Debbieduck4

Maybe just pick one or two things to focus on each week to get going in the right direction? I know when I try to change everything all at once I get really discouraged. A place to start could be focusing on water intake. Remember right after surgery when we were told to sip sip sip water all day? It helps keep hunger at bay, and cuts out the extra calories we take in when drinking things other than water. I swear there is some truth to artificial sweeteners causing weight gain! I switched from my diet pop addiction to Crystal light, but realized for some reason constantly drinking something that tasted sweet, even though calorie free, was having negative effects on my progress. Then maybe the following week you could focus on getting protein at each meal and eating it first. Other ideas for weekly changes could be to journal food intake, packing a healthy lunch (even when working from home, it helps to have it in the fridge and waiting), and/or taking a quick 15 minute walk 3-4 times a week. The main thing is just focusing on one new thing at a time! Good luck to you.. You got this!!

Thank you so much everyone for replying to my post! You've all been so helpful. Just thought I'd provide an update. I took a good hard look at things, started writing down everything I was eating, and figured out I had gotten into a really bad habit of grazing all day long. I am a crisis responder who works nights 12PM-12AM and wasn't planning for meals. I would just grab a bunch of snacks (fairly healthy but still not the best) and head out. I decided to make a change by giving myself actual meal times and planning for them, with 2 snacks a day. For my weird schedule I'm having breakfast (an egg and bacon or sausage) at noon, lunch at 3PM (a salad with protein), and dinner at 7PM (Some sort of protein and veggies). I've been having nuts around 5PM for snack #1 (thank you for the suggestion!), and then around 9PM eating for the final time with snack #2 of fruit or popcorn. It's working.. I'm down 10 pounds and feeling better! I really appreciate all of the suggestions, encouragement, and help here at Bariatric Pal and am prioritizing a daily visit to the site again like I used to. Take care everyone! XOXO

I can't believe I'm in this place again! I was sleeved in December 2014 and lost 101 pounds. I was thrilled and kept the weight off for 5 years. Then slowly but surely I began to gain... I have been eating whatever I want, not exercising, and basically just being a slug. I finally got the courage up to weigh myself and see the damage, and I've gained 40 pounds!! I have tried to return to the basics but feel constant hunger. I am depressed and pretty hard on myself. I don't like the way I look and I feel like a loser (not a weight loss loser either). I guess I'm just looking for advice, encouragement, and tips to get this weight back off. Thanks community

Wow everyone is doing so well! Congratulations! I, unfortuately am in a low spot (and I don't mean low weight). I was sleeved in Dec 2014 and lost 100 pounds. Started at 236 and got down to 135. Maintained for a couple of years, then in the 3rd year started gaining. I'm up to 170 now and feeling really down about it. Can't believe I let myself gain like that. I have just returned to BariatricPal and week one of trying to get the extra pounds off. Cutting carbs, increased protein, and being more active. Would like to lose at least 20 pounds to feel more comfortable. We'll see. You all are inspiring and motivating!

I'm also trying to cut back on buying clothes! My problem is the opposite of yours though... I started buying new clothes after my surgery because it was so fun to look good in everything. When I would find something I really liked, I bought multiples of it. Plus on line shopping is so easy. Click, click, and a present gets delivered to your door I've done better in January, but still found myself shopping. Just this week I had an inspiration though... when I see clothes I like, I am just taking a picture of them or of the outfit, and then replicating it with things I already own in my closet. This is fun also. I swear if I had all the money I've spent on clothes since my surgery I could have gone on an extended vacation in some exotic locale. Live and learn right? When we know better, we do better. Good luck to you on your resolution. Have you tried selling your extra items on Ebay?

Sending prayers for you and your surgeon Sleevedbygrace

Oh my goodness I woke up this morning feeling so discouraged and tired that I took the morning off from work to just have some "me" time. I poured a cup of coffee and signed on to Bariatricpal and I found this thread! God is good! I really needed this today. Thank you for starting it. Looking forward to following and getting to know you guys