Slipping

[cathy]

It has been 1 year 3 months since banding. I had lost 90 lbs - but haven't lost anything in the past 5 months. That was ok because I was maintaining thru the holidays and some high stress times with my FIL's medical issues.

Now it is catching up with me. I can't remember the last meal I ate at home. We simply have no time and eat out constantly. I've never been a big drinker, but find myself indulging more and more in those empty calories. Finding time to work out is more and more of a challenge, and when I do, it is usually only 30 minutes of strength training. The cardio stuff has fallen by the wayside.

I have gained about 4-5 lbs and desperately need to get back on track before I keep slip, slip, slipping into gaining more and more weight.

This is the junction where it is always sooo hard for me. I've been pleased with my weight loss - still have more I'd like to lose though. But I've slipped into bad habits and haven't had to pay yet. But now it is catching up with me and it is so hard to get back on board.

I'm playing that old game - - "I'll start back on Monday". Then something comes up and it is "Ok - well next week for sure".

I don't know - I just feel like this is a "make or break" moment for me and I'm not sure I have the energy to meet the challenge. :(

[sassy46545]

Cathy,
I understand what you're going through, and I only took a two week break during an unfill! It's so hard to get back on the right track! I have to say though, my body really rejected all the junk food and sweets I indulged in during it's "vacation". We all can relate to those "make or break" moments.
Maybe you could start doing 10 minutes of cardio to warm up for your strength training? Go back to healthy salads on those resturant meals, split that dessert with the entire family etc... YOU can do it and you're the only one that can!
As for starting on Monday's.... why? restart your healthy lifestyle today! and everyday....get a Diet Minder Journal (available at Barnes and Nobles, Borders etc) and start writing it all down again. You can do it Cathy!

Tracy

[ginabobina]

Start small and make little changes... get back to basics - our doc calls it the 30 rule (don't drink 30 minutes before or after eating, chew every bite 30 times and take exactly 30 minutes to eat. Then work on upping your protein and making healthier choices... you CAN do this!! We all backlside and have periods where we're gaining or plateauing... but we always have the choice to get back on track and our tool WILL work - woo hoo!!! Use that band girlfriend! Hugs!

[lil'bitty]

Cathy, I can completely relate. I am 1 year and 6 months banded. Only 7 months in, my DH took a job in Washington, DC leaving our girls and I in TX until our house sold. All through that I continued loosing until about that October, it was really starting to wear on me and I was anticipating the holidays coming. The first week in November we got a contract and one week later I was in the DC area looking for a house that could close in 3 weeks, and back in TX preparing to move. We moved the first week of December and then I had to unpack and get ready for the holidays. I was gaining weight. Eating on the go and out and under stress. I gained over 20lbs and after getting settled, it was so hard to get back on track. I went in March to see a new band doc here in the area, and he didn't want to give me a fill for a month, so 4/14 I was filled for the first time in 7 months. That did it, I am back on track and have already lost over 13lbs. But it has been very hard.

The fill really helped, but also the great people here. I joined the Memorial Day Challenge, and the May Exercise Challenge. I feel like I am accountable and it is really helping. Don't let a little gain be a big one. Grab hold of the situation now before it gets out of control!!

We're all pulling for you!!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Because I've not been banded as of yet, I can't give you advice, BUT.. I can tell you that you've done an amazing job losing 91 lbs. This is just a little set back in your journey.. and I want you to know that I'm thinking about you.

[Dustbunny]

Cathy:
Maybe if you start getting your vitamins amd drinking enough Crystal Light every day you can add on to that. If I drink enough the rest is easier. DB

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Cathy, I was wondering how you're doing. Just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you.

[cathy]

Thanks for checking in on me! And don't be silly - - just because you haven't been banded doesn't mean you can't give wonderful advice and support!!

I was doing better yesterday - forced myself to go for at least a quick workout even though I was tight for time.

But got up this morning - decided to work from home - and hit a big bag of chocolate candy Why? Just because it was there, it was good and I wanted it. I told myself at the time I shouldn't - - but I did. I don't know what my problem is.

