Time to ease up on myself

For about the last year I have been pretty hard on myself because I have felt I did not use the surgery as well as I should have.  I have pretty much based this soley on weight.  In the first 6 months, I lost 137 and promptly put 5 back on.  This left me in the 242-245 range.  Looking at the charts I am still obese with a BMI around 31.  Anyway, I have been hard on myself because of this.  Well as of this morning, I am still in the 242-245 range.  On the way back from my balloon festival in New York, I realized that for the last year, I have kept the weight off.  I have a bunch of skin around my middle and probably a little fat too but for the most part, my body is solid.  At this time, I think my body has settled into where it wants to be and I think that I am okay with that. Here is the big thing:  Don't be so okay with it that the weight begins to creep up again.  Assuming, I can hold it in check, I am feeling pretty good about what I have done. Scott

I'd agreed with you about unsatisfied contentment.  You've lost ALOT of weight and have become very active. Time with kids and runnig marathons and various events.  You have an active life back and you cheer up and motivate many, present party included. I'm kinda in a similar position with the weight los slowed to a frustrating level and while I'd love to lose another 50-60 pounds to get to my original goal weight, my life is soooo much improved, if I didn't drop another ounce, I couldn't complain.  But I haven't stopped trying . Just stay on the program or get closer to the program if you've strayed, you don't want to go back to the old habits and the old weight,...you've come to far to sabotage yourself or stop doing what got yuo back to where you are. Thanks for all of the encouragement and support.  I'm glad you are giving some to yourself.

It amazes me how my perspective has changed.  I actually listed my goal as 225-240.  I have been real close for a year and like you, if I stay here for the rest of my life, I win.  Thanks for your support. Scott

scott, scott, scott.....i have to agree with joe on this one. i've watched you really turn into something special on this board. a lot of the guys have really turned their lives around. actually, that statement works for everyone i know on this board. you in particular seemed to magnify the joy of parenthood and exercise. you kept a level head and a good working record of your loss and where you were going with it. like the rest of us you had your demons with food and grazing but you beat it by coming here and staying accountable. you,AJ and a couple of others have been a real inspiration when it comes to the 50 mile challange. that's an unbelievable accomplishment in itself. to go from just sitting around to what you guys do.

if you never lose another pound you'll always be a winner and someone i look up to........carbonblob

Thanks CB.  It is tough to look at the big picture sometimes but you are right.  If I stay on top of it and be vigilant all is well.  Thanks again. Scott

I guess this is where I'm kind of lucky.  I didn't come into this with a set goal weight in mind.  I had the surgery with the goal of becoming healthy.   I've hit a couple of plateaus, and then had this huge setback with getting the bacterial meningitis and spending a month in the hospital.  Kind of a good news bad news thing - bad news:  You spend a month in the hospital.  Good news:  You lost 25-30 lbs and are down to your high school graduation weight. (300 lbs - I've lost over 350 lbs so far in the last year). You have to look at it like this:  If you're healthy, if you're active, and if you're loving life - then this has been a HUGE success for you.   Like it was stated - you've motivated me quite a bit,, Scott - I just hope I can do the same for others.  Keep it up!!

"You have to look at it like this:  If you're healthy, if you're active, and if you're loving life - then this has been a HUGE success for you".  Well there you have it.  With a resting pulse in the high 40's, an abnormally low BP, back pain reduced by 90%, etc......  I guess I have been a success.  Thanks man. Scott

Scott, A Year Stable Weight? Kicks A$$!! You’re running marathons!! You should be "feeling pretty good" about you! I ‘dodged the ‘psyche-bullet’ on this one by setting a ‘lowered expectation’ than many. Rather than the "Ripped / Buff and Muscle-Man" Goal with the 6% to 12% body-fat business, I was content to just dip my toe into Normal Range BMI. Not being a particularly muscled man to start with, I could have easily gotten another 20 lbs off and been really in the middle of "Normal." (I just can’t help but be skeptical of the BMI figures that rank Will Smith as Over-weight, and Harrison Ford and Sylvester Stallone as Obese. You should keep that in mind when you need a smile…) I was lucky that I had ‘other things’ in mind as I started off on "My Journey." Like living, getting out of ICU, walking, having my guts back on the inside and picky crap like that to keep me from fretting over reaching Goal! J My real goal, was just to be healthy and have an active life. Looks like we both made that one! I had the same 5lb. "bounce back," but it’s stayed in that range now for right at 3 years now. A very savvy guy who used to post here in "The Olden Times" (Tek) once passed on- (and I awkwardly paraphrase him to Death!) "If you Really had all of this done to have a Happy Healthy Life, Then go have a Happy Healthy Life! If you Really did it to look good, you may never get there. Change your Goal and get Happy!" I’m one month from my 4 year mark, and if I Really wanted it, I could drop another 20. I’m happy enough here. Life’s to short to trim off years, and far too long to not find the Fun parts. Keep on Living Life, and the other stuff will be easy to hold in check. Hey, if you get bored, you can always save your pennies and go get some cut off! PS is a wonder! Proud of you always Balloon-Man! Best Wishes- Dx

I remember Tek.  He had a great perspective on things.  I agree with his quote but it's just taking a while (in my head) to apply to me.   Healthy and Active - Check! I have my 18 month checkup on the 6th and we are going to discuss PS.  I do have an incisonal hernia that may help with approval.  My problem will be getting time off of work.   Thank you for your support and knowledge for the last few years.  This board would not be what it is without you. Scott

Spoken like a man who'd **** in his own ice cream!   That was classic!  For those of you that have not heard the story - Scott exorcised some demons **** cream) one night by ******g in it.  Needless to say hey lost his taste for ice cream.  Now that's creative thinking! Scott - you've done what you need to do...you're a healthier man and a man who seized the opportunity to make your impossible possible.  Be proud!  You've accomplished a great deal since surgery and DUDE, YOU RAN A FREAKIN MARATHON AT DISNEY!   You've been the first to admit it's not been without difficulties.  So what?  Nothing that's worth it ever is!   Be happy and keep fighting the good fight!  And thanks for motivating me and others in the Locker Room to climb a little higher and push a little harder.  Cards Fan