Question:
How can I stop this cycle of weight gain. I am 6 mos. post-op, have lost 92 lbs
and have developed this terrible habit of snacking on candy and just too much food and snacking because I think I have stretched my stomach. I am in horror of gainning it all back because I just have gotten in a cycle I cannot break. I do not get sick, or dump on sugar, but do throw up on too much fried foods.I have not lost all I need to but look a whole lot better. Now I am so depressed because I think this will be so short lived. What do I do to change these habits? Having the will alone never was enough before. Has anyone else been able to break this cycle and get down in weight, and had my same problem? I am desparate and need some advise soon.I have gainned 6 pounds this past past week alone, and have gainned and lost these same pounds several times. HELP PLEASE!!! — Jean B. (posted on December 5, 2002)
December 4, 2002
We had someone in our support group the same way. She was advised by
everyone to up the protein and water and cut out the sugars completely
because she was craving the candy too.
<p>
She broke her plateau and has lost her cravings for sugar in just the few
days since she cut out all sugar from her diet...JR
— John Rushton
December 4, 2002
Hi! I have been where you are. I had a hard time in months 5-8 because I
could suddenly eat more, my appetite returned, my tolerance for sugar
increased, AND the holidays hit. Not a good combination, huh? LOL Here's
what I finally did that worked for me: 1)Up your protein to 100 grams a day
2) Be sure to drink all your water (or as close as you can get) 3)Eat ONLY
protein for breakfast (eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, deli meat, etc.)
4)Work in a protein bar or shake for a snack--mid-morning worked best for
me 5) Stay active<p>Once I figured this out, I went on to lose the
rest of the weight in a couple of months. The breakfast thing STILL keeps
my sugar/carb cravings in check, as well as my hunger. I don't know why,
but if I eat carbs for breakfast I might as well hang it up for the rest of
the day because I will be STARVING for carbs all day long. I think adding
the protein bar as a snack gave me an outlet for something sweet without
doing any damage. Everyone is different and what worked for me may not work
for you, but it's worth a shot! Good luck and happy losing!<p>Oh, and
I find that as long as I do this consistently, I have a very easy time
maintaining my weight loss. I have been at the same weight for 9 months now
and it is (virtually ;) painless!
— ctyst
December 5, 2002
I think just cause you can... doesn't mean you should.. this is a tool..
and not something that is going to do the real work for you.. that's for
sure.. if you read the archives here.. you know that...
<br><br>If you can't have just ONE sweet a day.. like one piece
of candy or one cookie... then admit it.. and give it up all together.. if
you have control.. limit yourself to one a day.. otherwise.. SWITCH to
sugar free candy... (eat too much and you'll get deadly diarrhea.. so that
helps) or sugar free cookies... they all are out there... I even found
something GREAT heavenly desserts meringues at CVS... they are essentially
air and egg whites.. AND sugar substitute... <br><br> Some
people think you shouldn't have anything sweet, artificial or not.. I think
that would be a very boring life indeed... we're human... I control myself
a lot most of the time, so I can indulge in a VERY VERY controlled way
sometimes. Last night I had a quarter of a poptart.. it was sooo good..
and while I could have had the whole thing.. I didn't... not a good idea...
Good luck!
— Lisa C.
December 5, 2002
Increase your protein, and don't touch carbs for a few days. I'm not post
op, but my husband is on Atkins and I learned a lot from him, and from my
own experiments. Authorities now think that eating carbohydrates just
makes you hungrier in the long run. Protein and fat (YES, fats-- just
stick to healthy fats) stay in your stomach much longer. <br> I've
found that when I eat carbohydrate for a meal, I need carbohydrates for the
rest of the day. However, if I eat a protein bar for breakfast (carb
solutions-- which feels like a brownie)-- I only need half the bar, and
I'm set until lunch.
Good luck!
— Beth S.
December 5, 2002
Jean, can I also suggest that you seek professional counseling? You
mention that you are depressed and that willpower alone was never enough
before-that says that this has been a problem before-there is a reason why
you can't control the snacking. And I know how desperately you want this
surgery to work for you. Its not too late-goodness you are just at the 6
month mark, you have at least a year more to lose, but what better time
than to try to get ahold of the problem early on? I, too, am a snacker. I
have it under control (so I think!) by doing what Lisa below
does-controlling the amount I take in, but its difficult. Lately I have
tried water loading, increasing my exercise, and upping my protein to
control it-also limiting what I bring into the house. Good luck.
— Cindy R.
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