Greetings, 

Am new here so thought I would make a post and put myself out there. Am really rather the type that hides inside all the time. Don't have any friends where I live and only two or three really good friends online. Am hoping if maybe I make friends that live around in my area, St Louis, Mo, that maybe I can get lured out for some kind of social gathering. Not so sure I can handle large gatherings. I have bad anxiety when around people but if I just force myself to do it and keep doing it maybe it wont be so scary for me anymore and help me to lose weight by getting more movement. There is not tons of movement I can do. A flight of stairs is super hard on me but have to do them every day to get from my bedroom to the living room. As well I don't get very far walking with my walker. My back gets really stressed out, I have all kinds of weight related issues with it even my spine being compressed. 

The steps I have done is trying to pick healthier foods and writing down everything I eat. Really need to learn how to count calories better. If am able to get on disability and some medical insurance I hope to maybe start CMWL a really cool program I found online after tons of searching. Weight loss surgery I was turned down for due to my emotional eating behavior but that's ok. I think this other program could be better for me. After all it would suck if I did the surgery and only ended up gaining all the weight back because I slipped into old ways. With this program it will help me learn to live better. I hope I don't have to wait too much longer to try and get into it.  Trying to get on disability and some kind of health insurance is so hard. 

Any-whoo-ha, any ideas on stuff I could do now to help? I was at 561lbs but when I went to my medical testing for disability I weighed 547lbs so what am doing is helping a little bit it seems. Also would love to make more friends even if your not in the St Louis area, online friends are always nice to have. 

Hi all,

I made great progress about six years ago with WW but hit a plateau and have been struggling to find my footing ever since. I started seriously looking into bariatric surgery, only to find out my insurance won't pay for it for another two years. In the meantime I'm back in the saddle and trying to find a balance of diet and exercise that I can live with and hopefully, finally, see some progress with!

I had done low-carb once in the past and had great results but it wasn't at sustainable for me, this time I'm trying to focus on protein and whole foods while allowing for moderate carb intake (100grams a day, or so) and tracking everything on MFP. Really, really hoping I can stick with this and see some results!

Would love to make some new friends and get some advice from those of you who have had weight loss success!

Hi -

I lost 125 lbs. over the course of 14 months.  It is very possible.  I did it all through diet and exercise.  I hit my 2 year anniversary of a lifestyle change on July 2.  That is what I discovered.  It can not be a diet or a temporary thing.  It must be a lifestyle change.  I agree with SuperGirl...maintaining is the hardest part.  However, if you choose a lifestyle that works for you and stick to it, it becomes the habit and not a short term solution.

Several times I have wanted to just ditch the "diet".  I would become frustrated or think that I was happier when I was overweight.  So, I would indulge.  But when I got up the next day, I went right back to what had become my normal lifestyle.  I had changed it up for so long that a moment of frustration didn't matter as much.  

I am a high protein / low carb girl.  It worked wonders.  With exercise, I lost 100 lbs. in 8 months.  The last 25 took forever!  I exercise regularly.  I go to the gym 5 - 6 days a week.  I found that if you lift weights regularly you build muscle and that will help keep you thin.  

It is very possible.  Find a route that you think will work for you.  Once you get the hang of it, it becomes habit.  I know people say practice makes perfect.  Actually, practice makes things permanent.  If you practice a new lifestyle long enough, it becomes permanent.  

I wish you the best of luck.  Losing weight is hard.  I get that it can be a real challenge, but it is definitely possible.

Hello,  

I think there is a way to lose weight, high amounts of weight, and I am also looking.  I had convinced myself I would have a sleeve and just decided I was rather terrified ... is there another way(s)?  I realize that the other response to your question is a GREAT way to do this, but I guess I am looking for another tool to add to my 'will power'.  I honestly see myself as a food addict, and have decided to go to OA (overeaters anonymous) for a while and put a plan into place. 

But I am searching for another somewhat NON surgical device or tool to assist myself.  There are quite a few things available and 'just coming out'.  I do realize that most of the folks on this board are researching or have already done WLS of some type, so I came here to find others seeking other ways, and realize there may not be many folks here that are on my path of research at the moment.  That's ok.  I was pleased to see this topic on the forum.

I have used Pinterest to store my research.  I am reading a lot of doctor's research papers and things that are by doctors and for doctors, and looking at statistics that are listed for each device.  Many of the devices I have searched are approved in Europe and Australia and are being used there currently.  So trials have been done for most of these, in other countries, already.  Trial reports always include statistics, but you must remember that the struggle is later on, keeping it off.  I am interested in medications, and somewhat 'non surgical' devices or tools to assist me.

The one I am most interested in is Endobarrier.  Do a google search and read up.  There are USA trials ongoing now, and I hope to perhaps be a candidate.  Please realize, I have researched WLS for quite some years now, and though I had decided on a sleeve, and was researching Mexican doctors, I just decided to wait and try something not quite so permanent for now.  I do have a lot of weight to lose, and many of these devices seem to assist only for a somewhat smaller amount, but I am ok with that for now.  The endobarrier can be used to lose more weight, with a small change the doctor makes to it, or so I have read.  

Whether it be gastric balloons, meds, plastic sheath, a pill that expands into a balloon, or a device that empties your stomach, DO the research first.  These tools are not permanent, and that is what I am seeking at this time.  I hope to get a handle on my addiction to food, rather than doing a more permanent change to my tummy, at least, at this time.  I was hoping that with counseling, and attending OA, I can possibly beat this thing, and get a start with a device to help me initially.  I think all of us can regain, and that is the thing we work with, and need help with, the most.

Good luck...

 t.

After I woke up today, I became devastated after I’d weighed myself.  I was at 308 pounds, making my BMI 60.1,( I’m only 5’0” tall) making it a 6 pound increase from my last dr. office visit

a little over 5 weeks ago.  I had started eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more water but everything was turned around this past weekend.  I went to several bbqs and picnics

with friends and family and spent most of Monday on the couch watching tv.

I thought I could lose weight on my own and avoid or at least delay getting wls.  This weekend was a setback.  I would give anything to lose at least 100 pounds without surgery.  I’ve attended

Weigh****cher groups before but most of the other women only had 20 or 30 pounds to lose

and many seemed to reach their goals in 5-6 months.  I’ve got a real serious amount I need to

lose.  Is it even possible to lose 100 pounds without surgery?  

I’d like to meet other who face similar weight loss challenges and hope to at least lose some of it without surgery.