4 months out and losing control

jillcwatson1

I had my VSG in May and have lost 82 lbs since starting on MFP and beginning the weight loss jourey. I am down 35 before the surgery to qualify and the rest since then. So, I see success. I know that I have lost inches too since my clothes are now too baggy to put up with. I am now wearing clothes for the last time and looking for things I had hidden away when I grew "out of them".
So why am I now starting to eat improperly? I am doing too many carbs and I am even starting to extend meals into one another when I am at home, relaxing. Lunch runs into a pre-dinner snack into the full meal. I am keeping within my limits for everything but letting my carbs run higher than I intend on a daily basis. Starting out, I avoided them at all costs. Once I started letting them in, it was all too easy to eat them the next day and the next.
Help! What advice can you share? I wondered if I should plan all new meals so that I could limit them by the choices of foods for the week. I thank you in advance for the comments I pray will come...

kimgravitt3

You have come too far to go back now! I've not had surgery yet, but I'm struggling even now to stay on my pre-diet. I'm doing it, but it is so hard. 85 lbs is a great accomplishment! You should be very proud of yourself. I do best by planning my meals for the day, the night before. That might help you as well. I try to stay away from bad carbs as much as possible. All they do is make you want more. I know you can do this! Best of luck!

ki4eld

You're doing a great job and it's easy to let it get away from you. If I feel like I'm out of control, I do what my doctor calls a "hard reset." Basically, I strip all carbs out of my diet for a day or two, then slowly add back the proper ones. Granted, I stay in ketosis and have found that remaining in ketosis keeps me from wanting to eat much at all, much less unacceptable carbs.

Consider calling your doctor and/or dietitian to see if they have any tips. Sometimes, just venting to a pro can help you get your head back where it belongs. I'm not very good at moderation, so I avoid as many carbs as I can. I now know this about myself and do my best to live it every day. And if I mess up? Well, every day is a new chance to make better decisions.

delano1972

For me planning all of my food out the night before is key. Have low/no carb snacks also helps keep me on track. Try avoiding carbs at all cost again. It is a mind game but you can do it!!!

pawoodhull

I preplan all daytime meals Monday through Friday while at work and bring my own breakfast, lunch and snack. Dinner is whatever the husband cooks, but since we shop together and he knows my requirements, it's high protein with very little to no carbs. Weekends are a little harder and frankly I tend to undereat those days. Frankly if I didn't preplan my meals by shopping to my needs and then brining my own food, I wouldn't be able to stay on track at all. Weekends are proof of that for me.

sinderstorm

pawoodhull wrote: »

I preplan all daytime meals Monday through Friday while at work and bring my own breakfast, lunch and snack. Dinner is whatever the husband cooks, but since we shop together and he knows my requirements, it's high protein with very little to no carbs. Weekends are a little harder and frankly I tend to undereat those days. Frankly if I didn't preplan my meals by shopping to my needs and then brining my own food, I wouldn't be able to stay on track at all. Weekends are proof of that for me.

All of this. I have to preplan for me as well as the rest of my family, because DH is quick to suggest going out, which can become a 3-4 meal catastrophe for me as I can bring home bad food and it lasts forever. Meal planning, and keeping my trigger junk foods out of the house. DH and the kids haven't starved, and I think don't miss many of the things I "thought they needed to have", and I'm now realizing were more "I wanted to have around". Its much harder to get off track when there aren't those yummy carbs looking at you from the pantry.

UnoDrea3732

I'm a little more than 4 months out and I felt the same way right at 4 months. I was having a bad meal and letting my one free day turn into free daySSSSS. I was just upfront with myself and told my Husband what I was feeling and what my plan is. I HAVE to plan out my meals, I HAVE to stay away from sugar/trigger foods, I HAVE to drink all of my water, and I HAVE to get all of my protein in.

jillcwatson1

Today I got back to my exercise bike first thing. I know that this will also help. My weight is up and I know that the choices I have been making can't help. My body must be used to the lower calorie amount and even though I don't cheat way out of my calorie goal, I have done enough to make a difference. My increased sodium is causing water retention too, which is my own fault as well. Time to get with the program. Thanks to all of you for your support. I am wishing us all a successful week as we head down the road to good health

gaining_while_losing

Planning is KEY! If you don't plan your high-protein, low carb, meals in advance you are much more likely to indulge. Love yourself enough to make the time to plan and prepare so you can be successful. You can do this! You already have - so you know you can.

overit75

You have made way too much progress to stop now! Like the surgeons have all told us, the surgery is only a tool. We must be responsible for everything we put in our mouths. Don't fall back into bad habits. Measure your food and eat only that. Go for a walk or do something around the house to just get your mind off of food. Have you done a pouch reset? Maybe that would help to clean the carbs from your body?

tedrapaige

I think your response is completely normal, so don't worry! Just try to remind yourself of what you had the surgery to achieve and the fact that it's a tool, not magic. You're doing splendidly! Try not to let the little slip ups get you down. You can always pick yourself back up again.

I find that staying busy (through housework, gym, handcrafts, reading, socialising, whatever) is the best way to take my mind off of food and stick to my plan for the day. We all have days that don't go to plan, but that's alright. There's always the next day. I'm continually fighting stalls in my loss, so that tends to make me feel sorry for myself quite a lot - don't take this route! Be positive! Stick to it! You can do it!

greenbaymichk

I also think that the "4 month blues" is a part of the trial and error that we all face following this procedure. Most of us (Myself, included) had eating habits that caused weight gain; it is natural to lapse back into those habits after a period of time. If I don't journal every bite I take, I lose accountability for my actions, and start down a very slippery slope.
That being said - cut yourself some slack, pull on those big girl (or boy) panties, and forgive yourself. It's time for a fresh start. You can do this! You (yes, YOU!) are worth the time and effort to make this work.

jillcwatson1

Thanks everyone for the support. I work at it daily, but as you have said it is worth it..I am worth it.

