Hi Everyone! OK! I’ve gotten past Easter, gotten back from traveling and have now been able to spend some time and catch up on this week’s thread. Given Lesley’s mishap with losing her mega-post, I am doing this in Word just in case. I’m pretty behind in personals so this may be lengthy.
KYMBERLY – I don’t think that people who are not overweight truly understand what it is like to be heavy and how important it is to us to stay on track. Your family may be a perfect example of this since they keep encouraging you to go out and eat with them. I’m sure it is not malicious, but I know that is frustrating for you. The good news for me in reference to this week’s travel and eating out this week was that the lady I was with knew what I was doing and supported me. Although I did well while out of town and stayed OP, I am relieved to be home so that I can get back into a routine. I’m like you in that when I am forced off course, it is very stressful. I have comfort in knowing that there are rules with my diet and I want to stick to them. Hang in there and just keep focused on your goal. Also, WTG on another 2.5 pounds lost!!!!!
LESLEY – 23 pounds in one month! Fabulous! What’s your secret? Did I miss a post where you gave us the secret? I’m so glad your camping trip and hiking excursions were good. After I lost about 11 pounds, I started noticing that I had more energy and I didn’t get as tired when I walked. That was such a gratifying feeling and gives me hope that I will be able to be more active as I lose more weight. I’m sorry you didn’t get the job you wanted, but you should be proud that you did not cave and start binging. Frustration and disappointment were major overeating triggers for me before I got on my liquid diet.
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE ANNIE IS??? I must have missed a post that said what was going on, but I’m really worried. If anyone knows, would you fill me in?
BRANDNEWME – Don’t feel bad or embarrassed or feel that you are a failure because you might have to opt for surgery. I have known many people who have done that and they have had great success. I thought seriously about it and did research on it before I discovered this liquid diet that I am on. I view this diet as kind of a last chance and just wanted to make sure I had tried everything before I did something as drastic as WLS. You mentioned that a liquid diet has been suggested. For what it’s worth, I have lost 20 pounds in 5 weeks and Sharon has lost about 27 pounds (Sharon – Is that right?) in about 6 weeks. It works, so you may want to give it a shot before you make the final decision to do surgery. Feel free to PM me if you want to know more.
SHARON –You are such a kind person and you have been a good friend. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. I’m so pleased for you that you are getting into smaller sizes and that your doctor is slowly decreasing your meds. It’s 27 pounds now – right? That’s amazing! I wish I weighed what you do. You should really be proud. I’m glad to know that the liquid diets often cause emotional highs and lows. I think that’s what happened to me over the last week, but my mood has evened out and I feel ready to move forward again. WTG, girl!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!
AMMI – My goodness! It sounds like your root canal was a horrible experience. I’m so sorry you had to go through all that discomfort. I echo what Sharon said that I think you have just been amazing. You have been faced with so many sorrows and challenges in the last few months and you seem to have handled it remarkably well. With everything you’ve gone through, it is really no wonder that you get weepy now and then. Whether you realize it or not, you have a lot of pain bottled up inside and it’s just gonna take a while to work itself out. You said that you wished you could get off the antidepressants, but I’m sure you know that now is probably not a good time to start. I’ve been on them since 1993 and have come to realize that they are just part of my life and I have to accept it. BTW – 103 pounds is amazing! I can’t even imagine losing that much. You must be so proud!!!!! Also, thank you so much for all your support! You are a wonderful person and I’m glad to know you!
LANNCARRINGTON – 32 pounds in 3 weeks???? Unbelievable!!!!! Sounds like lapband was definitely a good decision and well worth the $26K. You go girl!!!!!
Nancy – Are you still having back problems? I hope things are getting better. Back pain can be excruciating. You don’t realize until you have it that it basically impacts every movement you make in your whole body. I hope the pain is subsiding. Have you found out if you got the apartment? Let us know. Also, thanks for your encouragement this week. The example of picking up a 20 pound bag of dog food to see how heavy it feels is a good one. I did it and that really gave me some perspective. I really appreciate your insight.
