3 Years Later - Staying on the Losers Bench!

Hi all,

I want to post something a little different for my 3 year surgiversary...  Didn't want to give the story, or all the things that are now possible for me because while they're great - that's the past.

So instead, I want to talk about the future - where I want to be in 3 more years :)

In a word - still losing or at the very least maintaining.   It's hard work - nothing is easy, from having the surgery to working out to losing the weight.   But, I'm here to say, it's possible so long as you stay on top of it.   For any newbie who might be reading this - please, please, please make the lifestyle changes now.  They really are critical to long-term success.

A few changes in my life... I LOVE Veggies and still struggle to get enough protein.  Never thought I'd say that, but it's the truth - give me a jalepeno stuffed pepper any day over a steak!  And then, some things don't change - still don't love working out, but do enjoy the way I feel afterwards...

SO, with this said, where do you want to be?

 HAPPY SURGIVERSARY LISA !!!!   in 3 more years I still intend to being keeping my weight in check.   Even though I have put on a few pounds.....I am still very aware of what is going on in my body and the weight gain is due to stress and I know what I have to do to get it back off.   It would already be happening as far as working out but my "hidden ex -hernia" decided to rear it's ugly head at Stephs BBQ just a day after I joined 24 hour fitness.    Now I will probably wait till after the cruise to start my workouts.    Congrats on your success and future....I know it will be bright !!!   Love ya girl !!!


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

I'm almost to the end of my first year. In 3 more years I'd like to be where you are now, sort of.  I'll likely never exercise to the extent you do because of some physical limitations but I do what I can. In 3 years I want to be at the place where I am maintaining my loss without alot of thought. What I mean by that is I never want to go back to diet mode. I want to be able to get up every day and not immediately start thinking about a food plan, about what I can or cannot have that day, I want it to be so second nature that it takes no thought...it just IS. Ya know? I know regular activity is a must but to me that means staying active during the day, not having to spend hours a day/week in the gym in order to maintain. To me, that isn't what 'normal' would be. I don't know if it's possible and I know it sounds like I just want everything easy but that's not it...I just want maintenance to be as second nature as possible!

Dee, don't know if this helps, but I have a very normal food plan - nothing weird or diet about it and in fact, I treat myself everyday and have a Reese's :)   I don't workout as much as you probably think due to some minor injuries when I started jogging.  Much more careful these days.  I do stay on top of cardio and try to keep up with my weights, but my job gets in the way more than anything right now.

My long story short is that I have a normal food life and eat pretty much what I want.  The biggest thing is my 'wants' have changed dramatically over 3 years.  I enjoy healthy food and lot's of veggies these days.

You're doing so great that I have no doubt you'll get where you're headed in no time!

Lisa...yeah, that does help! What do you do for cardio other than jogging? With bad knees and hip jogging is out, brisk walking is about all I can do. After a heat stroke a few years ago I have to be careful about getting over heated, it's been so hot lately I haven't even been doing that. I do the weight thing with our Bowflex machine but I could stand more of that!

Foodwise....I'm already to the point that my 'wants' are totally different than they used to be. Never thought I'd go to a steak house and prefer the fish. Right now my biggest fight is wanting a night time bowl of cereal before bed....comfort carbs!

Dee - I use an eliptical machine, indoors only.  No impact and my knee and back take that without any issues.  I do make sure to stretch though so nothing gets pulled, but otherwise, this is the best form of cardio I've found.   I have an old knee injury that required surgery, but the doctor's wouldn't do it because I was so heavy.   Instead, I healed, but even now, have troubles with it at times.   Suggest you do your research before buying an eliptical; make sure you can find one with an adjustable stride so you'll be able to tailor it to you specifically.

Dee,

I don't get up thinking about what I am going to eat and whether or not it is "on plan" and so far I haven't had any trouble staying under 150, which is my personal goal.

That may change as I get farther out, but I am happy with where I am now.  I eat pretty much what I want and my life doesn't revolve around my eating.  I don't plan any of my meals or count or track anything.  I do try to keep protein snacks on hand at work just because I can go longer on protein than carbs.

I am like Lisa and tend to choose healthier foods just because that is what I want.  Do I eat fried foods? - yep.  But not near the quantity as before WLS.  I still choose protein first and don't drink with my meals because I feel better when I do that.  I haven't made it back to the gym in months, but I stay active in other ways.  I also tend to eat the same things day in and day out so that probably contributes to my (mostly) stable weight.

Congrat Lisa...you've done a great job.  You are right about staying on top of things!

Karla

Thanks for being such an inspiration to those of us who are just starting our journey!!!

Hi!! Meeting you all tonight inspired me to get back on OH. We really enjoyed our whole table!!!


Julie