A different side of success....maintaining as an emotional eater

Allison, thank you! This is the hardest hardest part and for similar reasons I think. This emotional **** is the worst. And I totally agree abt the idea of getting back to basics not being a workable concept always. It makes me feel hopeless. Ditto ugh for depression and anxiety!! I know those twins. Sending you big hugs and thanks for the company! You are fab!!!!! xxx

Do you have the book? I bought the whole30 book and wow, it really resonates. I haven't finished it yet but it is striking a chord.

Here's my take: I know people get annoyed when we compare on the board or say something is harder for others than some. The reality is simple in my estimate, losing 200+ pounds is simply harder than losing 100. You have lost an AMAZING amount of weight. It was clearly a marathon, not a sprint, for you with that much weight. It is just flat courageous of you to stay the course, be honest with yourself and not bury your head. Facing yourself is a huge challenge and you have not only done so, you have looked into the dark abyss and lived to tell the story. You have faced your own darkness and kicked it in the teeth. That is just warrior like. To be raw and honest and naked and vulnerable and strip yourself of your own illusions and come out stronger, that is success. That is impressive, that is amazing, that is inspiring, that is you. I think, though I realize you didn't ask, maybe allow yourself the luxury of being impressed with you. If you saw you like we see you, you'd be wow'd by you. You're truly wow'ing. Anyone with enough strength to slay 200 pounds, can slay another 30 or 40. You got this. And if you decide not to lose anymore, you are still a dragon slayer.

I have been working up the courage to begin whole30 and I'm a scared little chicken. I am totally impressed by you!

 

I didnt buy t he book but maybe i'll look into it - i didnt give it much thought. i woke up one morning, had a big F'n pity party, cried, cried, cried some more, and then someone posted something about paleo on FB, and I was like...I'm going to do it. Within 2 hours, I went to the book store, grocery store and made it back home and started cooking. I never even considered how much I was cutting out, but....i just did it. 

 

Losing 200 lbs isnt necessarily harder than losing 100....it really has to do with the kinds of obstacles you have to climb over along the way. Hell, some days I think losing 200 lbs was easy as hell because my life was fairly calm during that time....it was certainly easier than it has been to lose a few lbs in the last month!

I call bull**** Alison.

Losing 200 pounds is WAY ******g harder than 100. It takes longer (for most of us) and the physical changes to our bodies is way more intense. The mental **** is harder. It's a LONG haul.

Do NOT sell yourself short. EVER.

What you did is goddamn amazing. Two years ago you weighed 420 pounds. You don't anymore. HOW MANY PEOPLE DO THAT? Even with surgery, it's un-******g-heard-of.

Ook ok - this is why I love  you. You always keep me in check :)   

Heh, and I love you because you don't get offended and di**** out when I need it too :) xoxo

YEP.  Hearing you loud and clear.  Success is what we define it as.  So speak the truth into yourself every day.  You are successful, you are taking care of yourself, mentally, physically and emotionally.  Give your self the pat on the back, you deserve it.  You have accomplished so much.  There are so many great blessings that come through this journey.  And even though we have horrific days or weeks, we can look at those blessings and be thankful.  A grateful heart is a happy heart.  

I just saw this idea on a morning talk show:  SMILE, even if you do not feel like it.  It will send the same signals to your brain that will make it think you are happy, when perhaps you are not.  Watch a good comedy, let your belly jiggle with laughter, it is a good medicine.

We never know if we will have tomorrow, so enjoy today!

We hear so much on these boards about getting to goal and having that PERFECT weight we have always wanted.  But is it the perfect weight we have always wanted? Meaning, what we really wanted originally was to feel better, have energy, be more active and enjoy life.  So success, I think, as you have stated, is having that list fulfilled, not just reaching a number on a scale.

I would rather have a healthy mind, body and soul at a bit heavier weight (not obese, because that is miserable), than be miserable at a lower one.  There are many miserable people that are rail thin.  Misery, is misery.  There are many overweight, content, happy people that fully enjoy life and vice versa.  It is a balance.  It is a process and it takes time and effort.

You are making the time and effort for overall heath.  Yay You!

My friend, I am so glad that you are overcoming the darkness that has had a grip on you. Anyone who says this path is easy is so miss informed, it is hard stuff. I know lots of people have said that our surgeons operate on the stomach, not the brain. Boy is that a true statement. Unfortunately, we bring our baggage with us into our new bodies. But, those who don't give up can overcome, I see you as an overcomer. Oh, and you are a success, you look good, you can do things that you couldn't do at 420 pounds, and you are taking control of your life. You are one of my VSG heroes.