A Not So Great Time at Chili's

Even though it sucks to not be able to drink & eat at the same time, I actually feel more normal now than I did before. It feels good to me to not want to order a huge meal and stuff myself. Most of my thin friends don't eat alot, probably the main reason they are thin. It's definitely a lifestyle adjustment but as the weight continues to drop, you will start to feel like this entire journey is worth it. You are doing great my friend, keep it going & look towards the future to the new you!!!

 I swear to you, it gets so much better. Right now you are like the jilted boyfriend who is still sorta in love with the rotten cheating ***** who broke your heart, but little by little you forget her and you move on and you realize that there are so many BETTER things in life to focus on, and eventually that old love has NO power over you. You might think back every one in a while and say "gee, remember when" but it's not fresh heartbreak every time you think about it. 

You got this, I know you do. Kick that pity party to the curb and think about how amazing things are going to be, and how much better they already are! 

 That is exactly how i feel.  You hit that nail on the head.

I do got this .. its just hard sometimes.  :)

BEST thing I've read in a long time. Thanks. :)

"Right now you are like the jilted boyfriend who is still sorta in love with the rotten cheating ***** who broke your heart, but little by little you forget her and you move on and you realize that there are so many BETTER things in life to focus on, and eventually that old love has NO power over you. You might think back every one in a while and say "gee, remember when" but it's not fresh heartbreak every time you think about it."

 Excellent!!

 One of the things I had to think through and come to grips with is the " you can NEVER eat that again" and/or the volume issue.  First of all, I WILL be able to taste anything I choose to.... Eventually.  Secondly, where the heck do we get the idea that these huge, platter- like plate sized servings are normal??  This tool is a wonderful gift ... But there are definite mental issues we have to face.  

 Not the servings size being what was normal .. but the size of the people in the restaurant.  They were all skinny the people around me, eating whatever they wanted.  I never meant to imply that a huge plate overflowing with food was normal, but the fact that they could eat that and still be skinny.  While for me to be skinny, I have to eat 4 bites of something.  You know .. those skinny people that can eat whatever they want, all day long .. and never gain a pound?  I'm sure you must know someone like that :)  Just seems so unfair at times, but I got over it.

 ... Yes indeed! I DO know people like that and hate them!!  Lol .... Well ok , not hate, but it definitely is not fair ...... I really do understand you there......

My skinny size 2 sister watches every bite that goes into her mouth and works out every single day. She eats very cleanly during the week so she can go out one night a week and have a glass of wine.  She would never order a full rack, beer, fries etc. She goes on a diet every January to take off the 10 pounds she has gained the previous year and she does this year in year out. You (if you were female) would probably look at her and be jealous because she is beautiful and skinny.

Yes there are the few with super fast metabolism but several men that I know like that have severe high blood pressure, and other medical issues.  I know of no women that doesnt have to watch their weight and food choices. There is always something you don't see or know about so don't wish their bodies on yourself. Your concept of what "normal" is is skewed.

I bet alot of the people you looked at were in the twenties when you don't worry about weight gain and were probably having their first full meal of the week. Almost everyone has to worry about weight and exercise over 35.  

Please try not to compare and take some time to celebrate the success you have had and the decision you have made. You will be alive to walk your daughter down the aisle. You will tuck your shirts in again and feel good in a tight fiting pair of jeans. You will enjoy going to the beach. Your fun times will be about being with people not what you are going to eat.

You ARE normal just overweight. All people have some vice they work on, booze, sex, ciggies, drugs, etc. Yours just happens to be food.  The person you admired might have 3 months to live. You just don't know,

The mental aspect of this journey is huge and I didn't go out to eat until I attended a funeral a week ago at three months out.  The fact that you went out, ordered and ate your correct food choices is a very big step.

I have been stunned to find out that many people I thought didn't struggle with weight had surgery - way more than I could have imagined. For example I was at my hairdressers last week and was chatting with several women and men..More than 75% had had weight loss surgery.  It blew me away.  

 Do you remember going to a buffet style restaurants and looking around.  Since surgery I usually don't go to buffets, but I used to and I was always on a diet.  I would look around and there were a lot of very large people, not skinny ones.  I would always wonder if they were bigger than I was, but I always noticed they also ate a lot of carbs.  I think this surgery has a lot of rewards.  Enjoy your new self and you will be one of the skinny ones also.  I try to eat something I really enjoy at restaurants and really savor the taste, my taste buds are still really in good shape.  I am a lot older than most on this site, and I have bad health problems from being heavy for so long.  Remember your health will improve a lot while you are still young enough to enjoy it.  Think positive.