sigh

I don't know if I'm depressed or if I'm just having one of those time in my life, but dang I need some encouragement. The scaled hasn't moved in four or five days. I guess I shouldn't be worried sometimes it does that and bam at the end of the week there are five pounds gone. Sometimes though I feel like I'm not losing fast enough at all (-54). I mean in the beginning I exercised so much.. and now I'm so tired a lot of the time. I work third shift and that contributes to it, but I wish I could get myself into more of a routine. I've started drinking protein shakes even though I can't stand the taste, and that is helping some with making me feel full longer. I am having these huge battles with head hunger. Someone told me "This isn't a diet this is your life now, act like it". That scares me. I don't want to be someone who fails at this. I mean this is my life now, how can I fail at life? Anyways I'm sorry to be a whiner just needed to get all those thoughts out. I'm hoping to find time to exercise today, but again today is one of those days that I'm just feeling drained. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Hey Brooke... You sound like you are just in a 'FUNK'.... I think we all get that way every now and then, and I don't think it is always classified as a depression. We have just been through so much with this surgery that I think the time comes when we just get tired, and need to rest and catch up with what our bodies have been doing. I am a few weeks ahead of you, and am at 63 lbs. I weigh daily also, and while I know alot of the WLS vets say to get rid of the scales, it is my motivation to do whats right. When I see that the scales aren't moving, I know that I need to change something up. But I know it gets discouraging. However, hearing that it is also happening to others who had there surgery within a few weeks of me makes me feel a little better about it. I mean, I can't complain about 63 lbs by any means. I think we all had our own little ideas of how fast we might lose before we had this surgery, and when our bodies didn't follow what our minds had in mind for us, we get frustrated. For me, I try to think how much I would have lost without this tool given to me. I'm sure just like all the other diet attempts, it would have been little to none. Just keep doing what you know is right, and in time we will all be where we should be. Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-222-155 (-63)

I'm so addicted to my scale!!! It's hooorrrrible! Thanks for the encouragement!

Brooke, as you know, I hit a plateau very early and was very worried about it. So, I listened to Judy who told me to take my measurements. And she was right, now when it feels like I'm not losing anything, I measure myself and find that I'm losing inches. You aren't going to fail. You've lost 54 pounds in less than 3 months, how can you call that a failure? And you're exercising and eating healthy. Give it time, you didn't gain the weight in 3 months, it's going to take a while to lose it, too. See you Monday, Terry

Sigh but I WANT to lose it in three months hehehe. You are right Terry!! I can't wait to see you Monday I bet you look great!

No, I bet YOU look great. Want me to bring some belts? Terry

I've lost 33 lbs after 13 weeks. I'd love to be at 54 lbs lost. My normal pattern is to lose a few pounds and then sit for 2-4 weeks. I have had my "profoundly pooped" days, but not for a couple of weeks. I discovered that I couldn't exercise on the pooped days, had things like muscle cramps. I started taking my vitamins and calcium in both the morning and evening. Also added B12 and iron twice per week. My dietitian told me that there is no scientific evidence that those extremely high doses of vitamins have anything to do with energy level, BUT I feel extremely better since I've been doing that. I do have my daily life pretty much in a routine. Daily foods are approximately the same. I pack the same types of things for lunch, eat the same kinds of things for other meals, work out MWF at least (and T TH if I get done early enough at work to have time before I have to be at church those nights). By Friday night, I'm completely worn out. I flop on the weekends, take naps, sleep late, maybe do some laundry. I should clean my house because it is a pigsty, but I hate cleaning bigtime. Then on Monday, it is back to the routine. I have to force myself to follow the routine or I wouldn't be exercising. I'm genetically a couch potato, and could slip back into that so easily. I hate exercising but I do it because it was part of the deal when I got the OK for this surgery. It won't become a habit if I don't continue to put it in my schedule and force myself to do it. I have the battles with head hunger, too. I give in to them sometimes in a very small way. That way the craving doesn't become so huge that I'm eating a whole box of something. I find I am looking for things more often if I'm bored or don't have anything to do. Somebody on the main message forum today posted a list of suggestions that were pretty good for dealing with the head hunger things. I wish I'd bookmarked it. She had listed things like drink a large cup of water, take a walk, read a chapter in a book, work on a craft project, anything to distract yourself. That comment about how "this is now your life" was pretty good. This WLS journey that we are all on is huge. Hope you get over your funk soon. Maybe try doing the exercise thing in small pieces instead of trying to do many miles at one time. Sue O.

Thank you for your support. I hate these off days... I think my hormones like to play tricks on me!! Thanks so much for all the advice!

ok...girl, i'm there with you right now. I have only lost 46 lbs....and get momentarily discouraged...but i am super ENCOURAGED by other members who are long term post-ops profiles. And thier weight loss rates look alot like ours, but now they are at goal and even less than goal. We are gonna get there girl. You really "can't" mess this up...unless you are trying too. So like another member told me enjoy the ride. and just maybe....the scale....will move.....next week! for the both of us dee

thanks for your encouragement!!! I appreciate it! Today was just sort of a blah day I guess! I hope the scale does move for both of us next week!