weight loss/weight regain

[Guest guest]

I know this is a subject that interests us all. How do we keep losing

and how to prevent regaining. Bear with me if I repeat myself but

it's something we all need to remind ourselves of. Firt of all, I

set myself a goal, as I was losing, of a weight I would NEVER again

allow myself to be. At one time that goal was to be under 200 and to

NEVER weigh 200 again. I lost from 202 to 171 thr eating low fat. I

lost it very slowly but that is okay, coming from an original 384, my

body sorta hates losing it's old friend (my pounds) so I'm okay to be

a slow loser now. And now, my weight I never want to weigh above is

180. It changes as I lose and as I see I can maintain below a certain

weight. I am a scale junky and that is what keeps me in check.

Getting on that scale and seeing a gain will motivate and sometimes

seeing a loss will motivate me, to keep doing what I am doing. What

scared me about WLS was initially I could eat pretty much anything,

after about 4 mos., and I did continue to lose. What it did for me

was gave me " permission " to eat the carbs, the fat, etc that got me

where I started. AND yet, due to this surgery, I still lost weight.

After about 18 mos to 2yrs, my body no longer lost when I ate that

way. In fact, I would show a gain. I got off my butt and got in gear

and started WW and it works for me. It has been a very supportive

environment for me but we have an outstanding leader. I am sorry to

hear others have had less than pleasant experiences. All I really

want to say to the people who are less than two years out, expecially

less than one year out, GO AHEAD AND CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS.

Don't let this surgery give you permission to eat badly just b/c you

continue to lose while doing so. Get in gear and eat healthy. That is

the only way I know to successfully lose all the weight you want to

lose and to maintain that loss. I think the percentage of people who

eat whatever they want and maintain their loss is very slim. Those of

us who try to eat low fat seem to be having the best success with

maintenance. NO, I don't eat low fat every meal and yes I go out and

treat myself, however I follow my " treat " with a regimen of healthy

eating. I have a lot of lunches that consists of only vegetables,

then I eat what I want for dinner. My breakfast is usually yogurt or

a protein shake. Because of this surgery and all the weight it

enabled me to lose, I can do this today. Yeah, I still like the junk

and the sweets but damn I sure do like wearing size 10/12 and I like

that more than I like eating junky and fattening foods ALL the time.

Just some thoughts and opinions,

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheryl,

I really like your point about eating health now and making it a habit now

as we are losing so it stays with us when we reach goal. What is the point

of having MGB if we are going to continue to eat tons of junk food. The MGB

is a tool, the other tool is what I choose to put in my mouth and how much I

exercise.

I am like you. Once and a while I do eat something that is not " good " for

me but the rest of the week I eat healthy. Before I ate unhealthy food all

week long and once and a while ate something good. I am so thankful I no

longer crave greasy fried foods...never thought I would say this but I would

take carrots or oranges now over fries or chips...who'd of ever thought MGB

would change what we liked to eat????

Sandy B.

weight loss/weight regain

> I know this is a subject that interests us all. How do we keep losing

> and how to prevent regaining. Bear with me if I repeat myself but

> it's something we all need to remind ourselves of. Firt of all, I

> set myself a goal, as I was losing, of a weight I would NEVER again

> allow myself to be. At one time that goal was to be under 200 and to

> NEVER weigh 200 again. I lost from 202 to 171 thr eating low fat. I

> lost it very slowly but that is okay, coming from an original 384, my

> body sorta hates losing it's old friend (my pounds) so I'm okay to be

> a slow loser now. And now, my weight I never want to weigh above is

> 180. It changes as I lose and as I see I can maintain below a certain

> weight. I am a scale junky and that is what keeps me in check.

> Getting on that scale and seeing a gain will motivate and sometimes

> seeing a loss will motivate me, to keep doing what I am doing. What

> scared me about WLS was initially I could eat pretty much anything,

> after about 4 mos., and I did continue to lose. What it did for me

> was gave me " permission " to eat the carbs, the fat, etc that got me

> where I started. AND yet, due to this surgery, I still lost weight.

> After about 18 mos to 2yrs, my body no longer lost when I ate that

> way. In fact, I would show a gain. I got off my butt and got in gear

> and started WW and it works for me. It has been a very supportive

> environment for me but we have an outstanding leader. I am sorry to

> hear others have had less than pleasant experiences. All I really

> want to say to the people who are less than two years out, expecially

> less than one year out, GO AHEAD AND CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS.

> Don't let this surgery give you permission to eat badly just b/c you

> continue to lose while doing so. Get in gear and eat healthy. That is

> the only way I know to successfully lose all the weight you want to

> lose and to maintain that loss. I think the percentage of people who

> eat whatever they want and maintain their loss is very slim. Those of

> us who try to eat low fat seem to be having the best success with

> maintenance. NO, I don't eat low fat every meal and yes I go out and

> treat myself, however I follow my " treat " with a regimen of healthy

> eating. I have a lot of lunches that consists of only vegetables,

> then I eat what I want for dinner. My breakfast is usually yogurt or

> a protein shake. Because of this surgery and all the weight it

> enabled me to lose, I can do this today. Yeah, I still like the junk

> and the sweets but damn I sure do like wearing size 10/12 and I like

> that more than I like eating junky and fattening foods ALL the time.

>

> Just some thoughts and opinions,

>

> Cheryl

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

Exactly. Yesterday I ate pretty light. Oatmeal with fiber one mixed

in it for fiber. I had a salad with grilled chicken for lunch then

we were lazy and my husband wanted an Italian Hoagie and Fries (take

out) for dinner. I ate half the sandwich and half of a large order

of fries (we split). I think that is a pretty normal, healthy intake

of food. Prior to the MGB there is no telling what I would have

eaten and I would have eaten my own order of fries and the entire

hoagie.

I am sooooo grateful to be able to live this way. I don't mind it.

If I eat something fattening (which is limited) I don't feel the

constant nagging guilt I used to feel. Last Tuesdsay when I was in

Statesville with my g/f Charlene (who had surgery Thurs and is doing

GREAT !!!!) we split a brownie sundae at Applebee's with Dear Dr R

sitting right across the restaurant from us. DID I feel guilty,

NOPE. Cause I had the grilled chicken with mushrooms and onions and

passed on the bread.

Okay I'm getting silly. I also want to say I agree with about

the men opening the doors and stuff. They never did that for me.

While I was in Statesville I got up and went to um, have some of

that hot breakfast beverage we aren't supposed to have and while I

was sitting alone in the breakfast area 4 different men spoke to me.

Yes they were being nice and cordial and stuff but before I lost

weight, when I was 384, they would have most likely NEVER spoken to

me. They would have averted their eyes and looked away. I try to

always always remember where I came from when I encounter a MO

person. I always speak and smile, something that was not common for

me to encounter when I was MO.

And another thing I do that my sweet husband taught me. I never take

the closest parking space. Even when I was MO, he would let me out

in front and go park and I used always ask him why? He said b/c

someone who is alone might need that space. Someone who, like you,

can't walk so far and I can walk so leave that space for them. SO, I

have learned to do that. I remember when I would not go in the store

if I couldn't find a close park. Because the walking was too much.

SO, a lesson here. Take the farther park. It's good for your health,

and for the good of that person who is MO and just can't do the

walking.

Gee it is Sunday, I didn't mean to have a sermon.

Cheryl