I've Surpassed All My Goals - Now What?

Two years ago when I started the whole process to have surgery I weighed 317 lbs. Looking back I can NOT believe I had blindly let myself go and uncared for. In the year and 4 months it took me to get approved for surgery I lost 50 lbs (basically - and I sadly admit - via starvation). I remember telling Dr Clark when I intially saw him I told him I'd be happy just to weigh something in the 180 lb range. After I had surgery I started setting up little mini goals for myself so that I would keep myself motivated and mindset on working my band and getting a better healthy life style. I have surpassed each goal I have listed for myself. I'm also out of the 180 lbs range and heading in the 170's. Today I weighed in at 178. I haven't been this small since middle school. I finally asked Dr Clark on my last visit what he had hoped I would end up at. He said he like to see me reach 155 lbs. That would make 100% of the excess weight I had gone. Currently I'm roughtly at 85%. Something even I didn't think I could reach. I'm not even a year out and I'm roughtly 85% less of what I use to be 10 months ago. It's mind blowing. I honestly didn't think I would loose this weight this fast - which is one of the reason I chose the band. But here I am chugging along and melting away. So I have no more goals. I"m way far then what I ever thought I'd be by now. So what do I do with myself now? My mind is boggled with trying to think of realsitic positive new goals. HELP!!! Surely you all can give me new ideas for some new goals...... plz?????? Just for the record.... Heighest weight: 317 Surgery Date weight: 267 Current weight: 187 Total pounds lost from heightest weight: 139 lbs Total pounds lost from surgery date weight: 89 lbs Currently 10 months out.

I can't give you any ideas, but I did want to say Wow. What a great job. You are doing it girl. I can't wait for when I can start walking again and hopefully lose some weight again. I am oh so flabby, I just know I need to tighten up, but can't. So maybe that would be something you can do, is work out, which I am sure you are already doing. Lisa B

just great gal.....see i came up with blanks for goals as well...i am happy just maintaining...........

Jody, Great job! Hmmm...well, you have it well under-way making external improvements with the weight loss. Guess it depends on if you want your next goal to improve you, others around you, or something near you. If it's 'you'..maybe check into some college courses? Some can be done online to make it a little easier. If you have no idea as to what you'd like to take, many colleges, etc has questionaire type testing that can help give you suggestions based on your interests. Or perhaps you could learn to play an instrument. If it's 'others'...you already do volunteer work I know, but perhaps you could volunteer through your local library to be an adult tutor. Many adults need assistance learning basic skills such as math & reading. Check with your local United Way agency. They help fund many different organizations that are geared toward assistance to people such as the Happiness Bag. These agencies don't only need money. They need caring adults willing to give of themselves and their time. It it's something near you...I would look in my own backyard first. Man, my rose beds need weeded! If my yard/house was the way I wanted it..then I would look at my neighbors. Is there an old woman living alone whose yard could use some TLC? Just a few suggestions. Let us know what you decide, k? Myself, I think my goal is to become a world traveller..lol. Sherri

What about listing all the things you would have liked to do before you lost weight. I'm sure you have already done some of them. But I bet if you really thought about it, you would think of a whole lot more. Once listed, start checking them off. Personally, I'm going to take belly dancing lessons at the Y. I've already taken Karate lessons before surgery, but as soon as they clear me, I'm going to start them again. (My goal being to get through a class without the instructor asking me if I'm going to be ok! ) Ride a roller coaster (or some other ride you didn't fit in before), hike a trail, learn to water ski. What about roller skating? You have done a lot of hard work to get where you are, now is the time to treat yourself to the fun things you couldn't do before. You've earned it. Cindy