Question:
No question, just in need of some support
I really need a little boosting up! I feel like I am never going to make it anywhere close to my goals. I started at 353 on the day of sugery 06/23/03. I am down to 261 on my home scale which probably means 271 at the dr's office. I don't really feel much of a change. Some things like tying my shoes and using the bathroom are a bit easier. But when I look down it seems like my stomach is getting bigger! I look like I am 9 months pregnant (NO!!! No possibility of that--it's been taken care of!). I have much more of a defined "swallowed a basketball" look. My clothes are getting looser but truthfully I really can't see it. I am so scared that I will never get to my goals. I wanted to be down 100 pounds by 6 months so would need to loose almost another 20 pounds (going by the dr's scale). I also really really want to make it to being under 200 someday. Dream goal is 130 (fantasy goal is 112). Due to many bone and joint problems I can't exercise much at all. Walking which is such great exercise for most people is out of the question. I started water exercise classes once a week (have gone twice so far) but my foot/ankle dr doesnt want me to do them because he thinks I'll injury my foot further (am nursing my 3rd stress facture in 4 1/2 years). I just need some encouragment — Kathy J. (posted on November 11, 2003)
November 11, 2003
Hey, you are doing terrific! I noticed that in the beginning, I started
losing lots of pounds, but didn't notice a real significance in my clothes
size for example. Once I got past about the 6 month mark, there was a
dramatic drop. I started at 269 and now at 17 months post, I am 138. It
does take a little while for things to shift around in your body with the
weight loss, so try and be patient. Your weight loss so far sounds
fantastic! Maybe once more of the weight comes off you will be able to do
more walking and water aerobics, etc. Just hang in there because it will
get better and you will be so happy! :)
— emilyfink
November 11, 2003
<font color="007000" face="tahoma">Kathy, One
thing you have to remember is to try not to judge your own progress by
those of others. Everyone is an individual. 82 (or 92 depending on which
scale) pounds in almost 5 months is WONDERFUL!!!<P>Have Faith! You
will get to your goal, you just need to let your body deside on how quicky.
<P>Regarding exercise... have you thought about doing some exercise
while sitting? Like the stationary bike? or doing situps/crunches? I
don't know what your Doctor would think, but for me, Yoga is my exercise of
choice. I started Yoga at 300+ pounds and have kept it up since surgery.
I still have to do a modified verison of many of the positions, and one of
my goals is to do the full positions. If its available to you, you might
want to give it a try.. no jumping, just streching and bending.
<P>Good LUck on your Journey! Know you have a HUGE system of support
out there, cheering you on!<I>~~Wendy D, RNY 4/23/03,
-117lbs~~</I></font>
— Wendy D P.
November 11, 2003
Kathy,
You are doing AWESOME!!! I want to give you a hug!
Have you bought clothes yet that really fit? That makes a huge difference
in what you can see.
Have you thought of doing curves? I know you can't march in place because
of your foot, but the hydrolic weights would make you lose tons of inches!
And, you would be off your feet.
I got something called the ab rocker, from Body by Jake off e-bay for only
$24.00 (shipping included) You sit in the flat seat and rock like a
rocking chair. It has definitely made some inches come off the abs in the
last month!!! And it is so easy, doesn't hurt my neck or back at all. i do
it while watching TV only 5 min. a day!
Next, go to Foley's lingere dept. and ask them to show you a girdle that
you wear over your stomach. It is not underwear, it looks like a tight
spandex tubetop, you just pull it on from your legs. It makes those rolls
go away or at least mostly go away with shirts on. HUGE difference.
Also, remember that none of us look good naked. We all see the same things
you see. That is what plastic surgery is for later. You are obviously
doing everything right because you are losing. When you reach your year
anniversary, you will still have your tool and can continue to lose weight!
It will never be as impossible as it was before surgery. Do not lose
heart. Find a way to exercise that will not
agitate your injuries and hold yourself accountable to doing it as often as
you know you should! I hear you using the same excuses that you may have
been using for years when it came to exercise. Going to water aerobics
once or twice a week is not enough. You know it is not. Build that up to
4-5 times a week if not more. No one detests exercise more than I do.
When I first started going to Curves, I could only go around the circuit
once and then I went home and cried like a BABY. Nothing makes me feel
fatter, weaker and more ugle than to exercise. But I told myself,
"Self, you will get through this. It doesn't matter how you feel
emotionally about this. You do not have a choice about exercising. You
must, no excuses or rationalizing. If you have to cry after every workout
then you will cry." I kept a journal about the emotional aspect on
everything and it is still my saving Grace. You will get there. It took
years to put it on, and only a year or so to take it off FOREVER! have a
serious talk with yourself today. Not only about the exercise, but also
say to yourself in the mirror, "Self, you are awesome, you are
beautiful just the way you are. I am so proud of you for losing a 6th
grader! You will continue to lose and you will continue to be successful.
