Newbeginning

Thanks to this forum and all of the reading I do on success and positive thinking, I've compiled a list of ideas that I've found helpful in our journey to be healthier and slimmer with VSG. I hope you may find something that will help you, whether you're a newbie or a veteran.
1.. I know it will be hard, but try cleaning out your kitchen of foods you shouldn't eat. it's a lot harder to go and drive somewhere to get bad food than it is to just reach in the cabinet. if you have others in your house that you are buying the junk food for, talk with them about how this is hindering your progress and give them healthy alternative Snacks as well. donate any unopened foods to your local food pantry.
2. Surround yourself with positive affirmations. Read motivational books, music, dvds etc. I am a Christian and Bible scriptures and prayer help me.
3. Put a picture on your fridge, mirror, car dash and so forth of the ultimate look you want to achieve, whether it's a pic of how you use to look or a pic from a magazine of how you'd like to look.
4. Find your Mantra and post it everywhere as well. This mantra can change weekly, monthly or whenever you need a new one. (such as "just do it", "walking makes me sexier", "I AM a gorgeous woman". Speak as though you ARE what you want to become!
5. Plan your meals and snacks out for a week in advance, or at least a day in advance. then shop and stock your kitchen with these items. this way you aren't tempted by bad foods because you had nothing good in the house to eat.
6. if you don't have a tracking method, this is a MUST. there are numerous apps for iPhones etc. some populate ones are Lose It and My Fitness Pal. If you don't have a smart phone, then buy a pocket journal to write everything you eat down and buy a pocket nutrition count book that list Protein and carb counts.
7. If you have trouble with Water intake, try getting some of those cute insulated tumblers with lids and fill up several for the day and keep in the fridge, when they are all empty you know you've reached your goal for the day.
8. Set alarms on your phone throughout the day as a reminder to drink your water or to eat your protein.
9. Get a little lunch cooler or insulated lunch tote and fill it with string cheese, bottled water, Greek yogurt etc to have in your car when running errands so you aren't tempted to get fast food.
10. Set weekly and monthly goals with rewards or celebrations for achieving each goal.
11. Make a Vision Board to represent your new life when you reach your ultimate goal weight. I have on mine a cute swimsuit, parasailing, hiking etc.
12. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy and set goals to add exercise into your weekly routine. It could be dancing, tennis, volleyball, badminton, softball etc. it doesn't have to be just walking or running. Try a different sport each month to keep it fun.
13. Keep a calendar and organize your life to help keep stress down, so you can focus on you journey to better health and a happier life!
I'm typing this on my iPhone, so please disregard any typos. Please let me know if any of these ideas help you. God Bless and give us strength to achieve our goals and pay it forward to help others succeed.

What tips would you add to this list?

Hi I'm from Denham Springs and had surgery 8/13/12 by Dr. Andrew Hargroder at Woman's Hospital.
All is well. Getting stronger every day!!

Well tomorrow will be one year to the day and I have to say that I am a new gal, I was not expecting the results that I have had. I feel wonderful and would not change anything that I have done. i waited a while to have this done debating on if this was right for me. I deliberated would this be right and I now which I had not waited on this. I started out over 300 lbs. when I got the process started. I had my surgery and started loosing. I have changed lifestyle choices on food and exercise. I have not been one to count all the Protein and calories etc. but I have made choice on how I eat and this is the best way I have done this. I exercise on a regular bases now and it is not the hard workout but enough to get the blood flowing. I can officially say that I am half the woman I was. I have lost exactly one half of what I weighed when I started this process. If you have reservation or trying to decide about this surgery I would highly recommend it to all who need a new start on life. I have been given a new chance ...

