How do YOU keep the weight from creeping back on?

[Hot Tamale]

Calling all WLS people! I'd love to hear tips, tricks, and advice from you more seasoned WLS folks on how to avoid gaining the weight back once we've lost it. Although I still have a ways to go, my honeymoon period is obviously over - I fight hard to maintain my loss and I find myself losing and gaining the same two or three pounds each month. I walk/exercise 5 or 6 times each week for 45 - 60 min per day. I know the exercise helps me a lot. What other tips do any of you have? All advice welcomed! Thanks!!

[gharkness]

Gee, I thought you'd never ask!

I was actually very concerned that I was going to gain mine all back. Last year around Thanksgiving I noticed that nothing - I mean, NOTHING - fit like it should, and some things just wouldn't even zip or button. This was NOT what I wanted.

Somehow I managed to stumble over the JUDDD forum (I had always ignored it before), and noticed that these people - not WLS people but regular people - were often falling below goal, and there was very little frustration, unlike what you see in some of the other forums. Everybody was so darn happy! I wanted me some of that!

So I started out with JUDDD and the weight started falling off again, with very little effort - and zero hunger - this is five years out from my WLS! And here I am, four months later, back in all those clothes that so stubbornly refused to zip and button! Although, it really only took three months to get back in my clothes. I'm pretty much maintaining at this point.

JUDD is the second-best thing that ever happened to me, weight-wise (WLS being the first-best thing....)

[Maryposa]

Hi Georgene, JUDDD didn't work for me at all (I didn't lose any weight) but when I tried it is before my surgery when my insulin FASTING was 10X higher than it should be. So, nothing worked for me then.

HT... for me, as much as I want to avoid the scale and certain pants when I know I have been "bad", I don't allow it... and when I start feeling that way I know its time to get back on track... I come here, ObesityHelp and Youtube WLS community or text my WLS friends that I know in person.

Another thing I have is a "scared straight" weight. Right now that is 195.... I am scared to death to get that close to 200 again. To me, 195 is a salty day and a "irregular" day away from leaving onederland.

My scared weight was the same as my original goal weight for awhile, which was 185. Unfortunately I have been bouncing around that weight now that I'm working too much and not exercising enough so my scared straight weight went up, which in itself is scary enough.

Also, I swore to myself back when I got under 300 that I would never go there again... when I got under 200 I made the same swear, except if I ever get pregnant, then I will allow myself as high as 210 lol

[VAbornGApeach]

I'm 10 years out from my WLS. I find that for me, I swore I would never do this, but I weigh myself EVERY day. If I see the scale creep up more than a pound or two I stop myself right there. Get myself back to protein, protein, protein and I'm back in my comfort zone.

[myyellowstang]

I am seven pounds up from my ideal, and I'm probably in my bounceback period right now. Everyone says that 10-15 pounds bounce back is normal - but I don't want to accept it. I know I've let slide on several small things and I need to put a stop to it.

I weigh daily. I am on the scale at least once a day religiously. Out of sight, out of mind and I don't intend to mindlessly work my way back up the scale again.

I track my food. If not daily, then at least 4-5 days a week completely, every bite all day. It keeps me honest. If I tell myself "Oh I probably got about 1500 calories" and then start logging and had 1000 calories in SANCKS ALONE then I know I'm lying to myself.

I work out religiously. Yoga 4x a week for an hour at a time. I've slacked off on the running, and that's probably contributing to my bounce back. But at minimum I strive to run twice a week for a total of 6 miles. I haven't run in a long time and that sucks.

Reading cues like uncomfortable pants, trending up on the scale, etc is key to me. But, that's just part of it. I have to control what I eat. I can't just graze on food all day (and I'm capable of that) and expect to stay thin, even if it's healthier food. It's still too many calories for what I need.

Right now my 2's are tight. My 4's are snug, and my 6's are comfortable if still too big. I've hit the upper limit of my comfort bounce range and it's time to crack down and get back down again. I'm most comfortable with a bouce of 134-139. This morning I was 142.

[Hot Tamale]

Thanks to all of you for writing. I am working on reeling myself in from simply eating too much. Some of it is head hunger, but I swear, I am just hungry a lot these days! I am bouncing around the same two or three pounds (195 - 197) but I really need to get below this area! I have not slacked on my exercise - as a matter of fact I've started getting up extra early to walk on days when I know I won't be able to exercise after work. I've also started using the elliptical machine for ten minutes before walking my normal 2 - 3 miles (depending on how much time I have...) and I jog part of that time, too. I am working on drinking more water and eating more complete meals instead of snacking (a yogurt here, cheese and a wasa cracker or two there...) which I know is not good. I will say I am sort of afraid of full meals. I can eat more than I used to be able to eat. I am afraid I have stretched my stomach. Maybe just a little, I'm not sure. In any case, thanks for giving me some tips and hints. I'll keep adjusting until I start losing again!

[Maryposa]

OK, I thought I would share here that I started all liquids today! Coffee w/ half n half, two lean body shakes, and a cup of soy slender

87 grams protein, probably close to 700 cals (the half n half was probably about 100 cals), 10 net carbs, 9 grams fiber.

Tomorrow instead of half n half though, I will have a carb master yogurt or two. I want to TRY to do this as long as I can! Time to re-set!

[Hot Tamale]

I am halfway there with you, Mary... I've been having mostly liquid days for 2 days now. I actually had a meal and then protein shakes with a yogurt when I couldn't stand it anymore! Tomorrow I am trying an experiment: no fake sugar. I plan on having eggs, some chicken, and maybe a yogurt (I may just do no sugars of any kind for a day or two...). I'm feeling full of chemicals with some of the stuff I'm eating - even the protein shakes feel...wrong. So, I will try this and see if it helps. I did drop 1.5 pounds since Wednesday - but I need/want to lose another 3 pounds by Monday morning. We'll see if I'm just full of water. I do think some of it is water...just not sure. I am re-setting, too, however. I REFUSE to go back from whence I came!

[Maryposa]

Ht... You're only one pound away from your next goal? That's a big one, congrats!

[Hot Tamale]

Well, Mary...in a perfect world, yes...but I was 195.0 at my lowest - I've been bouncing around from 195 - 197 (with a scary 199 day or two) for the past two months. I was 196.3 this morning. Hoping my no-fake-sugar day (along with lots of water) will help get me to 194. something by Monday...(weight loss support group meeting - I'd like to tell them I've finally met my goal...).

[Haziefrog]

I am 9 years post op and not only do I weigh myself everyday I also do not wear anything that does not zip up. Like jeans, so the second they start getting tight I know I have to get back on track. It still amazes me year after year when my winter clothes fits after being put up all summer!! That never happened before surgery!

[Hot Tamale]

Thanks for writing, Hazel. I am going to take your advice right to heart. I still weigh, but I actually think I don't weigh myself often enough. I am going to start weighing daily...I think it might make me think twice about some of the stuff I am putting into my mouth... I just weighed for the first time in about ten days and see somehow about 4 pounds have found their way back. I will NOT allow that trend to continue! I'm hoping a careful weekend (eating right and plenty of exercise) might just get rid of most of the 4 pounds. I have to get back to losing, too, and hopefully weighing more often will help. Thanks again!

[ANGELFIRE80]

I need to do liquid days and get back to weighing daily. It just sucks when nothing really changes on the scale these days...