I chose to celebrate my success today and to not worry about not reaching a
specific goal. I will start today by doing______for myself to really give
it my 100%." Then smile at yourself, accept what you said and BEGIN.
You are a superstar! Act and feel like one!
— Michele B.
November 11, 2003
I think you are doing great! I ddn't lose anywhere near that in that amount
of time. And never compare yourself and how you are doing to everyone else.
No two bodies are built the same. <br>
<br>
There isn't a diet that has been invented that will take off the weight as
fast as you have lost it. <br><br>
Have you ever tried to carry two 40 pound bags of dog food at one time???
Impossible! That is less than what you have lost! You are doing so great.
<br>
<br>
When you even walk one block you are moving, and probably moving more than
you did a year ago. So did every little bit that you can. There are even
some Chair Aerobics videos out there. Take it from someone who has been
paralyzed - there is an exercise video for every ability level.
<br><br>
Hang in there, honey. Try to stay off the scale so much, and drink water
until you pee clear ;)<br>
Good luck!
— kultgirl
November 11, 2003
Hun you sound like you are doing fabulous!
Keep up the awesome work and I know you will keep loosing!
— Saxbyd
November 11, 2003
Hon, you have done a great job, thus far, I started at 400 lbs, and I have
much more to go, Because I have a attitude problem. LOL. there's no way on
Gods green earth I'm going to give in and fail. I have loss 151 lbs so
putting me at 249 lbs. It's not easy and I do get depressed about regaining
a pound or two or three. LOL I just hang on in there and try to do the
right thing. yes there are up and downs. but don't feel like it's only you
that is struggling with this wl journey. Believe me some days are so hard
and depressing. But I'm determined to win this. I feel great. sometimes I
don't feel that I'm 151 lbs less. then there's other days I feel like a
million bucks. so hang in there hon we can do this, just take one day at a
time.
— Naes Wls J.
November 11, 2003
Original poster here----Thanks, you people are the greatest! I really
needed to hear lots of positive support. In answer to a few questions--NO,
unfortunatly loosing weight will not allow me to do more walking in the
future. There are several major mechanical problems with my feet and
ankles. One Dr told me I shouldn't even be able to walk at all. Another
wanted to video tape my walking pattern and insisted that I had to be a
long distance runner to have the damage to my feet. I looked him in the eye
and asked him "do I LOOK like a long distance runner!?!" As far
as taking water exercise more often, it is only offered once per week.
HOWEVER, I will start doing some exercise in a chair. I plan on going to
the library to see if they have any of these type of tapes available. Then
I could buy the ones I like. Thanks again for all the support!
— Kathy J.
November 11, 2003
Congradulations on your weight loss. Don't get down. You have to remember
everyone reacts to this surgery differently. Some lose fast and some a
little slower. You are going to have times when you will not lose for a
week or two and then you can lose 8 lbs. Keep watching what your eating
(Fat Free products, no or low sugar products, watch your carbs, drink your
8 to 10 glasses of water and exercise (walk, swim, lift weights, etc).
This surgery is a diet tool. Would you have lost as much as you did if you
didn't have this surgery? My weight was 318 before my surgery (April 8th -
7 months post-op) and I'm down to 188 lbs. I have to keep reminding myself
that I'm eating to live not eating to live which I did before the surgery.
I want to get down to a Real Weight of 140. You will see improvements. For
my 45th birthday I was able to ride a bike for the first time in 20 years.
I went for a new suit and could fit into a size 14 jacket and 16 pants.
Keep up the good work.
-
— Linda R.
November 11, 2003
353 minus 261, wow that's 92 pounds in 4 months, You are awesome! You have
lost over 20lbs a month. You are so successful at this, keep up the good
work. The exercise problem will resolve itself in time. Do water exercises
that don't stress your feet, go at your own pace. Even a little helps. And
just being in water makes me feel so relaxed and good.
I am still waiting for a date which I hope will be December something, but
I am 365, I know about aches and pains. You are doing great, don't give
up!
God bless,
Cathy
— catleth
November 11, 2003
Hey Kathy,
Don't get discouraged you are doing great. I know with myself, I have head
problems where my appearance is concerned. As I started losing the weight,
I also started really looking at myself in the mirror. I had avoided
mirrors as much as possible before the surgery. I still am much more
critical of my appearance now than I ever was before surgery. Don't get
discourage by what your eyes are seeing. You are doing wonderfully.
Stephanie McDonell
LAP RNY 4-21-03
— Stephanie M.
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