I'm Scared!

your right about the media... I dont count the calories .....i dont want to have too.. because that seems to time consuming... It was on last night but vh1 always has reruns so I am not sure if that is the exact night...check it out tonight i think it might be on at 10:00.. I know we can do this together

I've been thinking a lot about this as I get nearer my goal weight. I've lost and gained weight back before. I've decided to take on maintenace just like I've taken on weight loss--Setting goals for myself and trying to acheive them. I'm still 10 pounds over goal, but would love to have some maintainence buddies, when the time comes. For me I think the following things will be key; --3 meals a day. No snacking. --workout 4 times a week --weigh everyday --take action if my weight fluctuates more than x pounds. I'm not sure what my take action number of pounds should be. I notice that my weight fluctuates by about 2 pounds now...so I can't see getting all freaked out over that--but maybe 4 pounds. I know weighing everday is controversial, but I've seen articles that quote studies saying that folks who weigh everday, do better with maintaining weight loss. It has also given me a really good idea of how my body behaves..... So that is my plan to not gain it back. Fingers crossed. Courtney

Hi Courtney --good to see you!! I totally agree with you about setting goals for maintenance. I remember when a huge amount before (not this much of course) and I thought, innocently, once I got to that weight I would just magically stay there. No more worries. Wrong!! So I know I have to keep this thing at bay, and really monitor. I wish I wasn't a weigh-alochlic, but I do weight every day. But hey, it's down from weighing three times a day which I've done before!!! So weighing for me is critical, as is the working out. Here is my problem -- I don't eat that much at meals, so then I get hungry and eat some more, something small, but still it is between meals. I don't know what to do about that. For that reason it's hard for me to do three meals. Good post Courtney, love donna

Hey Donna-- I am sort of a 3 meals a day zealot. I know this. It may not be necessary for everyone, but I've always been an all or nothing kind of person and I know that I can't regulate my intake if I graze or eat small meals. My surgeon has a seminar you have to attend before they will accept you as a patient. He goes over the different surgery options and explains the pros and cons of each--He performs 4 or 5 different WLS surgeries. His theory is that certain surgeries are better for people with different eating habits. He doesn't recommend RNY for people who graze. According to his theory I was a good match for RNY because most of my calories came from big meals--which the restriction takes care of and sweets which dumping takes care of. Grazing has never been a big issue for me. So they tell me 3 meals a day and it isn't a big deal for me except in situations like parties etc. So all of this is based on what my surgeon says and there are lots of them out there that recommend 6 small meals a day. Those people seem to be sucessful too. So who knows. One thing I wonder is-- are you really hungry or do you just want to eat? I do find occasionally that I am actually hungry--stomach feels empty and I feel weak, but frequently I just want to eat. Sometimes I want to eat a lot at meals and feel frustrated that I can't. It is a weird thing. What I've tried to do is drink water or coffee or a protein drink at what most people consider snack times. Some how in my mind if I'm not actually eating it isn't a meal. (Thanks for the Nectar!!! It says it is ice tea flavor and tastes just fine to me--I hope it is the one you meant to give away) oh and how do I get my icon loaded? Thanks for the post

Hi Courtney, thanks for this info. I have to re-examine when I eat!! And I think I have to try to eat more at a meal. My surgeon wants me to eat a cup of food, and I don't know that I do that. The protein that I gave you is called Fuzzy Navel, but it came in a bag and I liked the other container so I just put it in that, but it's not the Tea flavor. I'm glad you like it. I should have told you that that wasn't the right name. And for the icon - do you mean your picture? Yeah, get that pretty face on your posts, honey!! love donna Here is the info for how to get your picture on your posts: EMAILING US YOUR PHOTOS Please send your pics as attachments in e-mail if you haven't done so already. They should be in jpg, gif, tif or bmp format. It is essential to include your username, member id, and e-mail address as they appear on your profile. Please send your pics only once. The more pics we have to sort through, the longer it takes us to get you all linked. We know you're anxious to get posted and we're working as quickly as we can to do just that. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? We are working as quickly as we can and ask for your patience. We work with photos in the order received. We send out confirmations once your pic is up. If you haven't received yours within 3 weeks, please feel free to check with us to be sure an error hasn't taken place (not received, lost, etc.) BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY The purpose of this special feature is to highlight dramatic changes in weight. You are eligible for this feature if you have lost at least 100 pounds or your surgeon's goal weight. Other criteria include photo quality (we can't use if too dark or difficult to view) and body positioning (both photos should show waist up at least, but full body is preferred). We're eager to help show off the new you! OTHER QUESTIONS If you have questions not pertaining to photos, please contact Member Services at [email protected]. --Photo Department Email - [email protected]

