Frustrated that the Sleeve is "just another diet"

[coops 1,790]

Well I joined an exercise class. I went 4 times, then got sick with a cold (thanks to guy in our office who coughed and sneezes everywhere). So I sat out this week and hopefully can start up again on Monday.

And I suppose I will lower my carbs, which again makes this just another diet. The difference would be when I see the losses again. THAT would be motivation.

Right now I am lacking that key ingredient - motivation.

Hey Yellowrose,

I know where you are coming from... several mths ago I was in a real dark place as regards my weight loss... I was a fewm mths away from my year out and I just knew that I wasn't going to reach goal by then; my weight loss stopped and I felt like sh*t! I loomed in that place for a good 4-6 weeks ( it was also around the time I turned 40 which, didn't help)! During this time, I was still training and enjoying my workouts but felt that the scale was being cruel to me. I had to refocus my train of thought and look at the bigger picture.

Then I started to give myself a pep talk... the huge amount of weight I have been carrying around didn't take a year to attatch itself to me and I suddenly realised that it wasn't gonna give up the fight in a year either... in fact, my body just doesn't want to part with the weight. When I realised this, I started to feel a little better... and slowly but surely, I started to get my confidence and faith back. I started to look at the benefits instead of the scale... I realised that the amount of weight that I had lost, was by no means or equating to me being a 'failure' just because I wasn't at goal by the year marker... so what?!!! I am in this for the long haul... and I will get there and if it takes two years then so be it. If I have to work at it, then that is ok... at least now I am seeing results and getting my health back on track, as are you.

I know it feels like a diet... and to a degree I agree with you, I was sick to the back teeth of following diet plans and failing. But with the sleeve, it is a much shorter term 'diet'! I try to think of it as a life style now...yea, I know cliche!! But it is working for me.

Not sure if this helps you, but I just wanted you to know that we are allowed some 'time out' to feel a little shi**ty... and that the lack of motivation you are currently experiencing has been felt by others too.

I wish you all the very best, look for your mojo my friend, because I have a suspicion that it is right there, in front of you waiting for you to pick it up again....*hugs*

[former_vbg 198]

You can do it. Allow yourself to have this time to take a little "time out". Sounds like a combination of your weight loss stall and then getting sick has got you feeling down. Get to feeling better and go back to your class when you feel up to it. I also see that compared to most on here that you did not have much to loose to start with and I think most people with similar weight loss tend to loose a little slower.

Have in there!

Well I joined an exercise class. I went 4 times, then got sick with a cold (thanks to guy in our office who coughed and sneezes everywhere). So I sat out this week and hopefully can start up again on Monday.

And I suppose I will lower my carbs, which again makes this just another diet. The difference would be when I see the losses again. THAT would be motivation.

Right now I am lacking that key ingredient - motivation.

[Sassygirl06 962]

hey yellow rose. im not sure if anybody suggested this to you yet or not because i didnt read other posts but here goes. try taking a break from counting everything. make sure that you drink all of your fluids...eat the Protein first and then after that dont count anything. when you are constantly thinking you are on a diet it can get really old really fast. i just make sure to eat the protein first and drink all of my liquids and then after that i dont worry about anything else. i dont even worry about weighing myself until the end of the week anymore because you can gain and lose 5 pounds daily with Water weight. i weigh myself at the same time every week and then forget about the rest of the stuff. you dont need all of the stress of it. your numbers will go down no matter what, just stop worrying about it. hope this helps

[klus263 9]

Hey Yellow Rose,

I know how you are feeling in regards to the stall. I have been bouncing back and forth between 153-157 for the past 3-4 months. I had modified my goal multiple times. I am still 10 lbs of where I want to be. But when I look in the mirror, I am ok with what I am seeing. For me, health wise I am no longer on diabetic medication, I am no longer on cholestral medication. I am hiking with my husband. I am wearing a size 8/10 in pants and I have never been that small since probably Jr High School.

As you said, you have been having health issues. At this point just focus on the basics, 60 grams of Protein and 60 ounces of fluids. I understand how difficult it is try to drink while be a customer service rep on the phone. My day is broken up by breaks and lunch-4 quarters in the work day I try to make myself drink a bottle of Water or something each quarter. Some days are better than others but for me that helped thinking I have to have this bottle done by break, lunch, break or end of shift.

I have also at this point accept that my body may say-this is where I am meant to be....of course I still complain to my husband but overall, I am healthy and doing things I could not do a year ago. This is still a mental issue for me to get over. As other have offered, increase your fluids, increase your calories and just try not to stress. It will all happen in good time. You may not be losing on the scale but you may be losing inches.

Hang in there!

[amandaRN 1]

I don't know where you are now, if ahy of the advice above has encouraged or helpded you but I sure hope it has. I was pretty frustrated for a few weeks after surgery for the same reason-thinking OMG this is ANOTHER diet and I CAN"T do diets hence the WLS. One day, just like that, I woke up and realized this was self-defeating and self-sabotaging thought and that only I coud ltake control and achieve my goals. So, I quit trying to think of it like a diet. Basically, I know what I neede to do. I don't measure much of anything, because my stomcah tells me when enough is enough, regardless of what I have measured, and it is nevr more than 1 cup of anything. I wake up everyday not knowing what I am going to eat, but I only have good options in my house, so I know whatever I choose will be fine. I try to avoid carbs as much as possible but if I want a Cheetoh, I have 1 or maybe 3 cheetohs and get over it, you know? I drink constantly. I shoot for 64-80 oz a day, but I don't measure precisely. I have a Water mug and I now how many times I need to fill it. I carry a mug with me everywhere. In the beginning, I used a watch with a timer that chimed every 30 minutes to remind me to drink. I try to make all my food sources a form of Protein, but I don't count, because as a backup plan, I make part of my fluids a Protein Drink. I spent a lot of money findings some I ENJOY and now proteint is not an issue. I still have most of my hair anyway...lol. And I take my Vitamins as much as possible even though I can't always tolerate them! I exercise nearly EVERY DAY. Exercise is SO important. As much as diet. If all you are doing is walking, you need to add some resistance training. Start out with a set of resistance bands. They susually come with a chart. Or do some basic stuff-puship, situps, crunches, lunges, squats. This will help your weight loss AND improve your bone mass. Muscle burns way more calories than fat. Follow your strength training session with lots of Protein. This is usually when I drink mine, but once again, I mentally block thinking of it as a RULE so I don't stress. Cut yourself some slack. Stress will block weight loss as well!

The infections are very likely a big barrier for weight loss. Your body will recognize that you are in poor health and will conserve all of your calories. IDK how you feel about holistic medicine, but you might try a food-grade peroxide regimen and/or a juice fast/detox. I have heard wondrous things about using peroxide to heal everything fro skin disorders to cancer. I have used it for eczema and acne, and it WORKS. My sister drinks it for a chronic fungal skin rash. The health food store is where you go, and ask the people that work there. The lady who runs my local store is a WEALTH of knowledge for alternative medicine. Get yourself fixed up first, then focus on getting that weight off.

Most important of all--THINK POSITIVE. You create your own destiny. Negative thougth wil have negative results. You have to believ you can do it before you really will or your subconscious will generate self-defeating actions! Maybe even try some therapy. You have had a really rough go of it and I wish you the best of luck!

[YellowRose 21]

Update -- I'm okay. lol.

I quit weighing. I haven't weighed since I wrote this post.

I am doing all that I know to do and still live like a normal person. I started going to Jazzercise classes that I LOVE (except that I caught a nasty cold.. so I am under the weather AGAIN and trying to recover from that). I'm drinking more fluids - Water, tea, crystal light. I'm eating Protein first.

I want to weigh, but my mind will play tricks on me. I'll either expect too much and feel disappointed .. OR... I will be surprise and want to Celebrate (and put it back on) hahaha... Ignorance is bliss right now.

BUT the strangest thing has happened. I am wearing some shirts I haven't worn in a year -- button-up shirts!! ... with NO gap-o-sis.

My pants are kind of baggie in the behind.

My shoes are falling off my feet.

My rings are loose.

BUT I am NOT going to weigh. I WANT to.. but I know me. It is best if I just live in the moment and not try to fret about it.

AND the posts have been VERY VERY encouraging and I love them! I read them over and over. So please feel free to add more. hahahaha

[vf59 5]

You need to concentrate on getting over the infection first. Then make sure you are taking in the correct amounts of Protein, Vitamins and Water that you are supposed to each day. My dr suggested vitamins from Celebrate. They are designed especially for band, sleeve & bypass patients. If you do those things, you should get well, and start losing.

[amandaRN 1]

Good for you! Something in your earlier post touched a cord in me and I am happy to hear that you seem to be doing better! Keep up the good work and keep on NOT weighing...lol.

[LadyIvy 159]

Don't forget to set goals for yourself that are more than the numbers on the scale. This way, if you stall you are still keeping up with your healthy lifestyle and are less prone to listen to the negative thoughts that like to creep in sometimes.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

The change in your clothes means you are doing the right things! Keep it up and good for you for staying off the scale. It really played tricks on me too. Keep us posted!