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You have to eat less. Period. Many of us could not do that without surgery. I understand not wanting surgery. It can be scary to think about. I was not ready until my 40's. I spent my whole life beating myself up about my weight. When I finally believed I deserved to be healthy and happy, I was ready for surgery. I am thankful I made the necessary steps to get my life back. Weight loss does not solve all of our problems but it makes it so much easier to get through life and deal with our daily struggles when weight does not get in our way.
Good luck. I hope you figure out what works for you.
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
Hi Amber:I just started an Optifast program with my local hospital, as a way to kickstart my weight loss efforts.I have struggled with my weight since having my children, and have lost weight on various popular diets only to regain it again.I believe that the support system was never really there in each of my attempts which may have been part of why I failed each time.Now there is a medical team helping me to lose the weight, aided by the fact that my bloodwork was flagged for a couple of potential health issues.The motivation to to this for myself this time I think is making a difference.I prefer not to have the surgery even though I was told I was a good candidate.I am terrible at taking medications and in researching, discovered that you have to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life after surgery because your absorption levels in the digestive tract change after surgery.One of the best comments I have heard, is to treat food as you would any medicine you might take.Learn to make the best food choices based on the nutrition that food provides, and search out recipes online that will help you to make those foods taste good.Also with working 50 hrs. a week, having a meal plan is essential.It will help you when you are grocery shopping to stay on track, and taking part of a day each week to prep your foods and meals in advance will make it easier to stay on track as your choices will have already been prepared or partly prepared for those busy work days.I just finished my first day on Optifast, and I am reminding myself that I am on the start of a journey to better health.I did not get this way overnight, and it will not be easy, but I am trying to find inspiration in the activities that I will be able to do and finally try, and a new wardrobe never hurt either.All the best in your weight loss journey Amber, I know you can do this!
Hi, I am 58 and have battled with my weight all my life. 4 years ago at 360lbs I started to try again. My son was getting married in July of 2011 and in January I thought I would really give it a go. I ate pretty much the same as if you has Gastric bypass but mostly I tried to really restrict my carbs. I did amazing and go down to 237lbs by Oct/2011. I ended up having to have a hysterectomy in Dec/11 but kept the weight off until I returned to work in Feb/12. Then I did what I know I shouldn't have and started eating bread again and little by little my weight crept up again until three weeks ago when I weighed in at 305lb again. I had seen it creeping up little by little and just couldn't get motivated. Enough was enough and almost three weeks ago I started to really give it my all again. I know that the high protein works for me and I tried Isagenix but it was too expensive. Then I discovered Pure Protein bars from Walmart. They taste great and have only 200 calories and 20grams of protein and low sugar. I have two a day one for breakfast and one for lunch ( I'm a travelling nurse) and find they are easy to take with me. They are very filling. I make sure I take Senokot daily to make sure I don't get constipated (high protein diet can make you this way). I have a salad and lean protein for supper. I have been on this for three weeks on Monday and have already lost 12 lbs. I also drink as much water and fluids daily as I can. I take a multivitamin daily and some ferrous gluconate (iron). I feel fantastic. I had both my knees replaced Dec/14 and I know I will be so much better. I am sure this is the way to fly. Congrats on your weight loss. Keep up the great work. I was scheduled for a gastric bypass this spring but backed out. I just have seen so many have so many complications in the community that I just didn't feel at peace with the procedure. Take care. Christy
Christy
Oh I am sorry I just read the rest of the conversation. I'm gonna try this.
Hi, love your story. What did you ultimately do? Just exercise and eat as if you had the surgery? What type of didt did you choose?
ImnluvwithDD
There are a lot of things that you can try before doing a weight loss surgery. Most of all, I don't think surgeries are the best way to lose your weight. It can be opted if all other things got failed and only when you are left with no other options. I've faced similar thing in my life and I didn't opt for a surgery. The first thing I did was- tried many diet plans and exercises. But it doesn't really helped me. Then I joined a men's weight loss program in Toronto, at Harvey Brooker. It was a 12 months weight loss program and I'm really glad to say that I reduced my weight from 310 lbs to 220 lbs. The weight loss programs are not just about following a strict diet, the program will make us to leave unhealthy eating habits and gradually reduce our weight.
I never thought I'd be one of "those people" who got the surgery. But now I did and I am one year out. I am happy I did it now, but totally understand not being able to put your head around it. Some things I've learned on this journey that I think could help you even without surgery-
1-My surgeons mantra is "Protein first, then veggies and then if you have enough room fruit and starchy Carbs" So he never says No carbs, they just are at the end of the list.
2- Not drinking while eating and for 1/2 hour after - Food is supposed to stay in your stomach for 30 minutes to digest before it moves on to the intestine. Not that you can't have a sip here or there but if you are drinking fluids with your meals it is going to push the food out of the stomach too soon making it easier to eat more. Food being in the stomach is what is going to make you feel full.
3- Drinking a Protein Drink/shake everyday helps keep your protein numbers up and your cravings down. There are many powders out there, you just have to try them. the Ready-t0-drink Premier Proteins are great because you can throw them in your bag and take them with you. They have great stats too 160 calories and 30g protein. I know you can buy them at Walgreens and Walmart but if you decide you like them they have cases at Costco, BJs and Sam's.
Many people use My fitness Pal app to track everything. Getting a fitbit might be helpful too... since it sounds like you are busy and may not always have time for traditional exercise this way you can track your steps and set goals.
Good Luck!
Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014
Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16
#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets
I mentioned this in another post in response to another person who posted a similar thing to you. You may ant to try Overeaters Anonymous (OA). At one time, I went to OA and lost 100 lbs. in six months and kept it off for seven years. You may also want to consider Taekwondo (a form of martial arts). When I participated in Taekwondo, I was losing 20 lbs a month. I was going five days a week for one hour. I've always had trouble with gyms as it seems no matter how much I exercised I never seemed to lose weight and therefore lost incentive to go. I found it easier to do Taekwondo as it was not only easier to lose weigh,t but I got excited about attending as I progressed passing each test and getting a new belt color. As a bonus, I learned self-defense moves.
I've felt the same way. I've been adamantly against WLS as I felt I got myself this way (overweight) and therefore I should lose it the same way I put it on. I, however, got to the point that I could no longer do it. I finally gave in and had WLS in 2012. I've not regretted it. A year before deciding on surgery I tried to lose the weight and was unable to lose more than 30 lbs in a year. Since I lost 30 lbs in the year prior to seeing the surgeon, he did not require me to lose any additional weight. You may want to try Overeaters Anonymous. When I was your age I went to OA and lost 100 lbs in the first six months and kept it off for seven years. I only regained the weight because I had a health problem that required me to take medication that had a lot of sugar added to it and therefore gave me cravings for sweets again. Just today, I saw a television commercial advertising a medication, Belviq which has been approved by the FDA for weight loss. I can't speak to the effectiveness of this medication nor its side effects but this may be something that you may want to discuss with your PCP (primary care physician). If you can afford it, you may want to look into Taekwondo (a form of martial arts). I did Taekwondo and was losing 20 lbs a month. I only stopped it because I could no longer afford the cost due to my income having been considerably reduced. The great thing I liked about Taekwondo is it has an incentive unlike the gym. As you progress in Taekwondo, you test out of each color belt. The other things I liked about it was the weight loss and self-defense skills attained.
