Hi everyone! I am new to the board but am in need of some support and encouragement. I had the gastric sleeve on 4/29/13. Since then I have lost 96 lbs. however it seems as if lately I have lost my motivation. I have had trouble remembering my vitamins as well as cooking meals and eating snacks that are good for me. I've gained 2 lbs and I am scared to pieces that I am going to return to the old me. I am signing up for a gym and have really got to force myself into healthy habits. Has anyone gone through this? Have any recipe suggestions? What have you done to get yourself out of a rut? Help!

How are you doing on carbs? Look to drop your carb rates to no more than 45g. per day. That should help. Also, track your food--Snacks, drinks, meals, everything. Be honest with yourself. It will help you see if your calories/fats/carbs are too high right now. Heck, maybe throw in a Protein shake now and then if you see your protein is running on the low side.

I am going to try a noodle-free lasagne. I will use low fat ground turkey, low fat cottage and mozzaella cheese, spinach, onion, garlic, and tomato sauce. It should be good! One way to cut carbs and fat in a tasty entree!

The further out we get, the harder the new lifestyle is to maintain. That's why the sleeve is a tool, not a cure. That being said, I think you already know it's ultimately all about will power. You've come so far, accomplished so much. I know you don't want to slip back into old habits. Don't beat yourself up over the 2 lbs - keeping weight off can be a lot harder than losing it - but it's definitely time to implement changes in your routine and diet to get back down to your goals.

Recipe-wise: I'm a big fan of the recipes on Skinnytaste.com, EmilyBites.com, and The World According to Eggface. I make Protein dense, tasty meals and if I want something extra, I eat salad or cut up veggies.

Exercise: Good for you for joining a gym. Build yourself up slowly and mix up the cardio and strength-building routines. Challenge yourself but not to the point of injury.

You CAN do this!!

When I start slipping, I track my Fluid and food using a whiteboard on the fridge or a small notebook if I'm traveling. I keep my Vitamins on a pill holder by my toothbrush so I remember to take them. And I keep a stock of low calorie, healthy foods at home and don't bring home foods that are too tempting ( for me that's cake, Cookies, chocolate candy, and Cheetos among other things) . I keep foods that are easy to grab and eat, like low fat cheese and lunch meat, Greek yogurt, in season veggies and fruit, so I can eat something healthy without much work. I weigh every morning because it can gain weight quickly if I quit paying attention.

Lynda

I am a little more than one year out and have lost over 100# but recently was stalled out. I was not gaining but had stopped losing. I got myself losing again but going on an ultra low carb plan. I am making soups with tons oflow carb veggies and putting in homemade no carb mearballs for protirn. I have found my sleeve loves the btothy soups and all the veggies have helped occasional contipation. I make a big crockpot full of soup on the weekends and itlasts me all week. I am lazy overall and have found afjusting my diet works better for me than trying to increase ecercise. For extra flavor I add parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes to the soup! Goof luck in your journey.