Here it goes again!!!

Hey guys,
Here is my last attempt to lose weight before surgery. I'm scared ****less at the fact of having to do 4 weeks of shakes only so my goal is to lose enough weight to fall in the 40-50 BMI range that will get me to do only 2 weeks of shakes instead of 4. Currently I am not too sure what I weigh but my guess is close to 415 or so. At 6'1", to have an unhealthy BMI of 49.9 and ensure that I only do 2 weeks of optifast, I need to weigh 378 pounds that means I must lose roughly 37 pounds by the time they decide to call me for my surgery. I know it's a little much but it's worth me giving it a go. As of today, I have a started a low-carb diet that will include a High-Protein Shake (Yeah I finally bought some) with a Banana for breakfast, a Subway salad (chicken or tuna) for lunch and a healthy home-made supper per day. 3 times a week I'd like to do cardio at our little gym here at work and I'd like to start doing the ab-ripper-X routine from the P90x training vids at least 3 times a week as well. So tonight I will try to get my girlfriend to take my first official "BEFORE" pictures as a refrence point to never go back to. I'd like to thank all of you for your constant support in everything I do and I can't wait to join most of you guys on the loser side of things.

Derek -xxx-

Derek,

You can do this!!!!!  I have all the faith in the world in you.  When you start looking at food that you will eat.  Ask yourself do you want it ....or do you need it.  You will truly test your will power at this point.  I am not saying it will be easy...it will be quite difficult at times.  I know, trust me!!!!   I saw where someone posted this acronym D.I.E.T  Did I Eat Thoughtfully?  Which is a great statement to think about! 

Just know that we are all here for you.  Write down all your thoughts through out this journey even if it is just a word or two here and there. They will help you later when you are reflecting this journey.

Keep true to your routine and you will do just fine!   Before you know it you will have your surgery and be on your way to looking Healthy, Fine and Ripped!  LOL! 

Remember this is for your future...your future wife, kids and over all your health!

Much Love! 

Deborah XOXO

Thanks Deb! 

I really laughed out loud when I read the word "RIPPED". I really like the acronym for DIET to. I gotta keep that one. My goal is to someday look like those surfer dudes in Cali. I'll even grow my hair and dye them blonde if I have to but I'm talking about the pecs and the 8-packs. But overall, I just want to live a long and healthy life.

Derek

Good luck Derek, I know you can do it. Try to eat some low carbs snacks also, because if you go too long without eating, you might be too hungry at supper time...That's my experience thought... The surgery approching is a great motivation too, to lose weight before to have an uneventful surgery. My hubby is afraid of the surgery because of his health problems, he was never able to lose weight, but he already lost 8 pounds, only by taking one plate only and stopping the bread...and also a big flu that cut his appetite LOL I don't wish that for you...
Way to go guy!!

Thanks Diane. will try to add a healthy low-carb snack for the afternoon. That's when I'm the most hungry! I heard your hubby was having his surgery in November. You must be excited. I'm nervous about mine too and having doubts but I know this will be the only thing to help me. It'll kick me back into life.

Wish my husband can come here and share with you, but he is afraid of computers!!! He is not even able to send an e-mail...So I'll speak for him... Since he knows his date ( nov 18, in 1 month) he is more nervous, and wants to be in the best possible shape for the day. But he is more convinced than before that he needs this surgery. He seems that he cannot endure the weight ( and the wait !) another month... It is normal having doubts, when I had my surgery, as the date approached, I was more and more unsure of doing it... It was like I suddenly felt a deep love for the part of my stomach that will be removed LOL But I am so happy now, have faith, this will really kick you back in life!

Hi Derek!
Good for you for trying again....you know we all believe in you and we know how hard it is to diet. It is as different as night and day with wl surgery....that is my experience. Just change a few things for now. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. The weight loss (no matter how small) will be gone once and for all, then change a few more and so on. I know that the optifast diet is tough but it really is tough for the first week. Then your body adjust and so do you. Also, you are in a different mindframe prior to surgery. There is a determination that settles in knowing that you are having surgery and sticking to the optifast becomes easier. I know you can do this and you are now 'officially' starting your journey and with this in mind know that we are always here for you.
bren

 Derek!! 

You can sooo do this!  The end of the first leg of your journey is coming to an end!!!  The waiting and pre surgery period is tough to muster through!!!  when you think of it, 4 weeks of shakes isn't that bad!!  Make sure you drink lots of water!!!  

Be careful with the chicken or tuna salad that may be pre-packaged as it may have a lot of salt content which would aid in you retaining water... booo.  Just ask them to see the nutritional facts on each first!!  

Yey for before pictures!!  I wish I had taken more of them.  I only have two (one of which shows me eating and no one will see EVER- or at least until I am firmly at my goal weight) and the other is posted in my pictures.  

I still havent found a gym or pool to go to here in town, and my weight exceeds that of most exercise bikes being sold-  so exercise is still a bit out of my reach.  I heard that p90x is really really hard so I am eager to hear how you like it!

Derk you can do it.... Like the others I have total faith in you. 
We have all been on the diet road before and support you 100% and understand where you are coming from.
One change at a time, one day at a time. And let us know how it goes.

Cindy