so much to lose

Good thread here; definitely a topic we all relate to. Over the past 18 months since my RNY, I clung to my old clothes with a weird attachment I don't really understand. They seemed to still fit even after 100 lbs. lost, and for some reason my underwear (Size 14) still weren't falling off my hips and waist 150 lbs. down! WTH?!

The advice provided here is all invaluable. A new-to-you, much smaller sized outfit every 30 lbs. or so does wonders...as does a monthly front, side, rear and close-up photo the first of each month (and measurements at least bi-monthly). A new haircut or hairstyle after many lbs. also uplifts our mood. Have fun playing with more cutting edge makeup and clothing as you melt; it can be fun!

I'm over 185 lbs. down 18 months later, still working on losing and toning to my personal goal of under 200 lbs. (I'm 203!)...I have a goal of insurance-approved plastic surgery by end of summer 2011, and I want to get down as low as I can and get as strong as I can be so the painful recovery won't be as traumatic.

Don't forget to take out your monthly pics and measurements in order to appreciate your loss. After your loss is really substantial, to the point where others have to notice and may hardly recognize the new you, you will glow with pride! Enjoy this wild ride; the first 18 months are truly life-changing in a very very good way!

PeaCe!

~Linda

PS: Peggy, you look great! Your post made me tear up, friend!

Yep.  I have lost 114 lb and I am still fat.  I am still wearing the same tops, but my pant size went from 68 to 58.  Its hard when no one notices.  I can't believe I was 445, where was the weight on me.  Some of the people in my weight loss class started at my weight now.

kevin

Kevin, catch a sale and buy some new shirts.  Not only are yours too big, they probably showing some wear.  I'll bet you will look sharp!  Way to go, Loris

Absolutely.  I started at 380 (BMI of 57.4) and am currently 218 (BMI of 32.9).  It took awhile of losing before folks that didn't know about my surgery made comments.  But, time eventually passes.  And soon folks are making comments and sometimes you don't want them to :) 

It has frustrated me at times to know that folks are having surgery around the weight that I'm at after losing 160+ lbs.  But as others have pointed out, we each have our own journey.  I know women who have 10 extra pounds and those pounds bother them to such an extreme - we cannot possibly understand someone elses journey or judge it  - no matter how much our first reaction is to do so.  

Given my history, I don't think I'll ever reach a "normal" BMI - I'm not sure I even want to, quite honestly.  Right now I'm aiming for 180 (I'm 5'8.25"), which is still in the overweight category.  Some days I believe I'll get there and other days I have a ton of self doubt.  The notion of getting under 200 lbs blows my mind - I can't concieve it.  When you spend your entire adulthood seeing 3 - -  on the scale and have struggled so much to lose weight, it's hard to have a deep belief that this can be done.  I'm working on it though! 

     My heaviest weight was 390.   That was my breaking point.  I just wanted to die.  No clothes in Catherines would fit any more.  I never thought I could  get to a point the clothes in a plus size would not fit anymore.   Size 36w  is the max and was get tite.  I was so depressed.

      I working on getting surgery.  I lose down to 364 pounds.   Which on any giving day  can be different because water weight. I can over get of lose ten pounds of ten to 15 pounds of fluid.  My doctor can,t understand how lose 20 pound and the next I go into his office . I gain 15 back.
     I  would give anything to be a 180 pounds. 
  I alway thought I would kill to be a 120 pounds.  I last time I was 120 pounds in 4 grade. 
       My nephew wife weight 120 pounds now.  She was a head  cheerleader at her college in Boston.      A hundred and 120 pounds is the heaviest is has ever weigh in her life.   She has to really eat just to stay a normal weight.  
    Sometime I wish were her.   But, almost died because of self- image.   She a Gymnast since the age of  worked out and trained all day long..  Everybody you coaches on you to be thin to be the best.   She was 15 was weighed 92 pounds.  Anorexia is serious disease.   When was 17 and weight 88 pounds.    She almost  died until her father stepped in a saved her life.  He could not believe the coachs let this happen and did not think anything was wrong.

   She is 24 now an has to healthy 2 year old twins and is happily married.  She is dietian at Texas children hospital.  Helping children and Teenagers with eating disorders.  I though I want to be thin at any cost.  But, She has lived a sad life and gone throught her own jouney with food.  

