What would do if you were me??

Hey Cammy - I think that doing the story for the paper would make me feel accountable for my weight loss journey; would motivate me to stay on track because I'd feel like "God, people are "watching" me do this".  I think you'd have to decide if you want that kind of feeling in your life.  Would it be good for you?  Or would it be too much pressure? Just a thought.  Good luck!!!

Janina, I have looked at it from both those angles: motivation and pressure. I'm starting to lean towards not doing it. I told her I'd get back with her. I think if she wanted to do a story AFTER i've lost the weight I'd be all over it lol.  Thanks

Going from all you have mentioned above... I would say "Thank you, but NO thank you". To me, it sounds like you have a whole lot going on. You have had a rough time and many major stressors that have likely played a big part in your WL issues.... I think you will get LOTS of positive attention as you move forward in your WL journey... that will probably be enough to feed your "attention hound" needs LOL :) Seriously, I think I gained much of my weight from dealing with depression over some really crummy things that happened over a 10 year period- NOT making excuses... just being aware.... sometimes it seemed like just about all I could handle and ONE MORE thing could be my blowing point. I would think VERY HARD about it before you say "yes". Also... as someone else mentioned... OFTEN, a report is NOT as they say it will be.  My dh was in a book that was published some years ago- it covered Alaskan boating survival stories and they really got his story goobered up! His buddy's story was mingled in with his. It was still quite accurate as far as the survival end of the story BUT... much more was not. I'd think it through all the way :)   

Thanks Chunky Mama ( i call my little one chunky monkey) I think no thank you is exactly what i will say. As far as feeding my attention hound needs, my husband gonna give me that to the maximum when he gets back lol 13.5 months to go (geesh that sounds like forever) lol

hmm i think kris might be referring to me.... i have been the subject of several stories and been on the cover of a national magazine. my sister has also. like others have said, it was sort of cool, but also kind of stressful and embarassing. the magazine article was terrible with totally stretching things i said to sound sensationalistic, which i guess i should have expected (At her highest weight, she broke 3 chairs!!! She lost 120 lbs and still eats cupcakes!!) my story on the duke site if more tame since its a professional site versus popular media and i don't mind that one - but i wouldn't allow them to put my picture up or use my last name, partly because of my profession. they have the magazine article framed and hanging in the hallway at the center, which is completely embarassing - i avoid it whenever i'm there (plus they made me sign it like some sort of celebrity).  the problem is, once you give them permission, your world is open to them, which can be nervewracking and make you feel very vulnerable. and once its in print, its there forever. how are you going to feel about that? and weight loss is an extremely emotional journey and the last thing you need is pressure and expectations from outside entitiies who are not important. if you need accountability, set up with your doc or weigh****chers or something. unless they are willing to like pay for a gym membership or a personal chef, i don't think i would do it.  like valerie bertinelli and whoopi goldberg are paid millions to lose weight! could you work out that kind of deal?  what's your motivation? when you are successful, let them do a story on you then - you'll still be just as inspiring.  and in the end, this is your personal journey and no one else's business - its not like there is any shortage of "success stories" out there.

As always andy, you have great advice/feedback. I can't believe they asked you to sign the article! that would have been embarrassing to me as well. The reason i went to the nutritionist because where we came from in Missouri they didi weekly weigh in and things. I simply wanted to make sure I was consuming the proper amount of calories for a breastfeeding mom. and set up a journal so my weight and changes can be monitored. It really does help cause on here you can lie, in there you can't lol.

As far as getting something out of it, thta's highly unlikely. It's a military hospital and nutritionist. The only thing they will ever give me is a handshake lol I was thinking, and mentioning in response to someone else that I would be fine with them doing a story on me after I lose the weight.  95% of this post is deployed, there's more than enough stories out there for them to follow lol.

Again thanks andy!

I doubt I would do it, and you answered your own question..you don't need the stress. So, if I were you, probably not.  I'd let them do me if I had lost more weight, more remarkable loss.  I can stand up for the yo-yo-hos. That's what I am. Not very newsworthy.  LOL.

Ooooo can i be the yo-yo-pimp???

yo-yo-hos lol I'm going to use that lol

Thanks neecee

Hi Cammy,

I think this one is a personal choice. You did say that you are afraid of weight gain, and if that happens are you are okay with the stress of it? If not I would say forget it. You do have your hands full. But then on the other hand, could this inspire you to lose the weight? I know it would me. Mainly because I don't like people other than my close ones see me fail. I personally think that would totally motivate me. I don't think I would care what others thought at the end, because I would be proud of my own accomplishment. But that's me, and I don't care what people think of me. :)

When I read this it did bring back some memories for me. I understand your husband is deployed right now. When I was losing weight a few years back my husband was deployed (Navy), right when the war was starting up. It's hard, especially with kids. This whole thing about the newspaper lingering over you, it might be a little too much for you. BUT, I do believe you should use your motivation while he is gone. Just imagine all that he's going through and use that motivation towards yourself. He's being strong, and your being strong standing beside him. That is something to be proud of. Use this as a "tool" so to speak to get yourself in gear while he's away.  this is what I eventually did. I wanted him to walk through that door with a big smile on his face looking at his new and improved beautiful wife. I figured if he put up with all he's going through, so can I..just in a different aspect.

Good luck to you, and congrats on your new baby. :)