icon23

(((HUGS)))
I know the feeling. I'm not there at the moment, but I've definitely been there. I also recently avoided a birthday party because I just wasn't feeling good about myself. I have a very select few friends that I can manage to be around no matter how low I feel, but when I'm in the dumps about my body, I just can't bring myself to go out in public or be around anyone who isn't one of them.
You already know that I am also in agony over my 4 month wait for surgery, but I keep telling myself that it will fly by, just like you said. In the meantime, I'm gathering info, getting inspired (and warned) by others' stories, and preparing (making shopping lists for pre- and post-op things, trying to more or less memorize the diets at the various stages, and just yesterday I started contemplating what foods I will have to have food funerals for). I wish I had more/better advice about how to pass the time--maybe knitting? If there's anything that you can do to help take your mind off of the wait time, try it.

Stay-at-home mom

aggie92shell
wait a minute - hold the phone - what the heck??????
are you going to try and convince us that that great looking sexy person is you???
yep i knew it was bud
you look terrific, so happy for you
1/2 the women you were - are you kidding me
your physical size has decreased in 1/2 but i think you are twice as great as you were before you became a model, i mean new person
keep up the great job
you go girl

As Billy Crystal used to say, you look mahvelous! Thanks for the inspiration!

As Billy Crystal used to say, you look mahvelous! Thanks for the inspiration!

You look great! Thanks for sharing your pics--very inspirational.

You look great! Thanks for sharing your pics--very inspirational.

Wishing you a smooth surgery, a speedy recovery, and much success!

Wishing you a smooth surgery, a speedy recovery, and much success!

Low weights, high reps. I do biceps curls, triceps kick backs, skull crushers, overhead arm extensions, etc. daily. There are several really good arm videos on You Tube. I started with 2 pound weights, 10 reps each, adding reps as they got easier. I've raised weights regularly as the weight got too easy to do at 100 reps. I carry a small weight in the car with me because I do tons of driving daily and I do one arm at a time as I drive. My personal trainer just moved me to cable weights and small barbells for the same exercises and added a couple of exercises that work the muscles around the rotator cuff to prevent injury for me. We anticipate that I'll start lifting more serious weight within a month or two.
My arms look fantastic. I have serious bicep muscle and definition in my upper arms, chest and shoulders, although not like a body builder would have. I do still have some loose skin, but I have good muscle definition under there.

You have the first.tool you need to get this under control. you have recognized you are eating out of emotion. Now you need to ask yourself am I really hungry or is it something else. If you aren't really hungry pick up a book or find something to get you mind busy. Give yourself at least 10 minutes and drink a glass of.water. Also find a support buddy that you can text or call to help you get past the food crisis. It will really.help.

Good morning Gina,
Well, okay -- you're not the fastest looser, but you're STILL working on it. And you've lost 63 POUNDS that you haven't gained back -- that's marvelous! There are many of us who would be thrilled to know that two years out we will still maintain a 63 pound loss! And you only have 45 more pounds to lose -- that's not what I consider obese by any means -- you're getting so much closer to your goal! I'm also happy for your friends who are doing so well, but they'll have their down moments as well . . . we all will.
You've heard the saying that "it ain't over till it's over" -- that's so true when it comes to weight loss! So, put on your big-girl panties and let's get going. Start with that 5-day pouch diet that so many people use when they need to get back into the program -- that will get you back to feeling like you can take on the world. Get rid of all junk food in your house (and tell anybody you live with that junk food will be shoved down the garbage disposal immediately!). Plan your meals out carefully for the week and go grocery shopping WHEN YOU'RE NOT HUNGRY. Cook for the whole week. Put up ready-to-eat salads and boiled eggs and yogurts. Make a big pot of chicken & vegetable Soup (especially since the weather is getting colder). And, unfortunately, you need to give up sugar. For me, just a little taste of sugar and I've got to have more - it's as addictive as a drug!
You're already walking everyday, so that's great, but as research is showing, your body gets used to the same exercise, so you need to maybe join an exercise class where different muscles get used. Or change your walking regime into 20 seconds of running, 5 minutes of walking, repeat, repeat, repeat . . . In a week, increase that to 40 seconds of running, repeat, repeat, repeat . . . Gradually increase the time you run while decreasing the time you walk till you're running half the time and walking half the time. Interval training like this has been shown to provide great improvements, because your heart rate stays up for a few minutes after you push yourself -- it's almost as good as if you ran the whole time.
You know yourself better than anybody, but for me, once I can get in some heart-pounding exercise on a regular basis, I start feeling better about myself and more confident. That's what you need right now, Gina. You're so close! Don't let how others are doing have any impact on how GINA is doing!
You go, Girl!

