Do you have all four legs of your chair on the floor?

Last night I held a local Grads Group Get Together. It's directed towards those who have had their surgery a year or more ago. 

As we were talking, I mentioned that I think that there are four major components to long-term success and that without all of them, We end up in a precarious position that can cause us to falter; just like when you have a weak leg on a chair. I think that the four legs of success are: 

Accountability

Exercise

Support

Pouch

Acountability varies for each of us. Some like to post what they eat in a public venue. Personally, I weigh every day. If I noticed an upward trend, I know that I need to get more 'accountable' about what I'm putting in my mouth, so I start logging what I'm eating. Seeing my weight on a daily basis allows me to really keep a close eye on my weight. Unfortunately, even though I no longer wear elastic waist anything, I can't rely on my clothes to alert me if I've gained 5 lbs, so I hit the scales.

Exercise is crucial to our long term succesa and health. Some go the gym, some run, some take classes... I wear a pedometer and if I don't have 10K on it, I know I have to get my tail out and move it. 

Support has been found to be essential to long-term success in a number of studies.  I think that OH has been a pivotal support mechanism for me, but I have found the need to connect with others in person as well. That's why I started our local support group and why I have expanded beyond the general meetings to include special interest groups. 

Surgery and the pouch has given us the tool we need to strip off the excess weight as well as an effective tool to help us keep it off if we learn to use it. Initally, it seems that we have to wrestle with our pouches as we learn to adjust to them, but with time they ease up on us and we learn to work with them. As we move past the initial weight loss, we need to learn to USE the pouch to continue to reap the long-term benefits that it offers to help us maintain the weight loss and incredible quality of life improvements.

So... Do you have all four legs of your 'chair' on the floor to ensure that you can not only lose the weight, but keep it off long term? 

Barb,
I have been rocking around on three legs. Today.... I stablized the 4th by going to thr YMCA. I am going to try to go 3 or more days a week for formal exercise. I fell out of it for a while but wish to tone up so here I go again.
Myrtis

EXCUSE ME!!!  CAN YOU HELP ME UP???? My 2 legged chair just fel over!!!   

I am embarrassed to say... i have not been excercising.... and i certainly can't say i've been accountable... not even to myself.  I'm gaining weight... slowly, but still on an upward swing... I can't say i'm surprised, and i can't even say i don't know or understand why!!! 

I can only admit to being my own worst enemy!!!  I REALLY needed the support of the group Tuesday night and wasn't able to get there...  i've got to regroup and get settled and serious again... But it surely isn't even a little bit easy....

I've just got to keep trying to get back on track... and i truly thank you all for your continuing support and understanding...

Hey Judy, 

Believe me when I say that I understand. Also believe me, when I say that we can and will get control over this, but it's an ongoing process. So as your mother used to tell you, "Get all for legs on the floor, so you won't fall." 

I look forward to seeing you Saturday and of course, you are most welcome to join us next week as well.

Now, if you don't have one, go get a pedometer and work on getting those 10K steps a day... You'll have to push away from that desk and enjoy a beautiful Carolina morning!

Warmly,

 

Barb...
That's a BIG part of my problem... I sit on my FAT RUMP and work, work, work.... I don't even haven a good excuse not to work out.. i have a workout room with a treadmill, workout bench, weights, etc... but still it's sooooo much easier to sit and work... telling myself i should be working instead of working out!!!  What an easy copout!!!  But I just keep doing it...

What is it they say... "insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results".  Well that's me!!!

EXCELLENT POST Barb!  Thanks!  I agree with everything you said; I think I'll print this off for our support group next week.  You are the best!

Thanks again for all your efforts on our behalf!

Alice

Great post.  Even for us newbes.. it's good to start all of those things now...

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I think that you are on the money! Someetimes when we start off, we are so focused on losing the weight that it is hard to see the 'big picture.' It sounds like you've got the big picture in focus.

I think I am just so worried it will not "work" for me.  I have lost 16 lbs in two weeks but it really doesn't seem real yet.  So I have been tracking everything I eat and my exercise.  I am going to have to stay focused as I get further out and start trying new things.   =)  See you tomorrow.

Kelly