Advice for Newbies

Advice for newbies
1. Get counseling- it is hard to deal with issues when you can't eat.  This journey can become very difficult and frustrating and if you start to feel depressed or overly anxious please seek help

2. Don't rely soley on the surgery- it is not the end all be all, you need to make permanent changes.  All of the food issues are still there.  As they say you changed your body not your mind.

3. Don't become complacent (sp?) - Once you start to break the "rules" it is a slippery slope.  Over time you may find you can eat more or things that used to make you sick- don't do it.  Stick to the plan and the new habits you have.

4. Love yourself and your body- neither will ever be perfect, even at a size 4 I still didn't have a beach body, my thighs will forever look like they belong to a Shar-pei

This is the best thing I ever did for myself.  At times it seemed so easy and at times very hard.  I am happy to chat with anyone who may have a question.  I am hoping, by making this a priorty again, I can get back on track and loose the few extra pounds I have gained back.

Thank you Dragonfly. I am at the opposite end from you, at the very begining. I can't imagine what this path will look like. I am not sure if surgery is the right thing to do. I am considering banding. I have alot of anxiety about the choice to do this, or go back to WW or MediFast. I hope that when I do make the decision it will all become clear. 

I look forward to hearing more from you and seeing your sucesses in getting that last 30 lbs off.

Thank you so much for the advice.  Its really helpful to hear from the seasoned vets...
I totally agree that you need to love yourself the way you are now and once that happens as you lose you can only love yourself more. 

DON'T rely soley on the surgery - wow how true is that. You have to control what your eating and change your habits. If you don't change your habits you wont change anything and your weight loss will be a slow painful process.  

Thanks again
lightersteps