Half the Man

This morning I hit my second stretch goal. I have now lost half of my original starting weight of 360lbs after starting this 23 month journey. Strangely, I am having very mixed feelings this morning now that I have reached my stretch goal of  weighing in at 179.5lbs..

I am obviously excited but I also feel kind of depressed for some reason. Now i have to figure "Whats Next"! When I tell my family of my progress they seem to all be concerned that I have lost too much, give me that worried look, and say i look like my Father who we lost to Cancer last year.
My only real regret is that I waited till I was 60 years old to have the WLS and I wish I had back all those years that I struggled with obesity and related health issues.

Semper Fi - If not Now then When!

It's funny how our mind works.  I think we get used to working toward a goal, it's kind of a let down when we reach it.

Congrats on meeting your goal, you have done a fantastic job losing so much weight. Perhaps now is a good time to transition into building more muscle or other ways of body improvement. I know it can be addicting to see a loss on the scale but there are other ways that we can see changes as well.

Congratulations on being half the man you used to be.  But that is figurately.  Physically, you are twice the man you used to be!  I know what you mean about looking older.  I think I do, but at almost 60  (YIKES - THAT"S NEXT WEEK!) I'll take looking a little older now that I can enjoy my life. 

When I hit goal, my mind went right back to the old ways of "ok I hit goal, so now I'm done".  That said, maintenance is hard, but I haven't gained, so it's all good. 

Congratulations on a job well done!!! When I hit goal a couple of months ago, it felt anti-climatic, so I thought, "What now?" I have never ever truly worked a maintenance program and I am finding it, extremely challenging.

I have been working out since December, 2010 and have built up a good deal of muscle. I am going to continue to work on decreasing my body fat and engaging in more intense and challenging activities. These are my new goals and will help me to maintain my weight, as well as increase my fitness level. I would love to go on a multi-sport or adventure vacation and the exercise will definitely help me to achieve this goal.

What are your goals? Think about this and it will help you to stay focused, so that you can maintain your gains. I bet, you look great and your family isn't used to seeing you this way. I am 57, almost 58, and people tell me that I look younger and fit. That is hard to wrap my head around. Think about how much healthier you are now, and how do you want to spend the years ahead? Think about how much more productive they will be, since you are half your former size. You will be much healthier and better able to engage in new and different type of activities. It can be exciting.

This is a journey and we are always a work in progress. Continue to do the things that helped you to lose the weight and you will be able to maintain your weight loss.

Gail

I think it is awesome all you have accomplished and you should feel really proud of yourself.  As far as looking like your father I have heard people say that it takes a while for the weight loss to kind of redistribute itself through your body and while you may look gaunt now you will not stay that way forever.  As far as a new goal, I like the idea of an excercise goal, an activity goal or even a goal to maintain your weight.  Sometimes maintenance can be much harder thenlosing so maybe setting a goal that you will maintain your weight for x amount of time will be a good goal.

Good luck to you

Congratulations on acheiving your goal!!
I know how you feel about the regrets.....I have said the exact same thing myself.  I wish I had done this at least a couple of years before I did, but I can only be thankful that I have lost my weight and comorbidities now, and am now feeling so much better.
Best of luck to you as you work toward your next goal....whether it is just maintenance, or whatever you decide to do. 

 The What Next feeling after reaching goal is weird!  I had that too.  I was so fixated on reaching my goal weight and when I saw the number I was like, "Hey!  Huh.  Um.  So I guess I just get off of the scale now?"  No confetti falling from the sky or gatorade being dumped on me.  Just another day.

Your achievement is amazing!  Who cares that it happened at 60 - better at 60 than never at all.  Your family will also adjust to the new you!

Congratulations and don't lose sight of what you've done.  Now it's finding how you want to live in your new half-self.  And when you figure that out can you let me know?  I'm still trying to sort it all too!

Congrats on reaching your goal. Feels great, doesn't it?  We have an unnofficial "half yourself" club here for those who lost half their weight or cut their pants size in half. You are in.

There is some letdown at reaching goal. It helps to set a series of maintenance goals (ie i will stay at this weight for 3 months, and then another 3 months etc. ). Also exercise goals, still food journal, adjust  calories gradually to figure out your maintenance level etc. Stick with this group for maintenance help. Its your next project. I have made it my new mission.   Diane