Mid Change Blues

Hello everyone,

So here I am in the midst of trying to make lasting changes, and I am feeling really discouraged about it all.  I have been attempting this latest round of weight loss off and on for a few months now, and instead of losing, I'm gaining. Ask me if it is possible for someone ELSE to change, and I'm all faithful and postitive about it.  But for some reason when it comes to ME, I feel all down in the dumps.  I usually have "amazing" will power until around 7pm and then I get wicked bad cravings for carbs.  Can anyone share what they do to help motivate themselves when your mind is "trippin out", or as they say in AA, having "stinkin' thinkin'"? (Dad is an alcoholic.)   I'm at my all time high since my gastric bypass 3 1/2 years ago.  (Yes, I had the bypass, but it was literally to save my life.  Long story, liver problems etc.  Maybe I'll go into more details another time.)  Anyway, I lost 115 pounds, but since I had to go on steroids for my heart condition a few months ago, I gained 40 pounds back.  It's hard to stay motivated because I feel like such a failure.  I feel like of anyone, I should be successful because of the bypass.  But it doesn't help you keep it off, just get it off in the first place.  So I'm feeling pretty bad about myself right now.  Sorry to be a downer, but I'm feeling pretty low about my weight and my health.  Any encouragement would be appreciated.  Thanks all!

Sincerely,

Keren :)

Hi Karen,

When I read your intro. line 'Mid Change Blues' I immediately thought it was regarding peri menopause symptoms....which is what I may be experiencing.  However, I've lost my appetite due to serious depression, partially due to SAD (seasonal  active depression).  I do attend the gym as much as possible, because running increases endorphins & serotonin levels which helps with mood swings.

My diet lately consists of 2 egg whites/1yolk, turkey bacon, or apple slices and peanut butter.  I love chicken breasts with broccoli and cottage cheese.  For a snack it's usually apple slices & peanut butter and lots of water.  I also enjoy hummas with 3 or 4 club crackers.  Most of all, I don't eat after 7.  If the temptation gets too bad I'll have a blow pop or sip a diet soda or a cup of coffee.  The coffee helps if I'm craving something sweet.

I know my situation is very different from yours but I hope it will bring some encouragement.  We all have cravings; we just have to find a low-cal alternative .

God Bless,

Denise = )

I feel for you- as a nurse i know what it is like to have the steroids and weight gain.  And then to have put it back on after a bipass.  But if i do my math right, you are still 75 lbs down! Good for you- and good for your heart!  That could be a motivator right there- it was easier to get gastric bipass now than have a heart transplant later in life, right? Just take it one day at a time.  Celebrate those mini successes- a new do, a manicure.  I have lost 60 lbs over this past year-  i go into the same clothes store (Deb's) every couple of months and see if i can get into a smaller pair of jeans.  I went from a 26 to ...squeezed into an 18 on the weekend.  I bought them too, just as another incentive to get smaller.  Just remember, you probably won't be on steroids forever- they will taper those down, and as they decrease, so will you!  As for the evening carb craving, i will eat a bowl of instant oatmeal- i think i have the weight control cinnamon kind (quaker) -160 calories- it really fills me up and i don't need to sweeten it.  Take care!