Daily Post--2/8/08

Okay, put on your thinking caps! Today's post is a thought you must complete... The hardest thing I've faced in this journey is.... What is YOUR answer?? Lea

For me, I would have to say that the hardest thing has been exercising. I simply could NOT exercise preop. I was 410 pounds and have two knees that are bone on bone plus degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine. Not only was it hard for me to try to exercise, my orthopedist was telling me NOT to. So, of course, I didn't. Then, as a postop, you have docs and peers alike telling you to get moving! Well, even as the weight came off, with the not taking the NSAIDs for my arthritis and joint inflammation, the last thing I wanted to do was move more. And, it has been the pattern for the biggest part of my journey. I simply don't exercise enough. Luckily, it didn't hinder my loss for the first year or so. But, now that I am 17 1/2 mos out, I can tell you that I wish I had done more exercising and that I know that exercise is the ONLY way I'll ever see onederland... Today, I walked 2 1/2 miles and did my regular household and farm chores. Day one in a long line of days to come! LOL Lea

Right now I think for me the biggest thing I have faced is the inability to keep even water down. I just recently got scoped and dialated after a stricture so I am hoping this will put an end to it. I have struggled since surgery with this constant battle to keep food and water down, I am dehydrated constantly and I am so so tired all the time. Of course having gouty arthritis and not being able to keep down my medicine has made my body ache and I haven't even begun a exercise program yet. I'm sure as time goes by there will be other struggles but there will be victories too so I will be happy with that! Kellie

My struggle is also exercising. I do really good for awhile and then one day I'm to tired and then it just is hard to start up again. I sprained my ankle and twisted my foot so I have a splint on it right now so I'm not excercising. I also know that if I don't start excersing everyday it's going to take a lot longer to get the weight off. I'm trying to do the 10,000 steps a day thing right now and am usually getting at least that, but I need to do more workout stuff for my legs, stomach, and arms. Barb

I think probably exercise. I started out doing well with biking, walking, workout tapes, but then I stopped to do our taxes, stuff like that and I can't seem to get back at it. Since this has happened, I have notice an increase of "head hunger", and it is really bad at times. Jules

I guess if I were to be honest, I would have to say that the hardest thing for me during this journey is not eating for comfort. I was a really big emotional eater before, and now, I can't get that comfort from food. I guess I am still trying to find another way, because the couple of times I've tried (please don't flame me) I paid dearly for it. I either dumped or threw up, and it's not worth it. I DON'T want to get back to where I started. It's just made me realize I have to deal with whatever is causing these problems, and find a better more productive way to deal with it. I'm now learning to put the headphones on and just get away for a few minutes alone. Christy

Honestly, it was the night b4 surgery obsession about dying under the knife and then the two weeks postop because that was torturous..not cause I was hungry but cause my head said I wanted/needed food and I don't consider 6 oz. Boost nutrition a day FOOD..I never want to see that garbage again...I have turned the page and life is good again...Laura

Being patient with my slower than expected weight loss. It's been so hard to read stories of people who have lost 50 pounds right away and here I was two months out with maybe 25 pounds. I know everyone is different. I get that. But it sucks to be doing everything you're supposed to do and not get the rewards that you see other people getting.

This is a hard one for me.I really haven't had any major problems.Being impatient about the weight loss the first couple of months and now trying to get off the last 15.Most everything else has been a positive experience. Patti

The stalls. I seem to be on a stall more often than losing and I really try very hard. Carla