This lap band journey is difficult. We have to change our life styles, we have to handle many things with care. We have to prepare ourselves mentally for the opinions and possible ridicule from others. My question is, what do you tell yourself every day? How do you get pumped up in the mornings? What helps you when you are having a rough day or not seeing the scales drop? What inspires you?? This is what I tell myself every morning, "I may not be where I want to be yet, but i am closer today than I was yesterday!" I am looking for some more inspiration.

I keep a copy of my fat picture on the fridge.

I can have excuses or I can have results but I can't have both. I choose results.

It's amazing how powerful this simple message feels to me. It sums up very clearly exactly where I have come from (excuses) and where I am going to (results.)

My journey has been far from the marketed stories you hear. I didn't loose tons of weight my first year. In fact about 18months out I think I finally reached restriction. I had an unfill due to illness and I was just sick of my office so unfortunately I stopped going. One of the surgeons left the practice whom I loved. He really cared about the patient not the success rate numbers so recently I just went to go see him. And from this adjustment I think I am at a sweet spot.

I had to force myself to go in anyway. But I told myself that I'm pretty great as is. I didn't loose as much weight as I wanted but my average presurgery was gaining 10lbs. a year. So that in and of itself is a success. I think we all would benefit greatly if we just accept ourselves for who we are and where we are in life. Learn from our mistakes and work on improving ourselves.

I was looking at old pictures from trips and my wedding. I really see a difference around my face and my arms. It gets me so pumped to see such an improvement.

This is what I tell myself every morning, "I may not be where I want to be yet, but i am closer today than I was yesterday!" I am looking for some more inspiration.

I had to end my relationship with food. I realized that it is just too one sided.... I love it.... Its doesnt love my body. My Dr told me I must get to the mindset that Food is Fuel and stop the love affair. It was a tough withdrawl but I have done it. Of course I regress sometimes like all of us do so every time I am faced with my brain thinking I am hungry when I know I shouldnt be.... I remind myself of my favorite saying.... Nothing tastes as good as thins feels

I had to end my relationship with food. I realized that it is just too one sided.... I love it.... Its doesnt love my body. My Dr told me I must get to the mindset that Food is Fuel and stop the love affair. It was a tough withdrawl but I have done it. Of course I regress sometimes like all of us do so every time I am faced with my brain thinking I am hungry when I know I shouldnt be.... I remind myself of my favorite saying.... Nothing tastes as good as thins feels

So true! That is a great definition of most of us. My other inspiration is my family, they all root for me. Infact, both my daughter and my son have had lapband surgery since I had mine. My daughter has lost about 50 lbs; she is not at her goal, but so much better than she was before her surgery. My son had his surgery in Aug this year. He has lost 57 lbs and is proud that he is getting healthier. All 3 of us have tried and failed with WW because we gave up before meeting goal. But since I have met goal, they are both pumped to do the same! Karen

But since I have met goal, they are both pumped to do the same! Karen

Karen...congrats on inspiring your family. Its a wonderful story! I didnt realize we were neighbors.... I am in Plant City!!

I am only three weeks post-op and have not had my first fill. So, I'm getting hungry now but do my best to make good decisions every day. I realize I can no longer live to eat, and now must eat to live. What keeps me inspired is the person I am slowly becoming....the person that can walk up the stairs without panting, the person that puts on pants she hasn't worn in years and they zip. I turned 50 this year and have decided its MY time. There are so many things I want to do that I haven't been comfortable doing in years. Its a new life for me.

Down 14lbs

1st Fill November 10

My turn....

I can have excuses or I can have results but I can't have both. I choose results.

Love this!!!!

Some things that inspire me and thing that keep me going:

- I have a couple friends that are losing weight and trying to maintain a new healthy lifestyle and we share are little milestones together.

- Taking pictures of myself every month....this one really helps.

- Finding clothes in my closet that fit again

- (this is from another post I read but helps me) I don't think about how much can I eat, but how little can I eat and be satisfied.

- I realized I was having a love affair with food. It was on this imaginary pedestal and I idolized it. About a month ago I realized....."it's just food". I now know that I need it for fuel not companionship. I really am working on an "everything in moderation" mentality.

- Having a great workout, enjoying it and realizing how far I've came physically.

Great topic by the way!!

I can have excuses or I can have results but I can't have both. I choose results.

It's amazing how powerful this simple message feels to me. It sums up very clearly exactly where I have come from (excuses) and where I am going to (results.)

I love that statement so much, I just added it to my signature. Great message!