Hi Everyone,

I'm semi-new to this site. I was banded on 9/14/10. I've lost about 35lbs since starting this process but, I have not lost any weight in the last 3 weeks. I made horrible food choices over the holidays and I'm feeling pretty bad about it. I have turned to liquid calories when my band feels too tight (which is for about 4 days every month at the same time) and now I've been ingesting liquid calories when my band doesnt feel too tight. I feel like i'm resorting to old habits and I need to re-calibrate my head but that's so much easier said than done. I have a million excuses but, they're just that, excuses. My life will always be hectic and chaotic, I just need to figure out how to deal with that and not let my desire to be healthy suffer.

I just needed to vent to some folks who might understand what I'm dealing with.

~K

Start back a couple days on your post op diet of protein shakes and liquids that helps me when I get off track. If your working do it on the weekend or whatever your days off are then increase your diet over a period of three to four days after two to three days of liquids. Might help you

Sorry you are having a hard time. Are you journaling your inake? That can really help. I agree that doing the preop diet for a few days may help. Try not to beat yourself up about the bad choices over the holidays. Its so hard when there is temptation around every corner. Are you excersising? If not I highly reccomend it- it is a huge piece of the puzzle. Since your life is so busy it will take some planning on your part to stick to a healthy diet. Can you bring your lunch to work? Pack it up the night before. I like to plan in the morning pretty much what I will eat all day- that way I can be sure to get in all my protien, appropriate carbs and fat et... I even think about what time I will eat. I don't think it's obbsessing, just planning. My last thought is, do you need a fill? If your experiencing a lot of hunger I would talk to your doc. about it. Best wishes! You can do it!

Since you are already consuming liquid calories I don't think you should go back to the post surgery diet. I totally hear you about TOM tighness. Outside that time I think you need to decide on Protein options and then think about veggies/fruits that you will eat. I am a chicken person so I mostly eat chicken and some

fish.

Liquid calories are just passing right through and not keeping you full; leading to you "pick" on things probably carbs and or high fat/cal foods.

I can relate to what you are saying. My band was too tight after a fill and I started resorting to sliders like milkshakes. But even when I wasn't tight, I was still drinking milkshakes. Well, I gained almost 50 pounds back doing that. In September, I resolved to get my head back in the game. I started working out like a maniac (and chose a fitness center with a comprehensive program which includes classes, nutritional counseling, body composition assessments, rehab for injuries, etc), changed what I was eating, started getting creative with cooking etc. Since I started that in sept. I have lost all that I gained plus more. And I feel better than ever. It is hard to turn things around, and we get stuck in a vicious cycle of beating ourselves up for our choices, eating to comfort, beating ourselves up etc. Round and round we go with that. But the only advice I can give is get back on track before it gets out of control - you will be so thankful you did later. And honestly, he hardest part is initiating the process. Once you've gotten back to the gym that initial time, logged into your food tracker, etc it becomes MUCH easier. So just do it today. Don't make an excuse. Trust me. You don't want to be looking at the scale 50 pounds later saying, "wow, wish I would've gotten back on track before It got this out of control".

It can be really hard to turn things round when you're iin a rut. I find it easier to focus first on exercise, doing extra, upping intensity, even starting a new program/focus (i cycle around between slow steady running, interval training, curcuit training to prevent boredom and plateaus) and then the eating follows. It really only takes one or two good days to get you back on track and srrong enough to keep going.

I'm not a big one for "diets" but it can also really help just to follow a program - like a week of eating that you get in the Weight Watchers magazine or similar. Personally, I always called up for a week or two of Lite n Easy which is a home delivered calorie controlled plan we have here. Just take away the guesswork and temptation and get with it, and you know you'll get results. After that I was always fine to carry on on my own.

These slumps hit all of us from time to time.

This is a good idea. A few folks suggested this and I'm going to do it. I'd rather have my liquid calories be protien shakes and not mochas. Thanks!

Start back a couple days on your post op diet of protein shakes and liquids that helps me when I get off track. If your working do it on the weekend or whatever your days off are then increase your diet over a period of three to four days after two to three days of liquids. Might help you

It's so helpful to hear this! I was up 4lbs since xmas and am now back down, but, it scared me that I paid more than I've ever paid for anything in my life (I'm a self pay) I'm supposed to be losing weight and instead I'm gaining! I'm pretty good at beating myself up, but sometimes that just leads to more uncontrolled eating. It's amazing how much I'm learning about my eating habits and my self sabotage techniques. crazy stuff. But thanks for sharing your struggle. I'm nipping those 4lbs before it goes to 50, which can happen in the blink of an eye for me!

I can relate to what you are saying. My band was too tight after a fill and I started resorting to sliders like milkshakes. But even when I wasn't tight, I was still drinking milkshakes. Well, I gained almost 50 pounds back doing that. In September, I resolved to get my head back in the game. I started working out like a maniac (and chose a fitness center with a comprehensive program which includes classes, nutritional counseling, body composition assessments, rehab for injuries, etc), changed what I was eating, started getting creative with cooking etc. Since I started that in sept. I have lost all that I gained plus more. And I feel better than ever. It is hard to turn things around, and we get stuck in a vicious cycle of beating ourselves up for our choices, eating to comfort, beating ourselves up etc. Round and round we go with that. But the only advice I can give is get back on track before it gets out of control - you will be so thankful you did later. And honestly, he hardest part is initiating the process. Once you've gotten back to the gym that initial time, logged into your food tracker, etc it becomes MUCH easier. So just do it today. Don't make an excuse. Trust me. You don't want to be looking at the scale 50 pounds later saying, "wow, wish I would've gotten back on track before It got this out of control".

When this has happened with me, I commit to just one day of eating very strictly to plan. If I don't see a weight drop, I commit to another day of very strict eating practice. Usually I see a drop in weight which re-sets my motivation and commitment to lose all this weight once and for all.

It may not be what works for everyone, but it works for me.

I eat a lot of chicken and Im learning to mix up a nice dish using curry paste, fish sauce, and lite coconut milk. I cook small, bite-size pieces of chicken in the mix and pour it over a tiny bit of mashed potatoes. It is tasty, filling, and has that "comfort food" aura.

Hope this helps you or someone else reading these posts!

You'll get back on track --- and don't harp on the holiday stuff. It's not helpful to keep mulling over bad choices made in the past (if that is what you're doing); it's done and over with. Thank goodness, huh?

Focus on today's choices.

~hiddn

Congrats at stopping the problem before it becomes a larger one! It's great to hear that you're looking to take charge again. Definitely drink protein shakes instead of all of the other unhealthy liquid calories you've been consuming.

My life always feels hectic and chaotic but I now make it a point to actually sit down for my meals rather than eating on the go or resorting to a Protein drink because I "just don't have time to cook or sit and eat". I just keep it simple and I plan my meals at least a day or two ahead of time and have everything in the refrigerator ready to go.

.

THANK YOU! I was banded in Sept as well and am experiencing a very similar situation... lost, gained, lost, and then nothing. I appreciate all the advice as I am sure the other Kim does!