Question:
Messages you give yourself
Can anyone who is successfully keeping their weight off give me some suggestions of what kind of messages you say to yourself to stay inspired and to follow the course. — katiecakes (posted on October 5, 2009)
October 5, 2009
I am a support group leader. I think seeing other WLS patients "give
up" is one of my biggest incentive. I see what they miss out on and
see how many health problems return. I look back at my "Before"
pictures often. Our group members bring a small photo book to our support
meeting. We pass them around to new members (who recently had the
surgery), and most importantly to people still considering whether or not
to have the surgery. Photos are a great reminder of how far we have come.
Just sharing experiences and answering question of new members causes us to
realize how many health benefits we've experienced, and how much our lives
have changed. Also, we all keep one pair of our pants from before the
surgery. Get those out once in a while and step into them. That will get
you excited and motivate you to stay the course. Also, for me, I had the
surgery in the first place due to the health problems (including having 2
relatives die from complications of having diabetes the year I had my
surgery). Seeing the health problems my obese relatives and friends are
suffering with is probably the biggest motivating factor for me. I hope
this helps. I wish you the best as you continue on your journey toward
good health. God Bless.
— KimM
October 5, 2009
Good question.. I'm ready to give up already before having surgery. I
don't feel like my family is there for me and understands me. I just want
it all to end and be over. I can't see any improvement in the final
support after I put myself through everything I keep reading. VERY
DISCOURAGED. HOPE YOU FIND AN ANSWER TO HANG ON TO.
— drcrews
October 5, 2009
I read the book You can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. I"ve also
uploaded it to my ipod. So I have it with in reach and lesson to it while I
am traveling or working out. This book talks about how our thoughts effect
us and how to change our thoughts. I highly recommend this book it has
really help me through my journey.
— dsquire
October 5, 2009
I don't say anything to myself, but I do remember how I felt and the pain
my legs and feet felt and that is enough to keep me going. I feel so much
better physically and mentally that I don't ever want to go back. And if I
have a thought of some food i shouldnt' eat, I remember the pain and drop
the food..Nothing is worth feeling that ache again. I am off my meds and
thats a great incentive as well. Look at pics of yourself and do attend
lots of support groups. Find one you like and attend as often as poosible.
I go to a group that meets every thursday, tho only every other oneis
official. The unofficial ones are great for new postops as you have a
smaller group and can ask more questions from post opers who have
experience. Your support group should allow for anyone to answer or ask
questions. They say that people who attend support groups are more
successful. It keeps you accountable and motivated! If you dont' get
support anywhere else, you should get it from group. Best of luck to you !
Hugs n God Bless! Kim
— gpcmist
October 6, 2009
I had VSG surgery back in June of 2008. And I have to say it is the best
gift I could have ever given to myself. I have lost 75 pounds to date and
have kept it off for 6 months now. I would like to lose about 20 more and I
am still working on that as my goal. Let me say to you that you must love
yourself enough to know that you are worth this. Make this decision for
you alone. Having family be supportive is a wonderful plus but, don't
destroy your health and happiness because of those around you. I tell
myself everyday that I look great, I am healthier than I have ever been and
would never go back to how I was eating and living before for any reason.
No food, the way it tastes or the way it makes me feel is worth that. I
used food as a comforter in my past. That is no longer true and never will
be again. I won't let myself go back there. I find other ways to fill that
time when I feel sad or hurt or down....go for a walk, read a book, call a
friend whatever I have to do to fill that need. The abuse of food only
brought destruction to my health, the way I looked and my self esteem for
years. It's a vicious circle. You eat cause your depressed then your
depressed because you over ate. Be good to you!!!! Fill your mind with
positive thoughts. It does matter what you tell yourself every day. For
the rest of your life it will be a challenge and one that you can win day
by day. Don't let it overwhelm you. Win your battle one day at a time and
you will be so glad that you did. I have resigned myself to the fact that
eating healthy is a choice will have to make every day for the rest of my
life just like I can choose to eat unhealthy and go back to my old eating
habits. But every day...I make a choice to eat healthy and stay looking and
feeling good. Am I perfect with it, of course not but, I don't let that
knock me down and send me back down the old road. I make better choices the
next day and stay on track. I too look at my old pictures from time to time
and remember how I felt about myself back then and the health I was in. YOU
are worth making this decision every day and doing all that you can to stay
strong. This website has helped me tremendously even today, I come on here
and read others statements as well as do what I can to encourage others on
their journey and I have found that by encouraging others I also encourage
myself. God bless you and you will succeed!!!
— Jodi L.
October 6, 2009
This was a great question. I am inspired by the responses here. For me it
is just daily choosing to be the best I can. I tell myself that I can o it
and I will be happy because I am choosing to "pamper" myself with
healthy foods.
— trible
October 6, 2009
It is an everyday struggle. I am 8 pounds from my goal and 13 pounds past
my doctors goal. The weight loss has slowed down, but I am also eating
more (my doctor told me to). I have days when I eat a small amount of
something that isn't what I should be eating, but I also make sure that on
those days I get in a really good work out and get in all of my protein. I
now either run/walk/hike or ride my bike almost everyday (bike is my
favorite). I have made sure that everyone around me knows that I can only
eat small amounts and most know what I can and can't eat. For me that
makes it easier to make the right decision because I don't want them to
look at me, see me gain weight and then say "see I knew it wouldn't
work", so I guess it is a challenge for me. I also have discovered
that I am worth it!!! I have a wonderful family that is now very
supportive, but were skeptical in the beginning and a wonderful man who
treats me like gold despite the fact that he never gets a meal out of his
own anymore. I tell myself everyday how thankful I am for the opportunity
that I have had to have RNY when so many others can't afford it or
insurance won't pay for it. I also think although it was a very hard thing
that having to pay for the surgery myself was huge, because I don't want to
fail at something that I spent $20000 to do! That monetary thing is always
on my mind. This experience has been a gift that I gave myself because I
am worth it.
— brindledanes
October 6, 2009
As one other member posted I have before and after pictures... I look at
them often. I also look at my medicine cabinet and make a point to keep
the empty bottles that I used to have to take. I am always shocked at how
even with the additional vitamins that I have to take now I still don't use
as many pills as I used to. No more reflux, no more meds for my knees and
back, no more pain from the pressure on my eyes etc... just keep
remembering how far you have come and remember why you did this in the
first place. I will never go back... I joke with my husband all the time
that I will break my own jaw and have it wired shut before I ever get fat
again.
— phyllismmay
Click Here to Return