Struggling and/or dealing with regain? Here's my thoughts about it and what I am doing.
So it's been a while since I posted this thread and while I realize that a good many of the people who post here are newer post-ops and, therefore, this thread is something they look at with dread and/or denial that it will be their story, I, too, once thought that way and here I am two days shy of my 4th surgiversary and I have looked that dreaded word, regain, right in the mirror.
What I've learned is this, "it works if you work it", corny huh, but oh so true. The person I was just over 4 years ago, she is pretty much still the same, but with a tool, actually quite a number of tools if I really think about the knowledge I've gained and the people I've met as a result of this journey I embarked upon in 2006, to aid myself in this often challenging aspect of my life, called obesity.
The truth is that a lifetime of turning to food for pleasure, comfort, sociability and just plain boredom does not suddenly stop because I choose to have a surgeon do what I could not do, which was to put in place a permanent restriction on my capacity to eat. I have found that I still enjoy good tasting food, have adapted many recipes to suit this lifestyle and that many social activities are found in sharing a meal and so what I am still trying to learn is to balance my need to eat, because unlike other things, we do need to fuel our bodies, but learning to temper that with the feel good that food has always represented is the real test of this journey.
The other component I have resisted all my life is that dirty word, exercise. You see, by incorporating a small portion of my time each day into a physical activity that gives me some sweat equity, that equity allows me just the tiniest bit of freedom to enjoy the health and well being that I began seeking 4 years ago, as well as an occasional indulgence. For me, I find that sweat equity makes me think twice about what I am eating, which is not to say I don't choose to eat some things that are on the not to have list, but what I do find is when I am working it, I choose wisely and with great care. I don't eat mindlessly and simply to soothe or reward.
So where am I today? Since beginning to acknowledge my regain several months back, well not that I didn't before, but since I found my way back from my detour, I am down 7 lbs., which is now 10 lbs. from where I accepted that I could live comfortably at, and that was within 15 lbs. of my original goal of 150 lbs., a weight goal determined by my surgeon and I, one that we later revised. The good news is I am working my tool, determined to battle this disease of obesity and it is a battle of small victories and for this day, in spite of various obstacles, most recently a major back issue, I am making mindful choices and the results are making me feel positive and hopeful and that my friends is what I hope this post does, gives you a place to share your thoughts and feelings, your own victories and how you are doing within your own journey and for those wonderful folks, that are in your first 2 years post-op, please understand that you need not have this experience, but there is a strong likelihood that you could and so what is shared here is by way of helping you know, (a) you are not alone in your struggles, and (b) that this is a lifelong journey, our surgeries gave us a window of opportunity and the lifelong part really starts further along on the journey, it is at that "normal" place that many veer off and get lost. I am here sharing my journey in the hopes that I can help others with theirs.
Thanks for reading, I know I am long-winded, but I share from my experience.
Hugs, Laureen
What I've learned is this, "it works if you work it", corny huh, but oh so true. The person I was just over 4 years ago, she is pretty much still the same, but with a tool, actually quite a number of tools if I really think about the knowledge I've gained and the people I've met as a result of this journey I embarked upon in 2006, to aid myself in this often challenging aspect of my life, called obesity.
The truth is that a lifetime of turning to food for pleasure, comfort, sociability and just plain boredom does not suddenly stop because I choose to have a surgeon do what I could not do, which was to put in place a permanent restriction on my capacity to eat. I have found that I still enjoy good tasting food, have adapted many recipes to suit this lifestyle and that many social activities are found in sharing a meal and so what I am still trying to learn is to balance my need to eat, because unlike other things, we do need to fuel our bodies, but learning to temper that with the feel good that food has always represented is the real test of this journey.
The other component I have resisted all my life is that dirty word, exercise. You see, by incorporating a small portion of my time each day into a physical activity that gives me some sweat equity, that equity allows me just the tiniest bit of freedom to enjoy the health and well being that I began seeking 4 years ago, as well as an occasional indulgence. For me, I find that sweat equity makes me think twice about what I am eating, which is not to say I don't choose to eat some things that are on the not to have list, but what I do find is when I am working it, I choose wisely and with great care. I don't eat mindlessly and simply to soothe or reward.
So where am I today? Since beginning to acknowledge my regain several months back, well not that I didn't before, but since I found my way back from my detour, I am down 7 lbs., which is now 10 lbs. from where I accepted that I could live comfortably at, and that was within 15 lbs. of my original goal of 150 lbs., a weight goal determined by my surgeon and I, one that we later revised. The good news is I am working my tool, determined to battle this disease of obesity and it is a battle of small victories and for this day, in spite of various obstacles, most recently a major back issue, I am making mindful choices and the results are making me feel positive and hopeful and that my friends is what I hope this post does, gives you a place to share your thoughts and feelings, your own victories and how you are doing within your own journey and for those wonderful folks, that are in your first 2 years post-op, please understand that you need not have this experience, but there is a strong likelihood that you could and so what is shared here is by way of helping you know, (a) you are not alone in your struggles, and (b) that this is a lifelong journey, our surgeries gave us a window of opportunity and the lifelong part really starts further along on the journey, it is at that "normal" place that many veer off and get lost. I am here sharing my journey in the hopes that I can help others with theirs.
Thanks for reading, I know I am long-winded, but I share from my experience.