Starting weight oct 11 465
So happy I did this , what a life changer feeling great

Can't wait to clothes shop in general, let alone Victoria's Secret. I developed a purse and accessory addiction because that's what you turn to when the clothes don't fit or they don't carry your size. :/

southern belle love each and every one of your achievements!!!!
great start with your list NSV's - good for you!!!! WooHoo
It feels amazing..............
1. I have lost 97 lbs in 11 months - 3 lbs til goal
2. when traveling to visit family, i realized airline seats have gotten larger
3 how much room there is in a movie seat
4. sitting in a restaurant booth - feeling soooo much room between me and the booth
5. that i walked in gigantic aquarium in GA, no pedometer, but in 3+ hours, must have been 10,000 miles, i mean steps
6. i climbed up a "million" steps, way up high in that aquarium/auditorium - just because i could
7.that 5 years ago, ortho problems et al - i used a cane,walker, wheelchair - now all gone over these past few months!!!!...
amazing that
8. health problems - diabetes meds/insulin, HB meds, CPAP are all gone
9. i don't huff and puff anymore
10. i feel happy every day
11. that i can now reach the stars
amazing..
12.that life is good, and i'm around to shout about it :wub:

111 pounds gone FOREVER! I am 10 pounds passed my original "goal"! I have NEVER felt so amazing & am so in love with the new me!
HOWEVER, there is one VERY BIG problem-- I am now a SHOPAHOLIC hahaha! My hubby has decided to pull the purse strings a little tighter, because I seem to get carried away! This is coming from the girl who HATED, & I mean HATED to shop! I would get anxiety and usually cry in the dressing rooms! There was actually a few times that my husband would come into the dressing rooms to try to encourage me & keep me in good spirits- NOW, he refused to come shopping with me because I fall in love with everything I try on LOL! He says "i'm not needed for moral support anymore" & he is right! AHHH, what a FABULOUS year!
Start weight- 249.8
CURRENT- 139.0
Start BMI- 48.6
CURRENT- 27.1

I took a couple new pictures today and thought I would share. I found some old pre-surgery pictures on my computer today and felt like I wanted to see where I was in comparison.
Pre-surgery (Highest recorded weight: 325)

Shortly post-surgery (Approx: 320)

Approx 2 months out (50 pounds down)
Almost 4 months out (76.2 pounds down)

The last 2 are from today. They aren't the best pictures as I had just gotten up from a nap, but I really think it shows a big difference from where I started. I am so thankful for my VSG! =)

I bought a new shirt today and it was a Lrg, not an XXL, not an XL but a freaking Large!!! There is no way to describe that feeling! I am so thankful I had this surgery because it gave me my life back. I am 16 weeks post-op and down 62lbs! I have 40 more to go! I can't wait!!

After reviewing this topic and reading each post, I do not find JaspersGirl to be in violation of our rules. She has not mentioned the name of the wraps in any of her posts, nor is any type of link, etc. listed in her signature. Therefore, she is in compliance with the rules of our forum.
If you have any questions regarding this decision, please feel free to pm me. From this point forward, I request that all arguing, bashing, etc. stop. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.

You are welcome. I can not stand the idea of this site not being a safe place for me to express myself. I always try to be gentle and kind to every one in here. I would hate to know I caused someone to feel sad or angry. I am here to support, to be supported, to offer and receive advises. If I read something I don't agree with, I offer my opinion. If I see something I don't like, I move on. Simple.

I can not believe this type of behavior is admitted here. She has the right to like a product. First she get reported because it looked like she was selling the product. That is weird. I read a lot of post about people feeling tired and anemic. My doc placed me on a product and within a week felt great improvement. I could barely wait to post the name, along with a picture, of the Iron supplement. Should I be reported? if you tried it with no improvement, does that make me a fraud?
We are not always going to agree, but we have to respect each other. Our journey is not going to be the same. What works for me, is not going to work for you. But that does not make me wrong or you right.
We are a group of healing addicts. We have society looking at us like weirdos for cutting off a body part just for the sake of losing weight. We share that bound. We should be each others biggest fan and supporters. It makes me sad to read how mean you are to JaspersGirl. Plus as a man, why are being so petty toward a woman?! MAKES NO SENSE!! And I have come across quiet a few of your comments. Always rude, sarcastic and looking for a fight. It's ok... you are among friends....relax, stop being so angry!!!
My cousin had the band and lost 125 lbs. She has been heavy for years. Her skin is fantastic. She swears by some weird potion that she applies to her skin. She gave it to me, and my skin is sagging. Am I to bash her?! NO!
We are all different. Let us congratulate each other in our success and respect our differences But this bullying got to stop.

