Hello - New member

Hello Poweful Positive Attitudes Group,

I had Gastric Bypass surgery October 2004. I will be 45 yrs. old in March. I am an evangelizer of the good news and a credit analyst.  I have been morbidly obese all my life. I have a lifetime of mental and physical scars from obesity. Before and after surgery I tried Weigh****chers, other methods of losing weight.  Every thing! 

I have gained back over 80 of almost 300 pounds lost initially. I joined Barbara Thompson's back on track program so I can get back on track.  I never reached my goal of 200 pounds. I am considering a revision but I am not getting my hopes up on that front since revisions are hard to get approved.  My program leader already checked with my insurance and they is an exclusion in my insurance that will not approve lap band over pouch. 

I use to exercise on average 5 to 6 times a 45 to 75 min each session and weights at health club and at home with Leslie Sasone DVD's. I was very active and one reason for my gains over time I am less committed to my workouts. So far in January I am exercising 3 to 4 times a week 30 to 45 min sessions with walking away the pounds DVDS. I am ashamed to go back to health club since I have gained 50 pounds since the last time I was there--which was February 2009.

2009 my knee gave out and did not exercise for 2 months last year and I have not been able to get back on track since. 

My biggest down fall is my addiction to and love of food. Surgery can not fix this so I have to fix my head with this problem. My plan is to start attending support groups each month and doing on-line back on track program with Barbara Thompson. 

My highest weight after RNYis 388 which was this month March 5th.  My lowest weight after surgery was 302, and then I went up to 311, next year 321, last year 338 and this year Jan 2010 372.

I am happy to report since reconnecting with my OH.com friends I am down to 374.  I am getting back on track.   Thanks for all your support and your continue support on my journey.  If any one has any more suggestion please   

Welcome  Molly,
   I am still a newbie so I am still learning the ropes but there are many here at all different stages. I find if I don't get an answer (which I usually do) I at least walk away with a smile. Hang in there. I'm glad you reconnected with OH friends

Welcome to this wonderful supportive site!
remember WLS is a tool... and the more we learn to use it- the more effective we will be. you can succeed... we are here for you!

JEllen

Hello and welcome to this board.  You have taken the first step towards getting this under control!  Stick around and keep up the good work !

Molly I'm so so glad you made it here!!!

First things first.  You are a success.  I have never known anyone that lost as much as you have and when you compare it to what you've lost, you can tackle that 50 pounds.  It is very important to stick with a support group (well a good one like us) and try to understand your disease. We are all food addicts and I learned a lot about that.  You already said one of the words that cause our addiction to flare up....shame.  You said you were ashamed to go back to the health club.  Sweetheart...shame will eat us alive.  I will say it until I'm blue in the face and the members here know what I'm about to say.  When you start to feel these emotions you must work on getting them out of your head.
Blame
Shame
Judgment
Guilt
I'd love for you to watch my dear friend Gina in an interview I did with her.  She dealt with a regain of 40 pounds I believe.  She's hilarious and she did it!
http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/programs/wls-journey s/wls-journeys-guest-gina-robinson.html/

Are you keeping food in your house that you shouldn't?  There are ways to exercise without going to the gym.  You can exercise sitting down!  You can get some weights or even use big phone books and lift them up with your arms when you're sitting there watching TV.  Focus on the things you are grateful for and try to get any negative thoughts about your journey out of your head.  That kind of thinking sucks the life out of us and makes for a more difficult journey.  I'd love for you to check out my blog too.  www.bariatricgirl.blogspot.com 

I think you are one great inspiration and I'm so happy you found your way here!
hugs, Y

Thanks Yvonne.  I exercise at home with walking away the pound DVD,s.  But today I resolved to get back to the health club next month for sure.  April will  not pass without me going to healthclub.  Thanks again for your very encouraging words.  NO more shame for me.....

Hi Molly, I'm glad you're with us here. I'm pretty new myself, but Yvonne is clearly committed to a positive, affirming atmosphere, and she sure knows her stuff! I'm grateful to have stumbled upon this merry little band of "losers," and I think you will be grateful, too.

I gotta add my kudos for your amazing achievement of 200+ pounds lost. That is amazing!

You mention you are an evangelizer, so I bet you are not really a shy person, but actually get energy from being with other people. I know I do. I have trouble motivating myself to go alone to the gym or do workouts alone at home... but when I have an appointment for a class I feel much more motivated to get out and be there at the specific time. I'm looking for low-impact aerobics or jazzercize or something in my area that fits my schedule, because I'm having success getting to a yoga class I found that I like.

Of course, learning to see ourselves less as "disabled" or unable to move... and more like the active, movement-oriented people we're becoming... is important. I hear you about your knee... I guess that really can derail the "best laid plans" lol but remember to stand up for yourself... and maybe investigate getting some shots in the knee (they really help my wife... not cortizone, but something else new that helps a lot with pain every three months) or even eventually a knee replacement. That's a long road, but a healthy one to pursue! Remember, you're worth it. I'm still getting used to saying that to myself... I'm worth it. I can aspire to more health-wise. I can feel less like an elderly person at the ripe old age of 49.

OK, I guess my coffee is kicking in, I'm getting all preachy this morning!!

So glad you're hear, Molly... keep checking back and bestest best wishes to you as you get back on track. Forgive and forget the past and focus on today and your next step, however small, in the right direction. Joining this group was a great step!!!

And again, applaud yourself for your major achievement since surgery of an amazing weight loss. Even with your knee problem, you must feel a world better without that 200 pounds, yes??

Thanks so much Greg and you are not elderly at 49 so stop thinking those thoughts.  We have to think we are young and we will feel younger!
Molly

Congratulations on your weight loss too!!!  You lost 60 pounds before surgery--that is great!  Keep up the good work and you will be a 20 year old very soon when you reach goal weight!! Yeah! 

KIT,
Molly