The Loser's Bench
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Hi Sabrina,
What a great couple of thoughtful questions! That said, they aren't that easy for me to answer, especially since I'm several years out.
Greatest accomplishments...
Getting to goal
Losing the regain I experienced
Maintaining my weight
How did these accomplishments make me feel?
Empowered. For the first time in my life, I know that I can manage my weight. I can leverage my WLS tool and others that I've gathered to help me maintain the health, quality of life and appearance that I've worked so hard to achieve.
When was the last time you felt so good about yourself?
This can be a touch subject because as we are losing the weight we tend to focus on the positives, but as I've moved into maintenance, I've found that I'm rather harsh and critical of myself. Enough so, that I have to now focus daily on things that I feel good about to balance out the criticisms.
So, in answer to your question, the last time I felt this good about myself was probably when I was feeling good about being the mother I wanted to be to my children as they were young babies.
I hope that some others will join in and answer your thought provoking questions.
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Hi Melissa,
Like you, I was nervous about my upcoming surgery for a variety of reasons. To calm my nerves and get some relative perspective, I made a list of what I thought would/could happen if I did have the surgery, versus what might happen if I didn't. I ran through the full gamut of possibilities. One that frightened me, was that I might die trying, but when I made my list I realized I might also die not trying and realized that I wanted to do this more than I was afraid of it. I'm glad I did.
I think that the other things I was afraid of where if I 'could' do what I needed to do to make this successful, especially since I never could before. My answer to that before surgery was a 'leap of faith', but my answer to it now, is that I never had the tools at my disposal before surgery that I have now. I really do not think that I could or would have lost the weight without the surgery and I also know that I would not have been able to maintain the weight loss without my new tool. I also have needed to employ some additional tools to my arsenal to get the weight off and keep it off, but I don't believe that they would be nearly as effective without the aid of my WLS tool. I was also afraid that I'd always have to eat like a 'freak', but that's not the case. I eat like someone should normally. I eat reasonable portions or just about whatever I want, but I consider what that will be. It's all a matter of relative balance for me, but a balance that I couldn't attain before.
If you read my blog, I think you'll find that I wrote some about this and how I dealt with it.
Wishing you all the best,
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Own it all, it's yours!
425/350/185/150 Highest/Surgery/Current/Goal
I have been a compulsive/emotional/binge eater since I was just 4 years old. I was a professional yo-yo dieter by the time I was in middle school, and I was 441 pounds when I was 21. I had diabetes, hypertension (196/110), GERD and sleep apnea. My weight disabled me. I had limited mobility. I couldn't wear shoes (couldn't reach down), and I got to the point where I didn't want to even live anymore. No joke!
I had the Fobi Pouch procedure 10/28/09, and I have lost 250+ pounds and all comorbidities. My life is 1000000000% different (for the better).
I have excess skin, which is hard to accept.I am working on accepting my body the way it is, but it sux being a young stud with excess skin (lol just had to say it like that). I reached my goal of getting t 191 pounds, but my doc wants me down to 170.
recently i have been struggling with some compulsive, emotional eating. this especially happens at night. I really need to work on that if I am to stay healthy.
Ellen,
It's great to hear from you and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your sharing not only your tip, but that you were able to manage and conquer your regain. I also experienced about a 20 lb regain at one point and was able to recognize what I was doing and get it under control. I think it's important for us, but also for others to know that we can 'manage' our weight with a combination of the tool we got from our surgeon and others learn to employ.
Congratulations and thanks again!
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
As I said, the best thing I have done, well, since having the surgery 3 1/2 years ago. ;)
Own it all, it's yours!
425/350/185/150 Highest/Surgery/Current/Goal
