AllyJonesVSG

This is one of the smartest, most common-sense things I've read anywhere about WLS. Thanks.

Hey, does anybody want to share their non-food rewards? I hit 60 lbs down today and I'm going to take a long lunch break from work and go see Night School. I've also just scheduled a massage and facial. Whee!
Anybody else? I'd love to build a list of non-food rewards that we can turn to when we deserve a treat but cheesecake is NOT it!
xo
Ally

So awesome!!

Hey, does anybody want to share their non-food rewards? I hit 60 lbs down today and I'm going to take a long lunch break from work and go see Night School. I've also just scheduled a massage and facial. Whee!
Anybody else? I'd love to build a list of non-food rewards that we can turn to when we deserve a treat but cheesecake is NOT it!
xo
Ally

Nice!! I can only dream of 90 lbs. Congrats!! I did just treat myself to two new pairs of boots...

Mandy!!! You are 81 lbs down!! How amazing is that?? And it won't come back!! How long did it take you to lose 81 lbs before? Focus on that and tell yourself how amazing you are because I think you're a rock star!!!

Ooh I love this! I have one, too, I may start doing this.

so very happy for you Taoz, good to see good things happening in YOUR life!

I plan to buy myself a fishing kayak when I reach goal weight (60-65kg). I had looked at them a few years ago but came to the conclusion that I was really too heavy to be able to safely and comfortably use the most stable/suitable fishing kayaks available. We just spent a weekend camping with some families from my kids school and several brought some small kids and larger tandem kayaks and my son and husband loved them I'll have to get a wetsuit to go with it (something I also wasn't keen to do at size 24/26).

I will also be getting myself some new fishing waders as I'm already swimming in my old ones, plus my feet are shrinking a bit and my old ones were sized to include my orthotics I used to need.

I already did a massive clothes shopping trip a few weeks ago, out of necessity, as I"m now a size 16 and my old size 22-26 spring/summer clothing wasn't going to work at all. I stuck with very affordable stuff from k-mart/best and less though, as I'd likely be needing stuff in smaller sizes again in another 3-4 months (though I can start borrowing stuff from my sister and mum soon too)

Clothes! Clothes! Clothes!
Besides necessity, there are a few reasons it is fun:
1. I am no longer limited to plus sizes. Exploring stores and having more options is amazing, whole new world of possibilities. ?
2. My body has a better shape so it is actually possible to look good in clothes. I don't feel like a blob anymore ?
3. If done right, shopping is decent exercise. Lots of walking. Bring a water bottle and get to work! ?
Side note: I do love pedicures, but have actually gone less since losing weight bc it is also kinda exciting how easily I can reach my toes! No more huffing and puffing!

Because I shall have to be spending money on clothes later, I try to find rewards that don't cost too much, like a weekend camping, or ten pin bowling or crazy golf.

I have bought many clothing rewards. It is hard not to if you’ve been shopping in plus sizes for years and years!
I have also bought two new bags and a new watch.
I have a vacation planned in March, and that should be pretty close to me at or beyond my goal.
It is so important to reward yourself with non food items, whatever it is you love instead....you deserve it!

Vacations to exotic places in so I save these for big milestones...

If I can lose 4 more pounds before the 10th - One big reward for reaching Onederland - a spa day while on vacation - I can hear the masseuse calling my name.
My first official goal would be reached in 7 lbs - not realistic to think that can / will happen in a week... that would 40lbs lost since day before pre-op - reward - Extended weekend away with the BF.

My non food reward was to buy a motorcycle! I did not want to be heavy on one so I always told myself if I lost enough weight I would finally get one!

At 90 lbs down I treated myself to a new fall coat and 3 new pairs of shoes.

I have a charm bracelet (in the Pandora style, but it isn't Pandora-branded) that I'm adding a charm to, every time I lose 10 pounds.

Being totally candid here, it wasn't that bad. First off, you have lovely IV meds in the hospital so there's no real pain there. Then they send you home with more pain meds--USE THEM. There's no heroism in resisting your pain meds; that's what they're for. On the third day, I think, I even took one an hour before I was supposed to, because I was hurting, but other than that, by the time the pain pills ran out I was fine. Didn't even need Tylenol or other OTC meds by then. The nausea/weakness/etc. lasted for a few weeks, though, and as I've said before here, be prepared to be weak/tired/have regrets for that first month. Just keep thinking : I can get through one month of unpleasantness for a lifetime of better health. I'm sitting here writing this to you being only 'overweight' for the first time in a decade--no longer obese--and I feel so amazingly better that it's like a miracle. Don't let fear of pain stop you from saving your life. That's why God invented pain pills, after all.
Good luck!

Mandy!!! You are 81 lbs down!! How amazing is that?? And it won't come back!! How long did it take you to lose 81 lbs before? Focus on that and tell yourself how amazing you are because I think you're a rock star!!!

I think clothes sizes have expanded since I weighed 170 17 years ago? I was a size 10 at 170 lbs. Today I put on a size 12 old Navy pair of jeans (snug but comfortable) at 212 lbs. (which is 60 lbs down today, WOOT!!). I know it won't take me 52 lbs to get from size 12 to size 10. This is weird. I'll be a size 6 at 170# at this rate...

Hey, does anybody want to share their non-food rewards? I hit 60 lbs down today and I'm going to take a long lunch break from work and go see Night School. I've also just scheduled a massage and facial. Whee!
Anybody else? I'd love to build a list of non-food rewards that we can turn to when we deserve a treat but cheesecake is NOT it!
xo
Ally

Hey, does anybody want to share their non-food rewards? I hit 60 lbs down today and I'm going to take a long lunch break from work and go see Night School. I've also just scheduled a massage and facial. Whee!
Anybody else? I'd love to build a list of non-food rewards that we can turn to when we deserve a treat but cheesecake is NOT it!
xo
Ally

Hey, does anybody want to share their non-food rewards? I hit 60 lbs down today and I'm going to take a long lunch break from work and go see Night School. I've also just scheduled a massage and facial. Whee!
Anybody else? I'd love to build a list of non-food rewards that we can turn to when we deserve a treat but cheesecake is NOT it!
xo
Ally

Hey, does anybody want to share their non-food rewards? I hit 60 lbs down today and I'm going to take a long lunch break from work and go see Night School. I've also just scheduled a massage and facial. Whee!
Anybody else? I'd love to build a list of non-food rewards that we can turn to when we deserve a treat but cheesecake is NOT it!
xo
Ally

Hey, does anybody want to share their non-food rewards? I hit 60 lbs down today and I'm going to take a long lunch break from work and go see Night School. I've also just scheduled a massage and facial. Whee!
Anybody else? I'd love to build a list of non-food rewards that we can turn to when we deserve a treat but cheesecake is NOT it!
xo
Ally