Well, I have calmed down a bit and I guess I am being over sensitive. I should take this at face value and not read anything into it. It's just hard to take that first step to make the appointment and start talking about all this "stuff" to someone I don't know and now I have to do it all over again.
Thanks for the encouraging responses. Sometimes I need an objective opinion:)

Jen Awwww, hun - she didn't reject you - would have been nicer if she had called you back to speak with you about the situation. I can understand how you might interpret what happened in "not the greatest way"
please don't let this set you back
"For your own sake, try not to think of this as a rejection--sometimes things like this really do happen and it's not personal."
I totally agree with the words of wisdom from icon23 - (what a smartie pants )
therapists don't scare off that easily
"too messed up to deal with this?" nawwwww, i can tell - this was a test for you - you passed the test, now move on to a different person
since you decided to see a therapist, food issues (of course we all have them) overweight, surgery - its nice to be able to talk to someone - you'll find someone else you'll "click" with
take care
good luck with WLS

What if you don't fail?

I thought the same thing..."What if it doesn't work for me". I don't think that is possible. Once you are sleeved, its is impossible to not lose weight for the first 12-18 month (Honey Moon effect) because you can only take in 500 calories the first 3 months, 800 calories 3-6 months, and 1200 calories 6+ months. When you are sleeved, you will only be able to take in 1/4 of a cup of food per meal then about 1 cup at 12 months. The period from month 0 to 12 is to help you changes to a healthy life style by relearning how to eat, what to eat, when to eat, and give you time to incorporate exercise.

ah, the elephant in the room. Some people do regain all the weight. Some people regain some of the weight. Some people never get to their original goal weight. But, WLS surgery is the most successful option for keeping the weight off. And even if you only lose some or you only gain some, you are still better off than staying at your current weight.
If you want to succeed, adopting the most successful habits will help you:
1. Track what you eat. This is the number one habit of people who successfully keep weight off. Write it before you bite it.
2. Eat solid Protein first. It will limit how much other stuff you can fit in.
3. Exercise. This is the number two habit of people who keep the weight off. You have to find something you like to do, or you won't do it. I walk in the mornings, four days per week, for about and hour and half each time.
5. Don't keep the stuff in the house if possible. Give the rest of the candy bars to someone else. If hubby has to have candy, have a drawer for him and put it in there.
6. Get something you like that you can have instead of the junk. I've been drinking the sugar-free apple cider mix. It's 15 calories per cup and tastes like fall.
It's what you do most days, not what you do on a single day that will make the difference.
Best wishes on your journey,
Lynda

You look great (and from your recent pic, it doesn't even look like you have 70 more pounds to lose)! Wishing you continued success!

I am still pre-op, but I've read from tons of people on here that there is a stall in the 3rd week--I fully expect it. Another member on this site has a link to a webpage about this very thing and it's very informative, so here it is: http://www.dsfacts.c...r-plateau.html I hope it brings you insight and comfort.

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I have read that the emotional rollercoaster happens a lot as you lose so much fat and release the estrogen stored in your fat cells (I don't know why it doesn't happen to guys as much--maybe testosterone counteracts it? maybe women are just more conditioned to be in tune with our emotions? I'm just speculating, really no clue). How long ago did you have your surgery? I have also read a lot about the 3-week stall and I know to expect other stalls along the way. Keep in mind that even though you might not be losing pounds, you're probably still losing inches. The body takes time to recompose itself. I know it's easier said than done, but try to stay focused on the positive--you've lost 29# already! Try to look at your non-scale victories and know that more loss will come. Wishing you great success!

I know how frustrating it is to find a therapist that you click with, but I do think her story is plausible. Perhaps her boss' cold was or turned into something much worse? Running the office probably means that she has to see all of her boss' patients as well as her own and who knows for how long, depending upon what's going on with her boss. Technically, an intake appointment isn't the same as a therapy session, so you are still a new patient to her. For your own sake, try not to think of this as a rejection--sometimes things like this really do happen and it's not personal.

I LOVE everyone's replies! I giggled on a few replies.. they were on my list, but I left them off.
It's crazy to see how much being overweight holds us back!!
I want to take my kids on fair rides
Stand on a stool without worrying about it breaking
Buy regular sized clothes
Wear pretty panties
Want to be in family pictures
Feel good about myself
Do whatever I want and not feel held back
Have confidence in myself
Keep the posts coming. I love them!!

I'm pre-op, so I'm afraid I can't be of much help, but I just wanted to thank you for the link in your signature about the dreaded stalls. I will definitely be mindful of the info.

I think from now on, if someone comes on the board here with negative comments OTHER than what they PERSONALLY experienced, we should NOT comment to fuel the fire
Maybe they will just go away, lol!!
;)

I haven't read everyone's post, so maybe someone said this...
It seems to me that if God didn't want the surgery to exist (or other life-saving procedures like it), then he would not have allowed someone to have invented it.
Maybe that's oversimplified, but it's how I see it.
Sleeve date: Oct. 15. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy