What I've learned about struggling (so far)...

Beautiful and thought provoking, your writing brings to life the real life struggles of obesity and the need to stay vigilant.

I am grateful to be on this journey with you!

Excellent post! I think your monkey and mine are brothers,devilish little rats!

I am almost 2.5 years out and am still struggling and learning. That is ok. I am not at goal cause I am too hard headed I guess,but I will NEVER give up. Not ever! If I am a slow learner,so be it,I WILL learn and I will reach my goal. I am not all hyped up on not reaching goal in 1 week,or 6 months or 1 year. Would it have been nice? Sure. Is it the be all and the do all of my success? Absolutely not. Is it harder to lose farther out? Sure is. Is it impossible?  Impossible??? What's that?

That monkey and I part ways a little more every day.  Will he ever be gone? doubt it. What can I do about him? nothing but stuff his big mouth with protein and muzzle it shut!

Rock on Happy,I am!

I like to think nothing is more important than persistence!!  And I'm *sure* they're related, our monkeys, I mean!!

Thank you sooo much for your insight.  I am 27 days post op and am really beginning to understand the amount of time and work it will require of me to be successful with my weight loss.  I attended all the required meetings with the Nut, psychologist, Dr etc, but until you are really walking on the path its hard to gauge how rocky it really can be.  I really enjoyed your post becasue it is reassuring to hear stories of those who are honest about their struggles.  It makes me feel a little more "normal" that I am not sailing through this with flying colors.  Thanks again for your wisdom.

This path is rocky sometimes, but usually it's because I made it so.  And I'm not saying you can't do this with flying colors.  You don't have to take a single extra bite or eat off plan *ever.*  That is the goal!  What I'm trying to say is that sometimes it's hard for me to stick to my plan but what's the important thing is what I do, not that it was hard.  You will do great, especially if you see this as a life-long thing that needs your attention every day.  No autopilot, at least not for me!

The journey of WLS is definitely one of self-discovery, full of triumphs, as well as struggles. As I approach the anniversary of my second year, I can look back and see how I have struggled at times, but also have come so far, in a relatively short period of time. Life is full of trigger foods and situations, and we must all learn to cope with them, without drowning ourselves in food. We have to feel our feelings. That is one of the most important things that I have learned.

Thank you for another thought provoking post.


Gail

Yes, Gail, I'm ready!  I want to be one of those people who can feel my feelings and deal with life without turning to food.  Thanks to all of you here for the help you give all of us.

Right on, sister!  i am really struggling right now.  oa looks too overwhelming.  i've reached a good weight loss and am happy with the size i am for right now.  except . . .  i'm obsessed with losing more.  i'm obsessed with the number.  i'm terrified of gaining weight back.  i'm so ashamed of the poor food choices i make and my lack of control and determination.  i feel like a fraud.  i saw my NUT yesterday, who basically said:  you  could very well become malnourished and that's pretty disordered thinking you're having right now. b/c i stay within my allotted 1200 cals and have lost.  but  as for protein and such:  paying no attention.  don't get it. crave carbs and just eat them.

i feel such shame as i write this.  so helpful to others and yet such a FRAUD!!!!!

okay.  had to get that off my chest.  guess i'm feeling a litle down (a little?). 

Ann!  You need a big hug!  You are not a fraud.  You are just like the rest of us - we are here for you.  As for OA, well, I know I must sound like I'm shilling for them, but my feelings are really more like this: