Where do you want to be with your weight loss 1 year from now?

Where do you want to be in 1 year from now? When I had weight loss surgery, I had no idea how long it was going to take me to lose weight; I was older than most of you and everyone l drops their weight at different speeds. Most all of us ladies know that men lose much faster than we do. For me it took me about 14 months to lose 105 pounds. I was thrilled it only took me that long. I know when I started this journey like the rest of you I wanted it to just melt off of me. As first it felt like it was, but I knew that would slow down and it did.

 What I want you to do it take it in small steps. Set you goals by weeks or by a month, and DO NOT put yourself down if you don’t reach that goal. Remember we are all individuals. I had a walking buddy and she was good to keep me motivated and when she was down I did the same for her. She had sleeve surgery with Dr. Aceves about 6 months after I had mine. I was honored when she asked me to go with her for her surgery.

Mix things up, become creative with your food ideas. I actually have become a much better cook now that I am healthy and at my goal weight, but that didn’t happen overnight. I started searching out recipes that I could incorporate in my lifestyle and something that taste great and that my husband and I both would eat. Find the protein that you like and find 50 different ways to cook with it and watch your carbs. Chicken happens to be a protein that I use the most. Those sneaky carbs have a way of messing up your weight loss. If you are eating carbs make them WHOLE GRAIN carbs, not whole wheat—the key word is Whole Grain. 

Summer is coming along find some great salads and put your protein in along with a little fresh fruit—like strawberries and then make the salad your entire meal. Watch the dressing that you are using. I learned to NOT put the dressing on my salad, but dip my forks into the dressing and with every bite I always get dressing.

So look at the calendar and put a goal in your mind where you would like to be one year from today. Some will be there and some will not. Don't overwhelm yourself with too big of a goal. I also used to like to look at catalog or magazines that had beautiful clothes that I wanted to be able to buy when I reached my goal. Looking at these beautiful clothes kept me from eating too. 

Do what works best for you. I will admit I have bought a lot of new clothes once I reached my goal.

 If you haven’t picked your doctor yet I would like to tell you the Dr. Aceves is the very best that you can have for your surgery. If you have any questions about him, I am more than happy to answer anything you would like to know. I wanted the best I could have and after a lot of research and talking to people on these boards, I knew he was the one. I wish you great success, remember do this one day at a time.

 If you had a bad day the good news is that day ends and you can start all over the next day.  
Hugs,
Suzanne
Sleeved 10/210/2008

My personal original goal was 221 (my weight when I got out the Air Force in 1991).  My doctor said his goal for me was 240.  I got down to 230 or so and my doc wanted me to gain a little bit back.  That little bit turned into too much.  I am sitting around 255 right now. 

This thread got me thinking.  I know I want to get back down to 240.  I have been beating myself up because I lose 3, gain 2, lose 1, gain 2, etc.  Been staying pretty steady around 254 for the last 2 months.  I know how hard it is to lose 14 lbs.  But how hard will it be for me to lose ONE POUND a month for 12 months?  I think I will take that attitude.  I will make sure I weigh myself when I get up tomorrow and record that weight.  Then, my goal will be to lose ONE POUND by June first.

Hi,

That is the perfect way to look at it.  I did a kitchen remodel and gained about 10 pounds because we were eating out all the time--the remodel took 3 months.  So I have gotten 5 pounds off and still have 5 more pounds to go.  I know just what you are saying about how hard it is to lose those pounds that you gained.  I still drink a protein drink every morning for breakfast and that is my breakfast.  For lunch I just have protein--NO carbs.  

I get up each morning and walk for 2 miles and I have been doing it faster and faster each day.  It takes me 34 minutes to walk 2 miles.  We I started walking it would take me 40 minutes to walk 2 miles.  I have found if I exercise in the morning that seems to curb my need for food. 

Congratulations on your great weight loss and I wish you nothing up success for losing 1 pound a month.  That is such a reasonable way to look at this.  You sure have your head in the right place.

Hugs,
Suzanne

HI Suzanne,

You are so right about how we lose our weight and what works for one might not for the other.
Baby step!

You have regain? Well isn't it nice to know that you are normal.
George is correct in taking the bull by the horns and losing that weight slowly with a reasonable goal. That is attainable! For sure anyone can lose one pound a month. If that is too slow for you...exercise! Move to lose! We can do it.

Suzanne, like you I also had regain. I'm back to having a protein shake for breakfast. I love the EAS low carb ones with lots of ice. Currently I'm not hungry when I get up...but I have to fuel my body with protein...put some "quality gas in my tank!" Then for lunch I have a WW frozen entree (pot roast today), 2 fresh fruits in my lunch to eat later along with baby carrots if I need some crunch and a large can of V-8 juice. So I'm set for work for the day. My weight is coming off slowly but now I'm even more excited cuz the weather is warmer and I'm taking a walk around the hospital today. I just hate being at my desk all day long but I have a few projects to do that require me to be on the computer for data entry (yuck!)

So we won't beat ourselves up if we aren't "perfect"...we will just keep on keeping on!
Suzanne, love your attitude! Hugs Debbie

Hi Debbie,

Good for you for doing what you are doing.  You and I both know how hard it was to lose the last 10 pounds to reach our goal.  So here we are back at it again.  I have always had a protein drink for breakfast and that is something I have never changed about my eating.  It just seems to get me going in the morning.  I love how you put it--putting top rate fuel in the body to get it going. 

I have been looking forward to the great weather too, but we only have it here and there--raining right now and was sunny yesterday, so I am getting up walking on my treadmill first thing in the morning.  Each day I try to walk long, further and in less time.  I think we really become pretty hard on ourselves.  We are just regular people who have done something that was extraordinary. We have lost a ton of fat and yeah for us.  We are back in control of our lives now the food doesn't control us.

Keep up the great work, and we will stay in touch.

Hugs and I love your attitude too!
Suzanne