Just a bit of honesty .... don't worry you're not alone...

Heya peeps...  I wanted to let you know I'm locked in a love affair.....YES...for real and stuff...

You have been in love with the same thing as I remain in love with.....you know how I know?  You were fat just just me....and I know it was all my fault...  a week from now I celebrate my year of being skinny....  so 2 months of hard dieting/running like a madman and 10 months of heavenly bliss...

I'm in love with food...  sure sure sure... most all of you know that I'm the hardliner of low carb stuff, however, I drink rum... but i also eat chocolate and things like coconut-rum bread pudding....  I don't go nuts...after all, I'm just a human being and alas, i'm weak....or AM I?  Not really...  i have set safety numbers....those are the imaginary lines that we cross if we feel as if we shouldn't gain a certain amount.

Before I lost all of my weight, I got permission from Doc B to enjoy a little more carbs due to the lifestyle I live....  yes...  he knew early on that I chose to low carb most of my week....he also knew that I workout...  so the net result of how I eat shows up in my tummy size. (Speaking of small tummies, I see the GORGEOUS update pics of most of you...wowsers...you're handsome and beautiful people...and you deserve some praise!!!)

I found that I could eat thousands of calories, yet set my carbs very low and I could eat or drink whatever I wanted during times of cravings.  Needless to say, you can't just go nuts and eat endlessly, you must be determined to conquer your cravings with determination, yet if you want to go outside of your normal foods, you must be willing to run longer on the treadmill (or a mountain in my case), or choose to low carb for a few days to make up for it..... (anyone here workout religiously?  not me...shoosh...don't tell...  i stopped working out because I get too skinny).

Does that mean you go hungry?  NEVER..... smart choices are out there.  I, and a ton of others, have wonderful recipes in the recipe forum here and we are educated enough to mke sure you have super tasty things to feed yourself while entertaining your appetite.  YES...I said it...  I like my tongue and tastes to be entertained...  I know it's a "hush-hush" thing to talk about WLS'rs eating such fun things or eating a potato chip or a french fry...but you aren't alone...  Anyone has the power to overcome the cravings.  I can choose to eat what I want yet he responsibility of not getting fat remains firmly in my hands.  I remain empowered....and of course, skinny.  Do I eat more of a few thingsthat I shouldn't?  Maybe...probably...yes...I'm certain of it....do I take into account that I don't eat a ton of carbs an I'm pretty happy about when i choose to eat some carbs?  Yes...it's worth it. 

Have you set your "magic" number on the scale?  Have you hit goal and made a deal to never reach a certain amount of weight again?  What is your plan to recover if you do hit that number?  is it radical?  Is it sane?  Sanity is in the eye of the beholder....  you know your limits...  I was lucky that I had a doctor who knew that I was committed to a lifestyle change.  He also understood that I was passionate...  He knew me well enough to know I wasn't about to give up my love affair and that I had the firm understanding to remain healthy.

I have a long way to go....like a lifetime...  I've hit well past my goal and my choice to eat healthy has made certain that I'm in the best health of my days...  I hope each of you reach your goals successfully and go do the one thing you've wanted....that is to live....  i don't live in the shadow of who I was....  I live in the sunshine...  and I eat brownies...  whenever i damn well please....  and of course....I'm smiling ear to ear while doing it...

Blessed be your journey....it's all up to you....

T.

Hi, Thomas.
What a wonderfully thought out post. You have always struck me as a person who does the research and the thinking, added with a bit of soul searching, to come up with a decision you can live with. Good for you.
Too many times we live as victims, like we have no control, no say so. My quote for the day is: "Nothing is impossible. There are ways that lead to everything, and if I have sufficient will I should always have sufficient means. It is often merely an excuse that I say something is impossible."
Can you believe it's coming up on a year of being "skinny"? Wow. One day I want to say that! Well, I don't want to be skinny, but I do want to be at goal. :) Congratulations, and keep working your plan that works best for you.
Blessings & Love Ya,
Mary

Hey T!  I've not been around here much but I just want to tell you congratulations on your surgiversary!  You've always been so supportive of everyone and I know you've made me laugh many times! 

Thanks for being such an inspiration and again, congratulations!

Jen

Happy Surgiversary.  You are doing great.

I agree with you that food should never be the enemy.  Lately I've even begun to cook a bit.  Yes, me.  I never thought in a million years that would happen.  I'm becoming a regular at the Farmers Market-much better veggies than at the grocery store. 

So, it's not like you get to goal and your life is perfect-you continue to evolve and grow, just not in the pants sizes.  Now that food doesn't control me, I enjoy it like I never did before-tastes much better without the guilt, doesn't it? 

Congrats on your year! You know I love ya!

I miss you Pirate Man!!!    I can't believe it is a YEAR since I sat quietly at the hospital while you slept on the toilet.......teehee....

You have done so awesome I am very proud of you.  Email me some of your regime...I am so ready to try to drop the rest of the weight I need to get to goal...  [email protected]

You know I am always a hop skip and a phone call or text away if you ever need me!!  I love ya loads dude!!! 

Ruth

I do have a magic number!  I need a kick in the pants to buckle down and do the no carb thing to get to onderland!!!!  I am 8 lbs away and I want it so bad.  I have your plan printed out and on my desk.  I need to give it another try.  I want to be skinny too dang it.!

Great post Tom!!  this is all part of changing the "head" thing....and it does take a life time.  Patti K.

T...as always thank you for your post! Happy versry to ya! BTW I thought you were coming this way last month what happened??

Thomas!
Happy surgiversary!  I enjoyed your post a lot! 
Congrats!!
Kim J.!