Thursday What's New Review

Now that we know there are people out there who check this board, lets try to keep it going.

Support, such as you find on a site like this, has been proven to increase your likelyhood of success by 77%(in addition to "live" support groups). Many of you are too far away to attend our monthly meetings at Baptist, but that doesn't mean you can't get good and useful info here.

So....how are you doing in your weight loss journey?  Any questions, issues, problems or WOW moments you want to share?  Are you a newbie who is struggling with food suggestions? Do you have exercise questions? Do you need a swift kick in the buttocks to get back on track?

I'm very active on the Over Fifty Forum and they have a wonderful support system that is judgement free and a safe place to go for support. For example, there is a woman there who, after being gone from the OFF board for about 18 months, has come back, desperate for help. She has gained 34 lbs back, mostly from drinking TWO BOTTLES OF WINE A DAY. Now, we're not saying we're mental health professionals, by any means, but we can offer her encouragement and support while she's dealing with this crisis.

This is what we are here for folks! So, instead of me coming on here and chatting up about my life at work, etc., let's move toward helping each other on their journies?


Here's the question....HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY???

I am doing great!!!! Its been raining here non-stopp, and I have not had ANY Sleep whatsoever....

I am doing fantastic on my weight loss journey, I think, I have been stuck at 195 which is 6 lbs. away from the century mark for me, and I am 23 weeks out... Is there anything I could do to get my weight loss going again?

I know I am not near done, and I am eating the right amounts I think, 8 oz. or 1 cup... Please tell me if I am eating too much...

As far as exercise, I just have been walking a lot. I am going to college tomorrow, and parking has been absolutely horrendous because we have a record enrollment this year-AWESOME- Anyways, because I am a much healthier person now, I am going to park a mile away and not at the front door, just because I want too =)

And as far as a WOW Moment, the other day I started school, and My teacher who had not seen me since before surgery told me I looked great, That was awesome, and my friends had the most awesome reaction to me which was cool... But the Best one so far I think, which is kinds embarassing, is I went to WALMART With my dad the other day, and we saw a lady who we had not seen in forever, and she had no clue I had WLS, And anyways, we got to talking, and she thought my dad had went and got him a whole NEW Woman... OH MY!!!


Love yah Susan, and I appreciate you VERY MUCH!!!!

Courtney, you are doing SO WELL!!!  What an amazing job.

Now. Dr Baker's protocol say 1/2 c food three times a day with one planned snack. Period. Not 8 oz (one cup), 1/2 cup.
So, my question to you is:are you measuring your food still, or is this a guesstimate?  If you're not, you need to be.

You are so right on for walking from the parking lot...just be careful!

Thank you =) I feel AMAZING!!!!

Ok thank you.... Thats what I needed to know.... I am measuring my food, I bought a nifty measuring thing from WALMART that has like tsp. Tbsp. all the way up to a cup being the biggest... So it has been accurate, it just seemed like a bit too much  to be eating 1 cup...  I am happy you told me that.... I will cut down to 1/2 cup....

And thank you, it was very muddy yesterday and today, I hope its better tomorrow.....

I can use the help.............

I have lost interest in my personal trainer goal as I have the 40 pound regain. Did I fail my tool......I fell off the loser wagon. I let stress get me and eat nonstop. I drink coke as it is my one addiction. I drink with meals, I dont eat half the time.

I know weigh 173.......I AM DISGUSTED.....

It is really hard this far out as you no longer have all the restrictions as you did in the beginning. Your body becomes more normal.

I look at how pre-ops and newbies are now and that is nothing like what it was 8yrs ago.....so much has changed rules, procedures and so on. Some start to regain at about 3 yrs out. Not everyone!!!! PLEASE DO NOT THINK I AM SAYING EVERYONE!!!!!  I dont need hate mail.

I am ashamed to come to the walk. I dont want people to see a failure. I lost my motivation, desire, and will.

Its hard.......
huggs

Tammy, my dear, you are not a failure, nor is your tool. Dr Gibbs and I had a long discussion about how our bodies "readjust" the longer we go from surgery. His statement was:" you don't malabsorb less, you "mal-eat" more!".  There is evidence that your body does adjust to a certain degree, but.....you know what you are doing that isn't within the rules.

 Please don't be embarrassed to come to the Walk.  We want you there! Maybe you can find a wagon there to climb back onto???

We love you. Don't be a stranger, it will only make it worse.

Tammy -- you better come to the Walk!!!!!!!!!!!

You are not a failure.  You are a HUMAN.  And the good thing about this whole thing is that you know how to get back to where you want to be.  It *is* hard, and bless you for being the veteran of our group.

Baby steps, girl... stop drinking after meals today.  Start moving a little more; fresh air is great for your mood.  Focus on the protein, and get whatever junk you can out of the house.  Set a timer and make yourself eat on a schedule.

I hear you on the Coke, but I *finally* got off it and moved to coffee... of course, by the time I'm done with it, it barely resembles coffee anymore, ha ha (I add fat-free half/half, sugar free smuckers caramel, a little regular chocolate syrup, and some splenda).  Baker was not thrilled, but I'm not completely giving up caffeine!

I am super-duper stressed right now as we are flat broke.  I am a planner and a life of unpredictable income does not serve me well.  I've started having panic attacks and I've found myself stress eating, too. (even dipping into the chocolate... did you know that there's protein in reese's pb cups? LOL)  This week I have had to FORCE myself to run or exercise.  I know in my mind it's a choice between doing it or eating and stressing at home.  The stress does still get to me, but I'm not crawling out of my skin quite as badly if I exercise. 

I went to the doc last week about the attacks and they gave me some Klonopin -- the doc said he'd been seeing a lot of people with unemployment issues and it was a tough time for everyone.  He was very sympathetic and I felt better knowing that it wasn't just that I was weak and couldn't suck it up... we are such perfectionists, aren't we? :-(

So --starting today!! don't vow to be perfect, just vow to be better.  Think about how you're doing something positive by taking care of yourself, even if you're not able to control other issues right now. 

Please don't feel ashamed.  I know it could just as easily be me in your shoes, so there's absolutely NO judgment from me... hugs to you.

Somewhere in the pile of clothes I tossed out that were too big was a t-shirt that said" Charter member of the "my husband is underemployed" club. No, really, been there, done that. I feel for you, darlin'. So wish there were great words of wisdom to send your way, but alas, no. I guess all I can offer is love and support.

The weather is supposed to be really great the next few days, so get out there and have a good run. Oh, and while you're out, take that chocolate and toss it onto the side of the road for the squirrels and such. Remember who you're talking to here. Me, the "dark chocolate has  antioxidant" gal who hasn't had any in three weeks!!!  You can totally do this. Don't spend the $$ on candy, or other things that aren't part of your plan. Call it part of your austerity program.

Let's start figuring out a Buck's gathering, huh?

Three weeks!??!?!?  I am so proud of you!

Monday is bad, I think Meg and I have appointments Wednesday and Thursday afternoons next week, but we'd be available around 5 if so.

Yes, three weeks and it  kills me every time I go through the check out at the grocery store. But part of me feels empowered by having some control.

I'll check my schedule for next week and post something. K?