New to the group, old at this game

Hi, everyone. Joann from Boston, that wonderful diva, turned me on to this group after I posted my misery on the main message board. Before, I only knew of the grads group on yahoo; and I could never access it. I'm 3-1/2 years out, and struggling mightily. Have gained back nearly 40 pounds--there--I said it. Got to go back to square one. And there's one thing I know, even though I'm a gym rat, it doesn't take the place of the walking and the water. I have every excuse in the book for not doing it; but do it I must. Thanks in advance for all the encouragement you can muster. This isn't going to be easy, but it sure is necessary. Amy

Amy-I remember you from the past. Welcome to the grads board. It's a great place to visit and share with other's on the same journey. I think there are very few people who don't struggle and have to really work at maintenance. It's great that you are a "gym rat", but you are right--aerobic activity really helps in maintenance. I've been trying to get myself back into that. I love bike riding so that may be what I'm gonna focus on next. Hope to see ya around again soon.

Hi Amy, Best of luck to you as you work on this. I was talking to one of my high school students recently and I was saying how great he must be feeling after losing 40 pounds. He replied, "Yeh, but it was only 40 pounds - not like you." These days, I am acutely aware that whether it's 4 or 40 or 200, it's still hard. So I won't trivialize what you are facing - this is hard work. Hope this board helps provide what you need. JudiC

Hi Amy: This is poster formerly known as Poppa HotRolls, and I want to say "Thank you" and welcome to the Grad Board. You honest candor is a breath of fresh air. We here on the Grad Board may not have canned answers to every problem presented, but we can tolerate honesty. We might not greet every post with a "Ah, sweetie, poopsie, whoopise tripe." Gird your loins for the fight of your life and and get back to the trenches. The fight is on and I am just one trench over from you fighting like a junkyard dog! Bad news is that this is a fight. The good news is that it can be won! Welcome back. Nowhere Man/PH/Jay

You said Poopsie, whoopsie. If I had anything left in me I would fight the good fight! Poopsie Whoopsie...sheesh! You know how to rile a girl...

I suspect that your husband describes you as 'challenging'. I'm just glad you don't work for Mossad. (or do you? If so, I need to enter a Idiot Protection Program.) Nowhere Man/PH/Jay

Now Jay, If I worked for the Mossad could I share that with you? Let's just say that I am no longer receive a stipend from the IDF or it's associated agents. As for my husband's description of his loving wife...yes, challenging is among the poetic brush strokes. And yes, sometimes the brush strokes are really bold splatters... Driven, Direct, Measured, Bold, Pain in the Ass... Karen

Welcome Amy! I found this website when I was nearing the end of my 4th year...clearly took the virtual short bus to a thriving and supportive community. I am sure Joann shared that we are not about frickin' group hugs, validation for uncontrollable run-ins with stuffed french toast, or a sounding board for whiners and complainers about the lack of sensitivity from buffet purveyors who don't discount WLS post ops...no, that is not this group. We are about taking a look at where we came from, and living in fear of that former self, all the while never letting go of the who we were, how we got there, how we felt, and supporting one another to never, ever return. So welcome to the land of challenges, successes, commitment, evolution, motion, and self-awareness. Welcome to the Grads Board! Karen

I'm so glad you found us, Amy. Many of us here have experienced a regain of more than a few pounds. The honeymoon is definitely over for us and has been for some time. As Jay says, welcome to the trenches. We're all in this together. Don't be a stranger. Hugs, Connie

Hi Amy! I remember you! It's good to see you on this board! Thank you for your honesty about your struggles. I can totally relate; today I weigh 161.5 - a regain of 16.5 pounds above my goal weight, and a regain of 29.5 from my all-time lowest weight of 132 (which I think I lasted at for all of a day)! I actually gained all the way up to 170 pounds at one point, so I have lost "some", but I continue to struggle on a daily basis. What's helping me is to break up my goals into smaller pound increments. Right now, my goal is to get back down to 155 (only 6.5 pounds away). To me, that sounds less daunting than almost 30 pounds back to my lowest weight. In truth, I'll settle for getting back to my original goal weight of 145 (I think I looked kind of sickly at 132). Anyway, welcome to "the group that tells the truth"! Keep fighting the good fight, and remember that we're all in this together! Lelina 298/161.5 (looking for 145 again!)