Has it really been 2 years?
This morning, I stand at 239 pounds. Some may say, “2 years out and still so big?" Most of you starting out are lighter than where I am right now. I can’t deny that I am envious of your success… even if you are just starting out. But I knew this would be a long journey for me. I started out at 425+ pounds. I was 26 years old. A mother to 2 beautiful little girls and a wife to a wonderfully supportive man.
I spent the last year of my post-op life learning a lot about myself. One year ago today, I stood at 248 pounds. And in the last year I have only lost 9 pounds. Have I wasted that year? Most times I think yes… But today I feel otherwise. I learned that my old ways of thinking “Anything in moderation is ok", is not true. At least not for me. It’s ok to indulge in something every once in a while, but not every day or every other day… I’ve learned that I can no longer rely on my sleeve to do all the work for me. I’ve learned that eating right most of the time, at this stage, will not make me lose weight. I learned very well how to maintain within this past year.
For the past few months, I’d come to the realization that there was one critical tool that I missed out on from the beginning. And that was exercise. I was so happy sitting on my ass eating my 2 ounces and watching the scale go down every day. As soon as that started to slow down, I got complacent with my eating and allowed myself to continuously gain and lose the same 10 pounds for that entire year. I don’t think that I realized what I was doing until I really committed myself to a regular exercise routine. Not only did I start feeling better, but I started thinking better.
At 2 years out, I realize that my sleeve has done all that it can for me. I still have pretty good restriction. About 4-6oz’s depending on what I’m eating. But eating right is only half of my equation. So the rest is up to me. But you know what. That’s ok… I think realistically if a tool like the sleeve can help someone like me who started out as someone who was super morbidly obese with a BMI of 77, get to a point where she had less than 100 pounds to lose to get to my goal, I think it’s worth the effort to do the work that it takes to get me there. No matter how hard I think it might be.
I have lost almost 200 pounds in the last 2 years. That’s not something that a lot of people can say. This surgery absolutely saved my life and I am grateful everyday that I did it. But now I’m ready to get on with the rest of this journey and do what needs to be done to get to goal.
If I have any regrets at all, it would be not adding exercise to my daily routine from day 1. I know that at 425 pounds, it was virtually impossible to do anything let alone walk for 5 minutes at a time… My advice to you, always know that there is a way… especially for those of you who are just starting out. Pain was a huge issue in my daily life. Research… Find alternative and creative ways to incorporate exercise. Even if it’s from the comfort of your living room chair. Allot 30 minutes a day to doing something to burn calories and as the scale starts to move down increase your effort. Don’t be afraid to push yourself. When I first started going to the gym almost 2 months ago, I doubted everything. “I can’t do that… that’s too hard." But I tried it… and I did it… and better than that… it was easier that I thought. Don’t ever underestimate yourself on this journey. If you have a moment where you think you can’t do something because of your size, try it. You will never know what you are truly capable of until you at least try.
Don’t for a minute assume that losing this weight will come easy to you. Every body is different and what works for one might not work for another. I know many people on here who have come and gone, got their sleeve and with little to no effort lost the weight and never looked back. But I know many more who have struggled and fought their way through this journey to reach their goal.
The sleeve is still only a tool. It’s not magic and it still takes hard work… Take it from me. I absolutely believe that I will reach my goal. It may take me another year or 2 to get there, but I will do it. In the meantime, I’m on OH everyday… Mostly lurking -- But I’m here… watching all of you grow in the most amazing ways.
Congrats to all of you on your success so far and to all the successes you achieve in the future!
Brightest Blessings!
I spent the last year of my post-op life learning a lot about myself. One year ago today, I stood at 248 pounds. And in the last year I have only lost 9 pounds. Have I wasted that year? Most times I think yes… But today I feel otherwise. I learned that my old ways of thinking “Anything in moderation is ok", is not true. At least not for me. It’s ok to indulge in something every once in a while, but not every day or every other day… I’ve learned that I can no longer rely on my sleeve to do all the work for me. I’ve learned that eating right most of the time, at this stage, will not make me lose weight. I learned very well how to maintain within this past year.
For the past few months, I’d come to the realization that there was one critical tool that I missed out on from the beginning. And that was exercise. I was so happy sitting on my ass eating my 2 ounces and watching the scale go down every day. As soon as that started to slow down, I got complacent with my eating and allowed myself to continuously gain and lose the same 10 pounds for that entire year. I don’t think that I realized what I was doing until I really committed myself to a regular exercise routine. Not only did I start feeling better, but I started thinking better.
At 2 years out, I realize that my sleeve has done all that it can for me. I still have pretty good restriction. About 4-6oz’s depending on what I’m eating. But eating right is only half of my equation. So the rest is up to me. But you know what. That’s ok… I think realistically if a tool like the sleeve can help someone like me who started out as someone who was super morbidly obese with a BMI of 77, get to a point where she had less than 100 pounds to lose to get to my goal, I think it’s worth the effort to do the work that it takes to get me there. No matter how hard I think it might be.
I have lost almost 200 pounds in the last 2 years. That’s not something that a lot of people can say. This surgery absolutely saved my life and I am grateful everyday that I did it. But now I’m ready to get on with the rest of this journey and do what needs to be done to get to goal.
If I have any regrets at all, it would be not adding exercise to my daily routine from day 1. I know that at 425 pounds, it was virtually impossible to do anything let alone walk for 5 minutes at a time… My advice to you, always know that there is a way… especially for those of you who are just starting out. Pain was a huge issue in my daily life. Research… Find alternative and creative ways to incorporate exercise. Even if it’s from the comfort of your living room chair. Allot 30 minutes a day to doing something to burn calories and as the scale starts to move down increase your effort. Don’t be afraid to push yourself. When I first started going to the gym almost 2 months ago, I doubted everything. “I can’t do that… that’s too hard." But I tried it… and I did it… and better than that… it was easier that I thought. Don’t ever underestimate yourself on this journey. If you have a moment where you think you can’t do something because of your size, try it. You will never know what you are truly capable of until you at least try.
Don’t for a minute assume that losing this weight will come easy to you. Every body is different and what works for one might not work for another. I know many people on here who have come and gone, got their sleeve and with little to no effort lost the weight and never looked back. But I know many more who have struggled and fought their way through this journey to reach their goal.
The sleeve is still only a tool. It’s not magic and it still takes hard work… Take it from me. I absolutely believe that I will reach my goal. It may take me another year or 2 to get there, but I will do it. In the meantime, I’m on OH everyday… Mostly lurking -- But I’m here… watching all of you grow in the most amazing ways.
Congrats to all of you on your success so far and to all the successes you achieve in the future!
Brightest Blessings!
Sleeved 6/2007 - Switched 10/2012 
Thanks Sarah!
You are in the perfect position to start adding exercise into your daily routine. And for the lightweights... it will help with the skin... Hydration and strength training are the best when it comes to sagging skin. I have noticed a slight improvement in my skin, but If I were starting out where I am right now, I know I would have had little to no issues with skin...
I really can't stress it enough!!
Congrats on your newly sleeved tummy! Keep at it and you will do great!
You are in the perfect position to start adding exercise into your daily routine. And for the lightweights... it will help with the skin... Hydration and strength training are the best when it comes to sagging skin. I have noticed a slight improvement in my skin, but If I were starting out where I am right now, I know I would have had little to no issues with skin...
I really can't stress it enough!!
Congrats on your newly sleeved tummy! Keep at it and you will do great!
Sleeved 6/2007 - Switched 10/2012
You look fabulous ....although I don't know you can' t even know how proud I am of you and your sucess!!!! I wish you all the luck in the world to get to the goal you feel comfortable at! As some one with a whole lot to lose you are a great inspiration to me!!!
I am just soooooo happy for you....CONGRATS on your 2 years of life changing sucess!!!
Melissa
I am just soooooo happy for you....CONGRATS on your 2 years of life changing sucess!!!
Melissa
Hey there Stick! Thanks!
I'm glad I could help motivate someone today. I truly believe that if I had started exercising at the beginning, I would be posting about being at goal by now... But I must lay in the bed I make and I learned my lesson.
Just hope that I can pay the message forward so no one else falls into the same pattern that I did.
I'm glad I could help motivate someone today. I truly believe that if I had started exercising at the beginning, I would be posting about being at goal by now... But I must lay in the bed I make and I learned my lesson.
Just hope that I can pay the message forward so no one else falls into the same pattern that I did.
Sleeved 6/2007 - Switched 10/2012
Lauren, you have come so far...and just think, you have lost an average sized man...Holy crap hey!!!!
I am begining to think you are right about the exersize thing! As I sit and look at my body...I can't help but know that I would be in much better shape if I would just GO to the gym. I am walking damn near everyday...even that is an improvement for me...but I know my body, and I do know that I can build muscle very quickly...so I need to STOP contemplating, and just get on with it!!!!!
You are an inspiration to so many...I hope you are as proud as we all are, of you!!!!
I am begining to think you are right about the exersize thing! As I sit and look at my body...I can't help but know that I would be in much better shape if I would just GO to the gym. I am walking damn near everyday...even that is an improvement for me...but I know my body, and I do know that I can build muscle very quickly...so I need to STOP contemplating, and just get on with it!!!!!
You are an inspiration to so many...I hope you are as proud as we all are, of you!!!!
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