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Hi everyone!
My name is Julianne and I live in Las Vegas, NV... the home of the endless buffets! 
I have been married for 31 yrs, and have 2 grown children, 1 still at home. I work full time for the Police Department in a stressful environment.
I had gastric bypass surgery about 5 1/2 yrs ago, and lost over 90 lbs. However, since starting my job witht the PD, I've managed to regain about 30 of them.
I just HAVE to relose that weight, as I went thru so much for the surgery, having complications and almost dying. 
I have never had much success counting calories, mainly because I want it, and I want it now... with no thought to the consequesces later. It's like there won't be anymore if I don't eat it... and if one tastes good, then 3 or 4 really taste good. 
But I'm 63 1/2, and it sure is hard to lose weight... now it's time to count those calories in, and keep track of the energy out. I'm not happy about it and I'm stubborn... but I'm tired of being tired! And each time I bend over, I get black & blue marks all over my stomach... too much fat around the middle, making me look like the dough boy!
I'm having to learn about keeping track of what I eat, why, when and where I eat it. I am beginning to walk again to try to burn off a few calories. And I am willing to accept responsibility for what I put into my mouth... no mindless snacking. 
I have always been a healthy eater, lots of fruit and veggies... but I am also a binge eater. I can eat an unbelievable amount of "healthy foods", i.e. salads, plain popcorn, fruit, cut up veggies, etc. In the past, I have not known moderation and serving size. I now plan on being more aware of what I eat and the amount. I'm afraid that I have stretched my new stomach and am no better off than someone who didn't have surgery.
So, it's come to this... what I was afraid of before my surgery, and was unable to have success in before... Counting calories, watching what I eat, and getting enough exercise to burn off some of my calories. 
Please, post for me what you have done to find success in this diet group. What types of foods do you eat? Do you have any good ideas for breakfast? Any quick but nutritous ideas for dinner?
What makes you stick to it, day after day? If you have a bad day, are you able to get back with the program quickly? Do you get much support at home? On the forums?
I'm scared to death of not being able to lose the weight and KEEP it OFF...
Thank you for any help you can give me,
Julianne
Hi Julianne!
I'm 64 years old and live in upstate New York. I have struggled with my weight all my life, and when I decided back in May of 2010 to really do something about my weight, I was not sure I could ever control my urge to eat sweets and salty snacks. I was also uncertain as to whether this "old fat" which I'd been carrying around for almost 30 years would come off - every one had always told me it was really hard for older people to lose. The first two to three months, I lost about 15 pounds, and then I went almost 2 months and did not lose one pound! Talk about discouraging!! I did not give up though (a big victory for me), and I began to lose again. As of last week, I have lost 56 pounds. I have a lot more to go, but now I know I can do it, and I won't give up. You can do it too! Use this wonderful web site to make a plan you can live with, and use all the tools they offer. I'll be looking for your progress - hang in there during the holidays- it's rough going!
One thing you do have going for you this time is motivation.
For belly fat, do not eat anything with transfat in it. It's not natural and when your body finds it, it doesn't know what to do with it so it stores the transfat in the omentum (a fold of fatty tissue that encases your intestines. When you're thin, your omentum looks like wide, webbed panty hose. But as it grows, the fat globules fill and engorge the gaps in the webbing. At this point, the excess omentum actually becomes a reservoir that releases inflammatory chemicals into the body: You're basically being poisoned by the fat in your belly.) So, No transfats!
There's no getting around it, calories are boss. According to my bariatric specialist, calories account for 80% of your weight loss. The other 20% comes from exercise. My problem is eating in the morning. I'm still struggling with that.
One quick and easy way for dinner is to buy the frozen entrees like Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice and add plenty of steamed vegetables. I usually add 2 cups of veggies. Another trick of mine is to not eat sweets until after dinner. It's something I look forward to at the end of every day. I especially like the Skinny Cow products. My favourite is The Fudge Bars. I also really like their Chocolate Sundae.
For breakfast, I try to eat 1/2 cup of Fibre 1 cereal with 1/4 cup of 1% milk. I don't always do that. Another idea is to drink a meal replacement. They're expensive so I make own.
I'm on 1400 calories a day and the weight loss is slow. That's okay because the weight loss will be permanent. So, I tell myself that every pound I lose is permanent.
I'm fairly new to all this myself and I'm still having trouble in many areas. I figure it took me 63 years to get to where I am and I shouldn't expect to change everything overnight.
