tinkycheeks

I felt the same way. I had days when it was all I could do not to call my surgeon and back out. In fact, even on the operating table before they put me to sleep, if just one person would have asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, I would have answered no. I actually remembering praying that no one would give me an out.
The fact is that without the surgery, I would still be morbidly obese. I was in a size 24, always tired, always moody, and hit my emotions in food. Now six months later, I'm in a size 10, so much healthier, so much happier, and I'm learning how to feel emotions instead of bury them. I have loose skin in my stomach and arms. And you know what? I don't care. I'm 33 and would love to be firm. But every bit of loose skin is worth how I feel now. Dave did an amazing job pointing out the health benefits, but those aside, just the way I feel inside is worth it all.

Such beautiful trees!

I am 18 months post op and can eat anything I want. I am at goal weight and have only dumped once. I would say I am a chocolate nut as well!
I eat chocolate when I want to. There are times it gets out of control and I eat a little more than I should. This is usually around the time of the month for me. I usually crave sweets during that lovely time.
I do believe that it is all in how you look at things. I don't consider it cheating. Everything in moderation is normal. I believe if we continue to see it as "cheating" we set ourselves up to fail. We have spent so many years telling ourselves what we must "give up" or "deny" food. It is ingrained in us that we should feel guilty about having a piece of birthday cake on our birthday.
With all that said it can be a slippery slope. You must keep yourself in check and make sure you are eating the "guilty" food in moderation. I was several months post op when I went a little crazy and ate a lot of sweets. It started a spiral of guilty feelings and depressive thoughts. These boards help pull me back to reality. The reality was that I needed to figure out why had I started down that path. I discovered that I ate the sweets mainly when I was driving at work and stopped at a gas station. I would then buy sweets and eat them throughout the day. I counter acted this by logging foods and making sure I had Snacks in my truck with me. I also found food that would satisfy my sweet tooth that was low in calories, and had other nutritional benefits.
Finally I would have a little conversation with myself to figure out why I wanted the food. If you deny yourself the food for the rest of your life then you will either go nuts and eat too much or you become obsessed about what you CAN NOT have.
We all paid money to have this surgery, but I mainly paid this money to gain my life back. Make sure you keep yourself in check which since you are posting asking questions means you are. Make sure you don't let anyone make you feel like you are doing everything wrong. Make sure you are following your doctors orders. Finally make sure you stay true to yourself, and remember we are human and not perfect little robots.
Congrats on your new life!

I felt the same way. I had days when it was all I could do not to call my surgeon and back out. In fact, even on the operating table before they put me to sleep, if just one person would have asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, I would have answered no. I actually remembering praying that no one would give me an out.
The fact is that without the surgery, I would still be morbidly obese. I was in a size 24, always tired, always moody, and hit my emotions in food. Now six months later, I'm in a size 10, so much healthier, so much happier, and I'm learning how to feel emotions instead of bury them. I have loose skin in my stomach and arms. And you know what? I don't care. I'm 33 and would love to be firm. But every bit of loose skin is worth how I feel now. Dave did an amazing job pointing out the health benefits, but those aside, just the way I feel inside is worth it all.

I felt the same way. I had days when it was all I could do not to call my surgeon and back out. In fact, even on the operating table before they put me to sleep, if just one person would have asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, I would have answered no. I actually remembering praying that no one would give me an out.
The fact is that without the surgery, I would still be morbidly obese. I was in a size 24, always tired, always moody, and hit my emotions in food. Now six months later, I'm in a size 10, so much healthier, so much happier, and I'm learning how to feel emotions instead of bury them. I have loose skin in my stomach and arms. And you know what? I don't care. I'm 33 and would love to be firm. But every bit of loose skin is worth how I feel now. Dave did an amazing job pointing out the health benefits, but those aside, just the way I feel inside is worth it all.

I felt the same way. I had days when it was all I could do not to call my surgeon and back out. In fact, even on the operating table before they put me to sleep, if just one person would have asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, I would have answered no. I actually remembering praying that no one would give me an out.
The fact is that without the surgery, I would still be morbidly obese. I was in a size 24, always tired, always moody, and hit my emotions in food. Now six months later, I'm in a size 10, so much healthier, so much happier, and I'm learning how to feel emotions instead of bury them. I have loose skin in my stomach and arms. And you know what? I don't care. I'm 33 and would love to be firm. But every bit of loose skin is worth how I feel now. Dave did an amazing job pointing out the health benefits, but those aside, just the way I feel inside is worth it all.

I felt the same way. I had days when it was all I could do not to call my surgeon and back out. In fact, even on the operating table before they put me to sleep, if just one person would have asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, I would have answered no. I actually remembering praying that no one would give me an out.
The fact is that without the surgery, I would still be morbidly obese. I was in a size 24, always tired, always moody, and hit my emotions in food. Now six months later, I'm in a size 10, so much healthier, so much happier, and I'm learning how to feel emotions instead of bury them. I have loose skin in my stomach and arms. And you know what? I don't care. I'm 33 and would love to be firm. But every bit of loose skin is worth how I feel now. Dave did an amazing job pointing out the health benefits, but those aside, just the way I feel inside is worth it all.

I felt the same way. I had days when it was all I could do not to call my surgeon and back out. In fact, even on the operating table before they put me to sleep, if just one person would have asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, I would have answered no. I actually remembering praying that no one would give me an out.
The fact is that without the surgery, I would still be morbidly obese. I was in a size 24, always tired, always moody, and hit my emotions in food. Now six months later, I'm in a size 10, so much healthier, so much happier, and I'm learning how to feel emotions instead of bury them. I have loose skin in my stomach and arms. And you know what? I don't care. I'm 33 and would love to be firm. But every bit of loose skin is worth how I feel now. Dave did an amazing job pointing out the health benefits, but those aside, just the way I feel inside is worth it all.

Oh my gosh, you look incredible!

Part of my prep for surgery includes finding an alternative to eating when stressed. So my dietician wanted me to find a hobby to keep my hands busy and keep my mind off food. I started loom knitting. Its easy, doesn't take too much thought and I can do it while spending time with my kids without eating their Snacks. :-) I also have to take walks on my breaks at work to help with work stress.

Just a warning I started running and have become almost addicted to it. I think it is because I used to think people were nuts to enjoy running when I was pre op. now I understand completely! Going to try and run my first 5k in December!

I just completed my first 5k last Saturday. It was an amazing accomplishment. I've lost 76 pounds and its amazing the things I can now do that I never would have tried 76 pounds ago!
Good luck on your 5k!

I ran 3 miles today without stopping, in 36 minutes. Me and a 12 minute mile have never gone together before!

You look great!

What an achievement! I really want to take up running. You're an inspiration to me!

I'm one year post op this month and my summer vacation was pretty great. We went to Grand Canyon for a week.
I finished a 3 hour hike in canyon but as many know it takes twice as long coming up than going down, but I made it. When I finished I was glad to have my 3 year post Mother with me. I got kinda emotional telling her one year ago this would have been impossible! We were so proud. Although at times I wondered how long it would take to get a mule or helicopter to get me out! Lol I took tons of pics going down and like 1 coming up!
I'm so glad to have been blessed with the chance to live a healthier life style that would include hiking!

Instead of 'I've only lost 38 pounds' how bout 'I've lost 38 pounds!!!! Without starving myself and while feeling great.'
Today I pulled out a pair of regular 16 shorts, not 16W....I got them on...tight but on. Cool Beans. Tell me something awesome that happened to you today!!!!!
HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 219

I do this too. I used to love clothes. Now I wear what fits. I can't wait to wear something because I like it and not because it covers my skin!