Re: The OH Conference in Houston - Grads session

Darlin!

I think there would be MUCH interest in exactly that!  Nothing complicated.  KISS. KEEP it SIMPLE.  

How many have you seen that have regain beyond what they can imagine overcoming.  THAT's  where the need is especially.  And you did it. You had regain and you figured out how to reuse your tool and look at you now! 

The other thing I think would be a major draw is..

What now? The burnout factor. .. I don't want to plan anymore. I don't want to think about food. I don't want to track food. I am TIRED of it.  Why should I keep at it?

How do I accept NOT getting to that goal BMI or weight?  How is it okay?

I think that is where the need and interest is for us oldtimers.  

Anyone else?

LMAO!! 

Thanks for the efforts.  I know time slots fill and you have to meet the needs of sponsor's, but what about a working unch or dinner on Saturday where we are usually on our own anyway?  A moderator with training...even a long time OH leader would be nice...like melting mama, Cathy Wilson, egg face - someone new and different for us, but who has been there and done that...or a professional NUT, Psych, etc...Anyway, if the venue is like the Dallas Galleria you wouldn't even need a hotel conf room, just reseve a large table, maybe a banquet room at a rest. We can go dutch. Questions/issues could be presented ahead of time and a fluid agenda could be set with plenty of ops for Q&A. Break out sessions during the event that do NOT focus on newbie stuff would be nice, too.  Thanks again for listening Kim!!

I know that OH can't "please everyone", but REALLY think OH needs to prioritize this problem and get it on the Saturday schedule somehow.  Juggle, shuffle, make the conference longer, WHATEVER...THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THESE DAYS!!!!!!!!  Friday is just not good as it really won't hit everyone!  I'm right here in town and know for sure I couldn't get there for that as I have kids to deal with until about 4:00 or so! 

Personally I think the Grad thing needs to be something they offer at EVERY OH conference.  When WLS was a relatively "new" thing, ok, fine, focus on the things newbies need to initially see.  I've been to 2-3 of these events and they are relatively the exact same thing.  When the subject matter is the same, attendance isn't going to be what they are hoping for.  Maybe Kim should start a post to ask either by posting or PM what exactly people are struggling with the most so then they can find some local experts to hit those issues.  Nutritionists, psychologists, exercise experts, etc.  I hear in support group all the time, "I don't have time to hit the gym"...ok, then find an exercise person who can come show people little things they can do when they have 5-10 MIN here or there.  Stretches at your desk or in your car, etc.  Granted, that doesn't make up for a set exercise routine, but something is better than nothing.  Things like that.  Who knows...I'm just pulling stuff off the top of my head.  Been a long night!

From my PMs with Kim at OH, I'm gathering this is a whole new 'attempt on her part-to please US. I had asked to read last week's thread, where we talked about it, and she obviously took it to heart.

Perhaps the 3-5 thing is not "set in stone", or maybe it's the only time slot left. I've never been an event coordinaor, so don't know how these things work. I DO know November is many, many months away, and I'm not going to say NOW that I woulsn't make the effort to be there early. Many of us have at the hotel by 3pm on the Friday of previous conference weekends. If we can't make an effort, when someone is trying to HEAR us, then maybe we need to shut up and not compain. Ok..that's my menopausal, old woman take on it..

Well said.

and this perimenopausal old woman is going to DISagree on that.... If we don't speak for what we need, then we have to sit back and take it. Sounds like what happens PRE WLS when there is no self confidence to speak for what we need.

I think this still being February and them telling us about the 3pm option is plenty of time to know if anyone can be available. Or, as Kim stated, they are working on more options on Saturday. 

I very very much appreciate Kim's efforts as well as those behind the scenes.  They are hearing us..

Not complaining -  simply speaking up for what we need.  Too old and hormonal myself.  Just being realistic. 

Sounds like there might be some options for us on Saturday and for that I am very grateful.

AND if there is anything that I can do all the way over  here in NB, please let me know.  I am many other oldtimers would be happy to help in any way we can.

I would love to have a grad session.  Perhaps Saturday would be better, but we'll take what they'll give us.  A round table discussion type session might be good so that grads could just openly discussion what they're going through on a day to day and week to week basis with a moderator.

Karla

KARLA-I wish you wouls mail that idea to Kim-it sounds GREAT-pls see her post at the top of the page