What's worked for me?

We read about it all the time people feeling like they have got off track, so I think for those having those problems try reverting back to memories of what life was like X number of weeks, months, years ago. That alone should motivate us to be the best. We can all be successful at this. It's all about being healthy and happy. Be happy with yourself, remember who you once were health wise, and make good choices. Any ways I get emailed a lot about this and thought I'd post it here. What I do: Besides the regular stuff (Water, Protein and Exercise (key thing), I also do the following. 1. Make small goals (example: first 50 pounds, get under 400,300,200 etc) most importantly is not the number but WHAT you can do now.... Tie my shoes, swim, walk....etc 2. Keep a journal When you read back you can see how far you've come! This has helped me so much. I'll read back on a sad day or I'll remember something I did for the first time and relive the joy all over again. 3. Take pictures! As much as you hate seeing yourself in the beginning pictures are VERY important, this is also a reminder of who you once where. 4. When it comes to the evil scale.... I weight ONLY once a week. If you become a scale slave you will torture yourself with ups and downs. 5. Plateaus DO happen... When you have a plateau don't beat yourself up over it. Keep on track and don't get depressed. What will depression do for most of us? We want to eat! BAD BAD BAD! 6. Do NOT compare yourself to others We are all different. Our bodies work differently after surgery, it doesn't matter if so and so is losing faster than you, in the end we all catch up. 7. Don't kill yourself over having a cookie, a few chips, a CARB....etc Ok so you've made a mistake in your book, I don't look at it this way, this is where relearning comes from. It's not really a cookie, it's the amount, we have to relearn what our limits are, I'm not going to get upset because I ate a cookie, I make adjustments in my diet to allow for something special if I want it and feel good with myself knowing when to stop! 8.Always always follow what YOUR surgeon/nutritionist told you. It's wonderful to get advise from those who've lived it, but our surgeon/nutritionist knows what's best for US. Even those who go to the same surgeon/nutritionist can get different advice. Example: What one person's weight calories wise requires another person might need more or less calories. 9. Attend support groups! Why you might ask? It gives you a comfort zone and a place to know you are NOT alone, there are others struggling. You learn good information and for me it's keep me motivated to do even better. 10.Be happy with yourself. For some of us that might mean having to see a therapist. Sometimes we can't work through issues on our own and need the additional support, if you are post op and find yourself extremely depressed, it might not be the surgery it might be you are not happy with you. For you to be more successful you have to know YOU ARE WORTH IT. Anyway's these are things that have worked for me and thought I'd share them with you. They help me each day. Amy 615/340/Healthy (-275lbs)

THANK YOU for this post! You are always such an inspiration to me! Reading through this reminds me where I'm at ans where I've come from! (And where I DON'T want to go back to!!!) Much Dee Dee

Amy, DITTO to Dee Dee's comments. Thanks for helping all of us. You really ARE an inspiration, and a great help. And contratulations on -275! Cheryl