Swimmer

You trade the weight for skin and the skin for scars. It's part of the journey. That being said I am coming to terms with the damage I caused to my body and try to be grateful for all the positives in my life. In the grand scheme of things the skin isn't so bad compared to all the wonderful gifts of losing the weight. Even knowing everything I know after losing 130 pounds I would do it again in a heartbeat, absolutely no doubt. Best thing I ever did for myself, ever. Good luck.

First off yay you, you're doing great! To be honest it took me awhile to regularly work out and I've taken breaks at times. In seven years out and work out at least five times a week. I was and am again a swimmer so that was my go to, but probably the most intimidating. Though I see I wide variety of sizes and fitness levels in the aqua aerobics class that goes on when I'm swimming sometimes. There always seem like a welcoming and nonintimidating group.
If not just walk, or try the elliptical. People aren't going to be judging you. They will be inspired by your motivation to be there at all. We all have to start somewhere. One day you will be that hard body and see somebody starting their journey, smile and think good for them. Chin up and just do it. Don't let fear run the show, you've got this.

Good news is you know how to do this and have the tools to do it again. It's easy to fall back into old habits and start to gain again. I did twice in seven years, but both times I caught myself. I felt all the old feelings bubbling up and the unhappiness once again. But I also knew how great I could feel and got back on track. Go back to basics. I agree clean out the bad food and eat your protein first and veggies. Watch for calories you are drinking too I've seen people drink too many calories. There is nothing stopping you from getting back on track one pound at a time. Beating yourself up more is pointless, changing your diet again is possible. You can do this! You haven't failed, it isn't over.

Good news is you know how to do this and have the tools to do it again. It's easy to fall back into old habits and start to gain again. I did twice in seven years, but both times I caught myself. I felt all the old feelings bubbling up and the unhappiness once again. But I also knew how great I could feel and got back on track. Go back to basics. I agree clean out the bad food and eat your protein first and veggies. Watch for calories you are drinking too I've seen people drink too many calories. There is nothing stopping you from getting back on track one pound at a time. Beating yourself up more is pointless, changing your diet again is possible. You can do this! You haven't failed, it isn't over.

Honestly I think it's great it didn't happen until you were ten months out, you are doing things right. The feeling is horrible. It will very likely happen again and it's a reminder of how not to eat. I'm over seven years out and that would still make me very, very sick. My restriction never lessened, but I used that first year to make a lot of changes. You're doing great! Keep it up and you'll be at goal soon if you aren't there yet.

Good news is you know how to do this and have the tools to do it again. It's easy to fall back into old habits and start to gain again. I did twice in seven years, but both times I caught myself. I felt all the old feelings bubbling up and the unhappiness once again. But I also knew how great I could feel and got back on track. Go back to basics. I agree clean out the bad food and eat your protein first and veggies. Watch for calories you are drinking too I've seen people drink too many calories. There is nothing stopping you from getting back on track one pound at a time. Beating yourself up more is pointless, changing your diet again is possible. You can do this! You haven't failed, it isn't over.

Well at seven years out I still have that pattern. I eat very little at a time and am routinely hungry again in a couple of hours. Stick to healthy choices. Eating will never be the same way it was and that is a good thing. It feels like punishment now, but after a little bit of time you just don't think about it and accept it. Your focus changes to other things besides food and life gets pretty great.

First off yay you, you're doing great! To be honest it took me awhile to regularly work out and I've taken breaks at times. In seven years out and work out at least five times a week. I was and am again a swimmer so that was my go to, but probably the most intimidating. Though I see I wide variety of sizes and fitness levels in the aqua aerobics class that goes on when I'm swimming sometimes. There always seem like a welcoming and nonintimidating group.
If not just walk, or try the elliptical. People aren't going to be judging you. They will be inspired by your motivation to be there at all. We all have to start somewhere. One day you will be that hard body and see somebody starting their journey, smile and think good for them. Chin up and just do it. Don't let fear run the show, you've got this.

I agree with the shake things up. I eat very low carb, under 20g max. I get your frustration. I have realized I have a very low heart rate, low BP and low body temp. I just don't need as many calories as others. As strange as it sounds sometimes taking a few days off of my strict calorie counts and workouts seems to help if I get right back to my program. If I'm really stuck I mix up my exercise routine and that jump starts my loss. I get being frustrated at six months or and you do need to figure out why you are not losing. I wish you luck and post when you figure it out you're not alone.

