Disappointed about where you're at with your weight loss?

I posted a version of the following advice in response to someone who was feeling down about not being where she wanted to be with her weight loss.  I try not to toot my horn, but I felt like it was worthwhile advice, so I wanted to repost for those of you that are down in the dumps about where you're at so can see how much you've actually accomplished.   I hope it helps any of you that are struggling - it certainly has helped me. Here's how to get out of your rut.  First pull out all your pictures prior to your surgery date.  Take a long hard look at those pictures and then stand in front of a full length mirror holding those very pictures. Get naked even! Look at how much you have transformed your body in JUST ONE YEAR!!!  When the heck is the last time you can say that you lost (fill in the blank) pounds in ONE YEAR???  My guess - NEVER! 

I can totally understand where you're coming from - my one-year is coming up and I really wanted to be in ONEderland by then, but guess what, it's not gonna happen!  Would you call me a failure?  I'm pretty certain you wouldn't - in fact you'd scoff and laugh at me for suggesting such a thing.  But why can't you do that for yourself??? Stop beating yourself up!

I've come to the point (finally) that I can CHOOSE to be angered by my 3-4 months of horrible eating and blame my lack of will power and reliance on old habits for this or I can accept myself and love myself for what I have accomplished.  What have I accomplished? Here's a rather short list, but you'll get my point....

I can buckle my seatbelt WITH my winter coat on and not get my hand stuck between my hip and the center console.
I can sit on the floor and actually stand up without the assistance of a tow truck or furniture.
I can RUN!
I can wear size 20 pants.
I can walk up the stairs in my house WITHOUT panting when I get to the top.

As I said, this is a VERY short list compared to the reality of all that I've gained with WLS, but I think you get my point.  So after you admire your old pics and your new body - sit down and write down EVERYTHING that has changed since you had surgery!  Then write a THANK YOU note to yourself for giving yourself that gift.  Study these things over and over and let it sink in that your life is a thousand times different AND better today than it was just one short year ago!

You have had great success with WLS and you will continue to succeed if you put all your positive energy into it.  Dwelling on the negative will only encourage all the old bad habits to surface more - emotional eating being the number one issue.

Don't get me wrong - it was so good for you to come here and be bummed - we all have those moments and that is exactly what this board is for!  So go ahead and have your pity party and be bummed out and then make the decision to rise above it all.  Do the things I suggested above and remind yourself of all that you have done - you will feel better and it will motivate you to continue working your tool and being successful!

I wish you all the best on your journey!  I pray that you can overcome this phase and become triumphant!  You ARE successful and you will continue to be successful - just remember that even though you aren't exactly where you want to be, it is exactly where God wants you to be.
Take care and keep your chin up.  I love you all very much and you are ALL the reason my WLS journey has been successful!  I seriously hope that I can repay the favor to each of you someday!

Thanks, Tracy.  I really needed that today!!!  Your list covered a lot of the same "what I can do now" topics.  Especially going up a flight of stairs without practically dieing! :)

Thank you Tracy - you are an inspiration!

Thank you Tracy!!  I love the idea of writing a thank you note to ourselves. I journal all the time but am always thanking God, the surgeon etc.. I really do need to thank myself. It is because of the hard work and changing my eating habits that have helped me accomplish  what I have so far in my weight loss journey. Thank you again for helping me realize this!! Hugs...you are awesome dear friend!!! connie d

Well said my dear sweet wonderful SUCCESSFUL friend!!!!

Well said, here's to getting naked and thanking ourselves for how far we have come.

VERY good advice, girlfriend  Don't expend energy boo-hooing over where you aren't - focus on how far you have come.   I prefer buying myself "goal gifts" since I am not very good at writing notes   Besides, when one is single, there isn't anyone to buy them for me!!

Thanks Tracy those words are a wonderful reminder! It is so easy to forget where I have come from, so I need to write those things down.