Am I a loser???

My 1 yr anniversary is today. But I feel like a failure to be honest. I started out @ 292 and currently as of this morning am at 200.2. *Yesterday I finally hit 199.8, but boy has it been a struggle! I thought I'd be soooo much thinner by now, but alas, here I sit feeling like a "non" loser. My weight loss is a struggle. Every pound is soooo much work for me to lose. It's taken me about 3 1/2 months to lose approx. 12 pounds., but that is my reality. I've had my thyroid checked and I'm in "the middle" whatever that means. So no medication to jump start my metabolism for me! I take wonderful supplements (from Susan Maria's site) and work out at Curves Monday - Saturday and also work out by cycling 3x's per week for at least 10 miles as well. So I KNOW I'm getting enough exercise. I'm currently following a low-carb diet so I should be still losing, but my body is just not cooperating as it used to before I had this surgery. Is this strange? I used to be able to lose about 2-3 lbs per week on a diet, now I am lucky to lose 1 lb every 2-3 weeks? Is anyone else having this issue? Just curious. All in all, I am happy to be sooo much thinner than I was, but am a bit depressed that I am not at my goal as so many others are...Oh well, I will keep on and hope for the best, what else can I do? I refuse to give up!!! Best, Joyce

Joyce, You're doing everything you should be doing. I understand what you're feeling. Yesterday was my one year annv. I started out at 316 lbs and am presently at 208. I have been at this weight for about four weeks and need some type of jump start too! What are the supplements that you take? I take Centrum once a day. For some reason the calcium doesn't seem to agree with me so it's on hold. I too am happy to be much thinner and in a size 14/16 but want to lose that last 50lbs. Best of luck! Terri

Just the fact the you made this terrifying decission to have WLS makes you a winner, in my book!! Have you ever lost 100lbs in a year before and kept it off? I have not lost for 2 months and finally this past weekend I lost 4 lbs. I also thought I would of lost more by now since I started out much, much heavier than you . I am down 127lbs. and greatful for each and everyone. Frustrating, yes. But as long as you are doing what you are suppose to be doing it will come off. I do appreciate the slow weight loss because my skin isn't that bad and I don't have that guant look that some people get because they are starving themselves. I know this will be an eternal battle with food but I am greatful for the choice that we have all made to take control of our health and lives. I think you have done great! I wish you continued success!!!

Thanks, great examples. I totally appreciate it. I am coming up on my one year mark. it is kind of scary. On October 19th I will have been post op for exactly one year. I have lost a lot of weight and I don't really know where I am... but things work out in the end. Thanks for being cool, by realizing that **** just wouldn't happen without it, just continue to remind the peeps, whatever will be will be.

So, you have lost almost one hundred pounds? How can you think of your self as a failure? That is sooooooo much weight to lose, don't sell your self short.... you are there time is not over. Could you have lost that before?

Hey Joyce, I also am having the same trouble as you. I started out at a highest weight of 292 and have just now made it to 204. My surgery was 10/06/04. I have only lost 14 pounds since April. I am trying to control the carbs and strictly control all my food intake. The only thing that keeps me going is that I feel so much better and am not on any type of prescription meds except my vitamins. It is hard not to feel like a failure when you have taken such drastic measures to have your body's internal structure altered in order to improve your health status. I constantly obsess over the scale and am so looking forward to stepping on that scale and it telling me that I am below 200 pounds. I just keep taking it day by day. I hope I make it below 200 for Christmas. I too get kind of depressed when checking out the message board. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy for all those who are doing so well and congratulate them on all their success, I just wish I was there too. Just keep hanging in there, Robyn

Hi Robyn, Thanks for the support. It's been interesting as I've heard from quite a few people who are in our same situation. I guess it means we needed this surgery even more than others, since it's such a struggle for us! I'm starting to think that quite a lot don't lose all their weight and probably really end up losing about 70% if their lucky. This is the side of the surgery they don't tell you about. I guess it never occurred to me that I might not lose all the weight. I guess I just figured it would happen for me, no problem, since I wasn't as big as many I've seen on these boards. Anyway, best of luck to you and keep up the carb counting and water drinking and it will come off eventually! I wonder what it is about being near 200 that so many stahl. Maybe our bodies need time to "catch up" - who knows? But I'm sure you'll reach your goal of under 200 by Christmas - don't even worry about it! Take care, Joyce

You are a winner if you lose 1 pound as far as I am concerned! You are doing better than me, and I feel and look great!!!! Don't look at the scale, look at the way your clothes fit and feel, that you can even exercise as much as you are doing is a plus!! Can you have done the same at 292?? I think not! Be blessed and don't stress. Think of those who cannot get the surgery.. keep up what you are doing and look at yourself and do not compare with others. I did tha and sabotaes myself, now I am off this plauteau and am losing agin and will be at my goal weight in 15 pounds.. so I am thankful.. I did not have 100 pounds to lose, just 70 and so far I wen beyond at 75 and want to lose at least 10-15 more before reconstructive surgery. Best of Luck Jayne

Joyce, I am in the same boat as you. I started at 299 and currently at 213 I keep bouncing from 213 -220 urghhhh. I have been so discouraged my husband says I'm in a bad mood all the time. What do we do? In fact I came to the Oct board because my surgery was Sept 20th I thought maybe some early Oct folks would be in my shoes or have some answers. It sucks to work so hard and have no weight budge. I'm trying to change my attitude and see all the benefits to the weight I have lost. We are winners and we can do this. Feel free to email me anytime. Tina 299/213/145?