Feeling Discouraged

[janie47]

Hello All,
I first heard about the No S Diet from the Woman's World magazine last spring. I have stopped and restarted a dozen times if not more! I lost a great amount of weight after having gastric bypass surgery. I went from 322 lbs. to the lowest of 126 lbs. which only lasted about a minute! The honeymoon phase of my surgery is certainly over. I have been getting back into some old bad habits.I have gained back to approximately 185 lbs. I had my gastric bypass surgery in March of 2005. Sometimes I go back and try the Atkins diet or South Beach diet. When I do these diets, it goes well for about a week. Then I become ravenous, and just want to eat everything in sight.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I am so ashamed how I've put back on weight.

Thanks,

Janie

[FarmerHal]

Welcome!

I have been noS'ing since Dec. '06 with many starts and stops. I too, hit some ruts along the way and after losing nearly 40 lbs, I gained25 back in a short amount of months by falling back into old habits.

I have come to the boards for support so many times (thanks guys!) which has helped a ton.

Things that help me (and might be helpful for you): 1. It's ok to be a little hungry sometimes. 2. Hungry is just a feeling, it's not really unpleasant, although I think, we've been trained to think that it's a terrible feeling. 3. I won't starve or suffer any serious consequences if I don't eat between meals.

I have to get the kids into the tub but I'll check back later on

[~reneew]

I honestly think that the no S diet is "normal" eating! I think that most overwieght people have an unhealthy perspective on food. No S seems to me to be the most normal and healthy way to get to the heart of my food issues. I need to heal on the inside, then the outside will follow. If you give it your all, keep it up and have patience... it will come. Do the habitcal and a daily check-in for support and accountability. I've found that the more I read on here, the better I do. Don't give up! Keep in touch!

[sophiasapientia]

Hi Janie,
I can relate too. I started here in late November, had sucess, fell off the bandwagon around Christmas, gained well over 10 pounds during the winter and restarted No S on June 4. Over the years, my weight has been everywhere from 105 to 193.

Anyway, I've had to come to terms with the fact that being healthy is a life long journey. I remember hearing a saying that "life is managed, not cured." The same is true for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. It is a commitment that I need to make and remake each and everyday.
I like No S because it feels natural, it doesn't cost $, it fits well into my family's lifestyle and food has become enjoyable again. For me, having a plan, checking in here and doing the Habitcal all definitely help.

One of the keys for me on No S is planning a special treat (or 2) on S days. Yesterday I had some favorite Indian food. Today I indulged in a yummy slice of chocolate cream pie. I didn't binge and I feel completely satisfied. During the week, when I'm forgoing all seconds, snacks and sweets and I want some, I remind myself that that option is only few days away.

Regular, consistent exercise, which is an ingrained habit for me and has been for years, helps too.

Welcome!

[enmilto]

Hi Janie,

I joined this discussion group on 6/29/09.

I just started the NO S diet on June 18th after being on a very strict diet on which I lost and gained the same two pounds over and over. This diet is slow and sure losing. Why don't you give it a try. On a 9 inch plate, start off by loading it with food three times a day. That should keep you full between meals. It does me. Also this is a normal way of eating. My husband loves to go out to eat at least once a week. If it is during the week, I get a meal, but I am careful to keep to the no sweets, no snacks, no seconds rule. I make sure I eat breakfast at around 8:00, lunch around 12 or 1:00 and then dinner always around 4 or 5:00, never later. Sometimes if I am hungry between meals I have a glass of milk and it helps. And remember on Saturdays and Sundays and Special days, you can basically eat what you want. So it's something I look forward to.

Don't worry about the past. Start new tomorrow.

Ellie

[BrightAngel]

Hello All,
I lost a great amount of weight after having gastric bypass surgery. I went from 322 lbs. to the lowest of 126 lbs. which only lasted about a minute! The honeymoon phase of my surgery is certainly over. I have been getting back into some old bad habits.I have gained back to approximately 185 lbs. I had my gastric bypass surgery in March of 2005. Sometimes I go back and try the Atkins diet or South Beach diet. When I do these diets, it goes well for about a week. Then I become ravenous, and just want to eat everything in sight.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I am so ashamed how I've put back on weight.

Janie

Janie:

I don't know if you remember that I had gastric bypass surgery in December 1992.
Lost from 271 to 160--regained to 190, maintained there for awhile,
then dieted my way to my goal weight, which I've been maintaining for 3 1/2 years.

My suggestion is to make an effort to follow the post-gastric bypass rules again.
They are similiar to NoS -- only stricter because of post-surgery body.

A couple of differences ..due to small pouch for tummy..
Make sure that each of your 3 meals consistently has the SAME volume.
i.e. anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1 1/2 cups...but always the same.
No liquids with meals --including soups etc---
Remember no liquids from 15 min before a meal until 1 1/2 hrs after meals,
and then load up with water or other non-caloric/non-carbonated liquids until 15 min before the next meal.

I find getting back to these basic post-surgery rules to be very helpful....
However, Consistency is IMPORTANT.
For the Volume issue to be physically helpful, it really takes a 7 day committment,
and doesn't lend itself very well to 5 days on and 2 days off.
In other words, on S days, one could have sweets, but still no snacks or seconds.

You probably understand why this way of eating is the normal post-gastric-bypass way.
If you want to discuss details, please PM me,
as much of this will probably not be very helpful to people without the surgery.

[janie47]

Thanks to all who replied to my post. I found a lot of encouragement in each of the responsed. Bright Angel, thank you for reminding me of the gastric bypass rules. I am working on them as this morning.

Janie