Regain -- looking for suggestions from successful maintainers

     Hello, everyone! As a different user name, I used to consistently lurk on this board before and after my surgery in 2008-2009 but have popped on every now and then since. (Hmmm... thinking more visits to this board would have been useful)  Nice to see that some of the same faces are still here. I always found this board soooo supportive of all who visit.
     After successfully losing more than 90 lbs with RNY, I'm struggling with a slow regain.  I was up 6 lbs last year and another 5 over the past 2 months.  I take vitamins, get enough water, and keep a food journal.  On the downside, I've just started on refocusing on protein, I don't get enough exercise, and I rediscovered carbs. Ugh.  Overall, I'm 47, tired, am losing hair again, and cold most of the time.  We moved within the past year, so I now have a new doctor and am finally getting bloodwork done this week. 
     For successful maintainers or those who have overcome a regain, I welcome any suggestions you may have. Are calories a consideration? Any idea how long it takes to lose "regain" lbs? 
Thanks for listening.
Christine

Welcome back!  I just keep concentrating on getting 100+ grams of protein in a day, mainly via protein shakes, and staying low carb--I don't count calories. I'm glad you're getting your labs done. Sounds like you may have crashed your iron and protein. Any other vitamins or minerals you've stopped taking? How about B12?

--gina

   Thank you for your thoughts, Gina.  Through this whole journey, I didn't use protein shakes. I really thought they would be horrid. I started drinking Whey chocolate protein shakes this week. Not bad in taste and amazing at the amount of protein I can get in.
    As for the vitamins... I do take B12 sublingual daily. I had back surgery pre-RNY and some neuropathy in the foot as a result of the back issue.  That has made me especially diligent regarding my Bs.  As for the iron... you are probably right.  I really hadn't given iron a thought -- blinding flash of the obvious for me now!  I've had issues with slight anemia in the past. 
    I appreciate your perspective and the amazing support you give to everyone daily!

Christine

Hi Christine and welcome back!

I've regained 6 from my goal weight and 10 from my lowest, AND mine all came back in about a 3 month period. 

I haven't actively tried to get mine off, even though I know I need to,  I also know what I need to do, to do it (stop the adult beverages). 

Be sure you're getting your protein drinks in and vitamins - very important - oh, and your water.  Are you using a food tracker like myfitnesspal.com or dailyplate?  Those sites are a great eye opener as to what you're really putting in your mouth. 

Hi Jody,
   Thank you for sharing your experience.  I wasn't as concerned about the weight I gained last year as I thought "bounce back" and I was involved in activities like belly dancing that toned and added a little muscle. The new weight has me a bit panicked. I got to my high 237 in fits and spurts and want to stop this before it becomes a trend.
   Adult beverages... I understand completely. 
   I use an iPhone apps for accountability.  Lose It! to track food -- it keeps track of calories, protein, fat, carbs, fiber.  A water app to make sure I drink all my water and RxMinder to remind me of vitamins.  Lose It and RxMinder actually have alarms to remind me. I think I need to get better about "mindful eating" -- the few bites of this and that while cooking aren't helping.

Christine

Now - I'm going to say that I lost a LOT of muscle mass during my active weight loss, and know I've gained some of that back, which does compute to pounds.  I know WHERE I put it on too, I can see it, but I still have people tell me I look great, and I know I look healthy.  That still doesn't justify gaining the 5 I'm not comfy with...

It sounds like you've got a LOT of good tools you're using... I may be getting an iPhone next time, we'll see.  I should see if the Droid has some of those.

Yea, the nibbles do me bad too.  A little here, a little there....

Thanks for sharing!

 I'm 2 years  post  only  .. so  may be a bit early to really weigh in here  .   Also  I'm not really typical.in the sense that I was  an athlete through  High  school ..  BUT ... 

I find post op  that  if I get out there and exercise even ONCE I can literally see it in my body  the next  day .  Ok this has always been true to some extent .. what I mean is  I'm far more ripped now  and smaller  so  I can wear tiny size CLOTHES  that really  show it OFF  ...  

its  not  such a n extrapolation to imagine  making the effort .. wearing  cute clothes ...  maybe  eating a bit less carby and indulgently that day .. getting up the next  morning exercising again ...  

maybe eventually getting a new   hairstyle ...  its  RENOVATION time !!!  ( thats what I call it ) 

I periodically do this  ANYWAY  , every six months or a year or so ... 

its like the  vicious cycle of  gaining  UNDONE  .. call it the  subtle spiral of looking HOT ...

( If you're willing to settle for DOWDY   GRRRl  .. thats  what Ure gonna  GET ...    ) not me ... not me  ... 

   I appreciate your comments regarding exercise.  I know it's something that will make a difference -- with appearance and hopefully my energy levels as well. 
Christine