I'm sharing this because it's on my mind... I'm not trying to come off as a complainer, so please don't reply with a lecture...

My scale goal is 200 lbs away. I'm not sure I'll make it to that goal, but it's the weight I need to be "normal" BMI.

When I started in November 2012, my goal was 282lbs away, so I have made good progress. I'm so glad to have made progress!!

I'm 9 wks post op and starting to feel the blues. I just want to be an "after" already... I feel like this is going so slowly. I have been taking pictures every month and I finally uploaded them to my computer from my phone so I could look at the difference. If I put them up in random order, you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference. I'm so big that losing 82lbs doesn't even show! I'm so grateful to be losing, don't get me wrong... I know it will take time, etc. but it's just hard to stay patient. And beyond that, it just makes me sad that I allowed myself to weigh so much in the first place.

My BFF who has also been my photographer told me I was looking good today. I told her I felt so gross and looked a mess, and she simply replied, "You're so hard on yourself." It was so honest of her to say that - and so true. I am hard on myself. Even the slight changes that have happened I can see as a flaw... part of me is also grateful to not lose so quickly because I know my body is a wreck and will only get worse with weight loss... but I just don't know why I focus on that! The negative!

I'm at a low point. I am being hard on myself. It's just hard for me to accept that my body may never ever be beautiful in my eyes...but I'll keep working on it.

And yes, i've considered therapy for this, but idk. It's really difficult to actually talk about... out loud...

You are doing great!

When I get overwhelmed by the weight I still have to lose, I shift my focus to how I'm feeling physically. I focus on the positives of being able to move more freely, walking further or faster without losing my breath the way I used to just 15 weeks ago. Little successes like that.

Be sure to remind yourself of all the things you're doing right!

And don't be nervous about seeking out a good therapist. Therapy can be a really wonderful experience.

I am new to this whole thing.... I am getting sleeved in August and like you have 150 plus to loose. I only hope I am as successful as you are! 82 lbs in 10 months is simply amazing! I don't know why we are our own worse enemies but I got to tell you I think you are doing awesome and you inspire me!

MMOL,

No lecture here, you and I are on a very similar path. I can only let you know what I do, as your screen name implies, you have to do for yourself. Like others have said, I notice that I can now sit in chairs I couldn't, I can reach my feet to put on shoes and socks without falling over. Sure I'm still really really big, but I'm getting smaller than I was and that is what this journey is all about. Granted I'm a guy and guys and gals look at ourselves in different ways. With all that we had to loose from the get go, only having to loose 200 more is a milestone to celebrate. I hit 390 this morning on the scale, way too damn heavy but I'm happy I can't remember the last time my scale only said 390. Heck even the reading glasses I have to now wear because I'm growing older fit my face better. Yes I'd like to have a small waist and be farther along, but this is a long path we've chosen, sports metaphor coming up, this is a marathon not a sprint. You've done great so far, keep going the end is a ways away, but you're on the right path, alway remember that...

I am overwhelmed and touched by all of your thoughtful and encouraging responses. Some of you made me cry reading these!!

Things are getting better, but I still have some things to work through. Thank you all for being a support system, for your kindness, your words, your encouragement.

<3 <3 <3

I so get you!

I have my surgery on Wednesday this week, and I have over 300 lbs to lose. My family is hopeless as, when I loss weight no one notices and when I gain they all comment on how I am losing weight. At my size 50 lbs either way is hardly noticeable except in the physical stuff I do on a daily basis. I hope to loss a lot of weight, and your 82 lbs thus far is fantastic. So stop for a moment and just notice the other things that have occurred. Maybe you don't worry about what the seating is everywhere you go now. Maybe you aren't thinking about food all the time. Whatever it is find something that you are grateful for in this journey and don't swim in that pit of despair that can engulf us as we see how much further we have to go!

Thank you for your honesty and willingness to post your feelings. This is an important topic for us discuss.

Many blessings

Good luck with your surgery!!! Keep us posted!