WOW - my 'skinny' jeans fit!

G'morning Dana - Thank you for your kind reply, very sweet of you! I also agree with your comment that "many wait to see us fail" ....the sad thing about it, sometimes it's those who've walked the walk and choked back the vitamins and protein, that are on the sidelines waiting to see the relapse. I'm amazed at how many taunt or ridicule Carnie Wilson's struggles - it's okay to be concerned about the aspect of gaining weight after reaching goal and to ask questions, etc, but to lable her a failure that should get out of the spotlight (courtesy of the new celebrity fitness show she's on) and just lose the weight quietly and discreetly? Whatever! This surgery gives us a level playing field - which means we can maintain, lose or GAIN, just like the next guy. Much better odds than where I started, but long term success is never guaranteed because of it and I'll never lose sight of that. Have a great weekend, Dana!!

I'm about ready to have my jaw wired shut myself. Can't get the rest of this pregnancy weight off for nothin'. Ack! Congrats, My Hero! (((Hugs))) ~~Sherry

G'morning Sherry!!!! Just took a trip over to your profile, Alexis is absolutely ADORABLE!!!!! So is Joshua, of course. I hadn't seen any new photos of your lil girl since she was a few weeks old so I really enjoyed the slideshow cube, too cute! lol - wonder if we can get a two-fer on the jaw wiring? Sign me up, although I know me, I'll just puree my donuts, cakes and bagels and slurp it down with a straw! We're ALL hero's as far as I'm concerned - living as morbidly obese people in our society can be taxing at best. Although Ive always felt that this surgery has been the easy way out for *me* (I prefer to work smart not hard) ....maintenance will be a life long challenge and I don't see an "easy way out" for that. Hugs - Lei

Lei, Thank you for this post! The way you talked to yourself, evaluated your goal & plan of attack to get there is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm fighting hard to keep my weight off (I'm 18 mo. out) but I'm finding the temptation easier to give into these days and I don't want to struggle with regain. Your approach gave me some ideas for myself. Thanks again and keep up the good work! Vickie J.

G'morning Vickie ~ I'm glad some of my ramblings can help others, it's good to give back. I've gained SO much knowledge by reading other peoples trials and tribulations, strategies, successes and yes, even their failures. This journey mimics an Eastwood theme, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". Hopefully, by the time we're in the maintenance stages we've learned enough from the bad and the ugly to continue making good choices. Good luck with the temptations, I know how dificult it can be. Just remember, you're your own best friend (lol, don't be afraid to talk to the voices in da' head, it works) and the strength will come from within. You're a strong woman and you WON'T regain the weight because it's not an option you've allowed for. ~ Lei

Lei, Thank you! Your confidence in my strength helps to reinforce my resolve to continue the journey & fight the good fight. I truly understand what you mean by "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly". Thanks also for posting on your profile and in board posts the ups & downs of your journey. Seeing how you've coped with the ups & downs helps me deal with my trail & tribulations. You inspire me! Enjoy those skinny jeans - you deserve them!!! Vickie J.

Lei, You saw the problem, instead of ignoring it and eating another oreo you attacked it! I have followed your success and bumps in the road since I came to OH. I have always enjoyed reading the stories and recognizing that we all have to deal with things. Many times we deal with them in the same manner. Some of us need help with dealing and that is where the reading helps! I am so happy for your skinny jeans to finally find a home on you! There are so many orpan skinny jeans in the world....yours did not need to be one of them! Thanks again for the shot in the arm of reality! Debbie

HEY!!!! ....how did you know about the Oreo's!?! [checking for crumbs on my chin] I think one of the lessons I took away from all of this is I that my "trigger" button was set too high. I remember giving myself permission (literally) last October to INDULGE. Not once or twice, but pretty much in general. I knew the portions would be small so I wasn't too concerned at my lackadaisical approach with all the 'fun' food choices. I always said (even before the surgery) that when I got to goal, I'd never stray over 20 pounds. lol, pretty big span, huh? So when the first 10 pounds showed up, I wasn't overly concerned but decided to try and put the brakes on it. Unfortunately, it brought back a flood of OLD habits, you know the ones where your mind and body rebels because it KNOWS you're trying to enforce a healthy eating habits? Sure enough, while trying to lose the 10 lbs, I gained 5 more (just like the old days). That put me way to close to my max allowance so I'm resetting my trigger point at 10 lbs over and retraining my mindset. Its a shame I have to have a trigger weight but since it took 45 years to learn how to eat WRONG, I suspect it'll take awhile to data dump and actually retain new habits. Continued success to ALL of us! Lei

You're my hero!! Proof positive that it can be done... post the honeymoon phase. I'm 50 lbs from goal. I keep playing with the same 10 lbs. up and down. Your post has inspired me to behave and get to goal!!! Thanks for the inspiration... Denise

G'morning Denise, I'm SO SORRY it took me so long to get back to you ...lol, heck, you prolly don't even remember writing to me anymore, but I felt bad that I didn't at least respond with a "thank you". As luck would have it (or not have it) ...my laptop chose that week to literally blow up on me. Lost everything on the hard drive and although we have a back up "desk top" downstairs, I don't have the patience to wait for the GERBILS to wake up and start SPINNING the inner-wheels to load the programs. Anyway - GOOD LUCK TO YOU, you can do it - you're worth the additional effort that comes with taking off the remaining 50 lbs. Trust me, I understand how HARD those last ones can be too. I was able to lose 180+ pounds my first year, the last 50 pounds took almost an entire second year. Congratulations on your current success(es) and remember to share the happiness with others as you reach your additional goals. Happiness is contagious! - Lei