I think everyone said it best on here. Just remember we were given a tool and it's always there to use. We just must decide to use it or abuse it. But I do feel that everyone on this board really wants to succeed and I do believe we will. I go to my state board daily for the FOOD LOG check in. that helps me so much to decide what I should be eating. We could all do this. Koukla

Hi Koukla, I would LOVE to do a food log!! Can you get it started so we can see how it works?? It sounds great for not only watching and recording, but getting other ideas. love donna

morning Heidi YUP...this fear is constant in my mind...ESPECIALLY since my weight loss has slowed down so much and I still have 40 pounds til goal. I worry every single day. I wake up and step on the scale (after I potty, of course ) - it just isn't moving...it's not going up but it's not going down either I have been at the same weight for a month now...my surgeon tells me that this is because I am building so much muscle (I am working with a personal trainer and doing weight training) and muscle weighs more than fat...STILL I am very concerned that things will take a turn to the gaining side and I honestly don't think I could handle that mentally. Anyone that says that having this surgery is the "easy way out" (and I've been told that numerous times) they are so wrong...life has changed so much for us. There are things that we will never be able to eat or drink again .. there is the chance that if we overeat or eat the wrong thing we will get sick .. exercise is now a requirement that we can't just "skip" .. there are no more "buffets" (altho I must admit I don't miss them ) .. there is no more chocolate (at least in my case and I was a chocolaholic) ... Life is SO much better being "normal" .. we are looked at differently than we were when we were heavy (fat) ..we are treated differently (for the better) .. this life is an amazing adventure (coming from someone that was fat all of her life) and I don't ever want it to stop...I will never take this tool for granted .. it's something we have been given to work with and it IS work..it's a challenge every single day of the rest of our lives...I am like you Heidi, I don't want to be thin for a short time...I want this to last forever, but oh yeah, I am scared that it's not going to work for me or I'll make a mistake and then go back to where I was 11 months ago..this is an effort that we will need to make if we choose to stay "thin"! I don't post here daily and sometimes go weeks without saying a word but I check in every single day...it is one of my main support systems and I can't imagine not having you guys here to read what you're thinking and feeling and what you're going thru..there are days that I read something and think that I should have written it. I appreciate having you guys here! We're all scared but if we work together and are here for each other we can continue to make this work. "wave" Linda

Thanks for saying what exactly what was on my mind. we are our own support. I believe everything you wrote. I am glad you responded. I do miss the buffets, I actually went to one the other day...which to me is a waste of money, but it is my dh favorite place and it was his birthday... I did good though...My biggest problem before was the soda..and now I swear I will never go back to drinking that again.. And I don't really even miss it... I drink coffe now...with sugar substitute.. We have come along way...I am so glad that we all have each other.

Yeah, I hear ya. I haven't lost in 8 weeks and ahve even gained 2 o3 lbs so I decided to go to Weigh****chers last nite. Today I amback on track. The last time I did Weigh****chers I lost 65lbs but I stopped going and gained 57 back. I caught myself before I could gain this 92 lbs back. Scared to death. I have been overweight all my life. I have been over 1500-2000 calories a day for about 8 weeks, so I know why I am not losing. Staying in touch really helps me stay on track. We are 11 months out now and this when the challenge really begins. I am confident Weigh****chers will kep me on track. I need that support systme right now. Hang in there we are all concerned about gaining it back. Just catch yourself when you see yourself slipping and get back on track. We have an addiction and so forgive yourself when you fall off the wagon. Just get right back on and keep truckin' Good luck. Maggie 309/219/135