Confession or realization!!!

...I don't even know where to start! ...But, I know I have come along way starting out at 330 and getting down to 160's...But, since, I never kept a food journal or exercised much. Lbs crept back on. I am 196.6lbs this morning. The struggle I have is, how do I get as low as all you lower weight sleevers!. I then realized some have started out where I am now. Some were low 200's, So. yes you're going to be lighter. Well.. So, I have come to the conclusion. I have to stop maintaining at the 190's and start losing again. Even at 3 years out, I know it will come off. I know I will be happy at 170/160lbs but, How do I get it into my thick scull that 160/170's are an acceptable weight???


Hugs and loves

And thanks for hearing me out!

Donna

I have been maintaining for about 6 months and have lost a total of 100 lbs. I have been able to keep my weight within a 2 lb range since mid-April by:

1. logging and tracking my food EVERYDAY by using an online tracking tool. It helps to keep me mindful and accountable.

2. Weight training 2-3 days/week, Spinning 1-2 times/week, TRX 1-2 times week, walking for 20-30 minutes on my lunch time. I exercise 4-6 hours/week. I vary my exercise and routine on a weekly basis, so that my body doesn't get used to the same exercises.

3. Support groups

4. I weigh myself everyday and take my weight for the week, on Sunday. I track my weight on a calendar, so that I can see trends developing. I adjust my food intake and/or exercise, based upon, whether I am going up or down. I don't worry too much about day to day fluctuations, but take my weekly weight on Sunday.

Gail

I am 4'11 and weigh 108-110. I am mostly muscle and have low body fat, but then again, I am short and have no boobage.

You still have your tool. Remember the rule, protein first, then veggies, fruit, complex carbs.

Thanks for you reply Gail!!..

I need to do that same. Getting a tracker out as I type. Will use it also! I need to get back to the gym. I joined then ran scared. They have a monthly meeting here with different surgery people. I need to commit to go. I weigh everyday, but, it seems when its down a little my brain gives me permission to eat more. I will go back to basics and make me work again!

Hugs

Donna

You have done so well. Three years out and you have lost 160 lbs. That is friggin amazing and I hope that you feel proud of yourself. At my one year visit last month, the dietitian said, to remember that I will always have my tool.  We just have to remember that, and use it properly.

What has helped me the most, besides the VSG, is weight training and exercise. I have learned that by using those tools, I can maintain. The logging of food keeps me accountable and I think twice before I eat something and ask myself, if I really want to record that food. To maintain my weight I need to continue those behaviors that helped me to lose the weight in the first place.

I also tend to eat more on exercise days, or if my weight is a bit lower. Human nature.

Here is a link to a brief article stressing the importance of logging food:


http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?i d=1143

Gail

HI D;
A cople of thoughts here. First, that number on the scale is exactly that and nothing more. So many factors go into a person who has a lower number such as height, overall bone and frame structure and probably many unknowns that there is no point in comparing yourself to persons who weigh less. As an example, one of my friends is my same height and weighs a little more yet wears jeans two sizes smaller. I am just bigger framed- have big hands and feet and a big head and thats just how it is. So what. I have a friend just a little taller than me who weighs 160 and she is a martial arts black belt and looks great and younger than her 62 years and can run circles around all of us. So its just a number and even those annoying insurance charts make no allowances for the inevitable human differences.

The real question is what weight do you feel good at and like the way you look. And that might be 170 and thats totally fine. And consider your history. You did start at a higher weight than I did so you have lost as many pounds as me. I just started lower. So you are just as successful and don't forget all the bumps in the road you had with complications. I am just glad you are doing well now.

There is no reason you can't start food journaling now. Just make a commitment to yourself to do it for one month and then it will become a habit. I think I will probably do it forever because it helps me make sure I get enough protein. Try to focus on protein, journaling, overall healthy eating and such and not on the scale number. In the long run that will get you the habits that get to your goal.

And check in here often. All the best.   Diane

well maybe you just need to take it down a few pounds at a time, without having a specific number chosen, and get to a point where your happy with how you look..

I think its all too easy to get all foccussed on a certain number, when its more important to get to a point where we are happy with our look and how we feel in our clothes and how our health is..

I dont keep a food journel any more as such, but i do keep a running number in my head  but its not that hard since most of my days are fairly similar in what im eating other than a different meat or something

I wish you all the best in what ever you decide.


Linda



..

Hi Donna,

Hope you don't mind...  I am going to recycle this from the Daily Weigh In Thread... 

I am so proud of you honey!  Go for it. 

That is how I looked at it also:

-  I gained. 
-  I decided I would not allow myself to gain anymore. 
-  I lost a couple of pounds and then maintained there. 
-  Once I had a handle on that, I lost some more, but I only expected to lose a few, and then I was going to maintain that for awhile... but my body is really into losing right now, so I am going with it.  When it stops, I will maintain again for awhile...  Then decide what I am going to do next, but for the most part I am considering myself DONE!! 
Thanks for your love and support my dear, I will be cheering you on. 

Big hugs, 

Cindy

Well Donna,  I too am over 3 years out !!!

My highest was 310 at 5'4


My lowest was 160.   My personal goal was 170.  not over 175.

I gained up to 180.   RED FLAG.


Now I maintain between 170-173.  size 12.


I want 169.  lol


I am happy and content at age 53,   at my current weight range.

So look at it this way.   It beats 300 +  any day  !!!

I started out at 300 pounds. Today I weigh 183. My surgeon's goal for me was that if I could get down to 170; he would consider me a success ! 170 actually puts me as still being obese ! I'm only 5' 2.5" ~~~ but this is what my surgeon said about where I was, and where he would like to see me:

" You are 54 years old (now 55 !) you have been morbidly obese most of your life. You have advanced oseto arthritis, you need two new knees. You haven't exercised in over 30 years. If you lose to 188 that will be losing over 60% of your total weight needed to be at a normal BMI. I would consider THAT to be a success. However, I'd like to see you at 170.

Funny enough, the weight that I had in my head as "ideal" for me was also 170. Why ? because that was what I weighed in graduate school....some 30 years ago. At that weight I power walked the jr high school track; taught folk danced twice a week, and wore a size 12 pant. I was healthy, active and happy.

I am now almost 9 months out. Will I get to my 170 ? I sure hope so. SLOWLY -- because that is how I lose --

I am working out at Curves 3 to 4 times a week, I am no longer walking with a cane; I only use my mobility scooter at Disneyland or other "venues" where standing is required (and I can't stand still for any length of time due to my knees) I am hoping that I can hit my "goal" of 170 by my one year mark in late January....but if not, then sometime after that is fine too !

Will I be happy at 170 ? Heck, I'm Happy at 183 ! This, to me is a journey. I don't know where it will eventually take me, but I KNOW that my life style has changed completely. The 170 is a number. Size 12 is a number.

HEALTHY is physical and emotional health. I'll head for that !

  

BriarRose, Wow I am crazy proud of you and your great attitude my dear!!