Hi Marchers, Its Been A While!

Hi fellow Marchers, Its been a while since I've posted. I have just read all your post and updated myself on what going on with everyone these days. Well good news for the interested, I am still losing!! Not fast, but its still coming off. My dad passed away on May 5th and my eating took a bad turn and with the traveling and everything else I thought for sure when I finally made it back to the gym after 2 weeks that I would have gained and oh my Gosh I had lost 9 lbs. And another 2 in the last 2 weeks. I am 14 lbs from my doctors goal and dont know about my own goal, I would like to be I think 140 it just seems like I am never gonna make it. Oh well I will get there. I have a question for everyone. I have read a few post on depression but what about it? Have any of you guys been experiencing any. I sometimes seem to just get down and it just seems like I'm fat again and I am looking at this skin and afraid of gaining again. Oh well I was just hoping its a phase and just wondering if I am not alone. If there is any advice, be my guest and send it along. Good luck to all. Rhen

I've been down the past few weeks but I can't say its casue of the surgery. Mine has been just the regular stuff that has to do with life. Like bills, high gas costs when I drive for a living, never enough money, boyfriend questions is he the one? is he not the one? car problems. You know just the usual. Finally I did do something about the money issue and went to a finacial advisor. They've got me on a budget that doenst leave a whole lot for anything other than bills each month. Wellll maybe that was the problem? paying bills first hummm who wouldna thunk it?

Hi Rhen; I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. As for the depression, as I've mentiones before, I think that depression and obesity have a definite connection. This is certainly true in my case. I have been treated in the past and had been on medication for depression. I still have bouts of depression now and then, I think that we are at the stage where it's more likely to crop up because the Joy of the huge weight loss has worn off and now the realities of day to day life become more obvious again. We may be slimmer and healthier, but we still must face the bills, the job, the kids, the spouse or other relationship issues and all of the other hassles of life in addition to the stress of trying to maintain this weight loss. You are not alone, Rhen.... we all have to deal with these issues to some degree and together we will all conquer them!! Mike

Rhen, Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your Dad, but great news on the 9 lbs weight loss. Sometimes things happen that cause us not to look at that scale so much & low & behold the weight starts dropping off again. I no I stress way too much over that scale these days. As for the Depression, As Mike, said I think we are all dealing with one form or another in that department. We are all going through the period after the fast weigh loss & I know form others that are 5 & 6 years out that we will get through this period & things will start happening again. It's hard for us to see right now, but it will happen. I just wi**** would start sooner than later. I want the last 50 lbs gone. Hang in There & thanks for letting us know you are doing O.K. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Thank you Pamela, Mike and Marilyn, I am grateful that I have someone like you guys to talk to. I know we all have our own lives and struggle daily with different problems, but we all have one thing in common and thats WLS and dealing with the after math. I am hanging in there and hey I'll get out of the dumps. It good to know that people are reading and responding to post. Thank you. Rhen

Rhen, So sorry to hear about your Dad! I think probably Mike was really onto something with his post about the JOY of it starting to be replaced with the reality of life. Add to the grief you are feeling and you have some REAL honest issues to deal with. I struggle with depression and anxiety and it flares with my monthly cycles as well (aren't I just a JOY to be around LOL) IF you feel it is more than you can bear or lasts longer than any other time, please talk to your doctor! Keep doing it all, the exercise will help with depression as well. hugs! Nic 291.161.150

Rhen.......Please forgive me for being a MORON!!! When I read your post, I was thinking about the depression isssues you mentioned and I completely missed the fact that you've lost your Dad. I'm very sorry about your loss and sorry that I somehow overlooked that part of your post. Losing a loved one certainly adds to depression and creates the kind of stress that can lead to eating for comfort which I'm sure that we all have had many bouts with over the years. So far,without going back on medication, the only thing that seems to keep me on an even keel is regular exercise. If you're having difficulties, perhaps a little therapy is called for. I found that it has helped me in the past. Mike

Hi Rhen, I've missed you. I wish you great peace in your loss, am so sorry to hear about your dad. Take good care of yourself, be kind and fair to yourself and get the rest you need. I think we all feel great fear about regaining the weight. I still struggle every single day with the "Phantom Fat" issue - where I still feel I am encased in fat. This feeling seems to be exacerbated by great stress, sorrow, depression, sadness, anxiety...the lousier I feel, the fatter I feel. So just acknowledging this makes me realize that this is simply not a reality, I am no longer encased in fat, it's not reasonable to think so. Just make a commitment every day to do the best you can, to take the best care of yourself that you can. We're with you all the way. Reenie