Double Century Club - 200 lbs LOST
It's an amazing start to my morning - to see 220lbs on my scale this morning. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe I ever weighed over 400 lbs. I am slowly forgetting what that was like - I have to drag out my clothes just to see how big I actually was (and the pics - there arent many though)
I suffer from, and will always have to deal with, serious eating issues. I am an emotional and a binge eater and while I have obviously done a great job managing those issues, they will always be there. I know that I will always have to be vigilant.
So, just a few thoughts for the pre-ops, new-ops, and anyone else that needs some encouragement.
- Figure out why you are overweight/obese, and deal with it. Get out of denial and really figure it out. You won't be succesful unless you can do that - if you don't know what the problem is, how will you figure out the solution? It's not as simple as eating 600-800 cal for 6-12 months.
- Make a plan - I don't care what it is, but you should not go into the OR room wondering what you are going to do next. You need to be able to think and plan beyond just a liquid/mushy/puree stage. You need a plan for how you are going to make it to goal. Hopefully you've worked this out with your doctor or NUT or what ever, and if not, hopefully you've spent enough time doing research and talking to the vets to figure out what you need to do be successful.
- Have and keep a positive attitude and learn some patience. Without these two things, you will give up within 3-6 months because if you think this is easy, you are in for a big shock (especially those of us starting at very high BMIs where it may take close to 2 years to reach our goal weights). If you feel like a failure because you gained 10 lbs in the hospital, or 3 week stall bothers you to the point of an emotional breakdown, you aren't going to fare very well in the long run. I've spent 75% of my post op time "stalled" - I never lose consistently every week, and I've had to suck it up and deal with it.
- Set some goals - and seriously, i do not mean " I want to lose x lbs in x months" - I think that particular mindset is a detrimental to t his process. I mean short and long term goals that keep you actively working at them - getting your water, getting your protein, exercise, tracking your food. If you focus on the healthy behaviors, the weight loss will follow.
I have tracked my food every day since I started eating post-op. That means I have weighed and measured almost everything I've eaten in the last 9 months. Sometimes I cant because life gets in the way - but Ive been measuring, weighin and tracking that I have a good enough idea of what I'm putting in my body. I have had more days of unwise choices than Id like to admit, but Ive had to work hard NOT to let that derail me (because that's always what ended every other diet attempt) and it's working.
I've been working at these 200 lbs for close to 2 years now, and every day is still a struggle, but Ive made enough changes to my overall life style that I know I'll have ups and downs, but I will make it to my goal. My friends and support here on OH have been critical to my success - I've never met so many people who inspire me and make me want to keep going and be a better person.
I suffer from, and will always have to deal with, serious eating issues. I am an emotional and a binge eater and while I have obviously done a great job managing those issues, they will always be there. I know that I will always have to be vigilant.
So, just a few thoughts for the pre-ops, new-ops, and anyone else that needs some encouragement.
- Figure out why you are overweight/obese, and deal with it. Get out of denial and really figure it out. You won't be succesful unless you can do that - if you don't know what the problem is, how will you figure out the solution? It's not as simple as eating 600-800 cal for 6-12 months.
- Make a plan - I don't care what it is, but you should not go into the OR room wondering what you are going to do next. You need to be able to think and plan beyond just a liquid/mushy/puree stage. You need a plan for how you are going to make it to goal. Hopefully you've worked this out with your doctor or NUT or what ever, and if not, hopefully you've spent enough time doing research and talking to the vets to figure out what you need to do be successful.
- Have and keep a positive attitude and learn some patience. Without these two things, you will give up within 3-6 months because if you think this is easy, you are in for a big shock (especially those of us starting at very high BMIs where it may take close to 2 years to reach our goal weights). If you feel like a failure because you gained 10 lbs in the hospital, or 3 week stall bothers you to the point of an emotional breakdown, you aren't going to fare very well in the long run. I've spent 75% of my post op time "stalled" - I never lose consistently every week, and I've had to suck it up and deal with it.
- Set some goals - and seriously, i do not mean " I want to lose x lbs in x months" - I think that particular mindset is a detrimental to t his process. I mean short and long term goals that keep you actively working at them - getting your water, getting your protein, exercise, tracking your food. If you focus on the healthy behaviors, the weight loss will follow.
I have tracked my food every day since I started eating post-op. That means I have weighed and measured almost everything I've eaten in the last 9 months. Sometimes I cant because life gets in the way - but Ive been measuring, weighin and tracking that I have a good enough idea of what I'm putting in my body. I have had more days of unwise choices than Id like to admit, but Ive had to work hard NOT to let that derail me (because that's always what ended every other diet attempt) and it's working.
I've been working at these 200 lbs for close to 2 years now, and every day is still a struggle, but Ive made enough changes to my overall life style that I know I'll have ups and downs, but I will make it to my goal. My friends and support here on OH have been critical to my success - I've never met so many people who inspire me and make me want to keep going and be a better person.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
VSG on 02/08/12
You are only "slow" if you are comparing yourself to someone else. My best piece of advice would be to avoid doing that. You should be content if you wake up every day and know you tried your best - that's all you can do, and as long as you are following your plan, you will make progress. Don't get discouraged - you are losing!
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
VSG on 02/08/12
Alison, I think you are awesome girl. You have been an inspiration to me since I first read your posts last year. You are so dedicated to making this work & you do put me to shame with your hardcore workouts. It's people like you who make me want to make the most of this journey so I thank you for that. Thanks for your post girl. Keep on rockin' it & congratulations on hitting the Double Century Club!!!
No thank YOU - I couldn't do it without support and kick in the butt sometimes!
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
ready2sleeve
on 3/26/12 1:10 am - CA
on 3/26/12 1:10 am - CA