I'm back!

Hello Everyone! I made it through the last basketball weekend of the summer. It was in the 90's in Spokane all weekend long. I didn't walk back and forth to the hotel like I had planned. The neighborhood looked kinda scary so my husband wouldn't let me. I didn't really want to do it alone anyway! My daughter's team ended up placing 3rd out of 12 teams. Not bad. Of course it would have been better if they had won but they played awesome! My weight this morning is 166! So... I did manage to lose a couple of lbs while I was there. Now I hope I can stay in the 160's. I feel pretty sure that I will. I have been reading everyone's posts about being frustrated with their losses and confessing to eating more carbs, etc. I won't lie to you and say that I don't eat ANY bad carbs. I do. But I don't make a habit of it. I don't do it every day. If I am hungry, I ALWAYS reach for some kind of fruit or protein. I keep string cheese here at work and at home. I keep soy nuts on hand at all times. I keep fresh fruit available to grab, i.e. nectarines, bananas, plums, etc. Something I can grab and go. I keep lowfat popcorn on hand if I want something crunchy. I eat very, very few chips. I have had a couple of crackers here and there. I don't eat bread. Can't eat tortillas. I guess the point I am trying to make is that I have totally changed the way I eat. I don't ever want to weigh 281lbs again! I will never go back to eating the way I used to. I have totally resigned myself to eating a whole new way and having this be my way of life forever! I have made a committment to myself and I am sticking to it. I have worked too damn hard to turn back now. Sure, I don't always exercise. I don't always get my 64oz of water in. I get frustrated with it all just like everyone else. But I just step back and think, wow, look how far I have come! Look at how much I have accomplished in the last 11 months! I think about how much better I feel and say to myself, "I CAN DO THIS!" I know there will be more times on my journey that I will get frustrated again and I know that you will all be here to support me. It's all part of the process. I hope this doesn't come across as "preachy" or "judgmental".... I just wanted to try and give some support to those who need it. Or just a "kick in the butt" in the right direction! I love you guys and don't know what I would do without you. I am trying hard to make the right decisions for me and for now, it seems to be working in my favor. I hope I can continue to be as strong as I feel right now on my journey to a better life. And I know I can count on you all to give me a "kick in the butt" when I need it too! Lots of love to you all! Lori 281/166/140

Sounds like you're doing great! I myself feel there's a great chance I'll be one of the failures of this surgery. I don't feel I'll ever reach goal and I think I'll end up regaining. I knew going into this I've never followed anything through in my life, never finish what I start, and have the worst addictive personality of anyone I know. So, there it is in a nutshell. However, I'm so happy for those of you that are doing so wonderfully and have made the changes that keep the weight coming off and make you healthy! I know if must be an awesome feeling to see that light at the end of the tunnel, to know that you will NEVER be obese again. I can see for myself that I don't do a lot of the bad stuff, but I didn't seem to get it 'right' and keep the weight coming off. At about 4 months of plateau, I think it's safe to say this is it for me. That's ok, maybe I'll figure out how to not put it all back on at least. And someday I hope to learn to like me for who I am, not what I never managed to become. 26 lbs to go - you go girl! Connie

Oh sweet Connie! I hope my post didn't make you feel like you are a failure. That wasn't my intent. I may never reach my goal either. But I have to keep faith that it's possible. But ya know....even if I didn't lose another lb, I would consider myself a success. You should as well! Look how far you have come too! You are a beautiful girl and have come a long way baby! YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! They say that if you manage to lose 70% of your excess weight, you are a SUCCESS! So, consider that. GREAT BIG HUGS TO YOU! I love ya! Lori

You didn't make me feel like a failure, honestly. I've struggled with myself over this for quite a while, and have come to where I think I can be ok with where I am, but I'm so scared I'll go back to where I was. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am to see so many successes on our board!! I KNOW you will make it to goal, I'm totally confident of that. And I will be happy dancing with you when you do. You know, I guess if you look at it as losing 70% of my excess weight is a success, I think I may be. I believe I did manage to do that! I've never done the figures to see. I love ya too, and I thank you for being so supportive here. If we didn't have each other, well, it sure would make this whole crazy journey a lot tougher! Hugs, Connie

Keep up the good work!

Thanks Mrs! Lori

Hey Lori! Im glad your back!! Im glad you had a good time!! Just wanted to let you know Your doin Great!!!!! sheree

Thanks Sheree! I was beginning to think I offended everyone with my post.... You are doing great too!!! Lori

Lori.... You go girl.................. definately not being preachy or judgemental..... That's why we're here, to share our success & how we have achieved where we are right now... You're doing so good. Looks like you'll be staying in the 160's now... YIPPEE Sometimes, we need to here the plain truth without sugar coating it..... Love your attitude.... Glad your weekend went good. Good for your daughters team taking third. My girls didn't play in their soccer tournament this weekend because of our company, but their team took 3rd as well. We were excited for them... You're awesome Tammy

Thanks Tammy! I love ya! You're awesomer..... Lori