Newbie here!!!

Hello. I am so glad that OH added this board. This is wonderful. Well I guess I should give you some background info: I am 34 years old and a mother to 3. I have been overweight for 8 years now and wanted to get gastric but found out insurance will not cover it. So I have been dieting for almost 2 months now. I started herbalife and have been very happy with the results. About 30+++ pounds down!! I did join a gym but have yet to show up. Since having even lost 30 pounds I have so much more energy so I do move a ton more during the day. I have ideally about 100 more to go but I cant think that big yet. I am an emotional eater so nightime is VERY hard for me. Thats when all the kids are in bed and I can finally breathe so things that have been bothering me creep up on me. I have been eating rice cakes only at night or the occasional pretzel. I have been keeping my caloric intake around 1500-1700 a day. Compared to the 4000 I was eating this summer............. Many of my friends are getting the suregery. It is wonderful to see them down 100+ pounds in a few months but it also makes me depressed. I have been working my ass off and am nowhere near that. Another one of my friends (who has never really stuck to any diet since I have known her) will also be getting the surgery. Its very hard to stay motivated when she makes snide comments about how I have to watch what I eat or workout and she doesnt. I dont think she means it but it still stings......... I also have 2 disabled children and that takes a TON out of me emotionaly. I stay at home and sometimes feel my life is so consumed with getting what everyone else wants that many times I feel pushed aside. Sorry this was so long but I guess I needed to vent. I will be purchasing a new scale this week so hopefully I can get some numbers up here. Take care and see you all on the skinny side!!!!!!!!!! Pattie

hi! your friend must not have did enough research on the surgery to think she doesn't have to watch what she eats. She will find out on her own soon enough. I am not new to this site, but am new to this board. maybe we can all help each other out.

Sounds great Teresa!!! I was also thinking of joining overeaters annonomous. So how long have you been on this journey?

The fat journey or the wls journey? Ok, i have been fat most of my life. I have wanted wls 4 years. But i have been reading about people several years out having major problems. I just need to focus and lose the weight. It is so hard. But i have done it before, i have to do it again..

First, welcome aboard! Second, your friend is in for a rude awakening if she thinks the surgery alone will cure her weight issues. It is merely a tool, and she will have to put some work in. Kudos to you for giving it another try and on your progress so far!

"I have been working my ass off and am nowhere near that." First of all, welcome to the board! It took me almost 3 years to lose 120 pounds. Your friends had better learn good habits or those pounds they lost in a flash will be right back on. Try not to let it get you down that they're losing so fast. You'll learn healthy habits that will help you keep the weight off for a lifetime! Good luck, Juli

I too was refused insurance coverage and have to do it on my own so I hope we can all support each other -- I joined ww in hopes that it will work I am only on week 2 as you are I am to an emotional eater but not from small kids mine are grown and I am on my second go round of worry with them but anyway I think I have to stop blaming my eating habits on emotional happenings and take hold of my lifestyle of eating wow that sounded good --now just see if I can do it easier said than done (ha) Is herbalife good and do you just drink that or do you have any meals? Do you have to take vitamin supplements? Is it expensive? Thanks for your reply and have a blessed day Chris

I noticed in a later post that you are thinking of joining Overeaters Anonymous. I recommend it. I haven't lost much weight yet, but am making changes to do so. I have been on so many diets it isn't even funny. I just can't "diet" any more (eat a restrictive food plan). I started out on OA's Basic Plan #1, and by next week, will switch to Basic Plan #2. #2 has less food and definitely, less carbs. I am currently working Step Eight, and I have a wonderful sponsor. Recently, my father died, and my sponsor has gone through the same thing. She also helped me to get more hours with another company as a home health aide. Please be aware that OA is a spiritual program. But it gives you alot of latitude in that area, so don't feel you have to become a "religious freak" to work their program. I'm not very religious, yet it works just fine for me. With OA, you get personal growth along with weight loss. I wish you luck, and welcome to our Board! Denise Phares

Hi again all!! Thanks for all the great responses. I want to join OA and yes I heard it was spiritual but that is not a bad thing in my book. Maybe a need a little faith and some divine intervention.......... On Herbalife I take two shakes a day with vitamins and eat a decent dinner and maybe a snack later. It is not expensive as I get it off Ebay. I havent been on the scale this month as it broke (stupid digital scales!) but just this week I have lost 2.5" which I think is FAB!!! I have had a stomach virus this week so maybe that has something to do with it but last week a lost 3" so who knows? It works for me I know though I will have to join WW cause its not like I can drink shakes for the rest of my like, KWIM??? Take care! Pattie

Pattie, I agree with everyone else in that your friend is confused, misguided, misinformed, and everuything else WLS is not an easy way out, its just a tool that assist. If it were an easy way out, you wouldn't hear of people gaining the weight back after a few years or having surgical complications 4 or more years out. I know that it's challenging. I am new to this journey as well. Know that everyone here is very supportive and encouraging. Shoot, this is the only board I've been in on OH that's DRAMA fee That's reason alone to stay!! I also understand the difficulty with children with "challenges". I have a 3 yr old with developmental delays and it's EXHAUSTING!!! So, I know that you are overwhelmed with 2. Anyway, welcome and we will be on the skinny side together! Be blessed Cam