I have so much going on right now that my head is fighting to stay focused and happy. Last week I attempted a second round of the 5dpt but just didn't have it in me. The carb monster is taking over again so I really need to grab some strength!

Denise,

You really have to be ready and in the right mindset to do it. Honestly, if you're not in that mindset yet, it's best not to start (you'll just get frustrated and mad at yourself - for no real reason). If you think you might be able to do it, there's a few things you can do to make it "easier."

1. MAKE THE SOUPS AHEAD OF TIME. Because I'm not a protein drink person (I'd rather drink acid ), I made 3 batches of soup. By having 3, there was enough variety that I didn't get bored. Yes, I had a lot of leftovers, but that's o.k. (you may need it in a pinch on day 3,4 or 5 - I waited too long once and was starving. A 1/2 cup of soup did the trick to keep me from grabbing something horrid.)

2. KEEP SF PUDDING AND JELLO ON HAND. When the carb monster attackes, you need ot have it in your mind that you'll grab a SF pudding or jello. Personally, jello doesn't do much forme - but I was surprised by how much the pudding satisfied me.

3. GET A BIG TUMBLER FOR WATER. Fill it up with ice water and keep it on hand at all times.

4. SHOP IN ADVANCE FOR DAY 3,4,5 - The last thing you want to do is go to the grocery store when you're fighting the carb monster.

5. PSYCH YOURSELF UP FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE - If you're not in the right mindset, give yourself a few days (play a day and know you're going to start then). Get ready, get set.....wait for it........GO!

Denise,
Do you dare NOT to?

Grab and hold on tight to your hope. Never let go. It's when you feel most weak, most vulnerable that the breakthrough can truly happen for you.

If you can't commit to the 5DPT, then why not just commit to something simple. Like no carbs unless they are in the form of a vegetable. Do that for three days and see if the monster runs away.

Breaking the cycle is what is important. This is forever...a forever way of eating. Grazing has to be a thing of the past. If it isn't, you will be fighting something much bigger than the carb monster...he's called, "The Obesity Monster". Now that's scary right there!

DO IT!!! You have developed some bad habits. Break them! I am starting week 3 of the 5dpt tomorrow. I have lost 10 lbs. and all of my carb cravings. I didn't think it could be done. Really.

Girl, I was driving through fast food joints again for a "snack" of french fries. I was eating at the top of every hour, drinking with meals...You name the no-no, I was doing it.

You can do this! Make the soups ahead of time. Planning has been key for me. I'm gonna check back and I want updates! You deserve to be successful and healthy.

You know Denise that I am your biggest cheerleader
I know you have alot going on right now but who doesn't,right? If you fall then just pick yourself up and try try again. Don't let a tiny slip up get the best of you. We've come WAY too far to turn back now! You're a beautiful person,you deserve to be happy!

Love ya my friend

Never say Never -
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and march forward girlfriend!
We are all here to help each other succeed!

You will succeed!

Your subject line asks the question, "Do I dare try it again?"

Did you give up trying to ride a bike after you failed the first couple of times, or did you keep trying and learning from your failures until you succeeded?

Did you give up on ever finding love after your first teenage romances ended in break-ups, or did you keep trying, learning from each relationship, until you found true love?

Did you give up on learning to read the first time you failed to properly sound out a word, or did you keep trying and practicing until you became an accomplished reader?

I have given a presentation to high schools, youth groups, and college students called, "FAILURE. A NECESSARY INGREDIENT TO SUCCESS."

I feel sorry for people who have never failed at anything. All that means is that they have never pushed themselves. If you fail 100 times, then try 101 times. You'll get better each time. You will learn from each failure. I have learned so much from some of the failures in my life that I would not trade those failed experiences for anything.

Do you dare try it again? ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, YES, YES, YES!!!
I think that the fact that you "have so much going on right now that my head is fighting to stay focused and happy" means that this is when you need this the most. Anybody can be tough and follow the rules when things are going well. You need to step up and prove to yourself that you can do it when there are distractions in your life. If you don't there will always be something that keeps you from doing what you know is best.

So please try again, with the determination that you WILL NOT FAIL. But if you do fail, then please try again!

Good luck, and please keep us posted on your efforts.

I must say with a resounding YES! you can do it! You may not "think" you can but you had it in you to have the surgery in the first place, right?

So...you can do this too...I don't know what your distractions are/may be, however, I do believe that NO MATTER WHAT you can make good choices for yourself/ your health. Heed Kim's advice...if you can not commit to the 5dpt right now, commit to CHANGE! For you this may mean more protein and fewer simple carbs....it may mean water instead of soda or broccoli instead of potatoes or protein bar instead of a snickers....whatever CHANGE you can make is a step in the right direction....

I have a quote at in my siggy that I'm gonna enlarge just for you READ IT, REMEMBER IT AND LIVE IT!!!
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts."

Blessings in your efforts! Keep us posted NO MATTER WHAT YOU CHOOSE!

I just wanted to add...... Yes do it again and if you have to do it again after that then thats OK too.....you don't have to start it right away just gradely see your way into it as Kaye suggested to me start on day 3 do it 2 days then go on to day 4 and repeat then do day 5 then if you are ready and more strong start at day 1 do what works for you but never give up we all have a struggle that we face so we just need to teach ourselves how to achieve at it ...... hugs Good Luck...... I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

Denise, you had WLS in October, 2003.

I'd like you to mentally return to September, 2003. What was life like for you then? Did obesity keep you from living the life you longed for?

Was your health being compromised by your weight, or was there imminent danger of that happening soon?

As you looked toward the date of your upcoming surgery, did you make any commitment to yourself? To follow every rule, to do whatever it took? Were you fighting MAD because YOU WANTED YOUR LIFE BACK?

And in October, didn't you go to the surgeon's table knowing your choice was risky with no guarantees you would even survive surgery? Did you opt to go anyway because your dream was worthwhile?

Now, go have a second look at those carbs -- crackers, chips, whatever they are. Imagine you are eating one -- how does it taste? Does it satisfy you? Does it fill the void within you? Is that taste worth risking all the dreams you had back in September and October of 2003?

Step back, answer the questions. Maybe do the 5DPT, or maybe just get rid of the junk.

You need to re-commit. Until you do that, until you grab the determination you once had -- you can drink all the protein drinks and soup in the world and it won't make a bit of difference.

Time for some deep thinking! Let us know what you decide to do.

Judy

I didn't look to see if I had replied to this thread or not.
I think Judy is so right. We have to have the determination and committment to do what it takes.
Best wishes for success. That's what we all want for you...SUCCESS!

I too believe you have to recommit. I'm on week 4 of the 5dpt. I have only weighed once, but last 7 pounds with the first weigh-in. Good luck to you. You can do it!