avatar

Well I tried Kathy's advice for getting a picture on my avatar and it did the  same as all my other tries, looked successful and said "done" but picture went off into limbo land somewhere. But I was able to download this really cute winking kitty! Much better than that silhouette. I'm making progress, in more ways than one!

Rhonda

LOL... well, the kitty is a cutie for sure! We'll see your image on your avatar yet!
Congrats on all of your prgress!

Thanks Patrece. You kow that old saying: "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again." LOL, I don't give up, although I do retreat and regroup 'til my next try!

And I also think that old saying applies to all of us. I think anyone considering something as serious as WLS has tried again and again to find the right way to lose weight and keep it off. And now we have found the tool that will help us reach that goal. That is so amazing. I love looking at the before and after photos on the different sites as they are SO encouraging. It's pretty hard to imagine that I can actually acheive that too, but I'm trying every day to visualize myself thin and healthy and eating and exercising like a thin healthy person. You know what- I think it's working! I'm nowhere near perfect but I have been questioning myself when I get that urge to eat. Am I really hungry? No? then don't eat, do something else!! And that's what I do! And that's not so easy because my house is FULL of food. I've given lots away but the rest will soon be gone because of my children and their friends. YAY! 

I know the surgery is not going to change my desire to eat when stressed, so I am trying to work on that issue now beforehand and hope it gets easier with practice!
Hugs,
Rhonda

It will definately get easier with practice, although weak moments can still occur. You are doing it right by asking yourself if you are truly hungry. When you find the answwer is NO I am not physically hungry, the next job is to figure out exactly what it is you are thinking you are trying to fill with the food, then try to fill that need. Example... boredom. Another good idea is to make a list of alternatives to eating when you are in one of those "head hunger" modes. Something to distract you from the thought of wanting to eat, hobby, craft, nice long bath by candle light, a nice walk, a good book to read, etc... whatever things you enjoy that will take your thoughts away from food and to the task / activity at hand. Make a nice LONG list of options, so when some don't strike your fancy, you still have many other things to fall back on instead of food.

Hope if you try this, you find it to be helpful. It is one of the tactics we were taught as support group leaders. But I don't recall if it was from my training here at OH or the other training I took..

You are doing great! Keep up the good work. many don't even bother until after the surgery, so I can see that you are going to be a great success story!

Thanks Patrece. I plan to succeed and I want to do everyting in my power to make that happen. I know that it's gonna take a lot of effort to change mentally and that part is totally up tp me. My surgery will be a huge help but it will not fix all the problems. The more practice I get in now, the easier it will be to become a life long habit to eat properly. If only this frame of mind never changed, if life didn't get in the way, I'd have it made wouldn't I? But I know that reality rears it's ugly head and I just have to pick myself up and try again whenever I fall down. And I have all of you here to help me get up if that seems too hard! I'm so happy I found you all.

Hugs,
Rhonda

I'm happy you found us too! You are going to do awesome! You have a wonderful attitude! We absolutely ARE here to help pick you up and dust you off whenever needed, as I know you'll do for all of us as well.

Love the positive attitude Rhonda.  Keep trying, and you WILL succeed.  Your winking kitty is cute.  Looking forward to seeing the avatar when you get it.  Hugs, Kathy

After it shows that your pic uploaded, hit the refresh button for the page. That should do the trick, it worked for me.

Thanks you guys. Linda, I'll try your suggestion and see if that works.

; ) Rhonda

Linda love the new pic! How are you doing? How did shoulder surgery go? Inquiring minds want to know!