Hi Ladies :wave: ...

Hi Ladies Tomorrow, Monday, July 17th I will be 12 weeks out (3 months) And thus far have lost 73 pounds! Which is pretty Like some of you though, I am still having SOME problems getting in food and I'm also STILL not getting in all my protein or water, or all my vitamins, OK, y'all line up to give me my tongue lashing!! Good thing is ... I AM exercising everyday except Sundays and My husband Dean is still my biggest cheerleader. He calls me skinny (yeah right 242 pounds) He embarrasses me to, We were at Walmart's Saturday, And I sent him to another isle to get something, next thing I know, I hear this loud wolf whistle and someone saying HEY SEXY!! Of course it's my husband that has come back and everyone is looking at me, I punch his arm saying DON'T DO THAT!! But secretly it made me feel really good. 27 years of marriage and he can still make me blush! I love this man! BUT, Back to not giving my body all it needs. About a year or so ago, I was doing research on Gastric bypass and came across someone's profile that was a couple of years out and she had this "PEP TALK" of sorts in her profile, I copied it and printed it out, I just reread it and plan to take heed to her words. I thought I would put it in here so the rest of you that are having problems getting in all we need can read it to. Some times we need that tough love or a PEP TALK. Hope it helps, Have a blessed day, Debra "TOUGH"......love! "There's noooooooooooooo crying in baseball.....!!!!!!" That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind sometimes when I hear some of the comments from people who've already had the surgery. In case you haven't made the connection, that's a line Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "A League Of Their Own." Resorting to tears or just giving up every time the going gets tough is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. I see so much whining sometimes that it's hard to decipher the kids from the adults. ENOUGH already, it's time to get "TOUGH" on YOURSELF!!! First and foremost, you have to keep it POSITIVE. As with everything in life, if you think you can't - you WON'T! Simple enough? I have to wonder when "we" (as adults) finally take ownership for our actions, our life and our health? We have been given a gift, a second chance to actually LIVE life again instead of merely existing in it. It's up to each of us to do that as healthy and productively as possible. We're ALL statistics waiting to happen and the insurance companies are chomping at the bit. The bean counters are eager to drop Weight Loss Surgery ("WLS") from the policies; some already have. Don't you know that any negative feedback thrown into the mix only strengthens their cause? I may not be able to control every thing that happens to my body after WLS, but most things I can. I CHOOSE to take control and I will be a positive statistic when the numbers get counted. We live in a spoiled society, expecting everything in life to come with a buncha really cool choices. Well, guess what? When it comes to your health, you're not always going to get a choice. You either DO IT and stay healthy, or you DON'T and your body pays the price. The way I saw it, I had a 90 day healing and adjusting period after surgery. My 'super morbidly obese' body had more then enough stores to survive the learning curve. In turn, it gave me plenty of time to heal, adjust and learn. For those of you OVER 90 day's Post-Op, the probation period is over - its time to get serious and LIVE what you've learned. ~*~ You say you can't get in enough liquids through out the day, don't like the taste of water, or just keep forgetting? -- TOUGH! It's not an option anymore. Find a way to do it, get suggestions and tips from others in support groups, message boards, etc. Read, learn and JUST DO IT!! Why do you think there is a choice here? ~*~ You say you don't like the big horse pill type vitamins, or the tart chalky chewables? ...it's, just too many to bother with? Or maybe you just can't remember to take them? -- TOUGH! You gave up the option NOT to take vitamins when you agreed to have your insides rerouted. FIND a way to get them in; crushed, minced, chopped, liquified, in a shake, etc. No exceptions, your health depends on it. ~*~ Protein is a must. So you can't get it all in via foods and you don't like the way the shakes taste? -- TOUGH! Either get it through your meals (and there are a gazillion food choices out there) or supplement it with protein shakes and bars. Trust me, I don't drink my protein shake every morning because I think it tastes like a chocolate blizzard from Dairy Queen. Ive tried many varieties over the last 2 years. I'd even venture to say 25 of the top sellers/flavors have crossed my lips. For the record? I've yet to find one that is as 'delicious' as boasted by the distributor. So what!!!! I still drink one every morning. My HEALTH dictates that I need "X" grams of protein per day. If I'm not getting enough from my meals then I supplement a shake. 'Nuff said!!! I've actually walked the walk and reached my goal. Yep, I've stumbled a few times with my food choices and you know what? I'll trip a few more times. BUT, some things I will never fail at -- Vitamins, H20 and Protein. This surgery is a gift, I owe it to me and everyone else fighting the approval process, to do it right! I will continue to choke down my vitamins, my water and my protein every single day, for the REST OF MY LIFE. Some days will be easier then others, regardless, no days will be missed. It's all about discipline. Create a routine, set a timer, develop a pattern, tie a string around your finger, glue a note to your forehead, whatever it takes. You're an adult - take responsibility! If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will. AMEN?!!

Debra, Thanks so much for posting this. I think we all need a reminder from time to time. I'm still a pre-op and some what discouraged, but this posting has helped me get my head back on straight. Phyllis R.