My weight loss manifesto

I often find that writing helps me express myself better.  I can collect my thoughts and get closer to what I truly mean to say.  After our wonderful group tonight, I decided to put down the thoughts that motivate me.  These are the things that get me through the day.  Please feel free to add anything that helps you get through your day.




I am on a journey to lose weight.  I have asked for the help of a surgeon to give me a tool that will assist in my success as a weight loss surgery patient.

I understand that I am human and I will make mistakes.  I will learn from my mistakes and draw strength and determination from them.

I will do what my doctors advise to the best of my ability.

It is my journey and I have the right to choose whom I wish to invite.

While my path is unique, I will walk with others of my choosing so that I may get support from them and give support to them.  Support is the key to success.

I will drink my water every day.

I will make healthy choices when choosing food.

I will exercise portion control.

I will exercise as prescribed by my physiologist.  Without exercise, the body never realizes how to burn fat to create energy.

I understand that my surgery will not fix me and that I still must work hard to maintain my weight and health.

I understand that certain people will not condone my choice to weight loss surgery.  I will face those with the conviction that, according to my doctor, what I have chosen is the best option for me to lose weight and get healthy.

I understand that my weight loss can stall.  I will take that opportunity to reevaluate my diet and exercise to make certain I have not sabotaged my weight loss.  If nothing has changed then I will accept that my body needs to adjust to its new form and will wait patiently for weight loss to begin again.

There are no guarantees.  I know that I must remain diligent or I may face failure.

I am doing this to gain the life I have lost due to obesity.

If I could give a standing "O" via the web...here it is!
Well said (written)

Winne, i hold youin the higest regard and consider you to be thoughful and kick-ass at the same time....only learned men produce a thoughtful manefesto that should be taken into account!  Good job my brother....

T.

Good job!

Ditto all that Winnie.  You have already in the short time I've known you been an inspiration to me and I hope to be the same to you and help you along your journey.  None of us are perfect but we're all striving for that with the weight loss journey.  I feel that you have made a wise decision with your facility and surgeon.  They DO know how to do this thing.  We can twist up the plan, introduce our "own particular dietary items" but at the end of the day, they know what they are doing at WeightWise.  If I hadn't thought so I wouldn't have written my $15,000 check just to go out and "do my own thing".  I get somewhat panicked at the thought of getting too far off track with what my nut asks us to do with our dietary needs.  I MUST re-learn the process of eating to live and not living to eat.  When you loose your health it's such a blessing to have a tool available, information available and this awesome support as well to regain the health I and others had lost.  It's one thing to begin to "look better" but for me it was to give me more years of better health and important time with my family.  To get off of insulin, blood pressure medications, c-pap machine, and on and on and on to the tune of about $300 per month just on co-pays for medications.  We really can't put a $$ figure on health and we don't realize that ....at least I didn't...until it was almost gone!!!

I KNOW you are going to be a great SUCCESS at this.  Look at you already!!!  We're so excited to be a part of your journey Winnie.  I can't wait for your date to get here!!  Your place on the "Looser's Bench" is all ready for you!!!    

A HUGE DITTO here Debbie!!
Following our doctor and nutritionists guidelines are a prescription for us for life. We must take those orders for our own health and safety.  I have been amazed at some of the patients who  used our same clinic, who honestly have chosen to write their own prescription on how this path should be taken.  I didn't buy a banana at the price I paid, to screw it up!  I was paying over $900 a month in meds and couldn't even afford to go back to the Doctors without insurance! This was an investment that I can't afford to lose! It was an early inheritance from my mother to save my life and I won't let it be in vain.

Those who follow this path, carved out by those who have succeeded before us, will also succeed and reach their goals.  Those who stray off to create their own way, introduce their own ideas on what is allowable, will eventually fail, either in weight loss or gain and in health if not their life....

Excellent! Did you know there's a Bible verse that says, "Write it down and make it plain"? :)

GOOD HEAVENS!!! THAT IS AWSOME!!! You should give a copy to the Dr's to hand out!!

I too write to express myself. I write to release the inner me. When you write, people are quickly able to relate to your words, as they reach into the soul, or lift another's spirit. I have a great admiration for that type of talent. I can see that you have a great gift.

Thanks for a wonderful start to a new day!
Oh and the girls are right...Your new Avitar looks hot! LOL

Win, you have made many mental changes to face this surgery, that is the smartest way to approach this. I gave up all the required foods months before, in order to make the adjustment easier for myself. Since the surgery, I am so thankful that I did. One good thing was that I didn't have to deal with headaches from caffeine withdrawal.This first phase is one of the most difficult things I have had to do, and though having minor panic attacks from only seeing liquids, I think that because I was so ready mentally to do this, it has helped me to remain strong each day...(other than a few melt downs!) I know when you begin this part of your journey, you will sail through! Congratulations on changing your life. We are here to support you and you have been a great help to each of us too....This is teamwork!! I am glad you are on our team!!

Sherry
 

Winne~ You definitely are accomplished for being able to put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) and write all this down.  These are wonderful and motivating thoughts for all our journeys.  Oh, and I agree with the other ladies that you are looking wonderful in your new avatar!  I'm positive that you will only get better looking as those lbs continue to melt away, but the person inside is what counts and your motivation to do this right just shines through!  I know you will be a success in 3, 5, 10, 20 years from now!

~ Renae

As always, brilliantly said.  Keep this somewhere for a day when you might need a pick-me-up!