Honesty at Eight Years

 Neen, thank you so much for this post!! It gives inspiration to one struggling with maintenence.... I wish OH would make this thread a sticky!!!!

Neen you know what? I think you and I have both found similar things by different methods.

What I get when I read what you have to say is that you are at peace with yourself. I'm getting to that point too. It's so hard fighting yourself. Fighting your psyche. Fighting the public image of what a fit and healthy person is SUPPOSED to be. Fighting what you expected you should be.

Somewhere in this process I came to a place where I truly began to feel like I am the person God made me to be. I didn't feel that way pre-op and not for a LONG time post-op. I guess for people who don't practice spirituality, that translates to "I came to be the person I was put on this earth to be."

That feeling...of rightness with the world and myself is invaluable. Many other post-ops don't understand it and I can't even explain it. It didn't happen overnight nor did it happen easily. I am wont to make war with myself. But something here lately has just told me to hush and be thankful.

Like any other healthy person I've also learned my weight and eating habits are in constant flux. Some times I have more of an appetite, sometimes less. Sometimes I pick up a few pounds and sometimes I lose them. I have fitness goals I'm working toward which keep me motivated to stay with the program.

But I like myself, just as I am right now. If I never change again I am thankful for where I am. It sounds like you are the same way.

And you know I've followed your blog all these years and you have inspired me!

I definitely get caught up in what I "should" be from time to time, and that's when I am the most glad to have a supportive husband, wonderful siblings, and the best parents ever.

I'm so glad to have been an inspiration in your life. (And I love your blog too!)

 It has been!

I can directly attribute my goal of eating local produce (which I have achieved!) to reading about your CSA adventures. 

Awesome post!!!! 

Neen,

Thank you so much for the eye opener! lol Your post is amazing and it shines light on what is farther down the tunnel for somebody like me. I am only 3 months post op with only my husband as my support system.

My husband makes sure that I am happy and he listens (well at least he acts like he is) to my worries and my neurotic talking about MY food issues. I am lucky to have him.

As for myself, I am very hard on myself when it comes to my weight and my weight loss. I am so afraid of being a failure at this WLS thing. You have encouraged me to remind myself that it is NOT always going to be like this and that in time, it will get better.

Have a wonderful day. I am looking forward to your next post!

Thank you for posting this!!!!  I'm just 5 weeks out so it's nice to hear a perspective from years out!!!

I totally agree, what works for me would probably never work for anyone.  Most people cannot eat the exact same foods every day for years on end like I can.  I find things I like and stick to them.  Then for the most part I abandon them and never eat them again.  But whatever works for you is great, I rarely discuss my diet with anyone because I know it is bizarre.  I believe in fasting during the day, it really helps me to keep myself in control.

Congrats on your success!

Yeah, some people really have to stick to the eating every few hours, but I've been doing a 10/14 split (don't eat from 10:30pm until lunchtime the next day) for about six months and it works well for me.

 Thanks for the wisdom and inspiration to living the life that I hope to live!!!