Question:
Messages you give yourself

Can anyone who is successfully keeping their weight off give me some suggestions of what kind of messages you say to yourself to stay inspired and to follow the course.    — katiecakes (posted on October 5, 2009)

October 5, 2009
I am a support group leader. I think seeing other WLS patients "give up" is one of my biggest incentive. I see what they miss out on and see how many health problems return. I look back at my "Before" pictures often. Our group members bring a small photo book to our support meeting. We pass them around to new members (who recently had the surgery), and most importantly to people still considering whether or not to have the surgery. Photos are a great reminder of how far we have come. Just sharing experiences and answering question of new members causes us to realize how many health benefits we've experienced, and how much our lives have changed. Also, we all keep one pair of our pants from before the surgery. Get those out once in a while and step into them. That will get you excited and motivate you to stay the course. Also, for me, I had the surgery in the first place due to the health problems (including having 2 relatives die from complications of having diabetes the year I had my surgery). Seeing the health problems my obese relatives and friends are suffering with is probably the biggest motivating factor for me. I hope this helps. I wish you the best as you continue on your journey toward good health. God Bless.
   — KimM

October 5, 2009
Good question.. I'm ready to give up already before having surgery. I don't feel like my family is there for me and understands me. I just want it all to end and be over. I can't see any improvement in the final support after I put myself through everything I keep reading. VERY DISCOURAGED. HOPE YOU FIND AN ANSWER TO HANG ON TO.
   — drcrews

October 5, 2009
I read the book You can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. I"ve also uploaded it to my ipod. So I have it with in reach and lesson to it while I am traveling or working out. This book talks about how our thoughts effect us and how to change our thoughts. I highly recommend this book it has really help me through my journey.
   — dsquire

October 5, 2009
I don't say anything to myself, but I do remember how I felt and the pain my legs and feet felt and that is enough to keep me going. I feel so much better physically and mentally that I don't ever want to go back. And if I have a thought of some food i shouldnt' eat, I remember the pain and drop the food..Nothing is worth feeling that ache again. I am off my meds and thats a great incentive as well. Look at pics of yourself and do attend lots of support groups. Find one you like and attend as often as poosible. I go to a group that meets every thursday, tho only every other oneis official. The unofficial ones are great for new postops as you have a smaller group and can ask more questions from post opers who have experience. Your support group should allow for anyone to answer or ask questions. They say that people who attend support groups are more successful. It keeps you accountable and motivated! If you dont' get support anywhere else, you should get it from group. Best of luck to you ! Hugs n God Bless! Kim
   — gpcmist

October 6, 2009
I had VSG surgery back in June of 2008. And I have to say it is the best gift I could have ever given to myself. I have lost 75 pounds to date and have kept it off for 6 months now. I would like to lose about 20 more and I am still working on that as my goal. Let me say to you that you must love yourself enough to know that you are worth this. Make this decision for you alone. Having family be supportive is a wonderful plus but, don't destroy your health and happiness because of those around you. I tell myself everyday that I look great, I am healthier than I have ever been and would never go back to how I was eating and living before for any reason. No food, the way it tastes or the way it makes me feel is worth that. I used food as a comforter in my past. That is no longer true and never will be again. I won't let myself go back there. I find other ways to fill that time when I feel sad or hurt or down....go for a walk, read a book, call a friend whatever I have to do to fill that need. The abuse of food only brought destruction to my health, the way I looked and my self esteem for years. It's a vicious circle. You eat cause your depressed then your depressed because you over ate. Be good to you!!!! Fill your mind with positive thoughts. It does matter what you tell yourself every day. For the rest of your life it will be a challenge and one that you can win day by day. Don't let it overwhelm you. Win your battle one day at a time and you will be so glad that you did. I have resigned myself to the fact that eating healthy is a choice will have to make every day for the rest of my life just like I can choose to eat unhealthy and go back to my old eating habits. But every day...I make a choice to eat healthy and stay looking and feeling good. Am I perfect with it, of course not but, I don't let that knock me down and send me back down the old road. I make better choices the next day and stay on track. I too look at my old pictures from time to time and remember how I felt about myself back then and the health I was in. YOU are worth making this decision every day and doing all that you can to stay strong. This website has helped me tremendously even today, I come on here and read others statements as well as do what I can to encourage others on their journey and I have found that by encouraging others I also encourage myself. God bless you and you will succeed!!!
   — Jodi L.

October 6, 2009
This was a great question. I am inspired by the responses here. For me it is just daily choosing to be the best I can. I tell myself that I can o it and I will be happy because I am choosing to "pamper" myself with healthy foods.
   — trible

October 6, 2009
It is an everyday struggle. I am 8 pounds from my goal and 13 pounds past my doctors goal. The weight loss has slowed down, but I am also eating more (my doctor told me to). I have days when I eat a small amount of something that isn't what I should be eating, but I also make sure that on those days I get in a really good work out and get in all of my protein. I now either run/walk/hike or ride my bike almost everyday (bike is my favorite). I have made sure that everyone around me knows that I can only eat small amounts and most know what I can and can't eat. For me that makes it easier to make the right decision because I don't want them to look at me, see me gain weight and then say "see I knew it wouldn't work", so I guess it is a challenge for me. I also have discovered that I am worth it!!! I have a wonderful family that is now very supportive, but were skeptical in the beginning and a wonderful man who treats me like gold despite the fact that he never gets a meal out of his own anymore. I tell myself everyday how thankful I am for the opportunity that I have had to have RNY when so many others can't afford it or insurance won't pay for it. I also think although it was a very hard thing that having to pay for the surgery myself was huge, because I don't want to fail at something that I spent $20000 to do! That monetary thing is always on my mind. This experience has been a gift that I gave myself because I am worth it.
   — brindledanes

October 6, 2009
As one other member posted I have before and after pictures... I look at them often. I also look at my medicine cabinet and make a point to keep the empty bottles that I used to have to take. I am always shocked at how even with the additional vitamins that I have to take now I still don't use as many pills as I used to. No more reflux, no more meds for my knees and back, no more pain from the pressure on my eyes etc... just keep remembering how far you have come and remember why you did this in the first place. I will never go back... I joke with my husband all the time that I will break my own jaw and have it wired shut before I ever get fat again.
   — phyllismmay