take inventory of yourself

So here we are 15 months post op. The 'honeymoon' phase of our surgery is closing in, meaning it will become harder to keep losing w/o doing all the right things. How about you?
Are you getting in protein first?
Exercising?
Water?
Vitamins?

I myself have and do, push limits. Yup. I drink a little wine about 2x a week. I eat a few M & M's (just 2 right Crystal?)
With an overload of life stressors going on right now, I hear that nagging voice in my head--eat something starchy,salty, sweet. And  I am not ashamed to admit I do succumb to the dang little devils.

But you know as well as I do, that we can stop it in it's tracks BEFORE it gets to be a problem.
Pull out that picture of you at the highest weight (or if you are like me, the highest weight I would let myself be photographed)

Put on those sneakers and take a walk, ride a bike, dance, swim. It doesn't matter what you do to move, it's the moving that counts!

I am working on starting my own local support group in Virgina Beach. While there are some formal groups at local hospitals, I find many of us also need the informal,get together for coffee trade tips, and just be heard by someone  who understands what you are going through.
When I am up and running so to speak, I will let you know. I will offer one on one support as well.

hugs to all,
Jen

Jen, I am so proud of you!!! YOU ARE TRUELY AMAZING!!!!


and yes only 2 (heheheh)


I would love to have you post some of your support group notes when you are up and running on here.


((((((((((hugs to you girl))))))

Hi Jen,

It's nice to meet you. I am new to this forum, but an oldie on OH. This is a great thread.

I too have reached goal and am maintaing. Like you I have learned that I can push limits and admit that I do at times, but I also track what I do and make corrections. I know that before, I basically acted like a fat ostrich with my head in the sand all the time. I didn't make myself be accountable to me. Now, I weigh every morning and a log what I eat. Do I always make the best choices? No ... But, generally, I do make better choices... For me, I think that awareness is going to be the thing that will help me in the long run.

Like you, I attend the formal support group meetings that my program holds each month ... I just went to the one they had last night and guess what the topic was? ... Your thread is almost a dead on match! It was about long-term success, regain, etc...

I also started a local support group here in Raleigh and I have over 160 members. We meet once a month and social networking is the focus, though I have had folks ask me to have people come speak and it may be something that I'll look into. If you have any questions on how/what I do, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks again for the thoughtful thread.

All the best,

Barb

Barb,

Welcome to our June board. Glad you found us!
thank you for your support and kind words.

I will certainly be contacting you soon for an insight to what you do for your group.

Jen

Jen,

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

All the best,

Barb