Bama_Wifey
I have always had a weight problem. Growing up, both parents were alcoholics who fought constantly and I guess food was my security. I have tried almost every diet out there. And most of them work. Weight Watchers was the most balanced of them all and I was quite successful. However, they only work as long as you stick with them. I have lost and regained a whole neighborhood of people in my lifetime. My biggest loss was a couple years ago when I lost 150 pounds and got down to a size 10/12. Life was good. I got a tummy-tuck after the weight loss but because I couldnt work out for like 8 weeks, I slowly started putting it back on. It wasnt the lack of exercise that did it. I have an "all or nothing" personality, so somewhere in my crazy mind I figured there was no need to diet if I couldnt exercise. (Yes, I know how crazy that sounds). So, I gradually gained most of it back. The heavier I got, the worse I felt, both physically AND emotionally. So, around this time last year, my mom became really sick and I had to have her admitted to a nursing home that was an hour away from me. And I went to visit her a minimum of 3 times a week. And she was hospitalized on numerous occasions and I stayed with her while she was in the hospital. I was totally exhausted and worn down. (I would do it all over again if I had her back). She passed away on January 31st. Having said that, I was so worn down that I ended up with walking pneumonia and couldnt shake it for a couple of months. In the mean time, I started wheezing, couldnt breathe, etc. And later found out I had congestive heart failure. SO, I decided I had had enough. I wanted to live long enough to see my grandchildren grown and share a long life with my wonderful husband. SO, I went to the dr on 2/24/11 and weighed 319. I was horrified! My all time high had been 337 and could not believe I had gained almost all of that weight back. So, I started the 6 month physician supervised weight loss to prepare for gastric by-pass. My problem was not LOSING the weight....my problem has always been keeping it off. So, I lost 81 pounds on my own before surgery. (Surgery was 10/10/11) I NEEDED this tool to help me keep it off. I concentrate more on doing everything right - liquids, protein, chewing slowly, not drinking 30 minutes before or after meals and taking my vitamins, etc., more than I concentrate on the weight loss. Yes, I need to continue to lose - and I have. But I want it to be all about my health, with the wonderful side effects of weight loss. Not sure if that makes sense or not, but I truly desire to live longer and share my life with my wonderful family. And I can honestly say, I have had no problems since surgery. I have followed all instructions and have averaged a loss of about 1 pound per day after surgery. But the key is to stay focused. Do what you are supposed to do and get plenty of exercise and you WILL be a success!
