Hi everyone.  I just came across this on one of the other boards and found it very interesting.  I thought I would share it with you all.

Traits of WLS Winners
by Katie Jay, MSW, Certified Wellness Coach
Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
www.nawls.com
 
While nearly everyone who has WLS achieves some measure of
success, some people do much better than others -- and not just
in the measure of their weight.
 
Winning at WLS is not a size, it's a whole state of being.
 
Winning at WLS means achieving a weight that creates the
opportunity for you to live a full, healthy, and satisfying life
-- and then getting out there and living it.
 
So what do WLS winners do?
 
Winners Manage Their Focus
WLS winners tend to have a structure to their lives so that they
almost always know what they are really supposed to be doing.
They don't leave things to chance. They stay focused on their
goal to be healthy and let that shape their lives.
 
They learn time management and schedule in their WLS needs. They
focus on what is important (buying vitamins if they have run out)
rather than on what the world thinks is important (baking cup
cakes for a party).
 
Winners Design a Plan that Fits Their Life
Winners learn how to shape a life that works for them. They
figure out where they are likely to struggle and build in
strategies to minimize their troubles in those areas.
 
They use timers, always keep protein supplements in their car,
keep food out of sight so they don't snack, or keep a case of
water in their trunk -- whatever will work for them.
 
Winners Use Resources to Help Them
Winners are information seekers. They don't assume that what
they were taught about WLS at one point in time is sufficient
information. They continue to learn, seek help, and find tools
that will keep them on track.
 
They understand that they may need help to go from being at
goal weight to being happy and comfortable with their new life.
 
Are You Reluctant to Win?
Some people are very uncomfortable with winning. So, they resist
it. They struggle with the last 20 pounds to avoid being at goal.
 
Of course, they don't necessarily know they're doing this.
 
Not doing your best is a form of self defense. If you don't try
hard, you protect your ego from the experience of trying hard
and failing -- a scary proposition.
 
Value the Pain of Losing
Anyone who struggles with weight will fail from time to time. But
that doesn't mean you will fail in the long run. By trying your
best, even if you experience some failure from time to time, you
will ultimately have a more meaningful life.
 
By getting comfortable with failing, and then trying again, you
will eventually win.
 
Accept that Winning Can Be Confusing and Uncomfortable
 Winning brings on a whole new set of uncomfortable feelings.
Maybe you don't want to cause others to feel like losers as
they compare themselves to you. Maybe you don't like the
attention winning brings.
 
Whatever the discomfort, win anyway. You will learn to tolerate
success. Just give it time.  

*****************************************************************

Thanks Jan.  Yeah, I'm on Medicare Complete from Secure Horizons. It's an HMO Medicare.  I have talked to just about everyone I can at that insurance company and it is no go on the rides.  That's ok, most of the time it's not a problem.  The walk to and from the bus stop is good for me (when it's not so darn cold, lol).

I know it won't come off as fast as it did before but I was hoping to at least see a little off if you know what I mean.  But that's ok, I will just keep trucking along and it will come off.  Yes, I exercise daily.  I try to walk but here lately I've been doing things inside the house.  Thanks for all the encouraging words.  You don't know how much I appreciate it.

Jan, yes I'm still on disability but unfortunately Medicare Complete doesn't provide a transportation service.  That's ok though because the mammogram place was really nice about re-scheduling and I was able to schedule for a Friday.  Our roommate doesn't work on Fridays and she will often let us borrow her car so there's a chance I won't have to take the bus after all.  I absolutely hate this cold weather......I'm ready for spring.  I know what you mean about collecting stuff.  I never really notice it until I go to move and then Wham! way too much stuff.  And most of it just plain unnecessary. 

Connie, thank you so much for the words of encouragement.  It's hard to remember those things when the scale doesn't say what we want it to.

Speaking of that scale, we are back from the doctor's office.  I'm trying not to be upset.  I weighed in at 300 which is up a pound.  I'm trying to remind myself that the last time I weighed was back in October.  Since then we have had Thanksgiving and Christmas and I didn't exactly eat right.....way too much pumpkin bread, cookies, and other things I'm not supposed to have.  Not to mention I wasn't eating my protein like I should be.  I'm also trying to remember that like Connie said I'm wearing long pants and a sweatshirt instead of light pants and a t-shirt.  The only thing that really stinks is now I won't be able to weigh until the middle of April because that's when Michael goes back to the doctor.  I can't wait for the day when I can weigh on a regular home scale.  I just have to keep doing what I'm doing and remember the weight will come off. 

I like this one better than the one I posted last week.  You could probably cut back on the butter in the crust or use a prepared reduced fat crus.  This would good without a crust.

Jo’s Cheesecake   1 cup graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup Splenda 4 T. butter, melted   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together and pat onto bottom and sides of an 8" springform cake pan. Prepare filling.   Filling: 2 eggs 12 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened 1 cup Splenda ½ t. vanilla   Beat eggs and cream cheese together. Add Splenda and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Pour into prepared crust. Bake 25-30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Add topping.   Topping:   ½ cup Splenda 1 cup reduced fat sour cream ½ t. vanilla   Combine ingredients and put on top of cake; return to oven for 10 minutes.  

My hubby and I are boring too. We like it that way. We have lots of boring dogs and they like it that way too! I hate drama. I'm too laid back for that.

I, too, hope the weather breaks a bit - looks like 30's today - I'd like to get out and do some more hunting before quail season is over but I doubt that will happen. Do have a youth rabbit hunt this weekend that should be fun.

Hope your new glasses are GREAT. I need a new prescription and will be making an appt ASAP to get a pair.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!