If you're new to this process I recommend writing a letter to yourself now as your journey begins and only to be read when you hit your ultimate goal. I wish I had done it. I can only the imagine what the 488lb me would've said. I can remember the darkest times but to be able to read a letter from 18 months ago would be a great reminder of where I've been and where I do not want to go back to. Not only would it give insight to where you've been it will also help you appreciate what you've done and what you've become along the way...

I do go back and read my old posts here on LBT and some are quite eye opening...

Something to think about....

Jim what a tremendous idea, sort of a mini time capsule.

I too go back and read some of my older posts. Sometime I read them when I get discouraged and the scale does not seem to be as friendly.

Probably the most encouragement I get from this forum is looking at the tickers and profiles. Sometimes it is easier to get discouraged and just give up. During one of those times I look at all the wonderful changes that have taken place in the almost six years of this journey.

I am on the right track and as long as I am careful to not totally screw up my journey no one can take it away.

I seriously love this idea. I wish I'd have done it 18 months ago when I started.

What a great idea Jim! I'm going to do that today.

Jim what a tremendous idea, sort of a mini time capsule.

I too go back and read some of my older posts. Sometime I read them when I get discouraged and the scale does not seem to be as friendly.

Probably the most encouragement I get from this forum is looking at the tickers and profiles. Sometimes it is easier to get discouraged and just give up. During one of those times I look at all the wonderful changes that have taken place in the almost six years of this journey.

I am on the right track and as long as I am careful to not totally screw up my journey no one can take it away.

How on earth is the scale not being friendly to you? Looks like you're doing great to me!!! You should be extremely proud of your progress!!!!

That is a great idea! I've been making short videos of myself, addressing them to me. Talking about the daily struggle, the ups and downs and I'm hoping to watch them later down the road and not only see what I look like but see ho I felt! I'm going to write that letter now! What a wonderful thing! Thanks!

How on earth is the scale not being friendly to you? Looks like you're doing great to me!!! You should be extremely proud of your progress!!!!

I am more than proud I am ecstatic. What you do not now is after 4 1/2 years of my journey I had a total unfill due to acid reflux and my band was to tight and I was starting to cause damage to my esophagus. Lucky for me no damage was done my esophagus and my pouch were OK my band was OK and I was OK. So almost right away I started to gain weight twenty pounds in three months, after a few months I started getting fills again and still losing and gaining weight. In January of this year my weight was up to 250. As some have stated I needed to get recommitted before I gain it all back. I was got down to 240 and could not seem to go below it. In March I had emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder due to acute pancreatitis and my organs were starting to fail. I am OK now but it really started to get me to thinking about taking care of my self.

Though I tried to not live in the past I needed to get back on track with my journey and that involves being active on this forum.

Don't confuse the journey with the destination.

Don't confuse the journey with the destination.

Not sure I understand what you're referring to.

The process of learning healty habits will be difficult but is temporary and to be expected. The destination=a healthy, happy you is the goal and gets easier and is well worth it.

That is a great idea for the newbies Jim1967. When I was banded in 2009, I started a journal and kept it up for almsot two years. I ran across them (I have several books) recently and was amazed at where my head was then compared to where I am today (I think!). I am glad that I have a written timeline to see just how far I have come, yet I know that I am still not finished. Maybe I will take my journaling up again. Thanks for the reminder!

The process of learning healty habits will be difficult but is temporary and to be expected. The destination=a healthy, happy you is the goal and gets easier and is well worth it.

Ah OK I understand. I consider it a life long journey with no final destination but in the end I guess it is how one perceives their personal experience. Thanks!

Thanks so much for a great idea. I have started a journal and will sit right down and write myself a letter......wondering if you might like to write yourself a new letter, an acknowledgment of how far you've come, how you feel. Thanks again from some one still waiting to begin. Best wishes!

Hi, my name is Diana and I should be getting my lapband sometime in September of this year. I have been reading everyone posts for the last month in order to get familiarized with the ups and downs I will encounter when finally banded. There is so much information here that the doctors can't provide unless they have been banded themselves. I think the idea of writing yourself a letter is awesome. It is a wonderful idea. Also, the journal idea is great. Definitely a must. Best wishes to everyone!

I am getting my band in 4 weeks and I am so glad I found this support. I think the letter writing is brilliant. I am going to do that. Thanks for the idea.

Well I just got my letter written -- about six pages on hotel stationary I've been saving. I sealed the envelope and wrote my goal weight on it and it will be waiting in my jewelry box when I get there. It's congratulatory but also filed with reminders to be gentle with myself, to breathe and to remember to go do all the things I want to be able to do. Now I think I'll write one for the halfway mark.....when the going gets tough! Thanks again. I'm feeling very encouraged and less nervous about what's ahead.