Who am I: Tanya Danielle

How much do I weigh: 245

Highest weight. 255

Most recent surgery date. 3/4/14

So, my weight has been an issue as long as I can remember, probably since I was 12 years old. Name the diet, I've it. I had good success with phentermine and South Beach. They all work as long as you follow them! Fastforward to july 2010 when I had a Lap Band. I NEVER had success and in fact had many issues. One in particular had me thinking I would die from chocking (literally chocking, eyes watering, not breathing). I had it removed November 2013 and was hoping to have bypass at that time but the bad was severely infected(surgeon said he has never seen anything like that and it was most likely not sterile when it was put in) so I could not do the bypass. I'm excited about this part of my journey but I would be lying if I didn't say I was also scared. Not scared of the surgery itself but scared that even with this I won't be successful. What make this different from my other attempts? I know plenty of people who have had the surgery and gained EVERY pound back. Could that be me? How embarassing would that be? What am I going to do differently so this change/lifestyle is permanent when I still like pizza, fried foods, and chips? In my mind I've so many times at this one thing that I can't fail again, I just can't.

So, what will be different this time? I don't have all the answers. One thing in my plan is get rid of all clothes that get too big. I will refuse to buy a size 22, 20, 18, etc again. This would be so much easier if I lived alone. But, I don't. I have a husband and kids who all want those things that are not good for me. How will I manage that AND all the goodies at work? Will power? If I had that I wouldn't need surgery. So, that being said I know what I have to do. I just need people to keep me accountable. The fitness part of the journey will be easy for me as I already do that.. I might be big but I run 5ks (goal to cut time down) and I weight train and do boot camp. food choices will be a constant battle for me. I think I need to have a funeral with food.

Anyone that has these feelings or has conquered them please share your tools/secrets as I want to be victorious over this weight fight.

Tanya,

I know what you have been through has been a struggle. Listen to me. I had my bypass 2/13/13. My weight when I started the process was 329lbs, now I am 201 which is a 128lb loss. Iused to get discouraged. I have a family I cook for, we go out to eat and everything. It is up to you to make this work. With the bypass, I can't eat a lot at one time. Just like any other program you still have to eat the right things. It seems to me you know what you want and need to do go for it girl, and I wish you the best of luck. If you want pizza , get smart ones and eat a couple of bites, you will be satisfied. when you go out to eat, order your meal and ask for a takeout container, put 2/3 in the container to take home and you will have food for a couple of days. Eat your sweets if you want to, just get the ones with Splenda. I do not intend to go back, I am looking forward nonstop

Look, this is a journey,and we are to help you with it.