I think I am treading on thin ice! (looking for support)

   I hope this is just another unexpected stage of my weightloss journey. I have encountered a dangerous mental spot and I am struggling to figure out how to come out on the other side.
  
    First, I bought a new scale about 10 days ago. I knew that the old one was broken, bu****ching the new one weigh heavier made me feel discouraged. (I realize how ridiculous this sounds.) So that was the first thing in a series of events.
   Next, my have had a short battle of illness run its course through the house. My little one, my hubby (whinier than the little one), then myself. My exercise got derailed as a result. (all i needed was the excuse)
   I have experienced a little stall. (realize its normal, but it is is aggravating nonetheless. I am following ALL the principles and not losing with a long way to go.) It doesn't help that I have let myself get caught up in the comparison game. (again, I relize this is ridiculous behavior.)
   Then, at a church function Sat., a visitor made a crude comment of a sexual nature. It was an outright come-on. I felt exposed and vulnerable. I have lost my invisibility and I am very uncomfortable with it. (This is the stage where I have sabotaged myself in EVERY previous weightloss attempt.)
   Finally, I came on to lurk over the weekend. (Doing it less these days because I am busy and there has been a tinge of negativity on the board I frequent.) Of course, there was another surgery war. This has been like the third really negative set of posts in the last week. People are people, but this is my only support system and it kinda stinks.

I guess I just feel myself slipping down a slippery slope and I am trying to get my head straight before it is too late. I know this post rambled, but I needed to vent and was hoping for some emotional support. Please tell my this all passes and the mental stuff gets easier.

I have been trying to think of something inspirational to tell you...but I am not that good at that kind of stuff.  I will tell you that I hope things get better and stay off the stupid scale...(Good advice from someone who doesn't follow it huh?)

When I get in a funk, I try to think of all the positives about this surgery.  I try to think about how I felt before I had it and how badly I wanted it.  I know most of your stuff isn't surgery related...but try to think of the progress you are making and let the other stuff go.

Exercise is my worst problem.  I never get to work out consistently.  I keep telling myself tomorrow, things won't be as hectic.  But that never happens.  We just have to keep trying.  I know when I am consistent, how much better I feel. 

Good luck...hope this week is better for you.  :)

thanks for the positive words. Very encouraging and when I look at the WHYs of WLS, 1 reason only, health, health, health. I guess the rest doesn't matter. Especially the numbers. =o) I definitely know i am better than  used to be, because I did climb back on the exercise horse this week, and I wouldn't have in the past. Thanks again for making me look to the positives.

I can't tell you the mental stuff gets easier.  Even though they tell us WLS is not the easy way out we believe it until we start to struggle. 

You do need to find a way to deal with the negative feelings you are having.  Please do not let others actions affect your progress.  We can not change others, but WE CAN change how we react to them and their negative behaviors.

I  feel you on the sabotaging yourself when you are getting negative or positive attention from the opposite sex.  (church function)  You read my post and this was part of my self - sabotage.  Any attention received from the opposite sex made me want to retreat and go back in my shell of being invisible. Well I learned my lesson and this will not happen again. I don't want you to end up in the boat I am in now. See a therapist if need be, but do something. 

I agree with you self comparison is totally not good at all.  I can't remember what surgery you had but it will get better.

My biggest recommendation to you is to think positive, persevere, and be patient.  My 3 P's.  Keep the faith and keep up the good work!  You can do this!!  BTW- are you exercising almost everyday now? 

thank you for the encouragement. It was exactly what i needed and was looking for. I will be looking into the groups you suggested. thanks again mollie, you are fabulous!

I also higly recommend you join below group.  It is a wonderful positive group of people and the leader of the group is absolutely the best.  If you join, please post this message and you will get some positive feedback for sure.  Trust me!!  Sending you a big HUG!! You can do whatever you put your mind to.  Just never give up!  BTW - if this is your only support system, then it does not pay for you to be a lurker...:-)  We have no way of knowing you need help if you do post it.  Many just post when they have good news.  It is important to post when struggling also.  If I had not posted when I was struggling back in March thru June I would not be where I am today regarding getting back on track.  Not sure what groups you have been in but all the forums and groups I am in are excellent.  Another suggestion is Back on Track Together.  Just copy your post you made today on both of these groups and you will feel the love honey.  and get some good feedback to help you stay the course. 

WLS Success-through Poweful Positive Attitudes -

Welcome to WLS Success through Powerful Positive Attitudes! Experience a place of ultimate understanding and support through unconditional love.  There will be no negativity here.  We are adding life to our years...not years to our life.

Link:  http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/yvonnegroup/welcome/

It's good that you are able to write about it. Once you recognize the slippery slope, you can come up with solutions. It's really when you stop caring that it gets really bad.

Maybe you can go back through your post, and look at all the reasons things aren't looking up, and come up wtih a solution, and either post them here, or in a blog.

And about the internet, there is enough positive to outshadow the little bits of negativity. But either way, just try and skip past them, and just realize its the internet, where words get thrown around carelessly and without thought.

you are definitely right about the good outweighing the bad. I don't know what I would do with out this site. It was invaluable after my surgery. I also love the accountability. thanks you for your suggestions. I do realize that since I didn't have surgery b/c of the number, (but because of health issues) I need to quit focusing on it. That silly number is what is going to get me in trouble. thanks again.

I think it's pretty normal to get into funky head spaces, but what's important is what you do with them. You always have a choice, you can dwell on them or you can acknowledge them and let them go. 

My unsolicited and purely observational advice, is to stay the course. Keep following "the rules" and the scale will move down. Patience is a virtue!

Hang in there gurl hugs!

thanks! and if I haven't said so, I LOVE your new avi!!!! You look so pretty and happy!! It makes me smile!