Thoughfully waiting the change

HI Kathie!

Thanks for writing.  You are doing very well to be at goal weight for two years.  I see you remember things people said to you when you were young also.  I never say anything to my kids that I know will be hurtful.  It can last a life time.   

I also was taken to weight doctors and put on all kinds of diet pills you can't get anymore.  They did speed you up but then you would crash coming off of them.  Sad that overweight people have to go through these things as kids.

I am glad you have faith in me, this forum has proven to be helpful and kind to me

Soon I will be on the loosers bench with all of you.

thanks again

Mary G

Hi Mary,
First let me say you are not alone!

CONGRATS on achieving and maintaining a great weight lose........134 lbs is incredible!!

I think it's great that you are doing this for yourself.  In my opinion the only way to be successful is to want to do it for you.......if we do it for someone else or for someone else to like/love us, it doesn't stick.  So kudos to you for going into this with a good mindset.

Walking is GREAT cardio exercise.  I lost almost all of my weight walking......it wasn't until I'd lost more than 120 lbs that I started to "wog" (combo walk/jog).  I now ride my bike a lot.  
If you can add weight lifting you will build muscle and muscles burn fat even while you are resting!!!  If you don't have 2 ten lb dumbbells or can't get any you can fill 2 bleach containers with water and use them (I did that years ago and it works!).

I was just about 51 when I got serious with my healthy eating and exercise so I know it can be done.  I had to make sure I kept my expectations realistic.....I wasn't in my 20's or 30's anymore so the weight would come off slower.  Of course I realize you are having WLS (I did not) so your results may be different than mine.  I also had to realis that being over 50, being almost 5' 7" and having a med/large fram weighing 130 and wearing a size 4 is not realistic for me. 

I still sometimes see myself as being overweight but for the most part I do see myself as being a thinner person......I take lots of pictures so I can do a reality check and visually see the changes.  At the beginning of each month I make sure I take a picture and I put it next to the one from when I started my journey......let me tell you that really makes me realize I am no longer overweight!  I also kept 1 pair of jeans, a top, a bra and panties from my biggest sizes.......once in a while I pull them out as a reminder.  I will never get rid of them so I have that reminder.  It's very funny to put my size 7 panties up against the size 13 ones.....what a visual!

As someone else said it does take longer for the head to catch up with all of the changes.  I've lost 100+ lbs twice before in my life yet I always thought of myself as being fat after losing the weight...... but this time is totally different for me.  I changed my attitude towards food, and I exercised so I know this is it, I know I will never gain back the weight again. (you can read my whole story on my profile if you want.......I have before/after pictures of my weight lose there too which you can see).

In my new thin, healthier body I am so enjoying life.  Finally at 52 I am almost loving life....(couple issues I need to work on before I'll say I'm loving it 100%).  I feel so much better, I don't try to hide or act invisible when I go shopping, I don't mind being seen in public.  Funny thing but now I can't help but laugh when I see a top or pants I like but can't find them in a SMALL ENOUGH size.....LOL!   In my new body I want to do all the things I missed out on before....especially travel.

I'm trying to keep my final goals realistic.  I'm going for plastic surgery to remove all the excess skin from my tummy, butt, legs, etc....  but I have to keep reminding myself I will not look like Jillian Michaels (from biggest loser) and I'm not 35 so I won't be all tight and totally wrinkle free......I just want to be comfortable and get rid of all the flapping/sagging skin.  My point is it is a daily thing to remind myself about keeping my goals realistic.

Since you've already lost a whole bunch of weight I think 5 lbs in 2 weeks is great.  I didn't/don't lose 2.5 lbs a week, especially after losing the majority of my weight.  I'd be thrilled if I got on the scale next week and saw 2.5 lbs gone.  Although truth be told I have just recently hit goal so I'm not expecting that to happen (a girl can dream).

Follow your Dr's instructions, keep your expectations realistic and you will do just fine!!!
Keep us posted!!

Hope I didn't bore you with all my blabbing....
Ruth

HI Ruth,

Heck no, you didn't bore me.  You gave me hope.  You made me laugh about not finding clothes small enough.  Boy, I can't wait for that day.  I am truly committed to this diet for me.  I have issues yes, but I think losing the rest of my weight will help.

I don't know if I can get plastic surgery but I do know, I want a healthier me.  I have high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes 2 and sleep apnea.  I am hoping these all go away with surgery.  Then I would really feel healthy.

Nope, never at the age of 57 will I be a bikini model..lol.. I know that.  I just want to feel better about me.  

I will keep you posted after I come home on Thursday, surgery is Tuesday.  Hopefully no complications.

Thanks for writing and offering your help and concern.

I really appreciate it

Mary G

FYI - I was on High Blood Pressure meds for the last 8-9 years.......I don't take them anymore!   I'm sure most if not all of your ailments will be resolved with the weight lose!

Mary,

We all have experienced feeling nervous about the surgery, success,  possible failure and every other emotion. It all works out and you will soon reap the rewards of WLS.

My surgery was almost 3 years ago and life is better than I could have imagined. Gone are the 10 prescriptions, walking is easy instead of a painful struggle, I can and do MOVE with ease, the list of positive changes are endless.

My mental image needs some work.  I still see 320 pounds in the mirror which is wrong, I've lost over 200 lbs.  I pull a size 4 from my closet and still hesitate, thinking they won't fit. It is a mental battle every day. Therapy continues to work on this 'brain fart'.

Good luck
Annette

wow Anette you have done really well.  I know what you mean about not feeling smaller.  I still wear my larger sizes even though they float on me.  Now I am not going to buy anything until I lose more weight.

I know the mental image is going to be hard, but I am going to work through it.  I can't imagine losing 200 lbs.  Good job and great maintaining.   A size 4, I can only hope!

Physically  I know I will do better and my health should get better.  I am nervous and excited all at the same time.


Thanks for the encouraging words and thoughts!  Keep up the good work and move over!


Mary G

If I'd have had a different mother, I know that I wouldn't be the fat person that sits here today.  She ws 5 feet tall.  105 lbs until she married and had children.  Then she was around 215.  She took her weight issues out on me.  At the age of six I was already restricting my food intake because I was told I was "too big".  By the age of 11 I was skipping breakfast and lunch.  She berated me for everything from my height (5'5.5") to my shoe size (8.5).  My self-esteem was ruined before I ever went to school.  I know that weight loss won't be the cure-all for my self-esteem issues, but i know it will be a start.  Maybe when people see me differently, I can finally start to see myself differently?  I have a cheap yard sale exercise bike.  That and walking will be my exercise. 
I'm nervous, scared, and excited to begin a new chapter in my life and am glad we are able to share this journey.  July 14, here we come! 
Joanna

Oh Joanna,

I am sorry about your mom.  Parents don't realize how they can hurt for a lifetime just with words.   We have to live with those feelings.   I am glad you are going for surgery.  We are surgery twins. lol.   I know we will keep in touch on each others progress.   I wish you a lot of luck and keep me posted.

I know we will have a new attitude..lol

Mary G

Oh boy two surgeries on the same day. We'll have fun following you both and you'll have each other to lean on! Congratulations on being almost at the starting line!

lol, thanks Karen!  I need all the wishes I can get...

Almost there

Mary G