Good news is you know how to do this and have the tools to do it again. It's easy to fall back into old habits and start to gain again. I did twice in seven years, but both times I caught myself. I felt all the old feelings bubbling up and the unhappiness once again. But I also knew how great I could feel and got back on track. Go back to basics. I agree clean out the bad food and eat your protein first and veggies. Watch for calories you are drinking too I've seen people drink too many calories. There is nothing stopping you from getting back on track one pound at a time. Beating yourself up more is pointless, changing your diet again is possible. You can do this! You haven't failed, it isn't over.

Good news is you know how to do this and have the tools to do it again. It's easy to fall back into old habits and start to gain again. I did twice in seven years, but both times I caught myself. I felt all the old feelings bubbling up and the unhappiness once again. But I also knew how great I could feel and got back on track. Go back to basics. I agree clean out the bad food and eat your protein first and veggies. Watch for calories you are drinking too I've seen people drink too many calories. There is nothing stopping you from getting back on track one pound at a time. Beating yourself up more is pointless, changing your diet again is possible. You can do this! You haven't failed, it isn't over.

I agree with the shake things up. I eat very low carb, under 20g max. I get your frustration. I have realized I have a very low heart rate, low BP and low body temp. I just don't need as many calories as others. As strange as it sounds sometimes taking a few days off of my strict calorie counts and workouts seems to help if I get right back to my program. If I'm really stuck I mix up my exercise routine and that jump starts my loss. I get being frustrated at six months or and you do need to figure out why you are not losing. I wish you luck and post when you figure it out you're not alone.

Well at seven years out I still have that pattern. I eat very little at a time and am routinely hungry again in a couple of hours. Stick to healthy choices. Eating will never be the same way it was and that is a good thing. It feels like punishment now, but after a little bit of time you just don't think about it and accept it. Your focus changes to other things besides food and life gets pretty great.

Do not worry, like at all. Your are normal and it's ok. Rest, keep hydrated and heal. I promise you won't die from not hitting your goals, most do not. The point is to try to work to eventually hit those goals. They are high. If I'm serious about protein it's literally all I'd have room for and that's kinda how I eat. I must have shakes or protein water to hit the goals. To be honest there have been very few days I've hit the goal. Don't stress. Try protein water I'm a huge fan. Cheers. Rest and heal.

Mine was scuba diving and I got certified in Seattle last month. Can't wait to continue.

It took me over a year to break up with food. Gradually the compulsive thoughts about eating went away and I could eat without feeling like I was missing out. I couldn't remember when food was just food, maybe when I was three or four? Then it became my friend, therapy and drug of choice. But like any addiction you can overcome it. I find when I keep the sugar out of my diet the thoughts of eating compulsively are alleviated. Best wishes.

Hey Folks,
I made it through surgery well yesterday. No issues whatsoever. I feel OK....just sore and a lot of discomfort when moving.... and I finally feel some gas coming on. The surgeon said everything went very well and the 22lbs I lost in the 2-week pre-diet was a big help. Right now I'm sipping bone broth with added Genepro protein powder (good stuff). Overall, on the day after surgery, I feel a little better than I expected.
I look forward to pureed foods on Friday. (Yes, my surgeons move to pureed foods on day 3-4 post-op) A week ago, I filled ~25 - 3oz containers with tasty pureed chicken, pork, bison, egg/avocado, and tuna....and then froze them...ready to warm. But now my focus is sip, sip, sip, walk, nap, sip, sip, sip, walk, nap. (not necessarily in that order ?
So far, all is well!

Thanks to @FluffyChix, @skinnylife, @proudgrammy, @VSGDavid, @summerset, @wanda247, and @GreenTealael for your input! I'm crying at work from your support, assessing my negative self-talk, and coming back to Earth. Therapy is coming, as is my year follow up, so I know I will have plenty of in-person guidance as well.
As far as maintaining a regimen, I will say that I have held fast to breakfasts and lunches that are measured and nutritionally sound. My weak spots as of 10-12 months tend to be
snacking in-between meals at a new job where treats are brought in and stare at me too-large portions at dinner I suppose I've gotten over the first hurdle of recognizing what I'm doing that will impede my weight loss. Now I must continue to jump the hurdles of being kinder to myself and maintaining motivation despite the stall.

