Struggling Preop

Hey fellas. I started my supervised 4 month diet a few months ago. Up to now I've lost about 50lbs.  Lately I have been really stressed out and have found myself a few days a week not following my diet plan as well and I started smoking a few cigerettes a day.  Granted Its no where near to what i used to eat and smoke, but I know if i continue down this road I'll be back at way over eating and smoking a pack a day. My execise plan is still going steady, I work out at least a hour a day and with losing this little bit of weight I've seen huge improvements with my mobililty. I guess why I'm posting is that I need maybe a little tough love and some support. I have my third weigh in next week, today I plan on going back to the starting line and get back into my diet plan. Thanks for taking the time for reading this.

 Dude, don't belittle yourself and your accomplishments by saying that 50lbs is a "little bit of weight"!

 50lbs is a big amount of weight, even though you may not feel it yourself... although you said you've already seen big improvements with your mobility!

 You *KNOW* what you have to do... 

 It's not easy, it's not going to be fun.

 But you HAVE to do it... for you!
 
 You admitted you indulged, and you were honest with yourself about it.

 You'll be on the right track again within no time!

 Keep up the great work!

You've lost 50 pounds?  In four months?  Pre-Op? 
I dream about numbers like that.
Focus on the positive.  You are obviously doing something right.
Everybody screws up now and then.
Throw away the cigarettes.  Keep exercising.  Make it happen.
Good Luck!

Thanks guys. I know i shouldnt get down on myself, but its just frustrating knowing that i still need to lose 200+ lbs. On the brightside after next weeks weightin I can finally schedule my first appt with my surgeon. Hopefully everything goes well.

We all have days or weeks both pre and post op where life challenges us, so like the others have said don't get to down on yourself and acknowledge that you have made a major accomplishment.

Now for your requested tough love.

Remember that this surgery is not a cure for being obese it is a tool to help you lose weight and over the long haul it will be up to you on how effective it is.  Life will continue to challenge you post op and many times it will be a greater challenge due to the fat that so much of post op life can be a total mind **** as many here will agree.  It is during these times that we have to dig deep and stay on course because the end goal is well worth the fight.

As for smoking?  Well why do one thing to get healthy and enjoy life to only possibly screw it up with the wonderful effects to your health the smoking can bring to the party?  Again no one can make you do it and regardless of what the TV might say there is no miracle cure.  The way to overcome this is to once again dig deep and fight for what the end goal is.

You aren't alone in this and you aren't the first one to be eperiencing what you are. Many people before you have fought these same battles some have overcome some may not hav, but if you talk with those who have I am sure they will agree that even on the most difficult day it was worth the fight.

Good Luck!

Matt,

I think you're doing great with 50 lbs pre-op!!

One thing that has helped me is tracking my food in-take. I use www.myfitnesspal.com. Can either enter my foods via the PC or on my cell phone. Their data base is extensive the all you have to do is search for your food and they've got all the stats saved for it.

I do quite a bit of travel for work and often find myself having to eat out or do fast food. So, when I eat the "wrong" stuff for one meal, myfitnesspal helps me see where I need to cut down on the next meal to stay close to my daily goals.

This really helps because I don't feel guilty or kick myself in the butt when I can't eat correctly. I just know to adjust my next meal to compensate.

Keep up the good work and best of luck getting approval.

Hey Matt, that is fantastic weight loss.  Don't beat yourself up over a few setbacks.  Keep as faithful to the diet as you can and keep your eye on the prize.  I would be more worried about smoking again as that is terrible post-op for healing after surgery and should really kick that habit now forever as the benefits will truly be long term. Just as any FYI if Tufts Medical Center finds out that you are smoking right up to your surgery they will cancel or delay it and actually test you for tobacco.  They take it that seriously and realize how detrimental it is to healing post op.  Throw the cigarettes away now.  Good luck and post if you need more help.

Matt, I can truly understand your thinking. I spent a lot of time with the same train of thought. At 400 pounds, it was easy to think that I could lose 100 lb and still be fat. WTF. That's the self-loathing that, although we'd deny it is even there, keeps us overweight.

Here's the bottom line. You can allow yourself to sabotage this opportunity. Or, you can decide that it is finally time to own up to your problem, because if you don't take ownership, no surgery, diet, exercise regimen or act of god will keep you thin even if the tools allowed you to get there.

You may never have a model's body. I know I won't. But I do know that there are many things that I have not been able to enjoy. And, I'm tired of letting my body hold me back.

Good luck. And I hope you decide to keep up the good work,

Jumping on the bandwagon. You are doing great. These are the skills you need to develop to be successful afterwards. Keep it up. Thou can always reset back to plan when you feral challenged. So us that. Once you have your pouch you can weild it like a weapon as well while you follow the plan.

Great job with the pre op weight loss. I too lost 50 before and I think it has been a big help in this journey.  It's normal to have slip ups is how you get back at it that changes.  good luck and ask lots of questions on here there lots of helpful WLS vets here.