Thanks Laureen the process is what it is right? I would say I lost my way for a bit but not really, just learned some things about who I am and what I want and moved on. It was all necessary. Raising kids is a hard job LOL and I am only 6 1/2

Lisa,

Like you, I, too, am a foodie and love the challenge of creating something tasty and healthy in the kitchen, a challenge that really isn't much of one, if you are open to trying different things and like to cook.  I have learned to shop the perimeter of the supermarket, try to get fresh veggies at market or produce junction and/or growing some of my own and truthfully, for the most part I do that well, knowing that most of the things I need are in those areas.  I have always been a good cook, or so people have always told me (a little humility here (lol)) and have recreated most of what I once ate into healthier style eats that I love to share with my friends and family. 

However, what I still have to maintain is measuring out proper portion sizes, because while I can only eat but so much at a time, I have overeaten many times or too many times during one day and that is where some of my regain came from, that along with slacking on the exercise.  Even good for you food, will put pounds on if overeaten. . .

But like you, no junk in my cart is a win. . .

Glad you are jumping in here!

Laureen

I just did something very difficult, which I'd been avoiding.  I updated my ticker, which,  before I got sick, was 2 pounds from my goal.  It is currently 20 from goal.

I'd turned my signature off so I wouldn't have to see it, but I decided it's important that I do.  Between the thyroid drugs and the pain keeping me from strong workouts, I have lost that total control I once had over my body and it sucks.  But I cannot and will not accept that loss.  It's temporary and I will fight it with all I have in me.

I'm going to bring that ticker down again.

Lisa

Which is why so many regain and/or transfer of addictions. . .  as we were told, they operate on our anatomy, not our minds, but they don't really delve into the whys of and stress it enough. . .  truthfully, WLS is just a big business, it saves lives, but many others suffer because they don't really have a clue as to the reasons they got that way to begin with. . . if we were comfortable with who we are, on the deepest of levels we would probably have not gotten to where we did prior to WLS. . .  even with all the work I've done over the past 25 years, it is a constant evolution of discovery and recovery.  My weight was the last "known" active addiction to deal with and honestly I still find myself resorting to food when the emotional part of things kicks in, though I do catch myself and ask the hard questions and then I have a chance to change the behavior. . .  none of this is for sissies and you cannot be lazy about the process either. . . which is why everyone can do well the first few years, but then the road narrows, doesn't it. . .

I am happy for you Nicole, I know what you've been doing is painful in many ways, but I think it is freeing you too and that is a good thing. . .  I have seen you going in a much more positive forward direction, which is not to say you weren't before, but I think we all get stuck sometimes. . .

Hugs and best wishes as you continue to share this journey and what information you have with all of us!!!

Laureen

What I have found is that people have surgery change nothing inside and expect a different outcome. Impossible. I am currently in the second year of painful, intensive therapy that has blown my mind and changed EVERYTHING I thought I knew about myself. Many of the items in this article are part of that therapy and are necessary for me to do in order to NOT ever be 360 lbs again. And to NEVER again be someone who thinks that other people's needs and emotions are more important than mine. The exercise and food changes are the easy part. If you really want a life long change you have to do the real work.