I typically avoid chain restaurants (always have) but Chili's has some great lighter choices. Their grilled salmon is pretty good - and makes 3 servings (2 oz each). Check out their nutrition facts on their website.
Shrimp cocktail is always a good choice - easy on the cocktail sauce if you're watching carbs.
When I order a steak, I always request that it be prepared without butter or other oils. Same with veggies.
You can get grilled chicken almost anywhere. If I go to a nicer restaurant when they aren't busy, I'll ask to talk to the chef. I'll explain that I'm eating low carb, low fat, high Protein - many times they'll prepare something special for you. I don't usually mention portion size as it's often difficult for them to determine how to charge for "weird" portions. I just take some home.
If I'm going out after dinner, I take some of those things you put in the freezer to keep things cold along with me so I don't have to throw away the left overs......
Takes a little planning, but not too bad once you get into the habit.

Kurt, he is my surgeon too...having mine done Tuesday!

2 days and counting! getting nervous about the nausea.

Hammond my dr was dr hargroder

Feeling pretty good today! Warm, not hot, broth (chicken and beef) have tasted good to me, I'm on my 2nd ENS shake if the day and I'm 3 16.9oz bottles of Water down today!!
I'm pretty sure I overdid it yesterday, so I tried to rest more today. And I'm VERY proud of myself for resisting my daughters yummy chocolate bday cake!!! It's still taunting me ...

I too have a hard time not cleaning my plate. Years of programing not to waste I guess. I'm working on it!!

Hi everyone, I just got to call from my hospitals bariatrics coordinator on monday (best phone call of my life) she said i can now start my "pathway". I dont know if the process for wls is called pathway everywhere but it is at my hospital. I have my first appointment to get the ball rolling on oct 24th and wont sleep easy until then, IM SO EXCITED. Since i attended the seminar in late july i have been waiting by my phone and answering every call hoping it was the "okay" to start my journey. I have been reading vsg blogs and watching youtube vsg progress videos (herecomestrouble88 is a great wls channel on youtube). I have been up and down in weight since i can remember! I have lost 50 lbs since i had my baby in dec and i am at a plateau right now stuck at 219 to 224. I am 23 years old, 5'6, and 219lbs, i am looking forward to this life changing surgery and ready to finally live my life outside of my comfort zone(home). I dont have physical morbidities ..yet. but i do SUFFER anxiety from my appearance so much so that i do not leave my house and if i do i have to leave with my husband or a friend i am comfortable with. I cant wait to feel confident enough to LIVE MY LIFE!

Unjury all flavors including the chicken Soup are great!

Ok, so here I am posting one day early because I won't be able to do it tomorrow. I have lost 103# since April 3rd. I post my picture with a mix of emotions. I feel embarassed, ashamed, sadden, and disgusted that I didn't realize just how bad I let myself go. Here I am the day before surgery. In looking at myself, I want to seriously cry. I feel sorry for myself, my husband, and my daughter. All those wasted years.  
And here I am ...the old, new me...103# lighter, full of life! A proper mother, a proper wife, a human being begining to live again...I am thankful for my journey. I have more to go, but I am on my way. A caterpillar still in my cocoon. One day, I will emerge as that butterfly I always was on the inside! For those of you who are working toward this surgery, it isn't easy, but it most certainly, definitely works. I have my life and myself back.

Well, either way...thank you for spicing up this forum.
The only reason I say "enabling" is because I think there are some people waiting in the wings to hear someone tell them it's okay to eat whatever they want. They haven't tackled their food addictions and they are hoping for "permission" to go back to their old ways. I know there are some that can learn to eat "all things in moderation." I have no problem with that. For me, I chose to embrace my inner health nut. It's not fear or weakness or lack of self control...it's the desire to live a long, healthy and active life. I'm not depriving myself, or sacrifing. The things I'm doing and the life I'm leading now feel way better than eating pizza and cupcakes ever did (even in moderation). By that I mean that food did not give me pleasure (never did, I just thought it did), so I no longer look to food to satisfy my needs, except nutritionally.

I was fat, unhealthy and getting worse. I was slwly and surely killing myself. So my reason is: I just wanted to live.