Hi there other vets. Those in maintenance especially. This is so different than the weight loss stage, isn't it? So..I went away over the weekend with some of my girlfriends and somewhere around dinner on Saturday, I couldn't kid myself anymore that I was being mindful of what I was consuming. Actually, I was being very mindful...and very aware that I was eating way too much, and drinking too much, and eating the wrong things. Oh, I tried. I had fruit instead of chocolate, I didn't eat everything on my plate, I drank wine instead of cocktails. But still...I gained 2 1/2 lbs. and honestly expected it might be more than that.

So today is Monday, the start of a new week, and I'm committed to going back to eating as I usually do, and hoping the gain is minimized or even gone by next week. Part of me knows that this is just what life is like when we are maintaining, but part of me panics fearing this is the beginning of that slippery slope back to obesity.

Thank goodness for this site where I can come to express my feelings and feel like I'm reconnecting with those who truly understand this lifelong journey. And that's what it is....all my life, this will be an issue. I know some vets get past it and go about their business but that's not me. I'm always aware that my addiction is close by and can overtake me at any time. If that means feeling a little sorry for myself for 'drinking the Kool-Aid' once in a while, so be it. Today is a new day and I'm eating clean so far and planning on heading to the Y tonight to get in a Water exercise class. I bet I'm doing and feeling better tomorrow...

@@CowgirlJane it's funny I seem to be transitioning through the same food weaknesses. Nuts and Peanut Butter used to be my goto Snacks. I made up my own mixed nut variety and ate a handful/day. But eventually I couldn't control portions anymore. Nuts became my crack. Peanut butter is even worse. I could seriously eat a whole jar in 3 days. I can't stop myself. So those things no longer enter my house. But boy, do I still luv em. In fact, I think my favorite part of my recent vacation from hell was allowing myself to eat peanuts on the plane.

Protein bars have become an issue for me, too. Since I don't get any breaks all day at work the easiest thing for me to have for lunch is a Quest bar or natures valley Protein Bar. But then I was wanting one (or 2) as snacks in the evening. My compromise is I still have one at work, but I don't keep any at home.

So far those have been my two weaknesses that developed somewhere around 18-24 months postop. Maybe let me know what comes up for you next so I can be prepared

I'm not at maintenance or goal yet, but reading all your posts makes clear how successful people eat. You have all expressed a deliberate consciousness of what you're eating, and staying on top of changes as they happen. Kudos to all of you. I hope to join you this year.

Just to add a different perspective- at 2.5 years out I started to binge eat again and feel very depressed about my body and feel that I would still be trapped in the diet binge restrict cycle forever. I started to see weight gain and I panicked. My hunger came back full force and my quantity came way up.

I decided to forgo dieting and embrace intuitive eating instead. It has been a miracle for me. My weight is stable and I no longer diet or restrict what I eat. I eat when I am hungry and stop when I'm full. I accepted that I may gain some weight and I did but it quickly leveled out. I'm not sure how much I eat in a day because I don't track anymore but I'm guessing it is around 2000-3000 per day. I will personally never diet again and have learned to love my body unconditionally. If you are struggling and want to stop being afraid of food I highly recommend exploring intuitive eating as an option for weight maintenance.

I do not diet or count calories and I'm fine with what my body wants to weigh as long as I am eating for the right reasons and staying mindful.