KAATNS

Awww........so proud of you!

Awww........so proud of you!

great article
i think the majority of the people know what is wrong with their (diet)..
they seem to be hung up on (i am on a diet) .......i blame that on the past diets we all most likely did...over and over with the same results....lose, gain and lose and gain until we sought medical intervention.....i think many people also just eat the wrong things (easy, processed, fried, high calorie) in amounts their body cant burn off and it turns into fat.....that is what happened to me.....i do not diet..i eat what i like....but i take and am responsible for what i do eat and make better choices....sure i divert off path but am right back on it......and then some who have a WLS to help them just dont....
we have to make the choice to do the best we can with what we have (or dont have) and then do it without saying what am i doing wrong and start saying i am doing GREAT ...

If I ever am tempted to listen to the voice in my head that says "I don't see a difference", I'll take a look at these and thank Miss Pearlie (my band) for all she had done to make this happen. I'm not at my goal and these pics are 15lbs heavier than I am today, but they are my faves because they were the first evidence that I was no longer afraid to take pictures.    

Got up to 42 minutes on the elliptical today, 30 minutes lifting weights, and carrying my 25 lb nephew around for an hour. When I started this journey I could do 3 minutes on the elliptical and thought I would die!
Everyone has their own thing. Their own exercise that works best for them and I believe in our own ways we are all killing it!!!!
YAY US LOL

Awww........so proud of you!

Awww........so proud of you!

.....cat i read you post at least 10 times today......you never know how much YOU inspire me
and encourage me.......the pep talks are the bomb
today i did step aerobics
i lifted my knees
i did what i could the best i could and i killed it

Yep.....STARTING is the most important part.
I started too, almost 5 years ago, WALKING on a treadmill in my basement, at 324 lbs.
Then, I found something I enjoyed in March of 2012. I got me a good, properly fitting, road bike. The very first time I rode it, I went about 2 miles....and i was out of breath! ( that was at about 260 lbs) But even that first ride, I knew it was something I could learn to enjoy...and did/do I ever. Cycling for me now, doesn't seem like exercise. Its FUN...nothing but the wind in my face and the tunes in my ears. I went from 2 miles to riding a century ( 100 mile ride ) last year.
Then I also read on here about this "runners high".....hmmm. Really? My NUT and I had discussed about me needing to also find some "impact" exercise. She mentioned about how it can help with improving bone strength. I'd read similar discussions about this topic. So, after 20 years of not running, I thought I'd give it a go....mostly thanks to some encouragement from my "coach" Steph. I got home July 22nd last year after working a 12 hour midnight shift, and went at a SLOW...VERY slow pace, and ran/jogged 2 miles. I felt like I had just completed the Boston Marathon! I couldn't believe it....2 miles nonstop! Boy were my legs sore the next day.
Three days later, was my first 5km run. 8/8/13 I did my first 5 mile run. 9/7/13 I did my first "event" 5km run. ( I got that runner high this day. A memorial event for a fallen soldier) 9/16 my first 10km run, 11/18/13 my first 10 mile run, 2/21/14 my first 20km run, and on 3/1/14 I ran my half marathon distance for the first time.
I hope this comes across the way it's intended....as a positive and encouraging post. To show others, that they too can accomplish what they never dreamed possible. If you know me, you'll know I've certainly had my struggles, doubts, wanting to give ups. But there is so much more to this journey than just some number on a scale... To remind us all, that no one starts out at the finish line... NEVER, EVER give up!

life is too short to settle. and too short for you to make your choices based on your kids... they are almost grown now. when you make the decision, they will say, "what took you so long mom?"
i have several friends who's marriages ended because their H's were cheating and felt they wanted to be with the other woman. (with little kids) and the women will tell you, it was a miracle in disguise. their lives are wonderful and incredible now (not without struggle though). being away from their spouses has been a huge blessing and they cant believe how happy they are! really. all of them! one who's H decided he was done when she was 6 weeks pregnant! now her daughter is 6 and an amazing kid and mom is so strong and happy (and remarried this summer to an amazing guy).
get out and go live the rest of your incredible life!

I've been married twice (happily the second time). But I believe that your heart knows the answer (what ever that may be). Sometimes it is hard to hear what our heart is trying to tell us. You are a beautiful women and from your posts you sound like you are becoming courageous and strong. I'm sure you will make the right decision! Trust yourself

Oh, this is such an excellent thread; thank you Skywalker for starting it. Prior to my lapband surgery, I wrote a list of everything I wanted to achieve by using my tool to its fullest. I'd suggest every preop do the same (no matter what the WLS) and refer to this list often.
I don't have my list in front of me, but I recall the highlights were more mobility, less ankle pain (I sustained a trimalleor fracture in 2010 that I never recovered from, painwise), a more-aesthetically pleasing exterior, better sex (probably those two are correlated!), and more energy.
I'm not yet at goal, but I've hit all of those benchmarks (not that I'd stop now, but I'm glad I'm experiencing them already) and had some surprising new ones come along as my weight descends and my confidence rises. I'm much more socially comfortable, and do social things that were way outside my comfort zone when I was 263 pounds. I travelled to Morocco last fall which was a life-long dream, and something I never would have done at 263 pounds. (I would not have had the mobility to walk in the Sahara, or explore the Casbahs which require much climbing on uneven surfaces.)
I would say that want I want most when I reach my goal is actually intangible: the feeling of moving through the world effortlessly and confidently...unremarkably, really. I want to no longer be "that fat woman" who has so many workarounds to her fatness. Just want to feel fierce and comfortable in my own skin.

http://gawker.com/your-doctor-is-probably-not-fat-shaming-you-1535358667
Your Dr. pointing out that you are fat, and that you need to so something about it is NOT fat shaming.

Now that was interesting and I've read on this very forum where some people have complained about their own doctor.
What I found interesting were the comments below? Some people completely missed the point of the article. Here's a gem:
"However, I think it's really condescending of you (and everyone who thinks that way) to think that these folks need doctors to point out to them that they are obese and that it would be better if they were not obese"
It's not like the doctor walked up to someone in the chips and cookie isle at the grocery story and said you don't need those fattie!! When I go to my doctor I want the truth, and I can handle the truth.
tmf

We are a culture that looks for ways to be offended. There are Dr.s who are asshats, but talking it over with your patient certainly doesn't qualify.

Well if it weren't for my Doc politely telling me I was MORBIDLY OBESE, I wouldn't have has this surgery, lost a sh*t load of weight, became healthier, walked threw a GYM door, put a smile back on my husbands face (if ya know what I mean), fit in an airplane seat, chase my grandkids around the yard, or walk 3 miles when ever I choose OR found this awesome site!!....hmmmm, what was that my Doc said I was...MORDIDLY OBESE??..thank you my sweet Doctor for caring enough to hurt my sensitive A$$...love him

Thirty pounds since November is awesome!! Nothing to be ashamed of at all! Remember, your bariatric team is there to help YOU. I probably had 10 fills before my band started working for me. Hang in there, you're doing great!

Thirty pounds since November is awesome!! Nothing to be ashamed of at all! Remember, your bariatric team is there to help YOU. I probably had 10 fills before my band started working for me. Hang in there, you're doing great!

Thirty pounds since November is awesome!! Nothing to be ashamed of at all! Remember, your bariatric team is there to help YOU. I probably had 10 fills before my band started working for me. Hang in there, you're doing great!

Not only would I go talk to the manager but I would be writing an email to corporate about her. She is there to sell books not give her opinion on what you are buying. I don't let things like that go when people are rude she has no business working with the public. What if you were buying sexual fantasy books would she have said you can't do that because its for skinny people. Ugh I hate rude retail people.

Honey, that means u need a fill...... nothing to be embarrassed of ....it takes time for you and ur band to get acclimated.... go with ur head up high... get a fill and u will move forward inure journey... good luck

Probably a surgery for this, but not sure it would be worth it for me. I think men are just so happy to get there they really don't notice this small variation.

I love that this thread is still semi active! Love the selfies...you all look FANTASTIC!...here is my "I'm back" selfie since I'm finally resurfacing after welcoming my soldier home!

You my dear are stunning!!