Confused and Discouraged

[scubadarz 0]

Hi friends,

I was banded 3 years ago yesterday. About 2 years ago, I had slippage and had to have surgery to repair that. At one point, I had lost almost 100 pounds. In the last year, I have put 40 of those pounds back on. I'm so disgusted. None of my clothes fit, and my self-esteem has gone down the tubes. Now, the confusion part: I have restriction. I eat Protein, and I limit the bad carbs. I run 2 miles every other day. I know I could increase the exercise, but I don't think my eating habits are too bad, and I truly do feel I'm being honest with myself. I don't drink with meals. I'm going for yet another fill this afternoon because it seems like my only hope. I'm afraid I will be overfilled, but I'm not losing weight where I am now. In fact, I'm still gaining. I've been to a MD to see if there might be something else going on, but the tests haven't found anything.

The one thing I've identified is that I have a very difficult time eating slowly. I'm always in a rush, so any tips on how to slow down would be greatly appreciated.

Please help! I really need some advice. I don't know what to do. I don't want to put on one more pound, and I want to get those 40 back off.

[reverie 49]

Are you counting calories? "Good" food choices don't mean a thing if your calories are in check. Almonds are "good," right? They're also high in calories and given enough of them you can easily be eating too many calories.

If you aren't calorie counting, start. If you're not weighing your food, start. Fills don't = weight loss, a calorie deficit does however.

[scubadarz 0]

Hi Reverie,

Yes, I do count calories. My intake is generally around 1200-1350.

[Lollicatt 36]

Are you factoring the amount of calories you are burning by running? From what I've learned (read actually), you need to account for the calories that you are burning when you eat. If you are not eating enough calories, your body can go into starve mode and it will store the fat and you wont lose. So if you are eating 1200 - X calories burned while running, are you below the # where your body store fat? I think its 1000 - 1200....someone correct me if I'm wrong.