Did anyone else, at the start of their journey, look at the pictures of people who had successfully worked with the band and lost their excess weight and think "Wow, that's really great for them... but that won't happen for me"?

I am find the idea of me actually losing the weight so far fetched and absurd that I can't even see it as a possibility. I never see myself in the "after" pictures of others... and in a way they already make me feel kind of sad because I don't think that will ever be me.

No, you probably won't be exactly like them, but you will look good for YOU!! Keep your focus on you and not others. We are all built and wired differently and weight comes off and on differently. Try to stop comparing yourself to others and set goals for yourself. You can do this!

Nope, I never think that. I KNOW I am going to be successful. I KNOW I now have the tools I need to be successful, and I KNOW I will have the gumption and the willpower and the desire to see this thru to success.

In fact, I named my band Magic, because although I know it's not a magic fix, it is the magic I needed to get serious about my health and do something about it!

If you believe in it, it will happen. If you visualize YOURSELF as a success, you will achieve it! Don't be a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom and gloom, be a self- fulfilling prophecy of success!!!

I am going to do this, and so will you!!!

sometimes i have these thoughts... but i also look at my mom.. who has diabeties.. hypertention.... and high cholestorol.. and my dad who has 25% of a functioning heart and everything under the sun wrong. they both take so many pills i can hardly keep up and i think to myself.. i dont want that to be me. i dont have any of these complications... YET.... but im willing to try to avoid them for as long as i could.

sometimes it does get frustrating and i think i wont have as much success as the other person... but at least im giving myself the chance to not have as much complications later down the road.

maybe we wont have the killer bod, but wed be a whole lot healthier !!! hope that shed some new light and encouragement as you continue ur journey...

I had my doubts...especially at the moment when handed that big check to my doc's receptionist...

I never thought that way either. I'm doing this for myself and no one else. I know what my goals are and I will make it!!

I don't think that way either, I keep trying to vision myself at goal weight. I've also bought some clothes a size smaller that I am looking forward to wearing. I keep thinking if others can do it, so can I!

i felt like that too - but here i am today and i'm one of them - you will be posting the same after your surgery some day!

i have also felt that way so you are not alone...measuring your progress and success against others is dangerous and self defeating...hang in there...remember your purpose and celebrate each success even if it's a half pound, walking an extra 5 minutes, completing an extra set of bicep curls, or making a better food choice:) best of luck to you!

Well thank God, I was starting to think I was alone feeling this way! lol

I do try to stay positive and think the right things, but I am aware of these thoughts lurking in the background as well. Can't help it.

Thanks for the positive words!