I am 3.5 months out. Started out at about 180 and am down to 150 give or take a couple of pounds. Holidays showed me just how easy it is to return to poor eating, grazing habits. Wine, super diluted, has replaced beer, and water has replaced diet pop. I walk a thin line of blowing this wonderful opportunity versus embracing it and the good it will bring me!

I still feel hopefull, but am angry with myself for succumbing so easily to bad eating habits.

It is going to be fine. Just get back on the wagon. I too slid over the holidays. Family get togethers, baking the annual cookie offering to my neighbors, gingerbread houses with the kids, etc. etc.. I decided to relax and not worry too much about it. I had the mindset that once the Holidays were over, it was back to work. I gained three pounds. ( I was shocked it wasn't more.) I have been rather surprised how easy it is to get back into the good habits. (Usually good habits aren't the ones that stick.)

You can do this, just get back to basics. Return to fitbit and myfitness pal if you have used them. They are great! Good luck

It's good to hear I wasn't the only one who had slips during the Holidays. Something funny that happened to me over Christmas was, I didn't even realize it, but I had served myself a plate of a little of everything and when I sat down to eat, I was like Holy Moly what did I do? Needless to say, I was full after a few bites and thought to myself, wow before I would have finished this plate and gotten up for seconds. It is definitely a whole mindset change. I keep having to remind myself!

I find that if my "good choices" switch is turned on, I"m fine. But if it gets flipped off, I could be in trouble. So far I've been able to keep it flipped on for 7 months. May I suggest that you turn your switch back on immediately? Every time there's a choice, make the right one for your program. It's hard, but each time you do it you'll be stronger. Eventually they are no longer choices, they are habits. And drink TONS of fluids. That way your stomach stays full all day and you are less susceptible to temptation. I drink almost 2 quarts of Crystal Light decaf iced tea every day and it really helps. Oh, and join a challenge. There's a Valentine's Challenge going on right now that started on Monday. Don't know if you can still get in, but here's the link. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/328319-valentines-challenge/?hl=%20valentine

Good luck!

Edited January 8, 201511 yr by Rogofulm

I agree completely with Rogofulm! I think I have that switch too. I have realized that over the Holidays I did not drink as much as I should. Now that I have addressed that issue, it is a lot easier. I also realized, like you, that even getting off the path had limits. Instead of a whole plate of food, I just had a spoonful or so of the things I really wanted. The wonderful thing about the sleeve is that even if you do slide a bit, you will not go over the cliff! I think that is why my holiday gain was only three pounds. I am happy to say that one of those pounds is already history!

I have a friend who kept me calm through this. She is a veteran bypass patient. We spent much time together with the kids over the holiday. She was so calm and matter of fact about the choice she made, even to have an occasional cookie, that I realized that the beauty of the sleeve is that it helps you with control. However, that does not mean you cannot have an occasional treat. (not habitual, mind you) We are seeking normality in our relationship with food. Even normal weight people have an occasional Christmas cookie! The difference is, we have to be mindful of our addiction and the sleeve helps us limit ourselves like normal people.

Yeah Normal!!!!

I agree with what the others said. You always have a choice. I struggle sometimes with the feeling of "inevitability"... Like I will inevitably make terrible choices and wake up back 140 pounds heavier. It just hit me this week that....wait a minute...I am in control of this. I get to choose my behaviors. I don't have to play victim to food. So choose to get back on track! Do a few days of liquids (shakes, etc) if that helps you. It usually helps me break the bad habits when I start to let the sneak back in. The big thing for me is not to wait for a "feeling" of being in control, but to TAKE control.

I don't have to play victim to food.

That's brilliant!

Effing brilliant!

Excellent point about "taking control", @@livvsmum! Another thought about getting back on track would be to remember that "sugar craves sugar" and "carbs crave carbs" (I know, they're pretty much the same thing). So a few days of eating/drinking only Protein could serve to detox the system from those cravings. Then you only have to deal with the head hunger, and not the actual thing.