WHAT MEASURES SUCCESS?

Good morning, my friends. I hope your ears were burning last night because Mike and I shared our appreciation of you at a new SG meeting (monthly series of behavioral health meetings in support of lifestyle changes after WLS). Mike, I hope you don't mind I share this with our family of friends here. And let me say how happy I am to see you looking so fit and trim and healthy! You look incredible. As for me, my success is directly attributable to many factors including the incredible support and friendship I've enjoyed with you since March 8, 2004. About the meeting -- folks, out of the 15 or so people in that room, it was clear that Mike and I were the most "successful" -- meaning, we were the thinnest, we had met our weight loss goals, and everyone was looking to both of us for the "answer" -- how do I get what you have? Here's the tough part -- everyone there was in one stage of relapse or another. Some had not achieved optimum weight loss, some had and were regaining at a pretty fast clip, some were terrified about regaining. I include myself in this quota. Although I have maintained every bit of my weight loss, I have been behaving in ways that is sure to mean relapse and weight gain as a consequence. I can't let this happen! So, I just needed to get on the board this morning and recommit to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to maintain success. And I know what it takes -- (1) adhereing to the Rules of the Pouch; (2) exercising hard and fast at least 5 days a week (although I have not been able to exercise at all since my PS 5 weeks ago and that's been devestating for me); (3) eating 3 healthy meals a day with 1 snack inbetween that will not sabotage my program. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I WILL MAINTAIN MY WEIGHT LOSS AND NOT RISK RELAPSE AND REGAIN. I invite you to join me and recommit today to the program and to ourselves. Love, Reenie

Reenie, Your timing is amazing. Last night I was reading on my board from my surgeon and he said the same thing you have to re-comit to this way of life EVERYDAYnot just once in awhile when it feels right. That is the only way to make this work & yes keeping to those rules that are set for a reason. I got out of that 3 meal a day thing for awhile & boy did it make a difference. I am back to that now with just an occasionl snack & its usually a protien drink or yogurt. something that is less that 150 calories if I can help it. It seems to be working so we will see. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Reenie, Your post came at a good time! I have gone back to my old ways of eating, maybe not the same amounts of food but the same quality. Its been a rough summer for me and it seems like I am heading back to where I came from. I look down at all this skin and I see a fat person again and even though I haven't gained, I have not lost. I am scared that I will let myself down and here there are no support meetings so you guys are all I have. I am still 26 lbs to my goal and it seems like I am never going to get there. I want to go back to day one, even though I was scared out of my mind I find I was safe then, not testing and trying things I shouldn't. Well I am going to try to re committ myself to eating foods that help me not hurt. Good Luck to everyone, I know what you feel like if you are struggling. Rhen

Thanks for that, Reenie....without a doubt, the biggest fear is gaining weight. I feel bad/upset about the people at that meeting that are not doing so well. I have felt all along that not everyone is well prepared for after surgery, psychologically. I was fortunate enough to be in a very comprehensive program, but I'm not sure everyone had that luxury. Communication and preparation is so important...to be able to look up the road and see an obsticle and try to avoid it. Stresses in life will always be...and I'm going through one right now between losing my job and my boyfriend's nasty divorce. It's a time to take stock, go back to the basic rules and just stick by them. I hope you're feeling better since your surgery and I always look forward to the things you have to say. Take care, Joanie

Reenie, My PCP and chiropractor both have other wls patients. They both tell me that their other patients are not doing nearly as well as I am. I attribute any success I have to this group. I always feel that I have an obligation to this board to stay on track and stay the course. It's so funny, but I feel like I'm letting you guys down if I'm not accountable for my food actions. Isn't that strange? I've never met you guys and I don't want to let you down. Hugs, Connie

That is because this board is better than any other board out there. I am on others as well & no other has the caring & support of so many than this board does. It is truly amazing. Everyone is here through the good, bad, & the ugly whenever it is asked. The suppor it just wonderful. Could not have done what I have without this board. I am sure of it. Connie you are also one of the amazing people here, so please don't go anywhere. Stay right here with us. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Hi Maureen; Of course I don't mind your sharing info from our meeting with our "Marcher Family". It's this openness and information sharing that has made this board so special and such a critical part of my success. You totally floored me with how wonderful you look these days. I am not exagerating in the least when I say that I had to stare at your face with all my concentration before I was totally sure that it was really you!! I am also terrified at the thought of re-gaining the weight....yet at the same time, I am pushing the envelope as far as what I eat. While I am not eating huge quantities, I am definitely not following the rules of the pouch. I am getting regular exercise and am getting the right amount of protein and water and I'm strictly keeping up on all of the vitamins and other supplements. I just find myself "Playing with matches in the ammunition dump" as far as my food choices are concerned. It seems like I am trying to see how far I can push things before the whole thing blows up in my face!! I don't know why I'm doing this, but it's hard to stop this walking on the edge. Despite my dangerous activity, I have been working hard to maintain my loss and amazingly enough, it's working so far!! I'm just afraid that if I don't get a handle on my "experimenting", I'm going to sabotage my sucess the way I always did in the past. Mike