9+ months, 150 pounds lost - My lessons.... (xpost)

Today I have officially lost 150 pounds from my highest weight.  I'm just a bit over 9 months out, and while I'm not at goal I know there are others who have lost more than I have in less time, I can't help but feel that my situation is a little different.

I never lost my appetite from the very beginning and have struggled with both physical and head hunger since day one.  So managing to lose this weight with that situation has been a challenge for sure; one I've put my all into fighting.  There are many things that I have learned from others and things that I have done well and not so well.  I'd like to share a bit about those things.

Things that I could have done better:

- Logging food: There was a time a few months out from surgery where I stopped tracking my food because I thought with just following low carb and the VSG small portions I would be low on calories.  I was wrong - it turned out I was eating well over 1000 each day for many months and I maybe could have been further along by now had I kept an eye on that.

- Drink more fluids: Like many others I have struggled with fluid intake.. I couldn't drink plain water (recently found I can with a pinch of baking soda added!) and got so sick of tea, flavored drinks, etc.  I still wish I had pushed myself harder with this.

- Eating fattier foods like cheese and nuts.. with the continued hunger sometimes it's the fattier foods that satisfy me the most but I did this too often and spiked my calories.

- Slowing down eating: I still eat too fast and never really had to slow down.. as long as I am controlling my cravings, volume and food quality, I'm going to have to just be OK with that for now.

Things that have been going well:

- I exercise regularly.. usually 5-7 days a week depending on how much I can fit in my schedule.  Even when I had a recent family member in the hospital, I was running up and down stairs and on the front lawn of the hospital any chance I got to take a break.

- Planning food: Preparing all of my own foods and having them with me where ever I go has been a huge help.  I haven't had to resort to fast food (with who knows what kinds of calories or quality in the food) or restaurants or pre-packaged stuff because I always have food prepared.  Just this simple thing saves me so much time, trouble and money.

I don't have to wash the dishes multiple times because I just make one large batch and do dishes ONE time.  I save money on eating out and I know that eating my own healthy foods that I take care into the ingredients that others would not.  Even when I was visiting at the hospital I just grabbed my food in the morning before I went and ate at the hospital.  I HIGHLY recommend this strategy.

- Healthy Recipes: I have learned from Elina that if you struggle with hunger or eating frequent meals, the best thing you can do is make what ever you eat less damaging, so I created/adapted a bunch of sleeve-buster recipes which are super dense and low calorie, high protein, low carb, etc. (see profile for recipes)

- Not stuffing: I have learned from Frisco to always try to undereat your sleeve.  Even if you "can't" stretch a sleeve, you will feel better if you don't push yourself to eat too much (easier said than done for me, but I've made a lot of progress with his help!) both physically and mentally, and you CAN be satisfied with less.  I have a bunch of plastic/melamine bowls that are 1/2 cup each and I use those to measure all of my meals.  If it fits in the cup without going over, then I can eat it. This is something I just got a handle on recently but I feel so much better about my behaviors with this.

- Drinking Fluids: Jimbo reminded me of the importance of drinking lots of fluids.  I now have a 16oz quota of fluids between meals that I require myself to fill.  I don't eat my next meal until I have hit my 16oz quota.  Since I'm a hungry gal, this is an incentive for me.  It has helped me immensely.  Although I did not do well on this earlier on, recently since I have started doing better with this I have noticed an increase in my weight loss.

- Low carb abstinence: I eat low carb, no matter what and have been completely low carb for more than a year. I know it is easier said than done but I just had to set a strong boundary with those foods. One bite is too many, and a thousand bites is never enough.

I know that for me as soon as I start, I just want more and more, so I don't take a vacation from this ever.  I know that I'm still vulnerable to my food addiction whether or not I'm on vacation, if it's my birthday or what ever.. I'm still me and I'm still triggered.

Accepting this truth and realizing that it wasn't worth it to spend 5 mins eating to spend days, weeks, or even months lamenting the fact that I gained weight or had major cravings again was a turning point in my life.  Those foods are not worth all of the things I have gained from losing weight.

- Support: Support has been an important aspect for me, which has included OH, professional therapy and my IRL friends.  I have to process the mental changes daily and for me sometimes this is quite hard, and support has been extremely important for me.

Thank you to all of the folks on OH who have been a part of my journey thus far.  I have learned a great deal from many of you and have enjoyed helping others when I can. Luv and hugs...

You've done wonderfully!  Thanks for all that you contribute around here.  150 lbs. is a great achievement.

Thank you!

Sublimate, yes of course you have done an amazing job working your sleeve and managing your hunger and cravings, but what stands out most to me about your success is the honest way you evaluate and consider your progress.  You are clearly committed to a a healthier lifestyle that includes diet, exercise and mental health.  I am always genuinely impressed with your desire and ability to learn and grow and fight through all difficulties.  With this attitude all things become possible.  You are a terrific role model not only for weight loss but also for changing from unhealthy to healthy behaviors.  I hope that you are as proud of yourself and your accomplishments as I am.  Very impressive.

Thank you Elina.. you have been a huge support for me in this all and I am forever indebted to you with my eternal gratitude.  Now that I've been getting a handle on eating less lately, thanks to Frisco, I'm feeling a lot better about myself.  It was hard to feel proud before because of that behavior as I'm sure you understand.

Congratulations on your loss. I've been watching your ticker drop over time....and find you a true inspiration. I really appreciate all the information that you share with us. I've incorporated some of your food items into my diet. I know my journey would be more difficult if I had the hunger you still have....that must make it extra difficult.

Thank you.. yes it truly does make it more difficult to be hungry often.  I have to be more prepared and make better choices and fight my cravings more than perhaps some others do.  However I've still had some good success despite that and I have to remember that when I inevitably compare myself to others. 

Girl, you have done fantastic!

Thank you for all of your insights and strategies that you so willingly share with all of us, I certainly appreciate it. I look forward to your continued success!

Hugs back to you...

Thank you Jean.. you have done so well yourself!

congratulations!  what a difference that must make in how you feel.  I am glad to see you finding what works for you & I know I would like to add fluids, for example.

but I have to say, I have never learned to eat slowly (or if I did, it wore off!) and the measuring stuff out I would hate.  I don't think I could do it if I had to so I'm glad I don't.