It took me over a year to break up with food. Gradually the compulsive thoughts about eating went away and I could eat without feeling like I was missing out. I couldn't remember when food was just food, maybe when I was three or four? Then it became my friend, therapy and drug of choice. But like any addiction you can overcome it. I find when I keep the sugar out of my diet the thoughts of eating compulsively are alleviated. Best wishes.

Obviously his comments say a lot more about him than you. Insecurity shows its ugly head in so many ways. He might be concerned you'll want to leave him once you lose the weight. He might be afraid something will happen during the surgery. But most likely he's worried about how your new life is going to change his own. You'll be eating differently and cooking differently. You'll be focused on healthy living and this surgery takes up a lot of space in your brain for awhile. You will change after this surgery that is 100% and what that change looks like might be scaring him.
No matter what his issues are they are just that his issues. Keep your focus and try to remember this is rocking his boat as well. He will see so many wonderful and positive changes in you physically and mentally he'll learn to adapt, or he won't and you have a decision to make.
Bottom line you are improving your life immensely. This is about you and your health. Don't get tangled up in worrying about what to say back just keep at it and quietly show him you don't need his input. Or ask him point blank what he is reacting to about this change for you. Reassure him you still love him, but that you are doing this with or without his support, but it would be easier on everybody if he supported you. Once the changes set in he will understand, but you don't need him to understand to be successful with this new lifestyle. Good luck.

Obviously his comments say a lot more about him than you. Insecurity shows its ugly head in so many ways. He might be concerned you'll want to leave him once you lose the weight. He might be afraid something will happen during the surgery. But most likely he's worried about how your new life is going to change his own. You'll be eating differently and cooking differently. You'll be focused on healthy living and this surgery takes up a lot of space in your brain for awhile. You will change after this surgery that is 100% and what that change looks like might be scaring him.
No matter what his issues are they are just that his issues. Keep your focus and try to remember this is rocking his boat as well. He will see so many wonderful and positive changes in you physically and mentally he'll learn to adapt, or he won't and you have a decision to make.
Bottom line you are improving your life immensely. This is about you and your health. Don't get tangled up in worrying about what to say back just keep at it and quietly show him you don't need his input. Or ask him point blank what he is reacting to about this change for you. Reassure him you still love him, but that you are doing this with or without his support, but it would be easier on everybody if he supported you. Once the changes set in he will understand, but you don't need him to understand to be successful with this new lifestyle. Good luck.

It took me over a year to break up with food. Gradually the compulsive thoughts about eating went away and I could eat without feeling like I was missing out. I couldn't remember when food was just food, maybe when I was three or four? Then it became my friend, therapy and drug of choice. But like any addiction you can overcome it. I find when I keep the sugar out of my diet the thoughts of eating compulsively are alleviated. Best wishes.

After 12+ years of looking into WLS, 3 different seminars and 100s of hours of blogs, forums, YouTube, and research papers....the time has come. Also after 20 years of a BMI of 40+, 3 comorbidities and a dozen diets (3 of them medically supervised), advice for my PCP, and now worn out knees....tomorrow is the day.
I'm a bit frightened but hopeful for a common, text-book surgery and recovery.
I should be home Wednesday night...and I'll provide an update.
Thank you all for your support!

I think therapy will be super helpful for you, and I'm going to talk from my experiences with MY therapist.
I understand what you're saying about missing the way you used to eat. From what I've worked through with my therapist, it's the ability to control what goes into my mouth. If I was having a bad day, if my abusive parents went off on me, I could gain control of my life again by eating an entire large pizza. If I was tired, if I felt like I wasn't going anywhere in life, I could eat an entire pasta bread bowl and cheese sticks. I could eat one, two three cheeseburgers because I wanted to, I was in control of how much I ate and went. That feeling of being full, of tasting that food over and over again, was what calmed me down.
Unfortunately, like more instant forms of self-harm, it's an unhealthy coping skill. You haven't gained any control by eating two large Double Double meals with milkshakes. All you've done is postponed your time to deal with it.
having surgery and having to be "forced" into a new way of eating takes this control away. You can't do what you used to do, so you feel like you're out of control.
You are worth so much more than gorging yourself on food. You are worth working through your feelings. You deserve so much more than what your brain may be telling you, and I'm so proud of you. ❤️

Same thing happened with me I lost a ton and sizes weren't budging at my higher weights. Now a much smaller even five pounds changes my sizes. Once I hit size six or eight on the way down things started moving much faster size wise. You're doing great hang in there.