When I go grab the food I know I shouldn't have, I tell myself not to. I tell myself I will hate the fact I gave in. I tell myself I will kick myself for it, and I will really regret it and that I don't want to gain all the weight back.....

But in the end, the chocolate ended up in my mouth. Depressing depressing depressing...........

Now I sit here feeling bad about, feeling slightly sick to my stomach -- but knowing that this afternoon, I could easily allow myself to eat something equally bad and calorie laden.

And I keep playing the game "when this happens, I'll be better". Right now it is when my FIL gets home from rehab, things will get more "normal" and I'll get back into my routine. How stupid! And even then, I know it isn't true - if anything, things will be HARDER when he gets home....and there will be more excuses.

Sorry for the extended pity party here. I just have to kick myself and get back on track......somehow.

Thanks for asking.....for caring......

[Dustbunny]

Folks that went to the g2g are talking about extreme self care or some such thing.
You have to put you first. It's like putting money in your saving account when you get your paycheck, pay yourself first. Do the things that will keep you healthy and moving toward your goal first. Then you'll feel good and have way more energy to take care of other people. Try not to lose yourself in other people's needs.
Food is never the answer. So why do we think it will make us feel better, or why do we just grab for it? I don't understand, is there a toddler in our brains that takes over when we feel depleted?
Hugs to you Cathy. These have been tough months. Hope you recover youself soon. Love DB

[Halo]

My MIL lives next door. She went into renal failure and we had to hospitalize her. When it wwas time for me to eat the hospital cafeteria had bad choice foods and good choice foods. The muffins and cookies were screaming at me. I did however resist. I would tell myself, eat the right foods first, and then if I wanted the "offender" I could have a bite or two. I was pleased that my band would kick in and after I ate the correct choices there was no room in my band for something else. I battled it all weekend but was pleased when I weighed one pound lighter this morning. Try real hard to stay focused. For the time being get all the tough foods out of the house. You will be glad you did.

I'm cheering you on!

Helen

[JDru]

Hey Cathy. Don't be so hard on yourself!! I had a tough period at the beginning of the year too...gained about 6 pounds because I just stopped caring. Finally I snapped out of it and I'm doing better now. Unfortunately I don't know what made me change, it just happened one day. But it does help to start with the little things. Start incorporating more water and veggies into your day. Then add some cardio 3 times a week. It will start to add up and you'll see results. Like DB said, you have to put YOU first and make it a priority. You can do this!! :)

[MoOrLess]

Cathy...I totally identify with you. And thanks for your honest assessment of life's choices...because I think it really is what it's all about - good choices! Guilt doesn't work for most of us banded folks lol - so we have to just keep making good choices....keep posting and let us know what you've added "back" into your life -- you CAN do this! I've been battling my own devils for over 8 weeks now and nothing but plateau after plateau --- and now I know why -- choices....we'll each get through this together!

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

Cathy, I so love to hear your honesty. Being honest with yourself is a great place to start. What I also hear is that after you have made a bad choice ,,, and we all do that from time to time ,,, you totally beat yourself silly. Sounds like negative self-talk kicking in ,,, My first suggestion is that you PROMISE yourself that for one bad choice you are NOT going to punish yourself by making a whole week of bad choices. And then after you conquor that, you need to not punish yourself with a whole day of bad choices. I did all of that in my past, and, actually until quite recently. Now I try to make myself accountable for every stinking bite I take that I know I shouldn't. "Judy, you absolutely do NOT need another piece of that candy ,,, or another cookie ,,, or another handfull of Cheetos. Are you sure that you want to have it?" I'll be darned if last night I didn't have the corn chip bag in my hand, heading to the fridge to get the cheese to put on them ,,, and I stopped myself. I put the corn chips back in the cupboard, and had another glass of water instead. All of those food demon battles we have to win over and over again. Here's wishing you the strength to keep up the fight.

Judy

[bgrand]

Cathy,
If your interested in signing up for a buddy. Tami is looking to be some one's buddy. The thread is "Be a buddy, Need a Buddy". or just pm Transformation and let her know you want her to be your buddy. Good luck. You can do it...and we are all here to help.

[cathy]

Thanks! I'll go check it out. Maybe a buddy to kick my ass is just what I need!!