Regarding struggling

AMEN my beautiful pin up sistah!  (For those that don't know, I think Jenny has the most perfect pin up face and I would LOVE to photograph her)

I so try and try to explain that there is no normal too because you are right....there is always something.  I've heard some "normal" people say..."I finally got all my weight off and now this happened".  (Fill in the blank with anything)  It IS all relative and we do need to be in the now and make the best of what we have right now.  When we do that simple thing it is amazing how things start to fall into place when you change your perspective.  There was a great saying about when we concentrate on "I don't have enough" that we bring it into our lives by believing it.  If we believe we have enough to make a plan and get on that road to where we want to go, we can do it because we believe. Sure...it's not perfect and it never is but it's "mostly good". 

I LOVE your "easy peasy mac and cheesy".  Also know that lucky Utopian normies who are always skipping with skinny waggle-free legs and smiling perfectly straight teeth while skipping through Utopia are struggling too.  It's just that their addiction/imperfections don't show on the outside.  In a way we are held more accountable because ours are there for all to see.  I look at it as a lucky thing.  How can I say that???? Because I have seen so many that can hide it and because of that, they get even sicker.  There was a statistic the other day about more 50 year olds are drinking more than in past years.  I'm not shocked.  I believe we will be seeing a huge turn around in how we all think and act soon.  I believe that we will have to become a kinder gentler bunch world wide or we will spin out of control from stress and self medicating the hurt and pain that seems to be spiraling out of control.  I also believe that if we could walk in each other's shoes a bit more, we would come to a greater understanding that we are all one....in my so humble opinion.  And I love what's in your head girl...
hugs, Y

Thanks for sharing this Yvonne.  It's very meaningful for me.  I have found that the real difference that WLS has made for me is that before surgery I never thought I could lose weight.  Now I know I can.  I'm adopting this as my new motto - "I CAN DO HARD THINGS."

Wow do I know what you're talking about....even though I believed it was the only answer for me I still had little doubts in the back of my head.  My life has changed by a million light years in 8 years and I intend for it to continue.  I saw an awesome post this morning about someone having a relative try to talk them out of surgery and they of course said "Why can't you just do it with diet and exercise??"  The lady pointed out that Oprah with all her money and trainers and chefs can't do it so who could???  I LOVED THAT!!
hugs, Y

Yvone - first and foremost - THANK YOU :)  You are always a bright spot and love to hear your input.  Thank you for sharing!!!

You have no idea how badly I needed to hear this right now...  Without writing a dissertation, let me just say that I'm very tired of hearing the health debate and how the country is now blaming obesity for every cost and wrong out there.   Just yesterday, I was reading about a county health commisioner who was fired for something he posted (and rightly so in my opinion)... What he went on to say was that if every fat person would put down the donuts we wouldn't be in a health care crisis...    I can't tell you how horrified I was at this opinion.  And frankly, disappointed that a doctor openly expressed this to the public.

While I hope to never be an obese person again, I'm realistic to know that it will be "hard things" to continue losing and maintain at a healthy weight for the rest of my life.

However, that is something I intend to do!   Thank you again for the reminder of a journey I took on, along with so many others.  I tend to forget at times that this is not an easy path and requires constant focus to stay on track!

Yes there are so many myths out there and then on top of that we have to deal with the stigma against weight loss surgery.  I think I posted it here but not long ago I was denied regarding a story in a major magazine because of WLS. I fit the profile perfectly but I wasn't allowed because of that but I'll keep trying.  It totally amazes me how I had fake weight loss...but that's OK! 

Yep you said something important...constant focus helps a lot.  Adopting a mindset and fight the demons.  That's what my little quote is about "I caged the monster of obesity but I have to check the lock on that cage every single day".
 
I believe I had it easier than most because I didn't see a post op for 3 years after my surgery.  I didn't know any better and was able to sort of get "set" and in a pattern before I found out that others were struggling.  I was so very lucky....and I so appreciate good words shared from those that have such great insight.
hugs, Y

Yvonne,
You are a blessing! For the past few days I have been watching my scale closely. For 3 1/2 weeks I have not lost a pound. Infact, I gained a few pounds. These thoughts go through my head, like, "How can that be? I have been so diligent in what I eat, taking my vitamins, getting in my protein and water, how can I gain?  I keep thinking I am failing. I just started this journey April 30. "  Although I went into this journey knowing failure was not an option, and this IS my last resort, I am so upset. More paranoid. I know my period will be here at the end of the week and so there goes another week w/o loss... so I am going to be at a 4 week stall. Depressing. I know we all hit them, but I seem to have one every month, and it is always 2-3 weeks long. This one, is just not ending. I am trying so hard.
Your post really gave me the heads up I needed. I CAN do it. It is just so hard sometimes... I am sure everyone has been there, but for me, I am having a hard time taking it all in. I am not sure why. I also have guilt on the brain because my periods make me want to eat 24/7 for 2 weeks. I thought surgery would help, but I still want to eat and eat lately. I can't tell if I am hungry or not anymore. I WANT to eat. I WANT to grab bad foods. These cravings are what put me at 262lbs!! I gained weight every period for 10 years. I am having a hard time, mentally, coping with this. I keep thinking that hese periods are holding me back from being successfull at wls.  I am so confused!! I am trying to keep my head up, like the woman in the post said- I CAN DO IT. I know I eventually will, but for the moment, I am very worried! 
Thank you for listening to my rantings!! I needed to vent. My husband simply does not understand and nobody else in my family has a weight problem. I am the one with the bad hormones and the weight problem. MY OH family are the only ones who understand! Thank you OH!!
Michele

Hey Michele,
Sorry I'm so late getting back to you.  I'm going to PM you because you've said some things that concern me but nothing you can't take care of.  We are all here for you!
hugs, Y