need some non surgical advice

Hi everyone,  I posted on the main board the reasons why surgery wasn't for me and pretty much got flamed.  I went in for a lap band consult yesterday and determined  I wasn't interested.  I feel the risks of surgery and the complications were just not for me and that I still have other non-surgical options to explore.  I have a BMI of 36 and the doc said it probably wouldn't be covered by insurance anyway.   I have tried JCraig and WW in the past but just can't seem to stick to a program.  I need some advice on how to get MOTIVATED already and STAY motivated.  Been dragging around this extra weight for way too many years.

Okay, I just read some of your post on the main board.  You need to do more research.  We can talk if you'd like.  You have gotten really far off information about the Lap Band and I am by no mean slamming you for it just take the time to become familiar with what you believe that you are interested in.

First have you had your weight on for many years? How many?

Have you tried exercise and dieting over and over again without  succeeding long term?

Anyways, we could have further communication.  I am at work and need to go to work right now.

Good Day,

Leila

Hi I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. The first thing I did was to identify the foods that make me binge. For me that was Anything white....pasta, potato's, popcorn ect. I got them out of my house and have not brought them back in. The 2nd thing I did was clean out all the processed foods. Since I couldn't afford just to give them away we (me and my husband) ate them but as I bought more food I made better choices. I now cook most everything from scratch. Next I replaced all my canned veggies with frozen ones. I stopped drinking soda pop and anything that had High Fractose Corn Syurp and replaced it with WATER. I personally do not think that artifical anything is good for my body so I choose not to use them. I now drink between 2-3 liters of water a day. This has been an on going process. I started nearly over a year ago and I lost 25lbs in the past year.  I recently started exercising and have dropped 14.5 lbs in the past 5 weeks If that isn't a motivater nothing is. Well these are the things that have worked for me. I hope it helps. Tedi

Thanks for the support ladies!  A bit more about me.  I'm 5'3" and a size 18, weigh 208.  I have about 40 lbs overweight for about the last 20 yrs and then gained about another 30 lbs within the last 2 years.  I have tried Jenny and WW and had initial success but then just was not motivated to keep going.  I would get bored with the food on JC, or the cost of the food was too much, or the weighing and measuring with WW - I got lazy.  I've also joined several gyms over the years and have gone to them for a month or two and then quit.  Thankfully I have no major health issues yet - but I know I'm headed down a slippery slope unless I change my ways.  The funny thing is - my diet isn't all that bad - I actually don't even eat a lot of food.  I have coffee for breakfast every day then at lunch I either eat a turkey sand on white roll with mustard from the cafeteria and a bag of sun chips or I'll have the hot entree they serve - chicken, side of veg and a starch - so while that may not be the best choice at least I know it has some amount of portion control (vs eating a couple of hamburgers at McD's or something else for lunch).  At dinner we eat spaghetti, or steak, chicken and always with rice or potato and a veg.  I don't snack at night, am not a sweet eater and drink absolutely no soda (can't stand the stuff) or alchohol.  I think my problems are my portion sizes (well I know they are too big), the fact that I don't eat 3 regular meals a day, virtually do not exercise at all - I have a sedentary desk job. Like you Elizabeth, I get sick and tired of being sick and tired all the time.   Guess I just haven't been sick and tired enough to turn my life around yet.

Tedi, the changes you have made totally mimic my own. It's a good plan and it works GREAT! I'm down 44# since Jan. 24, '08 and my 15yr old is down 7# in the last 3 weeks.  kh, you are right. You need more balanced meals as well as portion control and exercise. Try some oatmeal and a fruit with your morning coffee and add some veggies and/or fruit to that sandwich at noon instead of the sunchips. Maybe even look for a sandwich on whole wheat bread. When you make spaghetti for supper add a veggie and a fruit. It's really simple to make these changes but you are right when you say you have to WANT them with ALL your heart.  As far as portion control, have you tried using measuring cups and spoons to help you learn what a portion looks like? It really does help. Even a small kitchen scale is very handy when it comes to meat and awkward shaped fruit and veggies like carrots, etc.  Also, when you eat, slow down and really take the time to taste your food. You will find you will each much less and be much fuller without even trying. Exercise can be as simple as a 30-60 minute walk each day. If you need to chop it up into 3- 10 min sessions and go at a pace you are comfortable with and work up as you can.  Just some suggestions.  Motivation. Motivation comes from within. Why do you want to lose weight? What are you willing to do to reach your goals? Are you willing to work past set backs and push forward? How badly do you really want this? These are things you have to find out from yourself. These are things you have to own. These are things that have to come from your heart and you can't let anyone or anything side track you from what you want. If you fall one day or week, jump back in with both feet and go back at it. NEVER give up because THAT'S when you fail. Beth

I really like your attitude Beth! and your right motivation does come from within. I exercise every morning at a local gym before work because I know me and if I waited until after work it would never get done! On my profile there is a post about creating your own miracle if you would like to check it out. Take care all and I am sure I will love being a part of this Forum. Tedi

Beth- I don't what else to say, but I LOVE your posts. You always say the best things and have incredible insight on this process. Thank you Beth!!!!!!!!

Yw, Tedi and Tbl. I try to stay positive because that is part of what keeps me going. If I focus and where I falter, I am not focusing on my goal. Focus is a big key but support from others along the way sure does help. My biggest supporters are my hubby and my daughters. I love them to death for how great they think I am right now.  Beth

I did research into WLS too.  One day I saw this show on Oprah and it showed these ladies who had lost massive amounts of weight.  It also showed the excess skin that needed plastic surgery.  It was then I realised I couldn't afford both. So I lost the weight in the hope that I could save for the plastics I would need. 

It took a few years, but I have lost about 128lbs.  I have just had stage 1 of plastics and feel awesome.

Take a look at my blog.  Message me if you like.  I also have an excellent article about setting goals- let me know if you want a PDF of it emailed to you.

Good luck...

No flames from me... only you know what is right for you,

Em

Hi kh! I could not find your post, but one thing I do know is out here in cyberspace posters can take out personal agressions on people they do not know!  I too started with a low bmi - 37, and borderline co-morbids. When I looked into wls, i started out with the attitude that if doors close, i would drop it and go back to the drawing board on how to get the scale to move again.  So here I am.

Surgery will not fix our heads anyway, and we have to change our lives anyway, so you are right...why risk surgery, especially when we have a low bmi? I also think that someday soon, there will be far less invasive methods for us. Welcome, I bet you will pick up some good tips here!