Poll on Best Piece of Advice

Hi Everyone, I have just started posting again after months of neglect, and months before that of just sort of lurking on the boards. I now would like to jump back in with both feet and really start participating. I have so much going on, I will just write a little at a time. I am 2 1/2 years post op, and have lost about 125 pounds. I am in the middle of a move, so no access to a scale right now. In fact, this will be the last post from my computer, as I will be staying with a cousin for the next 5 weeks while my new house is being built (like I said, lots going on!) That being said, I was hoping to start a thread with everyone giving me the best piece of advice they can think of for getting back on the wagon. The best thing I do right now is start each day with an Isopure shake, after that it has been going down hill, but no more!!!! September first starts a new regime, and I would love any kind of input anyone would care to share... certain kinds of foods, certain mind sets, anything at all that has helped them in the past. I appreciate this board so much!!! Josie 326/200/150

Hi Josie, I started out at 326 also i am 5'2' and now weigh 148. I still would like to lose 18 mre lbs. My best advice is exercise! No excuses just do it. Peace melinda17 months post op

Josie, The best 'advice' I've utilized was- Set up a routine for getting in those Vitamins and such. The supplements I take first thing in the morning Are in the cabinet with the coffee filters. The ones I take at lunch? I have two sets- one in my desk drawer at work and On the desk next to my computer at home. When I head back to work, I just pop one down. It has kept me from 'having to remember' Or "Work at it" in anyway. The more stuff you can put on "Cruise Control" (not auto-pilot) The easier! May you have a Better time than expected Moving into your new house! Best Wishes- Dx

Thank you Brother DX for that testimony, Sometimes my missives seem to fall upon rocky soil and do not take root. For me, the best advise was to have no fallback plans. This is a Do-Or-Die, Nuclear sort of option approach to weight loss. You have to be prepared to make WLS work or else. It is not 'just another diet'. Enter the world of WLS with the expectation to win and win only. There can no surrender and no second prizes are being offered. J

What worked in the beginning of your WLS journey still holds true now! So you can eat more and better variety does not mean you have to eat more! Keep count of what goes in the mouth, exercise regularly and do take all vitamins and keep the protein levels up! Its all about you! And most importantly its for you! Debbie

The thing that has made the most difference for me is logging my food intake to fitday.com, eating 80-100g of protein daily, drinking at lease 100 oz of liquids per day and reading and following the Pouch Rules for Dummies. http://www.gastricbypassfamily.com/PouchRules.html XOXOXO, Sharyn

Good for you getting back on track. This is a great place to come for help and motivation. I am sure you have lots to offer to others too. I think the best piece of advice I can give is that WLS is now our way of life and we just have to do what we have to do on a daily basis as this was our last resort. It is not like a diet we can put off and start on Monday and eat what we want until then. So, forget Sept. 1 and start right now. This was a piece of advice I got from a therapist. I had always been the start on Monday sort of gal. And then on top of that I had an all or nothing attitude. Meaning if I screwed up just once I had blown it so may as well eat. Once the honeymoon period was over and all the weight had been lost, I had to learn that the WLS lifestyle was every day. And some days I would do better than others. And that is okay as I am only human. And so are you. And on those days I maybe screwed up a bit I had to forgive myself get right back up and do better the very next meal not the next day or the next Monday. You have come a really long way in your journey. So, in the middle of all the stuff you have going on and it sounds like a lot too, love yourself, take some time for just you as you are worth it, and hey, if you do mess up, forgive yourself, dust off and get back on the horse for another go. Good luck and I hope to see you post often and keep us updated on your progress. And good luck with your move and congrats on getting a new house. How exciting!! Melissa Lap Rny 1/15/04 277/135 5"4"

Hi Josie, The people I've seen that are the most successful do the following things: exercise, eat protein first, don't drink with meals, and go to support groups. Another nugget: Just because you CAN eat something doesn't mean you SHOULD. I second the others that say, don't wait until September. There's no time like the present. Hugs, Connie -147#

Hi Josie, What a great post!! I'm going to say what a lot of others have said... track food daily, exercise, get the water in daily (I'm not very good at this one yet). And when I feel like I'm not making progress or I'm just down about it all... I get out my old 'fat' pants and try them on. It really is an eye opener to remember how far I have come and it is my motivator to continue to work the tool. I also come to this board and read and respond to others who are going along the journey same as me, its helpful to know I'm not alone in this. Good luck!! and like the last post said... there no time like the present... why wait til September. Tracy A.