs it does make me crave more white carbs.  So when I detox from them it helps. We just have to remember we are not normal, even though we want to be.  We will always love food and we will always have to chose. Good luck.  You can do it. Koukla

I am sooooooooooooo depressed!  I am almost five years out and I maintained my weight for the first 3 years, but now I have gained OVER 25 lbs and I am freaking out about it.   I got complacent after my tummy tuck and stopped exercising like I should, I started having a ****tail in the evening after work, I had a bagel with cream cheese every day at work, I started keeping peppermints on my des****il I was consuming bags of them a week.  All of this adds up to Food Addict.   I am trying to get control.  I stopped the ****tail, I didn't buy any peppermints, I only allow myself one day a week for a bagel and I've started walking and exercising again.  Why do we shoot ourselves in the foot with food when a taste would get the job done, not eating the entire item (cake, candy, cookies, chips, etc)?????? Ok, I feel better now.  And at least it's not 150# I need to lose.  A molehill instead of a mountain.  But that molehill is still a potential mountain. I think I can get back on track now. Thanks for letting me vent! Suzie

I think most of us suffer with the same issues. I love food too and I am an emotional eater so I eat for many different reasons. Its so hard to be good all the time so from time to time I gain a bit, but like you I try to stay on top of it before it gets out of hand. Getting back to basics is a great idea~push that protein, replace some diet coke w/water throughout the day, don't drink w/meals and exercise. The diet soda will definitely cause some to have cravings for other things so if that's an issue for you then try giving it up for awhile (or limiting it) to see what happens. It sounds like you're on a good track to me! I've never heard of a Colonic so not sure about that. I know alot of us have tried the 5 day pouch test with some success if you're interested in that. Just remember that we have to live life to the fullest every day!!!! You're on top of things so you'll get those pounds off pretty quickly I bet. Good Luck to You!!!!!

Hi Tracy, I have not heard of the 5 day pouch test. Can you explain?

Here's a link that explains everything http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ I did this 2x's~once after Halloween and another time after Christmas. Its not easy, but it did help. In fact I feel like it might be time to do it again~we'll see.

You could also try the liquid protein train that Susan Maria does on Bariatric Eating.  I do an altered version to fit my needs.  I am on maintenance and when I feel myself or see my scales getting bigger, I just scale back my calories back and do protein shakes, yogurt and then have a light lunch, and high protein supper.  I lose 1 lb a day.  I was at around 1200-1500 cals a day, and scaled back Sunday to 1000-1200.  I always start losing 1 lb per day and do this about 5 days. Here is a good plan, Susan Maria's Basic Bariatric Eating Plan.

Hi Melsreturn, Thank you for the link, I remember hearing about Susan Maria. I will check out her website. Looks like alot of good info. I have not been on OH for over a year, it's good to be back. Everyone is so supportive. I need to update my profile soon and add pictures.

Tracy, Thank you for the link. I'm going on vacation the end of next week, so will try it when I get back. 

Hi, I had my surgery in Sept 05 I was 334 highest and lowest was 212 ( for a day) I have seen the scale rise the past few months and have stopped stepping on that thing every day.  I think I am up to 235 now. I really don't want to go any higher. I'm glad the weather is getting warmer so I can take the grand baby for walks. I have never been the exercising fool that I should have been. I know excuses...first the infection then the hernia so what is my excuse now ? I guess I don't have any. My eating seems to have reverted back to the way it was before surgery...by that I mean no breakfast, and graze through the day. I have added more bread to my food but have been kind of successful about the sweets.  I'm debating on trying the 5 day pouch test...to see if that may help. I do have to say two weeks ago I was in the ER turns out to be apendicitis . I couldn't eat or drink anything from 4 pm sat until after surgery sunday evening.  When I got home I didn't "feel" as hungry as before. I may try that 5dpt just to see what happens. Has anyone tried that ? Just wondering. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone... Sandy