Milestone

 I haven't posted for awhile.  Needed to take a bit of a break from daily postings and reading on here.  Still on track, though, and still only eating protein - no carb, no veggies, no fruit, no nuthin' if it ain't protein!  I am soooo looking forward to maintenance when I can add back in veggies and fruit and an occasional treat!

After 9 1/2 months I am no longer extremely obese, obese, or overweight!  I hit the normal range today!  Woo hoo!  It seems like to took forever to get here, but 9 1/2 months really isn't long at all!  I'm still 19 pounds from goal, and the weight loss has slowed a bit, so it may take a few more months to get there, but I will get there!

But I'm wondering how long it takes before your mental self-image changes?  Might be a question for the vets who are now maintaining.  I still see myself as 'fat' even though I'm down 105 pounds from where I started.  I can't seem to understand that I'm smaller now, even though my clothes size proves that!  It's a head thing.  I look at all I have left to lose rather than appreciating the accomplishment thus far.  I still have a 'muffin top' and a little more belly fat to go.  My thighs need to shrink more, as they are still bigger than I had hoped they would be.  I am doing weight lifting to tone the muscles now, and that should help with the flab as well.  I'm walking, biking, and swimming, so getting the aerobic exercise as well.  But how do I fix my head??? 

~Sandi

Congratulations Sandi!!!

First of all.....congrats!!

At 5 years out, i still see 'fat' when i look in the mirror. My arms are waving buh-bye everytime i move them, i have a saggy panni that needs to be removed and my boobies are like tennis balls in tube socks....LOL....so much TMI but oh so true! I won't be content(i think****il i have my plastics done.

But....with clothes on, people still say..."oh you are so skinny", "stop losing already", "you are withering away". But they aren't me, they don't walk in my shoes nor do they look in MY mirror. So yes, it's alllllll in my head!!! I can't seem to fix my thoughts....so that's what I see when i look in the mirror.

 

Congratulations on your success and for realizing you need to start working on fixing the emotional side of things!

Honestly, the best way to fix your head is therapy.  You need to work through your thoughts and motivations.  I have been going to therapy since before my surgery.  It has really helped with dealing with the negative thoughts and breaking bad habits.  I am not perfect and I have a long way to go with dealing with my issues but I am glad I am working on both my physical appearance and my emotional issues at the same time.  Are there any support groups in your area?

 I don't really have an 'area' -- right now I'm living with my mother, who is 91 and on hospice care, and I don't know how much longer I'll be here.  I live in a very remote cove on an island in Alaska with my nearest neighbor about a mile and a half away through the woods.  There's a town about 6 miles by boat that has 100 people.  I'm there 6 to 8 months of the year and then we travel in an RV the rest of the time.  Quick answer is no support group!  LOL!  OH is my support group, mostly, but I've not been reading or posting of late because my head has been in a bad place.  Not really possible to do therapy either, given the remoteness of where I live and the transient nature the rest of the time.  I'm sure I'll be able to work it through eventually.  But right now it's a little frustrating.

You need to do some before and after comparison picture reviews, even if just for yourself. I bet you'll be amazed.

And as for the support group--any time you need to talk, rant or whine, I'm here! 

I think you've done an amazing job. And it isn't easy looking after a loved one and going through this process at the same time. 

So...congratulate yourself for being such an achiever!

I hope I'm close to where you are in 9.5 months, but will take what I can get.