Its been A while .... but I just wanted to share ....

I cant tell you how long its been since I posted ....Today I am 15 months post op.... I just wanted to point out how important it is to encourage each other through this journey!!!
Today I decided to share with a family member some of my stats from the start of my Journey...I started with a BMI of 61.1 and today I am 38.2...since the last time I measured and weighed myself  I have lost ruffly 10 lbs and a whole lot of inches on different parts of my body... and instead of hearing WOW that is good keep up the hard work....or Wow that is allot of pounds/ inches you should be proud...I got ..."well you need to work out more to tighten your skin so next time you measure you will have lost more"  ...For a moment I felt totally deflated and crushed!!!!  Like ALL I have done counts for nothing and I may as well be 411lbs again..like I WILL NEVER MEASURE UP.... I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER!!! I am glad I am the person I am and I am VERY Proud of my success to-date and even if I never loose another pound or inch I feel that I am winning this battle and I am work in progress!!! I will never be perfect but I am glad I am me!!! For those of you out there that take the time out to read my blog and offer some words of encouragement I thank You for all the support!!! My Journey is far from over today was proof of that!!!  For those of you just starting out the road will be ruff but keep your heads up it is worth every step to goal that you take ...Surround your self with positive people ...you can even lean on me when you need those positive words to help you get through.... I am thank-full for OH because it put me in contact with some pretty amazing people who have been a God send through this whole process ...keep blogging and posting ... I may  not always post a reply but often appreciate those that do!!!    

WOW Natalie

You are doing fantastic and please do not let your "family" member discourage you, you are working

your tool and doing amazing.

You are right that we all need to hear positive words to assist us in reaching our goal and feel

validated.

My having my surgery was the best gift to me from me, it is all me, my failures, my goals, my

successes, etc. 

I am proud of what I have done and will continue to succeed with or without support of my family or

friends.  I do have to say that my family and friends have been extremely supportive and

complimentary of my weight loss so I can't complain on their part. In fact at this point I get the

response that I am small enough and maybe I should stop trying to lose any more weight; never

thought that I would hear something like that LOL.

At anytime you get a comment or something said that is not a compliment, it could be that they are

jealous of your success, and don't want to really encourage you. That could be why they will say

something to discourage you by saying you should do something to tighten your skin, and let me tell

you, my skin has lost its elasticity to bounce back LOL, So I will put up with sagging skin until I can

afford plastics LOL

Keep up the great job and continue success on your wls journey, you deserve all the compliments

and WOW's

Take care

Eileen

Hi Nathalie,

I totally agree with surrounding yourself with positive people.  I call them balcony people.  Those are the one that will lift you up to where they are.  The basement people want to drag you down.

From a BMI of 61.1, to your current success......YOU HAVE COME  A LONG WAY BABY!

You've done so well!! Yes, i'm sure your journey has been rough along the way, but there must be so many positive moments that overshadow the negative comments.

Nat!! The ladies are right! Let the negativity roll off your shoulder and bump over the saggy skin. You are much healthier and happier than you were 15 months ago!! Congrats on your success!!

 way to go Natalie....would you like me to slap em upside the head for ya?? lol
You are doing awesome!

natalie, you are doing fantastic! i have found with my weight loss, it definitely brings out different sides of people. some people are super supportive, some people get jealous, some people get distant from you.. you have to realize that that is their issue, not yours. you focus on yourself and keep doing what you're doing, because obviously you're doing something right!! your BMI is down 23 points!! please continue to write and share your journey with us. i'm always here to listen! xox

Hey Nat

Great work hon
You have done awesome. I have been there to see you, and watch the changes.

Keep up the good work girl, you should be proud

Hi Natalie!  I think we met a few months ago at a York Region support group meeting and I remember thinking that you were awesome.  So beautiful.  There will always be people who drag you down, and unfortunately, you can't choose your family.  I have family members who mean well, but ALWAYS say the wrong thing.  Glad you came back to the forum for support.  We're here ;-)

I agree with our ladies wisdom! I THINK OUR "FRIENDS" and family members "think" they may giving constructive criticism but they are not. We all know what needs to be done, and you are doing it.Keep it up! wOOhOO!@#