LiveStrong41

I LOVE THIS POST! I completely agree. Infact, I love you. lol!

If it is any help, you are not alone. You just decribed me!
Congrats on the suit!

That was seriously an awesome blog. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exactly what you're feeling now. I see all these commercials and half are for food (because we need more junk food like we need a hole in the head) and the other half are for the diet I supposedly need to undo all the junk food damage. But wait...there's more! I can buy a nifty cami that will make me look 3 sizes slimmer, but then I *really* need the hair removal cream because I can't been seen looking like a bush woman. Oh and then? I should seriously invest some of those videos that will teach me to exercise and look like I'm a stripper doing a lap dance at the same time, because you know, there's a good chance my boyfriend will buy that beer that shows the woman that looks like a rejected porn star falling all over the guy because he's drinking *that* beer. I need to look like a rejected porn star apparently.
Seriously, really excellent blog post. I hope more read it because you totally nailed it.

Great post! I'm glad I stopped by... I, too, needed to see this!

Hi!
My name is Shelley, and you are not alone! I was crazy obsessed before my surgery. I even went over my data plan on my phone checking this site. I researched and researched to make sure I knew everything. Then finally I thought I was going crazy. I had so much pent up energy and anexiety over it that I would cry at night. So this is what I did... my suggestions to you are:
-Pintrest I pretty much planned my entire wedding in a month to make myself stay off this site more than twice a day. And my wedding isn't until July 2014.
-Pintrest again, but instead of researching the band. Research and pin the life you're going to have after the band. Focus on farther down the road. I have a whole board on pintrest of clothes and fashions that I want to be able to wear when I get to my goal weight. Pictures that I want to have taken, because you know you're gonna want a photo session when you hit goal.
-Library I went to my local library and found a book that I hadn't read since highschool. Then I found other books to read. And it helped. I found memoirs from overweight girls, which were interesting.
-Arts & Crafts I made a "Journey Journal" I covered a composition notebook in inspiring pictures and quotes and started writing information that was going to help me along the way. (I can send you pictures if you like to get a jist of what it is)
You just have to figure out a way to distract yourself, cause after surgery, when you are in pain, you're going to ask yourself... "Why did I want to rush this?" (Don't worry, it's worth it, but you'll still probably ask yourself that.)
I hope this was helpful!
-Shelley

So very true. You have a wonderful way with words. Thanks for the blog.

I love this post and I'm so proud of you!

My doc told me the same thing last time I went. I was like seriously someone is telling me I need to eat more - WTH? My NUT said apple slices with PB is great. I buy the low sodium PB to help with salt intake. In the summer I like cantalope with laughing cow cream cheese wedge. I love applesauce and make my own so I can control what is in there.
Something the hubs and I love is zucchini chips. I slice the zucchini is thin slices (with my mandalin), toss in a little olive oil, and parm cheese - place on a cookie sheet and back till golden. These are addictive. The hubs who is anti veggie loves these. This also works to coat asparagas and string beans as a different way to fix them.

Fantastic post!! I love you. lol! I can relate... completely! Continued success and best wishes.

I am a successful bandster and have been at goal for 6 months. The head hunger game can really be an issue all along the journey. I eat small high protein meals all day long. It is actually kind of funny, because on the days I do my best I am constantly eating about every 3 hours. I only eat protein for snacks, peanut butter, sliced turkey, nuts, soy nuts, etc. I do try to eat at least 1-2 small pieces of fruit a day, usually a small banana, cutie or small apple peeled and sliced but when I eat the fruit I always add a small amount of protein. I eat very little zero or low calorie foods, like lettuce, cucumbers, carrots,( I call this rabbit food) To me I think of this as diet food and I am not dieting. I do count calories and I do measure and write down all food intake, I have done this my entire journey because it helps me stay focused and honest with myself.You say you have busy days, I would suggest you start your day with a very good high protein and carb breakfast and energy. I know a lot of people frown on carbs but they give you energy and fuel and if balanced with complex proteins you will stay full longer. My typical day of eating.
Breakfast daily is 1/2 cup oatmeal dry oats cooked with 1 cup water, 1/3 cup egg whites, and 2-3 tablespoons of SF Brown sugar syrup. I add 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/8 cup chopped apple, 2 pecan halves and 1 teaspoon of raw sugar. It takes me about 30 min to eat this and most days I can only eat about 3/4 of this. It is less than 300 calories and very nutritious.
Mid morning I usually have a protein bar that is around 180-190 calories with 9-12 gms of protein or if band is tight I may drink 1 scoop of protein powder which is 140 calories and 25 grms of protein
Lunch consists of 3-4 oz of protein(usually chicken, turkey, fish, or lean pork), some green veggies, lettuce, green beans, zucchini a splash of olive oil and vinegar and some days I add half a sweet potato, no butter or additives. (I have used a few of lean cuisines salad creations lately and they are around 19gms of protein less than 300 calories and I use about 3/4 cup lettuce)
Mid-afternoon, I have a small apple or banana and 1-2 tablespoons of natural ground peanut butter.
Dinner: Lean protein 3-4 ozs and veggies
On days I work out I always have an additional dose of protein by drinking a shake.
I eat about 1200-1500 calories a day.
If I am starving at night, I drink more liquids and rule is after 8pm I do not eat.
to help me stay focused I have kept a picture of fat Diane on the fridge beside thin Diane. A picture is worth a thousand words and I am trying to never go back wards.
I do have grazing days, they are usually Sunday's but I tend to eat same amount of calories and my protein intake on Sunday's usually sucks.
Do not get discouraged, this is a life style change and it takes time to change bad behavior.

Please don't listen to the idiot troll Awanda, she/he/it is hitting every thread on here talking complete BS.
Overcoming emotional eating and grazing is hard. I know that's something I've always struggled with too. I find distracting myself helps. I know this is going to sound weird, but night is my hardest time, so I've kinda "trained" my brain. Every night I brush my teeth and take a hot bath when I feel the urge to graze. Now, it's like a signal to my brain "oh it's bath and clean teeth time, we're done eating for the night". I know it sounds weird but it's worked.
I also find keep safe food around for when I just have to have something. I really like both dill pickles and cucumbers. Both are zero calories, so when I need something I grab one.
Hang in there.

I am very happy for your doctor's visit. Then to go to the gym and move the body, super! You're back. You took a quick break and returned.

Excellent post. I could comment on everything you wrote (in total agreement) but I won't get long winded and say only this- anyone who claims they are "perfect", that weight loss is easy, and they never become impatient or frustrated- IS LYING.
I have lost a lot of weight and I do exactly as my doctor and NUT advise 90% of the time, but that other 10%? I'm totally going off the path. And frustration? Dear Lord, I have been trying to lose this one stink'n pound for a week now. ONE STUPID POUND! You'd think after losing 199 just 1 more would be easy peasy, right? Pffft, stupid thing is clinging on for dear life AND invited a half pound friend over!
...and that is just my most recent frustration. There have been many before it and I'm sure there will be many after.
Keep doing what you're doing because you're doing so very great

At 21 you are a lot stronger than most! I would have been crushed and that event would have fueled my depression and eating, but not you!! Girl, you sound like you're going to do just fine with this process. I know most of us have all been wounded by hurtful words, but like Dee said, you will be that much more experienced and thoughtful when it's your time to lend support. Heck, you're in the postion to lend support now... just talking about your evening certainly sparked my fire! We should consider ourselves very lucky -our surgery will help us become our better selves, but being an ugly, ignorant, and cruel person on the inside is inoperable!

This is beautiful! I think people do treat us differently when we're obese. However, in fairness, I treated myself differently too. The changes and transformation from losing excess weight are almost amazing... sooo many nsv that make us stronger and better. Congratulations Dee! ♥

At 21 you are a lot stronger than most! I would have been crushed and that event would have fueled my depression and eating, but not you!! Girl, you sound like you're going to do just fine with this process. I know most of us have all been wounded by hurtful words, but like Dee said, you will be that much more experienced and thoughtful when it's your time to lend support. Heck, you're in the postion to lend support now... just talking about your evening certainly sparked my fire! We should consider ourselves very lucky -our surgery will help us become our better selves, but being an ugly, ignorant, and cruel person on the inside is inoperable!

WOW!!is right. You look like you lost a lot more than 30. Very nice. The clothes really tell the story.
Good luck with your new life.

Wow! I am on Day 12 of pre-op and really, really needed to read this today! Feeling sorry for myself why? The reality is..I'm not starving. My body is getting the protein and fuel it needs. Is it uncomfortable....yes! But people endure so much more and live to talk about it.
Thank you for this!! Good luck....your journey will be worth it! My surgery is scheduled for Thursday...and I am thrilled!

I, too, am very sorry you had to endure that. I hope one day you will also find the confidence to speak up for yourself with your friends and others to not allow anyone to speak to you that way either. It is very hard to find that voice and courage for many of us that have wanted to be "hidden" for so many years.
You did great yesterday w/ not eating or drinking the junk and for that you should be very proud. Food doesn't have to control your life anymore, YOU do and you being strong like that is proving you can and ARE doing this!!
Just try not to internalize the rudeness of others and insensitivity of others. Bottling those feelings of hurt are often what led us to such poor self images and turning to food for comfort.
Have a great day!

~hugs~ oh hun im so sorry you had to ender such a horrable night....
You will show them soon enough...and when your fit and healthy...you will have a strong heart....and help others through times like yu had to endor....
God love you......

Look at the healthy new you! The new tool you are being given can change these things to PAST and good reasons to go forward. The choices are in your hands and wishing you the best. Today is a new day. Needing an extension belt on a plane was a reality and not a happy one. It is PAST and will be for you. Follow your PRESENT and FUTURE, filled with hope and sunshine. TODAY is a new healthy day! GOD is so good!

Boy, those stupid ppl must think they're rocket scientist. They had no idea you didn't know you were heavy and felt the need to tell you. What asses! And to think they probably consider themselves adults.
Its really sad that society judges ppl by what they look like, instead of whats in their hearts.
I hope you stick with our chat board here b/c we have all heard these stupid remarks before.
You will find the support and understanding you need right here.

I tell my kids the reason why some people pick on others or hurt their feelings is because they feel badly about themselves and this helps them cope......but we are adults here and I can turn my mommy filter off and just simply say......SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST A**HOLES!! Don't let ignorant people like that slow you down. The only person that can truly make you happy is you and you will do fine!! Good luck to you!! :-)

Amy your post was simply heartbreaking. I am so incredibly sorry that you encountered such mean, nasty people. No one deserves that abuse.
Hang in there. ((hugs))

"another reason im posting this is so maybe when im successful with my band that i can look back at this and not forget how horrible things are/were. also i have now decided if i ever date people again my test is going to be what they think of obese people.. if they have bad feedback. theyre out of here."
Hang in there and you will do JUST FINE! People can certainly be mean, sometimes to unknowingly to themselves.
Yesterday is over! Make today a better one and tomorrow will be even better. One day at a time.