     I know is freaked her out the she met her husbands family.  Because,  When not just fat we are huge.  Sometime I know wants us to lose weight and be healthy.  But,  It seems so hopely.  She doesn,t think having the weight loss surgery is the way to go about it. But, I can,t understand how she thinks I am going to lose this weight without surgery.   I watch my brother died at 40 years old his weight was 550 pounds.  Skinny people don,t understand what it is like to be trapped in your own body.  Unable to walk without pain.

wow...thank you all so much for your replies!!! I do feel better now...I can relate to all your posts. It always feels better to know that there are others out there who understand!
Another hard part of losing this much weight...I cannot possibly tell my family how much I actually weighed. no way. so when I say, I lost 56lbs..they say, "wow, that's great, how much more do you have to lose?"...I just say.."Alot.".. LOL I feel weird, but hiding is part of being 400lbs. I can't say to my family...hey, I have 200lbs to lose. I think their jaws would drop right off! LOL
thank you all so very much for the support. I love this forum!

If that is the case about jaws falling off...my whole family's heads would fall right off their necks! LOL

I'm glad you're feeling better! And just to think...each day will get better and better!!

I started taking pics of myself from my first visit back to the surgeon after surgery and now take them every chance I get. Amazingly, i have lost over 300 lb and yes...i too..am still FAT! lol but the difference now is that i can walk...and yes...RUN (maybe just for about 7 minutes at a time but hey...forrest gump wasn't made in a day right? lol), fit in any chair, fly on airplanes without concern and omg...the clothes...the wonderful wonderful clothes LOL

Do no be discouraged!!!! I don't care if someone started at 200 and made it to goal in 60 days. This is my journey...I did it for myself and I fully intend to enjoy everyday that my life has become that much better as each pound melts away.

People notice now...and say i look great...that's wonderful because i feel great. But honestly, since i woke up from my surgery i have always felt like...i have a secret...my secret is my tool and its the most wonderful tool in the world. It's going to take me over 2 years to get down to my goal weight and then the plastics...blah blah blah...I could not wait that long to start enjoying my life.

Enjoy yourself...whether people notice right now or not, you know how you feel and afterall...that is what is most important.

Congratulations on your current loss and Good Luck on your journey...I know you're going to do a FABULOUS job!

Congrats on weight loss and keep up the good work!!!   If people can not see a weight loss, they can't see it.....:-)  That is not their fault or yours.  I understand but I guess I was never depending on others compliments to define what I losing.  You are right though we are in a whole other category.  I did not know they were giving VSG's to people who only weigh 200 pounds.  Interesting.

My own sister does not notice my weight loses unless I lose a bunch of weight.  So don't despair they will notice soon enough and you my be surprised.  You may not like all of the attention you will be getting.  I know I did not at 1st.  It was a bit overwhelming indeed!!  So overwhelming that I gained back weight.  But I am back on track now and will be OK with reactions of others.  Like my Mom notices it now an a few others have but for the most part now have noticed that I have re-lost weight.    But you better believe they noticed the gain! lol!  

My friend last night told me she could not tell that I had gained 80 pounds!  i could have kissed her.  I said oh yes I had and I could not wear summer clothes from last year so the pounds do not lie whether people notice or not.  Because for me you could not notice my gain until about 40 or 50 pounds also. 

You are doing wonderful!!!!  Make changes and honeymoon period work for you for a life time!! Keep us posted of your progress.

 Congrats on losing what you have!

I totally understand what you're saying. I started out over 400 and am only 3 weeks out, so I know it will be a LONG time before I see any real difference. It's hard when I see people fly to goal in a few months...but if it takes me longer, so what? It was still worth it. :)

Congrats on your weight loss so far  .... I am 5' not quite 2" and started at a BMI of 63.. 347lbs....
I had the same feelings about having so much to lose..
I have now lost 159lbs and coming up on my surgiversary..
I now can see a huge difference and am feeling Great .. I still have a way's to go to even come close to a normal BMI, But the way I feel now is a million times better than I did before.. So you just have to take it day by day and you will get through this.. Never mind about people noticing the weight loss you just keep your head up and go forward in your Journey , You will get there before you know it.. Good luck !! KC