I'm officially out of my funk and 8.5 lbs. lighter!

Hi Kathy,

I am going to read eveyones responses in a minute, but I wanted to read your post and respond direclty to you first:

Welcome back honey and big hugs!  I am sorry you have been down in the dumps lately.  I think you need to realize, this is a safe place, none of us are here to judge you, we only want to help and a lot of us can relate to what you were going through.

Regarding the snacking late at night.  I am going to say something that may not be popular here, but I think it is a huge part of my success:
-  if I like snacking at night
-  or if I like carbs
- or if I like sweets
-  or if I don't like to exercise
-  or if " __________________"  (fill in the blank)

Then rather than just trying again and again to not do, eat, face these things, and then failing at it...

Why not find a way that 'works' for you.  If you should not be snacking at night, because your plan, doctor or peers say you shouldn't... what should you do?

I think you should snack at night!  Why?
-  Because you are going to do it anyway, but feel guilty
-  You can fit it into your plan, and stop the madness
-  You can still be a success and lose weight if you snack at night
-  Do you know what I mean?  Make it work into our plan, no problem, no guilt, and still lose weight.

I was eating meal, snack, meal, snack, meal snack and that was ok, but I wanted something at night before bed...

So I realized I did not need or want the snack between breakfast and lunch, I now have that snack before bedtime... same calories, same weight loss, and no guilt.

Congrats on losing that 8.5 lbs!!  How cool is that!  I am soooo happy for you!! 

Honey, never stop coming here for the support you need and deserve. Never, ever give up, keep moving forward, keep picking yourself up and dusting yourself off, and using your mind and likes an dislikes to find something that works for you.

I am in maintenance now.  I WANT M&M Peanuts and a tortilla every single day, to feel normal, and because I love them both.  I don't care what anyone thinks, I want to 'fit' them into my plan.  AND I have been, and guess what, my body is ok with it, I am maintaining even with these in there...  Do what works for you. 

Just be sure to get enough protein, water, vitamins, and exercise in.  Even if all you do is walk, get moving to some degree, it is so good for you!

All the best to you honey, and keep on coming back, you are so normal and have nothing to be ashamed of!

Big hugs,

Cindy,
Wow. Thanks for your reply. Your strategy makes a lot of sense. And it is definitely working for you. Great job!  So when you were in your weight loss phase did you plan out your eating for the day ahead of time or write as you went? Did you count calories and if so, what was your calorie limit per day?  Thanks so much for the encouragement!
ooo,
kathy

Hey Kathy, congrats on the 8.5 lb loss!! That's really wonderful!! I don't really have any great advice as so many have already shared great ideas already. I just wanted to cheer you on! Keep it up, you can do this!

Hi old pal ;)  Look at our matching profile info.  You have done beautifully, John. Do you feel like a new person? Have you gotten rid of your weight-related health issues?  And how is that little bambino of yours?  

What can I say? I am still struggling, but I'll get there.  I just have to get my mind in the game.  Congrats on coming so far so quickly!  

~Kathy 

I'm so happy to see your smiling face again, Kathy!

And you know I was worried about you - did you get my message?  I was (not kidding) about to track down your husband to ask him if you were ok.  So keep that in mind the next time you decide to disappear on us!  ;)

Of course I'm concerned about everything you post here.  We can talk about it.  I'm so tired right now I can't really spell it out right now.  BUT, I'm so glad you came back.  You're much stronger than you give yourself credit for!

Monday's still the only option for me, btw.  In fact, my schedule keeps getting worse.  I am working too hard...

Oh!  Don't schedule anything for the 22nd, please!  I am really looking forward to meeting you and Toni.  And be careful not to overload yourself with too much work, Rosa. Take time to take care of YOU!

That's so sweet that you were worried.  Just as I was worried about you when  you were doing so much traveling for work.  I'm sorry I did not respond to your message. I didn't want to be a downer in my response to you.  I didn't realize how long I've been away.

I know what is going on in my psyche that is preventing me from owning the program and is sabotaging me.  We can talk about it when you have more energy and time. I think it is a pretty common problem for a lot of overweight people. But mine is pretty deep seated and still plagues me even at my old age!  haha.

So sweetie, are you going "home" to your parents' for Thanksgiving?  I hope and pray and swing lizards that I will be seeing you and Toni on Monday the 22nd!  

Get some rest. ooo, kathy 

Absolutely! I'm holding the date with my life.  :)

Thanks.  I think I'm going back to sleep.  

 Kathy, you little rascal.  I was wondering where you had gone off to.  Now let me tell you something young lady... when we are having a tough time of it is when we need to stick like glue to our support team.  It was isolating and hiding when the going got rough that had us become so fat.  Speak up and say what's on your mind.  Say your concerns, say your truths and don't worry about people having judgments because that's their problem, not yours.  We all got to the WLS door because of difficulty with food.  It doesn't just vanish because we wake up post-op.  They operate on our stomach, not our heads.  Why do we sabotage ourselves?  I don't know your answer, but I'm trying to figure out my own.

This recovery is a journey.  Some of us will arrive at our destination having had to go through more introspection than others.  There's no shame, blame or anything else.  It just is what it is.  

I need these last 20-25 pounds off my body.  I'll do anything with you that will help us both achieve our goals.

WAY TO GO on those 8.5 pounds!  You're rockin it even when you don't realize it.  Kudos!