We see them all the time. Hell, maybe we'll write one someday...

OMG, I've regained! What do I do???????

You know what I like to do?

I like to go back in that person's post history and read about their diet habits in the beginning when they were losing....get a feel for what kind of dieter they were.

And I almost always find that the re-gainers....were super strict, super disciplined, never-touch-a-carb, low calorie extremists.

And it kills me...because the advice to these folks is always the same.....get back on your super strict diet! up your protein! don't touch a carb!

And I'm sitting here shaking my head.

Why do people return to what doesn't work? Over and over and over. Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

Don't mean to just pick on our Ketovangelists....there are plenty of Passive Pollys out there who ate junk constantly, never kept track....and wonder why their weight went back up after the honeymoon.

My point is.....if a particular strategy ends in failure.....why in the world would you return to it? Why encourage someone to return to what didn't work longterm?

if the goal is longterm maintenance....why send them back to another stop-gap measure that fails them in the long run?

Ketovangelists....try something different if extremely low cal and carbs doesn't work long term for you! If you eventually lose your mind and fall off the wagon, maybe the wagon you're on doesn't fit. Try something more moderate so you can stay in control long term.

Passive Pollys....try something different! If a total lack of structure is resulting in your surgery being useless.....add some freaking framework to your diet. Work on healthy limits without going completely overboard. Be accountable.

More and more, I believe an addiction to EXTREMISM is what keeps people fat. So many of these folks are either "I must be in COMPLETE CONTROL"...or "I am helpless against my eating"....there's never any middle ground.

Stop with the extremism.

Knock that shite off.

It's hurting you.

I (personally) only like to identify myself with current active parts of my life ( l am vs I was) it keeps me present focused.

I don't know if a few years from now I will still feel like I'm fighting the obesity battle (I didn't feel that way to start , but that another discussion) or if will just feel like this is who I am now (diet weight lifestyle) no struggle

Does anyone here feel that way as a Vet or are they the ones who have left as the OP suggested?

I was fat for so long, I still cannot get that image out of my head even while looking in the mirror. So I always feel like I am fighting the battle even though most of my food habits are 180 degrees from what they were. So for me, Identifying as a WLS patient and living as though I am following that diet works.

The people who hit goal and leave may go on and remain successful, but I am betting that many go on to regain a little or a lot and either are too embarrassed to come back or forget about this place. Some of the most successful vets from 2 years ago that I still have contact with have gained back far more than I would have imagined. And all because they hit goal and decided to live life "normal" which really means going back to the way they were pre-op.

Something to consider @bigviffer

I'm still a baby sleever anyways, all this BS I'm talking lol time will tell how I feel about staying active in the Bariatric community anyways. I just wish sometimes it was set up like college. I see a lot of the same discussions and I know y'all are tired of them too...
Can I eat x at y days post op?
Why am I not losing?

Kinda want more from the discussions/ interactions but it's hard the further out from surgery you get , the site seems to cater to pre/peri-op...

34 minutes ago, GreenTealael said:

Kinda want more from the discussions/ interactions but it's hard the further out from surgery you get , the site seems to cater to pre/peri-op...

This is why I don't read most of the threads. After a while it's always the same stuff and simply boring.

2 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

I'm still a baby sleever anyways, all this BS I'm talking lol time will tell how I feel about staying active in the Bariatric community anyways. I just wish sometimes it was set up like college. I see a lot of the same discussions and I know y'all are tired of them too...
Can I eat x at y days post op?
Why am I not losing?

Kinda want more from the discussions/ interactions but it's hard the further out from surgery you get , the site seems to cater to pre/peri-op...

But isn't that what the veterans' forum is for? Focusing on things other than the immediate effects of surgery? I imagine vets still have plenty of challenges and wisdom to share with each other. Our "old life" will always be issuing its siren song, trying to drag us back . . .

I can't wait to transition to the vet forum!

p.s. I've stepped back from most of the basic question threads. I let newer people answer them. (Unless it looks like they're not going to get a response. Then I can't help myself.) I try to make sure no-one feels ignored.

Edited August 21, 20187 yr by Orchids&Dragons

On 08/20/2018 at 06:23, GreenTealael said:

I (personally) only like to identify myself with current active parts of my life ( l am vs I was) it keeps me present focused.

I don't know if a few years from now I will still feel like I'm fighting the obesity battle (I didn't feel that way to start , but that another discussion) or if will just feel like this is who I am now (diet weight lifestyle) no struggle

Does anyone here feel that way as a Vet or are they the ones who have left as the OP suggested?

I do not feel like I struggle.

7 hours ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

But isn't that what the veterans' forum is for? Focusing on things other than the immediate effects of surgery? I imagine vets still have plenty of challenges and wisdom to share with each other. Our "old life" will always be issuing its siren song, trying to drag us back . . .

I can't wait to transition to the vet forum!

p.s. I've stepped back from most of the basic question threads. I let newer people answer them. (Unless it looks like they're not going to get a response. Then I can't help myself.) I try to make sure no-one feels ignored.

I need to follow

Eh i think it depends on the person. In my opinion i think most people that regain aren’t always honest about their habits or how they manage stress or even how often they exercise. I don’t think it’s usually the super strict dieters, i’ve seen that it’s usually the emotional eaters. Almost as if they’re unaware that they still use food for comfort or binge eat late at night sort of thing. Or they dont track what they eat and end up eating to many carbs or processed foods.

On 08/21/2018 at 13:35, Orchids&Dragons said:

But isn't that what the veterans' forum is for? Focusing on things other than the immediate effects of surgery? I imagine vets still have plenty of challenges and wisdom to share with each other. Our "old life" will always be issuing its siren song, trying to drag us back . . .

I can't wait to transition to the vet forum!

p.s. I've stepped back from most of the basic question threads. I let newer people answer them. (Unless it looks like they're not going to get a response. Then I can't help myself.) I try to make sure no-one feels ignored.

Maybe they will create a mini vet forum haha

I too now skim . I’m only about 8 1/2 months out so we technically don’t qualify as vets but I feel like I’m getting bored with the typical threads and on here less. I’d love it if there was a different level

Perhaps we can suggest it?

I see that some have left since “our surgery timeline”

8 minutes ago, BostonWLKC said:

Maybe they will create a mini vet forum haha

I too now skim . I’m only about 8 1/2 months out so we technically don’t qualify as vets but I feel like I’m getting bored with the typical threads and on here less. I’d love it if there was a different level

Perhaps we can suggest it?

I see that some have left since “our surgery timeline”

Some leave, others come by periodically but don't comment often. I agree that it would be nice to have an "intermediate" level forum for those that aren't newbies, but not quite vets, either. Otherwise, it's very easy for us to slip away before we get to veteran status.