Will I make it?

Why does it always feel so hopeless when my scale stops? Its even moving again and yet I am still not happy. Why can't I just be appreciative of how far I have come? I am so proud of everyones progress... I wish I could see my own... It is hard to see people who are already so close to goal. Then I start blaming myself.... Why did I have to get to be nearly 200 lbs overweight? Why didnt I get surgery when I was only 110 lbs over weight? AND WHY if I am feeling so bad about it... did I eat chips and gaucamole until I was sick today? Why did I eat cake at a B-day party..... I am feeling out of control.... WHY?

Shawna, I have been down too. I think it is a 4 month thing! Even though my scale moved down for the first time in weeks that didn't snap me out of it. My husband took me shopping and trying on the clothes and them fitting really helped me! I feel so much better. I could see by SIZE that I was thinner. Maybe you need some shopping therapy too?! You are doing great! Really you are! Try not to be so hard on yourself! Look how far yu have come!!! Tracy

I'm with you, Shawna. I was in the dumps for a couple weeks, had to shake things up to get the scale moving again....... It really helped that I went back in my closet and tried on my old clothes - THAT showed me, and made me feel a little better! Also, whenever things slow down, I try something new. I got some new, higher protein count shakes, ( ISOPURE, from GNC - 50g pure whey protein Isolate. Yum! ) I tried a new food, rededicated myself to REALLY watching the carbs and fat, I bought some of the newer low-fat and lo-carb products, I added an extra day or another 15 minutes of exercise, I started putting a cup of light cranberry juice into my water jug for the day to flush ou****er retention, (IT WORKED!!), I borrowed my sister's treadmill - ANYTHING to keep me motivated and optimistic and interested. I HATE being bored. Keeps me from making bad food choices if I keep things zippy elsewhere! Tracy's right, try some shopping therapy! When my budget's tight, I go to Beall's Outlet and make a game out of finding items for $5 or less. I always come out with a big bag full of STUFF - some for now, some for my next size down. Then I keep trying on the smaller stuff until it FITS! Oh, happy day when it does! Hang in there, kiddo. Trash the useless guilt - today is a whole new day. What are you going to do for yourself? Donna

Hi Shawna, I think many of us have that sense of "why do I even bother". It's very normal, especially when there isn't any weight loss going on. When I start feeling like I'm out of control I just give myself a pep talk and talk to other Decemberites that are in the same boat. I have to say I also pray about it because I know He cares for me in all that I do. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't look back on what you could have or should have done (it's too late to change the yesterdays) just look forward and tell yourself that you can do this because you can change your tomorrows. We are here for you, keep in touch and we'll try to help you all we can. Blessings to you as you pick yourself up and move on. Jill

Shawna, To be honest with you, I am feeling the same way. I started out at 340 and so even with a 75 pound loss am still now bigger than a lot of people were pre-op. Sometimes there is a part of me that feels like I will never get there, especially when at 5 months out some of our friends are already very close to goal or down under 200. The post the other day that had all the over 300lb people posting really helped (thank you Donna) It made me feel better, to know that I was not the only one with so far to go. I am going to repost something I posted a while ago. I got it off a friends profile Someone who hasn't gone through this surgery or lost a large amount of weight can't possibly relate to the psychological aspect of losing an extreme amount of weight in a short period of time. Not only do you experience physical changes, but you also have extreme emotional changes. The hormones are raging; your comfort of food is gone; and life is good but so different from what you're used to that it's all hard to adjust to. Not to mention that when you lose your hair and your clothes look like crap all the time, it's just a strange thing and hard to cope with. In the last 4.5 months, I have lost a small person and you know what? That small person was part of me. And sometimes, I miss her. I don't miss the way she looks, but I do miss the comfort that she gave me. She was a safe zone. The more I lose the scarier it gets sometimes in some ways. Am I lucky that I have lost this much weight? No. Luck has nothing to do with it. I have worked hard for this weight loss and until you have the surgery, you'll never understand. This is not the easy way out - you don't have to have as much will power as before, but as all post ops can attest, the "surprises" that come along with this surgery are tough. It's a bumpy road. Love ya, Jackie

Hi there Shawna, I know exacly how you feel girl. My scale has stopped moving also. Yes it does feel hopeless. You are not alone. I try to appreciate this wonderful loss and yet I am disappointed that it is not coming off as fast as before. I am proud of your progress and its just the beginning for us. You did not get your surgery too late. I could ask the same thing., Why did I wait until I was 100 lbs overweight? Why did I not do it when I was just 50 lbs overweight. THOSE ARE THE COULD OF AND WOULD OF QUESTIONS IN LIFE WE ASK OURSELVES NOT ONLY ON WEIGHT LOSS. Yes we eat things that make us sick??? I do to push and see what can I do like I did before. then I wind up You are not out of control you just had a bad day....... PUT UP YOUR HEAD AND LOOK FORWARD OK TO US FOR OUR GOOD WORK SO FAR AND REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE OK>> TO YOU ...LORRAINE

I feel like singing... The Sun will come out tomorrow bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun....when I am stuck with a day that's gray and lonely! I just stick out my chin and grin and SAYYYYYYY OOOOOO the SUN will come out tomorrow.... There is a light at the end of this tunnel!!! Just remember those raging HORMONES are wrecking havoc on our system. Flooding our emotions and making us feel down. DO something nice for yourself...even if you can't afford to buy anything...just go and TRY on clothes in your new smaller sizes!!! I was thrilled to death the other week when I was able to wear 18 Tommy Jeans.....didn't buy them even though I wanted too....

Shawna,,, You and I Are right there... Because we Are both 6ft tall and weighed around the same starting wieght.. I Was so thrilled to get out of the 300s and know I will never be back there again.. But I am 278 or something like that and to think I have about 100 more to loose... It is very disturbing to me.. My goal as well is about 190ish.. And The light at the end of the tunnel never seems to get closer.. The other day I was really down in the dumps... I took myself to lane bryant... And tried stuff on... Being so broke the bank account overdrawn and like 10 bucks in my pocket. But being a heavy weight.. I was in a size 34/32 and now I can just fit my fat butt into 26 pants.. Thats what I was in highschool... So If I can get to 24/22's that will be a major milestone for me. Because I can not honestly remember ever being that size... Yes and Letting myself getting almost 200 lbs overweight.. What the hell was I thinking.. So now that you know We are all pretty much on the same page.. I hope that makes you feel a lil bit better... ~KATIE~