It's my 3rd surgiversary & WLS surgery success

Hi Folks,
Saturday was my third surgiversary. It's hard to believe that 3 years has passed. For those new on your journey, I can tell you that WLS is well worth it. It has made quite an impact on my life. The list below comes from my current blog post on the anniversary. These are ten tips I think made all the difference in my journey.
Tom

Tom’s Top 10 Weight Loss Surgery Success Tips

1. Eat healthy!
   Look in your cart next time you go grocery shopping. The cart should contain low fat, low sugar, high fiber and high protein foods. Read the nutrition labels as you shop.
2. Celebrate life!
   Too many people have a fear of food. You should be able to eat foods that you enjoy. Be aware of quantity and frequency when enjoying foods that don’t fit the bariatric diet.
3. Love yourself!
   Don’t beat yourself up over the pounds your wanted to lose but didn’t. Get yourself out of being a prisoner to the scale. Judge your success by other non-scale factors.
4. Be active!
   I integrated cycling into my life. That has made me a more active person. I now find myself more likely to participate in active events. Beging active directly relates to being a happy person.
5. Enjoy exercise!
   It should not be a chore. It may take you some time, but you need to find an exercise routine that you love. You will be surprised how fast exercise goes when you enjoy it.
6. Lose the fat guy!
   Too often people lose weight but don’t let go of their former body image. Acknowledge that you are a new person and live in that new person’s body.
7. Support yourself!
   Acknowledge that you need support. My weight loss buddies are still there for me three years later. The power of a support network can not be underestimated.
8. Be vigilant!
   Weight loss surgery gave you a tool to lose weight. You are now responsible in making sure that you maintain a healthy weight. It’s not rocket science.
9. Challenge yourself!
   I love to challenge myself to reach new heights. I find that my life expands at an ever faster rate when I open myself up to new experiences.
10. Live life!
    I have come to know that weight loss is more about getting a second chance at living life to the fullest rather than looking good in front of a mirror.

Tom

Thanks for the great tips and congrats on your 3rd surgeversary! As a newbie(2 months post-op) these tips are great advice for those of us just starting out on this journey. I will definitely take them to heart. Here's to many more surgeversaries in your future and continued success and health!!

Craig

Hi!

I can't believe it has been 3 years for you and almost for me.  Thanks for the tips!  Great reminder for everyone.  It is so much fun to be active!!!! 

Thanks, Meg

Time passes fast and the the six months I was pre-op and probably through the first year post-op, this place was my home. I met so many nice folks on here. Actually, Aaron from MD and Rich from CT are still great buds.  -- Tom

I wish I had done the same.

But am glad I am doing this now.

:)

looking forward to getting to know y'all

Tom,

Congrats on your Surgiversary.  I printed out a copy of the Success tips you posted.  These are very good reminders of where we've come from and where we're going.

Sandy

Wow, congratulations on 3 year mark. Here in Colorado, they call it your new birthday. It is such a new beginning.

You are an inspiration. Would love to follow your blog. Can use all the like minded folks who have been thru it, as reinforcing all we are doing here. It is all about  reclaiming our lives.

living life to the fullest

a very good thing~

Congrats!!!!  For me, exercise is out of the question as much as I want it.  Severe tendonitis in a shoulder and both feet keep me on my ass when I really want to be out there doing my thing! 

Thanks for the tips :)

Belated congrats on the surgiversary and your great success.

I really appreciate your success tips. Lots of great wisdom in them.

Thanks for your tips. Good to see someone 3 years out posting!