Hello everyone! I got my surgery back in January of 2015. In total, I have lost 67 lbs. It was 75lbs, and I felt I was doing really great, but I just got myself out of an abusive relationship and have been trying to readjust into everything. Depression is kicking in a little bit. One from the break up, but I am beating myself up about the weight loss. I do not feel like I have lost enough in the time I have had my surgery, and I feel like I don't know what I am doing anymore! My support group is now 2000 miles away, and I have to seek alternatives.

What I am asking from everyone who can read this, is how do I get back on to my feet with my weight loss?

I take all of my Vitamins, my physical activity has actually increased (but I think so has my eating). I drink plenty of fluids too! But I feel like the weight on the scale is not changing and has actually increased up from 8lbs in 5 days. This really ruined how I feel about all of my hard work. Money is tight right now... so I am trying to look for foods that do not cost that much that will help me with the protein/healthy carb intake. What kind of foods can I get?

I would really love any and all advice to get me back on my feet. If you have questions, I can answer them too to see if we can get some more clarification on my particular issue.

I find a food diary invaluable. I fill mine out every morning so I know what I need to eat to hit my Protein goals. I review it each evening before bed and add in any exercise I have done. It's a concrete view of how I am doing.

I stay away from the scale unless I go to the doctor because it makes me crazy.

I am on a fix income so I do a weekly food prep. I also clip coupons. Inexpensive sources of protein: eggs, Beans. Soup can be made with low sodium broth and frozen mixed veg. Add some unflavored Protein powder can be added to soup for a quick an inexpensive and easy meal. I like to garnish with chopped nuts or slivered almonds and shredded cheese.

First of all, congratulations on leasving that relationship behind. I have been there and after 25 years I was able to get out. It is a tough road. I am now happily married to a wonderful man. Three weeks after my surgery he had a pacemaker installed and 10 days after that he was diagnosed with metastatic brain tumor. Talk aobut stress!! He is not under going radiation after brain surgery and tomorrow a biopsy on the spot on his lung wher the drs think the cancer started. Chemo starts next week, as well as treatment on the lung. '

One would think with all the time spent at the hospital for surgery, treatments and appointments with my husband, I would have been eating healthy, but so many of the foods there are not what I needed.

I eat a lot of cottage cheese, sometimes with bits of tomato and or cucumber for added flavor. Breakfast is usually a protein shake. Premire Protein has 30 g of protein and I buy it at Sam's Club at a discount. Lunch varies: the cottage cheese, tuna salad in a small wheat tortilla, bean soup, or a scrambled egg. I cook dinner for my husband or we go out. I stick to grilled chicken, or just some of the protein in the meals I cook. After I get in the protein I am usually full. I have always been an evening snacker and if I need more protein I either have a small amount of nuts, cottage cheese, yogurt or string cheese. I have been staying around 700 calories with this and have lost 37 lbs since my sleeve on Aug. 18.

I use the online SparkPeople site to track my foods (calories, protein, etc), water, and exercise, although exercise is mostly just walking on the treadmill as I generally stay close to husband at home during this ordeal.

The daily tracking has really helped me. I also track my weight and have had several stalls. If a stall goes beyond 5 days, I increase my calories to 900-1000 for a couple days and I usually start to lose. I feel so uncomfprtable eating that much, but it pushes the weight loss.

I feel for you and understand your stress and depression. Please message me any time you need to talk. I can be here for you no matter how far away!