MICHELLE – My goodness! You and your husband are really being challenged. That’s quite a bit to endure and still remain focused on your plan. Stay strong and know that I will keep you and your husband in my prayers.
WYLLEN – 120 pounds????? I’m so in awe of you!
CATHERINE – You are so insightful and your posts totally crack me up. You have a wonderful sense of humor. Please put me on the list for your book! I’m ready to send a check!!! Thanks for your encouragement this week. Your comment that you have lost 1 pound 200 times is a really good way to look at it., and I absolutely can’t imagine being able to lose so much. I’m just going to try to take this a step at a time and realize that small progress is still progress. I do tend to try to be a perfectionist, so I have to quit that and just accept the fact that I’m human and I won’t always be 100% OP. Please keep us posted on your immigration status. At least you are reasonably comfortable that your app has been approved!!!!! Also, thanks for brining up the “reach” problem. I too have had the problem and it has gotten better since I have lost some weight. However, it was pretty upsetting and I’m glad to know that I am not the only one!
CHIMI – I’m so sorry that your family got robbed. That must be so upsetting. At least you and your loved ones didn’t get hurt. Hang in there!
JILLY – Thanks for your insight regarding my posts and also for your comment that I only need to lose 20 pounds 5 more times. I’ll try to look at it that way.
ZELMA – Congrats for taking the plunge and seeking out the meds. There is absolutely no disgrace in that. You are entitled to take care of yourself and your courage to do something that is out of your comfort zone is admirable. My Dad and my grandmother both take Lexapro and it has really helped them. Just remember what I said when we last talked that these things build up in your system so you may not feel and immediate difference. Just give it some time and experiment with dosage (only at your doctor’s direction, of course) and you will find what you are looking for. Good luck!
DONNA – I came so close to stealing the extender too, but I had an attack of conscience and gave it back. When I got on the plane again and had to ask for it, I had wished I had just kept the last one. I’m sorry about the WW thing. It is so frustrating when things like that happen, particularly when it is politically motivated or just for no good reason. Keep us posted on what the verdict is.
LILLION – Your haircut analogy is a good one when compared to people noticing weight loss. You’re right. When you see someone regularly, you really don’t notice changes until they are very, very pronounced. Also, I talked to my therapist today and she said that there are so many reasons why people might not say anything – maybe they really don’t notice, maybe they just don’t care, maybe they aren’t sure and don’t want to embarrass you . . . all sorts of reasons. As everyone has said, the important thing is that I notice. Eventually, people will see the changes. Thanks for your support.
SANDY – I’m so sorry about your woman problems. I have a friend who had that problem and was told that surgery would surely fix it. She didn’t go through with it for reasons unknown to me, but my point is that it is fixable. Just keep the faith and all will work out. Also, WTG on losing your 15 + 2!!! That’s awesome!!!!! Also, you had a good point that you should not leave the house when you are hungry. I have done that too many times since I have been on this diet and have come pretty close to buying a burger. Fortunately, I didn’t do it. Thanks for your support!!!
AS FOR ME . . .
I went to my WI today and I lost 2.3 pounds bringing my weight loss to 20.3 pounds in 5 weeks. I met with the doctor and he was very encouraging and complimentary and said that I was well above the minimum weight loss requirements to stay in the program. He said that now that my body has gotten used to the 800 calorie diet, I now need to start working exercise into my routine. He said that the WL is the easy part, but the maintenance is the hard part. In order to maintain the weight when I start eating again (probably not for another 6 months or so), water and exercise are 100% required. I’m not worried about the water, but the exercise is gonna take some discipline. I have never liked the “E” word. I’m gonna try to buy a bike this weekend and start slowly. Maybe as I lose more weight, it won’t be as uncomfortable and I won’t hate exercise so much. I hope so. OH! ALSO! I got my labs done last week and got the results today. My cholesterol declined from 177 to 128!!!!! Amazing!!!!!
Well, tomorrow I’m going to Austin to visit my brother and the girls. It will be nice to get away for pleasure rather than business. Everyone have a good weekend and I’ll check in soon!
Lisa