KarlaYP

You are worth it @jillcwatson1! Returning to eating the same foods that made you fat is detrimental. Increasing carbs only increases the cravings for them too. Get them out of your sight as much as possible! The longer you make the choice, the easier it becomes! Hang in there and love yourself! You matter!

tpyle65

Hi! You have received great responses and support. What you are feeling is normal, and as it has been said by many, planning and believing you can do it is key. I'm 7 years out--and right now I weight less than I did when I was 24 yrs. of age--and I'm in my 70s! So you can do it. Remember that your surgery is only a tool, and the key is to create healthy habits--for life. You may find helpful to visit my web site www.YourPathToSuccessCoaching.com. In there I have a lot of tools to help in this process. And I will be happy to support you as a health and wellness coach, if you need to talk with somebody. (no charge!) Reach out to me directly if you want. tiza@yourpathtosuccesscoaching.com. Be well, and stay the course. As Karlottap said above "you are worth it'!!

jillcwatson1

Today I actually got up early before heading to work and got BACK on my exercise bike. First time in 17 days and the last time was the first time in over a month!. I know that one time won't make much of a difference, and that I need to get back to a habit of exercise on a regular basis. But I have started. Thanks for the encouragement here and tpyle65, thanks for your offer too. I will check out your website and contact you later on.
So, here's to a healthy and productive weekend for all of us. I have to work both days, so will be too busy to get in much trouble.:) Two of my meals are planned and prepared, so all I need to do is heat them back up and plan the other meals. Continue on everyone!

lorilbuckner1

Jill you are not alone! At 7 months out I have been letting carbs get out of control. Life has been legitimately busy and full of stresses these last couple of months, but I have let myself use that as an excuse to stop going to the gym and getting my walks in. The results have been bouncing the same 2-3 pounds around for the last month!! I'm so over it!!! Regret is self defeating and so I am trying hard to not look back!! We can do this one day at a time!! I am scheduled with my trainer for Tuesday morning and parked in the overflow lot this morning at work! Every 1/8 of a mile counts! At the suggestion of my Bariatric PA - I am starting the Whole 30 program this week. Cutting out carbs and dairy , eating only whole foods for 30 days to regroup! The only exception to the program that she feels is necessary, will be to add protein drinks or bars as needed to keep my protein levels up. We have come to far to fall back now! We got this!!

loveshoe

Jill you are not the only one who at 4 months out had a few days of 'vacation' from counting and exercising. I agree with everyone on here, plan your meals in advance and log them here so you can see the nutrition makeup. I plan the full week and always log the day before so I can see where I need to make adjustments or exercise to bring things into alignment.

The other thing I know is if I eat carbs I crave carbs and it works the same way with sugar. If I keep my carbs under 50 grams per day I don't feel the cravings but if my carbs get close to 100 then I want more carbs. Genetically it's just how I'm wired and so I have to monitor my carbs. It's the same way with fried foods. I just can't have anything fried because it just lead to more fried foods. It's not a bad thing just the way my body is wired.

You've done so well, 85lbs is impressive. Keep up the good work.

anbrdr

A lot of wonderful responses here. I definitely agree that most of it is mental. Maybe there is some aspect of your food relationship that needs working on. I'm guilty of this. I was/am-trying-not-be a social eater; when I hang out with my room mates and friends, it's usually centered around food and beer. My room mate is an awesome chef, and has introduced me to some damn fine cuisine. This year I've done good at resisting... until the last few weeks. I'm still in my calorie range on most days, but a shot of rum, some bread/potatoes, or a beer might find it's way in. The Scotch Egg I ate last night was a definite no-no.
Discipline is a tough thing to master. It's hard to keep your eyes on the prize, when the temptation is everywhere.

tat2cookie

anbrdr wrote: »

A lot of wonderful responses here. I definitely agree that most of it is mental. Maybe there is some aspect of your food relationship that needs working on. I'm guilty of this. I was/am-trying-not-be a social eater; when I hang out with my room mates and friends, it's usually centered around food and beer. My room mate is an awesome chef, and has introduced me to some damn fine cuisine. This year I've done good at resisting... until the last few weeks. I'm still in my calorie range on most days, but a shot of rum, some bread/potatoes, or a beer might find it's way in. The Scotch Egg I ate last night was a definite no-no.
Discipline is a tough thing to master. It's hard to keep your eyes on the prize, when the temptation is everywhere.

Scotch eggs are almost a staple for me. I use almond meal instead of breaking and either fry them in coconut oil or bake them. They have so much protein and are a perfect portion. Dang it.... Now I want one!

anbrdr

Not gonna lie, it was the most decadent thing I've had in months. So dang good... especially with a little dijon/mayo sauce. We dropped them into a deep fryer full of questionable vegetable oil. I'll have to try the almond meal, coconut oil, and maybe a healthier sausage choice next time.

PaulaKro

I have to go lo-carb to be successful. (whole grains are kind-of okay but not cookies/cakes/bread/etc.). It takes me about a week to kick cravings. And that process is a fight. But once I'm back on track, being lo-carb helps reducing the cravings so it isn't a fight all the time. What a relief that is.

Lots of water, vitamins so your body has what it needs, proteins to fill you up and give you energy, pre-plan tasty foods so you don't feel deprived. Here's a thread with lots of good ideas:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10171698/lets-see-what-you-are-eating/p3

Best wishes to you.