Sharing Struggles and Success 3/3

Hi All,

I thought it might be a good idea if we tried sharing our struggles and success on an ongoing basis. I'll post this thread periodically.

Please share any struggles and/or successes you've had lately. We are often inspired and educated by one anothers Struggles and Successes.

I look forward to hearing about yours!

Struggles...

I've been eating as a reaction to stress. Like so many of us, we have had our share of difficulties lately and I'm finding that I am turning to food (read Bullseye candy) for comfort. My weight hasn't been significantly affected. I was 'too thin' for comfort and now I'm getting back to a weight I like, I just hope I get my head in gear so that I don't gain 'unwanted' pounds.

Successes...

We have really been struggling since my husband lost his job, but one silver lining came with our new healthplan that includes a healthclub membership. I just joined and look forward to learning to 'like exercise.' We'll see about that... I'm just about the least athletic, most uncoordinated person you may ever meet, but I'm going to try anyway. I am hoping that this may be a better way to manage the stresses that we are experiencing right now and instead of putting unwanted weight on, maybe I can sculpt some of the physique I already have. :-)

STRUGGLE:

I recently had to deal with a stricture.  I started the pureed stage of my diet quite easily and then suddenly everything was making me feel sick.  I thought it was normal.  It took me over a week before I called the doctor and made an appointment.  It took another week before I had the procedure (gastroplasty) to stretch my stoma.  The whole time I just felt like a baby and worried that I was wasting everyone's time.,,that I should just deal with it.

SUCCESS:

The procedure went well and by the next day I was back on track with my protein and water intake.  It's now been 4 days since the procedure and I feel SO MUCH BETTER!  Why did I even doubt that I should go and talk to my doctor?  Why did I doubt that I should have the procedure?  I'm back on track.

Hi Kathleen,

I'm so very sorry to hear that you were struggling with a stricture and I'm so glad that you did seek help from your dr and get the relief you needed.

Wishing you continued success,

Dear Barbara;
    Last weekend was my 10-month surgeri-versary day!  I weighed 110 lbs. and have lost 117 lbs!  That is a great success to go with my successful dog obedience trial in Winston-Salem, NC.  I am soooo glad that whatever I do in the ring with my 8-pound black poodle, I can forget about the laughing people in my brain because I am not morbidly obese anymore.  I actually said that to myself so I wouldn't be so nervous!  "At least I am thin:)"   I am not trying to lose more weight because I have been maintaining a loss of 115 lbs since December.  I am still sensitive to carbohydrates and am learning to cook from a low-carb cookbook which I usually can eat without any problems!  I am inspired by the weightlosssurgerychannel.com and love to watch their programs about WLS.  I hope that I will be able to attend the next meeting in Raleigh.
Sincerely,
Rena RNY 4/30/08 Duke
weigh 110 lbs., lost 117 lbs. forever!

Hi Rena,

Congratulations on your successes! I look forward to meeting you soon.

P.S. I'll bet you didn't know that I used to show too... I love my Havanese... cousins to Poodles.

Wow...another doggie person:)  Is there a set day for the weight-loss support group?  I would like to save that day every month!  Also, how does a person get to be a certified  coach?  Thanks,
How I love my little poodles!
Rena

Hi Rena,

We have a standing General Meeting on the 3rd Saturday of each month. I do some othe special interest groups, but they are generaly on a weeknight eveing. You can get the details for the upcoming events at www.meetup.com/nc-wls

Struggles...

Last week I was having severe sharp pains in my stomach above my belly button.  So Friday I had an EGD that confirmed I had an ulcer.  I was prescribed Nexium and I have not had any pain since then.

Successes...

I had surgery on December 17th and since then I have lost 46 lbs.  Other than the ulcer, I have had no complications.  I have been consistently working out at the gym for the first time in my life and I am feeling GREAT!

Hi everyone,

Struggles

I am the major caregiver for my 80 yo mom.  Sometimes it is so stressful that I don't think before I eat.  I have actually sat for 8 hrs in the ER with her without eating so that when I do get a chance to eat I eat too fast because I am so hungry.  Then of course I toss it up!  I keep something in my purse to keep that from happening but sometimes I just forget!  Being a Realtor sometimes I know that I am not eating enough that day or the right things.  I really have to get more organized in that department. I am struggling with a plateau right now.

Successes

I have lost 55 lbs since my surgery in Aug. I have gone done from a 30/32 to a 24 in clothes.  I did not gain anything over the holidays!! Yeah!