Hello,
I had VSG in June of 2019. Things were going well until the Holidays, when my weight loss showed down. I figured I would get back to losing in the new year but didn’t. I didn’t gain but didn’t lose either. Now with the pandemic and self isolating, I am struggling not to gain, let alone lose. I’m looking for some support. I need to get motivated to move more and make better food choices. Help!! Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Birdie
Hi Birdie! It is definitely a difficult time we are living in currently. Do you live alone or do you have family in the house with you? What are your exercise habits? And what are the food choices you are making that need to be improved upon?
I had gastric bypass in Sept 2019 and have hit my first stall/plateau. I have only lost 5 lbs in the past 2 months. Now with the pandemic, it feels like things can easily go awry. But it can also get better. I noticed you mentioned you have gotten away from food tracking. This is probably step one in getting back on track. Go back to the basics and make sure you are still following the guidelines set down by your surgeon. What foods are you eating that are on the "Don't eat this" list? Can you find alternatives that are just as tasty but healthier for you?
I recently checked in with myself and went back to my frame of mind from right after surgery. What was I excited about? What healthy foods was I obsessed with that made me excited to have a meal? I have brought that to my present self and feel like I did back then. But that isn't enough to simply worry about the food, I also need to make sure I am getting my workouts in. I was just released from my job last week so now I have nothing but time on my hands. I live with my sister who has been furloughed and does nothing but sit on the couch and eat. And eat. And eat. Very tempting to do right now! But I can't let myself get back into that bad habit, no matter how bad the world seems at the moment. So instead of going backwards I am stepping it up. I run three miles three days a week, and walk 30 min and do 30 min of yoga two days a week. Now, I have added in strength training for 30 min in addition to what I was already doing... because I have the time lol. And my walks are now a little more intense and my runs have become about beating my best times for running a mile. I am trying to find little ways to push myself further to make a little bit bigger difference than I was previously making. Every little bit helps.
But not only is it about the food and exercise, now it is about keeping yourself busy and away from that boredom/stressed/depressed feeling that can come with self isolation. Do you have regular activities you are doing for yourself or with family that keeps your mind active? What hobbies have you done in the past that you can bring back now to keep your mind focused on it and not on food? Make a list of things you like to do and can do from home to make your day seem busy and go by faster. For example, any given day I have a list I can turn to on things to do such as: Meditate, listen to podcasts, job search, play SIMS, read 12 Religions, reread the Harry Potter books, work on my American Sign Language class, do a puzzle, crochet, take a dance break, play board games, clean, grocery shopping, learn card tricks or origami from YouTube videos, draw or do pointillism, video chat with my nieces/nephews. And I switch it up everyday! I keep my mind occupied so the thoughts of food just don't have the time to intrude.
I know that was a lot, but I hope some of the tips helped. Just because we are stuck in our houses at the moment, doesn't mean we have to make things worse than they already are. Keep your spirits up and remember life will get back to normal one of these days. Try to keep habits good now so that when that happens, you can simply enjoy the little things then and not look back on this time with regret. You have made it this far. You can continue your progress, I know it. Good luck and keep us posted!
