What is your favorite tool and/or tip?

Absolutely!  I think I only have about 15 articles of clothing... including underwear... that fit!  Everything else looks like a choir robe on me! 

I think I am down from 26-28 (and some 30) to an 18-20 dress/skirt... and 22 pant... but that won't be for long either!

I'm going to the Hanes sample sale on Saturday in Winston-Salem... the sale starte Wednesday, but I really can't go until Saturday...

See you soon!

I am year out now currently between 135 to 136. I have lost 182 lbs. My key element was to exercise 7 days a week. Also protein, eating heatlhy, taking my vitamins and drinking my water. I also log all my exercise and food on spark people website. I worry about gaining the weight back so I tend to freak out if the scale goes up. So I am make sure I get in my exercise every day, and watch what I am eating. I also look back on the logs to see why there is  gain and work harder the next day to make sure it don't happen again. my doctor told me to keep my weight between 130 to 135 not to go under 130 lbs

Hi Robin,

Congratulations on your phenomenal success. You've really worked your tool for all it's worth. I'm glad that you have found something that works for you as you learn to maintain your weight. It is normal to have some fluxuation in your weight, but as long as you maintain your weight within 3 to 4 lbs either way, you should be just fine.

Wishing you continued success,

Congratulations on your amazing success.

Thank you and congratulations on your own successes!

Success for me has meant being as compliant as possible to my surgeon's plan.

Food:  I do not eat white carbs...rice, bread, pasta, potatoes or other starchy carbs of any kind, with the exception of beans. I concentrate my food intake on lean meat, fresh vegetables and fruits.  I drink 2 to 3 protein sakes per day.  I eat nuts and peanut butter in very limited quantities.  I never eat junk food or sweets of any kind.  I am not at goal or maintenance and am still learning how to deal with my food issues.

Exercise:  Walking has been my primary source for cardio and weight loss.  I try to walk as much as possible.  Sometimes I may walk up to 11 miles in a two day period.  Sometimes I may only walk 3 miles in a one day period.  I try to walk at least 3 miles per day, but on some days I do not walk at all.  I also go to the gym and lift weights and use the machines.  I am not as regular with the gym as I rely on my husband for transportation and often his schedule does not coincide with gym operating hours.

Accountability:  I come to OhesityHelp everyday for accountability and for knowledge.  No matter the day, I always learn something new from someone whether it is from a pre ops, post ops or veterans.  I always read something of great value.

Attitude:  I believe attitude is the most important component  in this journey.  This is a gift that allows us to reinvent ourselves.  I could have never changed my eating habits the way I have without having this surgery.  Prior to surgery I lived on sugar and junk food.  My meat was usually fried and vegetables were not my favorite.  My eating has now changed 180 degrees, and surgery did that for me.  I am also a very prayerful person and recognize I could not do this in my own strength and needed the hand of God to help me be successful.

Hi Dasie,

You have really done a phenominal job and I wish you continued success as you continue this amazing journey. While you have come a long way, you are still early in this journey, so give yourself some time to recognize and manage your issues and concerns associated with foods. Everyone needs to address these things in their own way. I found that the Beck Diet Solution has been an invaluable tool that has allowed me to take a good hard look at why I did the things I did and/or am drawn to doing some them still. While I have long since finished the 'program', I often refer to it and use it as tool kit when I find that I need additional support. 

I think that you will not only be successful losing the excess weight, but will also be able to keep it off in the long run and that's the real benefit to this journey.

Wishing you all the best,

Thank you Barbara...I am going to get that book. I see it mentioned often, and it sounds like I can learn a lot from it.

Hi Dasie,

I learned a lot from it and continue do so... As a matter of a fact, I have a support group meeting I'm hosting tonight and it's based on the book. I think it's a great long term tool because it helps us look at ourselves, the excuses we make and provides some tools for learning to turn those excuses into positive action and support for our long term goals. 

Good luck!

Everything Barbara mentioned is a part of my "Bible" for WLS success.  But my most important tips, in order, are....

LOG YOUR FOOD

Buy healthy.  Stay away from old "comfort foods" or pre-WLS favorite snacks.  Don't even allow them in the house.  I now love fruit, especially melon (it's lower calories and carbs) and strawberries.

Learn to make tasty recipies for WLS patients, your family will love them, too. 

Get support, either in person or here on OH, or other Weight Loss boards.  Besides OH, SparkPeople is my favorite.

I know this is not recommended for all people, but I weigh in EVERY day.  Keeps me accountable.