Hugs, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
So true
I have the tools to succeed if I choose to use them. I seem to get focused for several months and then sorta drop off the wagon for a little bit before getting back on. It is good to know that I can get back on that wagon and be successful. I also find that I get back on quicker because I don't feel defeated and don't consider myself a failure when I succomb to my humaness from time to time. This is my life and this weight loss is a journey and I will never be a certain weight each and every day of my life for the rest of my time on this Earth. that's just how it is. But my weight and this surgey does not define me.
There was a time when my weight did define me and not only in my mind but in the mind of others both friends and strangers. I don't worry as much as I once did about attitudes of others. I walk in my shoes alone. Don't misunderstand I have good friends and a social life that I cherish but no one else can totally know another and to allow others to define you is counter productive. I am happy and content with the me of today and continue to live the best life I can live. I am so thankful for this surgery and the tools and new life it has given me.
I have the tools to succeed if I choose to use them. I seem to get focused for several months and then sorta drop off the wagon for a little bit before getting back on. It is good to know that I can get back on that wagon and be successful. I also find that I get back on quicker because I don't feel defeated and don't consider myself a failure when I succomb to my humaness from time to time. This is my life and this weight loss is a journey and I will never be a certain weight each and every day of my life for the rest of my time on this Earth. that's just how it is. But my weight and this surgey does not define me.
There was a time when my weight did define me and not only in my mind but in the mind of others both friends and strangers. I don't worry as much as I once did about attitudes of others. I walk in my shoes alone. Don't misunderstand I have good friends and a social life that I cherish but no one else can totally know another and to allow others to define you is counter productive. I am happy and content with the me of today and continue to live the best life I can live. I am so thankful for this surgery and the tools and new life it has given me.
Laureen,
I always appreciate your gut level honesty, as well as your candor when I need it. Your recovery is a shining example to me of what I need to do to get my recovery headed in the right direction. Thank you for sharing yourself with us each time that you do.
Hugs,
Trish
I always appreciate your gut level honesty, as well as your candor when I need it. Your recovery is a shining example to me of what I need to do to get my recovery headed in the right direction. Thank you for sharing yourself with us each time that you do.
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Hugs Laureen,
Sigh.........folks Laureen speaks the truth here.
Newbies....I too thought I would never regain. Well life happens. AND I exercised.
Everyone has a story to tell and basically here's mine:
Took me 2 years to get down to 147 and UGH...people told me I was too thin. I wore size 6's, yep a solid size 6 and I could get into some size 4's.
Exercised 3 hours every day (not all at once, may an hour b/4 work, walk 3 miles during my lunch and then to the gym after work) Hard work for me to get that size, I had to work it!!!!!
Okay, then I had emergency surgery for scar tissue and adhesion's, had a small bowel obstruction. Could not exercise, I was in pain!! Like I said life happens.
Today over a year after my emergency surgery I'm just getting my mojo back!! Whhhhooo.
Walking 4 miles almost every day. At the gym, some of the classes I used to love, I love no more. Some exercise causes me pain and folks if it hurts I don't do it. So it's back to water workouts, riding my bike and walking. I'm working my tool but this regain is slowly coming off.
Yes, I believe in "detoxing" your body. You know your body best. This is a lifetime fight for me dealing with obesity, it's not going away. WLS is not for sissies.
It's important to all of us to not think of having regain as being a failure. We are just a work in progress.
So it's Mindful Eating and exercise. Forever. Amen.
Hopefully some of my post on Mindful Eating will help you. It helps me a lot.
Some people will do WW, NutriSystem or another WL program. Why? Because some of us need more. More Accountability. I need more work out buddies!!!!!!!
In my next life I will create a magic pill to keep weight off! LOL...well maybe someone will!
Sigh.........folks Laureen speaks the truth here.
Newbies....I too thought I would never regain. Well life happens. AND I exercised.
Everyone has a story to tell and basically here's mine:
Took me 2 years to get down to 147 and UGH...people told me I was too thin. I wore size 6's, yep a solid size 6 and I could get into some size 4's.
Exercised 3 hours every day (not all at once, may an hour b/4 work, walk 3 miles during my lunch and then to the gym after work) Hard work for me to get that size, I had to work it!!!!!
Okay, then I had emergency surgery for scar tissue and adhesion's, had a small bowel obstruction. Could not exercise, I was in pain!! Like I said life happens.
Today over a year after my emergency surgery I'm just getting my mojo back!! Whhhhooo.
Walking 4 miles almost every day. At the gym, some of the classes I used to love, I love no more. Some exercise causes me pain and folks if it hurts I don't do it. So it's back to water workouts, riding my bike and walking. I'm working my tool but this regain is slowly coming off.
Yes, I believe in "detoxing" your body. You know your body best. This is a lifetime fight for me dealing with obesity, it's not going away. WLS is not for sissies.
It's important to all of us to not think of having regain as being a failure. We are just a work in progress.
So it's Mindful Eating and exercise. Forever. Amen.
Hopefully some of my post on Mindful Eating will help you. It helps me a lot.
Some people will do WW, NutriSystem or another WL program. Why? Because some of us need more. More Accountability. I need more work out buddies!!!!!!!
In my next life I will create a magic pill to keep weight off! LOL...well maybe someone will!
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