Blamo

Almost EVERYTHING in my life change. Mostly for the better. I can't even think of anything negative. Unless tossing hardly used fat clothes as a negative, but I got over that quickly.

Turning off the need to OBSESSS over food seems to be my personal issue. Thinking about the nearby Peanut Butter and how good it is. It truly is the greatest use of a legume. I am working on two things......not focusing on peanut butter (or cheese, chocolate or cookies) , not allowing these things to be there in the first place and completely disavowing knowledge of these items when others have them in my kitchen. ...and counting, that was three things.

Entertaining AND educational.....thank you for more inspirations.

1. There are 3 centers in the brain driving the ‘eat’ or ‘not to eat’ decision: the ‘I’m so hungry I would steal candy from a child’ drive, the ‘Ben and Jerry’s will make this sucky day, better’ drive and the ‘Oh, that cinnamon bun is so crazy gooey I need to eat one NOW’ drive. I think I might, if it is possible, to be intimately familiar with all three of these centers. If my brain is big enough. 6. Visits to registered dietitians are covered by the Affordable Care Act. 7. Employers can ‘opt out’ of covering obesity medications. I don’t think this option exists for blood pressure meds, do you?? Two great and opposing examples of "Penny-wise and dollar-foolish". I think we all here know very well that it is less expensive to be fit and healthy. Many employers look at the immediate dollar cost but fail to see that a healthy, and thus happy worker is an long term investment who would....nay, WILL, cost less without all the various maladies and medications obesity brings with it. Click here to view the article

. But the fact of the matter is, I feel like I actually enjoyed the meal MORE than I would have two months ago, and for the right reasons. The flavor was amazing, and I really appreciated it. I didn't just wolf it down. For me, I don't really care what anyone thinks. I did this for myself, not for them. Two very important thoughts.

None of it should be a problem to worry much about. The wait staff are just doing their jobs, if they see someone not eating (it's normally why people are there after all ) they SHOULD ask. They often get a confused look when I don't order anything to drink with my tiny amount of food. (they assume I am cheap perhaps and offer Water, which I decline also) None of this is a reason to be annoyed at them. Order what you want, take home what you like when appropriate and enjoy the weight loss that comes with why you got here in the first place.

We, as a majority, barely have the emotional ability to master our own weight control, (evident by being here) what would indicate that we should be counseling anyone else? I am sure those whose parents kept reminding them, even in the most kind and helpful way, have memories that tarnished that relationship. I see people everyday that I would LOVE to beg to get the help I did because I sincerely value their friendship and thusly their lives but can not because I know it is not the way to help. HOW can I help? I guess the best thing to do is to encourage them when they determine the best way to lose weight is and when that effort starts to pay off, nothing but POSITIVE enforcement. I know that it was (and still is) what keeps me going to and now past my goal and will make one feel good about themselves, not shamed.

There was nothing I enjoyed better than when my dad (who was overweight himself) compared me to my thinner, younger and thus better siblings and telling me how I should and how to lose weight..

I was told, a few ago, "Fruit is just sugar" by a well-meaning but uninformed person. I avoided adding fruit to my intake because of this seemingly logical reason. Unfortunately, lasagna was not a good substitute. Fruit is far more complex as I now know and enjoy some often.

I flew from NH to Las Vegas. It was miserable but I don't care for the flight experience at all. Looking back, I know it was worth it so I just dealt with the nonsense.

NH-Pam, good to hear from you. You will be very happy that you went this route.

I just recently had the hernia repair...the surgeon who did it was the one who got me on to the path of weight loss in the first place. No other issues at all like what you described swallowing.

Don't be too nervous. Of all the surgeries I have had this was the simplest to deal with. The results you will get are well worth any short-lived discomfort you might have. You won't need it but good luck.

Excellent, If we can a few people we certainly need to organize something. Show of hands......Who else?

Well, and maybe I am naïve about these things, why can't a group of us locally establish something? Seems simple enough. Every library I have been associated with lets groups gather there. And that is just one option. I would think this could help many.

Hi Lupe, glad to hear you are considering this. I got a sleeve done in October and it was the greatest thing I have ever done. It has literally saved my life and I feel 100 % better than before, more energy and I am told I look better. I think so too. You will here some people saying that they regret having done this.....don't take it too seriously without reading WHY. I think there might be other issues at hand. Most people I hear about or talk rave about what this has done for them. I have nothing but positive things to say about it. Those other issues MUST be dealt with before this will work for anybody, I think that is why some writers seem so very negative. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Are the support groups open? And for post-op folks? I would love to get information, thoughts and .....well, support from others locally who have had this done and going to.

I got a brand called EAS, it is sold at Wal*Mart so it's easy to get anytime. I jug of 1.75 lbs (+/-) is about $17. I get one vanilla and one chocolate but prefer the vanilla because I am boring. I mix it with almond milk. I use the unsweetened after realizing that the sweetened has a lot more calories.

This is from a guys point of view... It sounds like he has the issues. Insecure? Manipulative? But certainly unsupportive. Or at the very least not supporting you in the right way. I will give him credit for acknowledging (barely) what you DID accomplish......which was no easy task for any of us. Like the rest of us, you need this surgery to complete your loss. It works and is worth it. Do it and enjoy the results. As said before, no one works out every day, I don't. It's better not to lie to the doctors or nutritionist but I can understand....I might have exaggerated my activity level once or twice. Let us know in four.....now three days. It might be the best decision you will ever make.

Hello fellow NHer. I just had mine done in October....one of the best things I have ever done. Still very new to this and still getting accustom to it but happy overall.

Hello Queenie, Good to have you here. I am fairly new at this myself but have been learning a lot by reading what others have gone through. The only advice I can really give is simply do what they told you, making sure you get in all the Protein you need and Water...lots of water. I failed at both at first. When you eat, go slow and small amounts. The things people say not to do are based on mistakes they made and learned from. Some I had to learn the hard way. Overall it might be the best thing you have ever done. I know it was up there for me.

I had mine done Oct 15, 2015 and hit 60 pounds lost.But like others have said, don't compare your loss to others, It'll make you crazy. The are too many varibles from person to person and certainly male or female. I am still working on NOT worrying about losing more or less from week to week. It's going, that is the important thing.

Good to see you here. It is a great thing that you and your husband can do this at the same time. Mutual support should make things easier for both of you. I too was concerned who I told at first and expected some "taking the easy way out" nonsense. I am lucky I guess because I got nothing but terrific support from my friends, family and coworkers. If you think someone might be negative, and I am sure that is from jealousy, don't involve them in this. But don't let it bother you. You have better things to do.

I am about the same length of time in also. I find if I eat too much, which I avoid, I will suffer some significant pain. The occuring gas will hurt as much if not more so I try to avoid that also. I was told I could not drink beer any more, it was not much of a sacrifice for me but I thought if I drink slowly it would be OK. I was wrong. One sip at a party and I was in great pain. Never again.