beabenitez1978

Wow.. Thank you sooo much for this.. I'm copying this and posting it on my bathroom mirror, my fridge and everywhere else I can to remind me of exactly what the scale is... " a numerical reflection of my relationship with gravity".. I love it..

Good luck to you in all you en devours. I wish I would have done something like that when I was young and single, but I am happily married with two grown children now. Have fun!

I always feel the same way when i go south.. Good Luck to you!!! That's a huge change and i wish you all the best!

Good for you!! I wish I had the balls to that years ago but always was a chicken. Now I am older, 62 1/2, married, children and grandsons and very old mothers. If you are single, go for it. In a relationship, hope that person is behind you. Like you said you are a drive away or plane.

You said it EXACTLY as I feel.. isn't it strange how now we seem to be trying to take that focus off ourselves? I just want to be me.. that's it.. I am STILL the same person that I've always been... except now? I am having difficulty figuring out if people are truly interested in ME or just what I look like.. as Lellow said - putting up walls, becoming cynical.. being more careful.. we've got to find a new normal.. darn it.. and I was 'used' to my normal.. this is all new - for all of us!

I know where you're coming from. As a big girl, I was the extrovert, the one with the big heart, the one who always gave of myself, but since losing weight I find myself far more cynical and have put up walls to protect myself as well. I don't think I'm any less of the person I once was, I am just more careful about who I'm like that with. You will change as society changes the way it views you, and you will find a new normal, I'm sure of it.

You can do it girl! Today is a new day

Guilt is what made me fat. Use your awareness and mindfulness and make today a new day. The more you recognize your triggers and behaivors...the easier it will be to change them.

Hiccups are what's called a "soft stop". This means they are a signal from your band that you are approaching full and you need to put down your fork and walk away. If I ignore the message, it can get ugly...

You're not a failure but had fun and now need to work your tool and fit into your jeans. Smart-not having any larger clothes to get comfortable in.

You know what to do, and I know you can do it. I think you're very inspirational! Good Luck

First step is shaking off the guilt of living and remember why we started this journey one day at a time yesterday is gone that's why it's called the pasted and today is a chance to start again good luck

AWESOME good for you!! Isn't it a GREAT feeling? Since the surgery - I've had to clean out my closet 3 times.. and I'm with 2012 who tries on all the clothes in the closet and throwing the clothes on the floor when they don't fit... yep awesome, accomplished feeling when you see that pile growing.. clothes too big? FABULOUS!! Keep up the good work!! and have fun shopping!! Clearance racks are the best!!

Awesome!! As dylan mentions - take control.. and yes we are all here to help one another.. good luck in the journey ahead!! Proud of you!

Food-between my pre op and after op diet, I know longer care about food like I did before the band. So maybe you will be as lucky as me with that. I just had lunch with my grandsons and had pizza and before the diet I could have eaten almost a large myself and now 2 slices more than fills me.
You are doing great! Keep it up.
A small trick I learned many years ago. Your desire to eat something usually goes away after 20 minutes. Polish your nails every day with clear polish, now your nails are wet and you can't eat. Great trick.

I buy Zone bars. I love the chocolate with almonds and the double chocolate.
For protein drink, I buy Body Fortress in chocolate and I add peppermint extract, decaf instant coffee and lots of ice. I use skim milk. I have a small blender that becomes my drinking cup and the shake fills me for 3-5 hours. That is the only thing I have for breakfast, for the last 10 months.
Good luck.

Bea if no one have told you i'm so proud of you. You have done and is doing a GREAT job.

Very proud of the improved you, Bea. I am the same. I see loose skin and it really bothers me. What will I look like this coming summer in a swim suit with extra skin hanging. My husband said wear shorts. Since the band I am off all my pills except the vitamins that I was told to take. I joined a gym a few weeks ago, yes I am the largest I have seen but I am moving.
Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself.

you have done amazingly. I got this also because I was borderline diabetic. My whole family has it and I did not want that at all. I've lost 40lbs and I barely see a difference. It's not much yet, but I can see what you mean. It takes a lot of emotional self searching and concurring, probably the hardest of it all. I know at least it is for me. Good luck on your journey.. you seem like a really sweet, carefree person and can't wait to hear more of your success

Bea, I know you may not have reached your goal but I think the progress you have made is remarkable. i do understand your comments about who you still see. i have lost 126 lbs and when i look in the mirror I have no idea who that person is. i sometimes say to myself, I hate my body or hate the way it looks without cloth's. Yes we all knew the side effects of the surgery and we all knew we would have loose skin but the reality of all the emotional changes we go through can sometimes be very over whelming. I wish you continued success in your journey.