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I had an "aha" moment finally (with pics)



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So I'm 3.5 months post op, down 50 since surgery, 60 from my highest weight ever. I'm still struggling to see any major changes, except a mighty empty closet. I know, mentally, I've lost the weight, but I think I'm still struggling with emotionally allowing myself to see any difference. Perhaps bc I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop and regain the weight?! I don't know, but today I had my "aha" moment. All because of a silly thermal shirt I've always wanted to wear but was too self conscious to do so. I still threw a wrap around it bc it's cold on the east coast but I kind of didn't want to lol

I debated about putting this pic up, afraid to seem narcissistic, but truthfully, the before and afters really helped make my decision when thinking about getting the surgery, so I hope I can pay it forward.

When was your "aha" moment?

post-236336-14205788010474_thumb.jpg

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took me over a year, at goal, to see myself as 'skinny' You look awesome! Congrats!

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Mine was when I bought a pair of jeans on clearance thinking they'd fit in a few months. Turns out they were already almost too big. -_-

And on another note, you're just too stinkin cute for words. :)

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You're doing great! (Except for that Giants gear :angry:.) I've had many a-ha moments during this fantastic journey. At some point, I started identifying with the slimmer me instead of the big guy. That was HUGE! I know some people look in the mirror and see their old self in disguise. I know it's hard, but that's defeatist thinking. I'm choosing to visualize the permanent success I hope/plan to achieve.

Had another a-ha moment this past week when I went to the hospital to visit my best friend who is very sick. I made a big tumbler of Crystal Light for the road, then stopped at Wegman's and bought several bags of turkey Jerky. (Jerky is my on-the-fly food.) I ate a bag on the way there and drank the Crystal Light on the way home. As much as I enjoy both things, the a-ha moment hit me that I was now eating to live, not living to eat. We've all heard that mantra all of our lives, but it really seemed to fit. A-HA!!!

Keep making good choices, and "be" the slimmer person in the mirror!

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Thanks everyone. Even a Giants' fan in this horrible season so that's something to respect at least right? ;-)

I actually had a drawer of clothes I bought pre op that were "goals" because I needed NSV for this weeks were we stall. I'm happy to report it is half empty. That clearance NSV made me laugh! Good for you!! I do the same thing. "There's no way this fits" go into the dressing room and am baffled when it does or weirdly when it doesn't because it's too big lol. It happened so quickly that I just can't wrap my my mind around it yet most days.

I need to try that turkey Jerky, I've heard that's a great option.

Edited by LaLoLaughs

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Congrats! But a pic in giants gear come on now, lol

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Thanks @@Buttercupbrown and @@phillyfan99 I take it an Eagles jersey would be more your speed though @@phillyfan99 NEVER! haha My incredibly loving, but obviously misguided in football, boyfriend thinks he has a shot of getting me into a Dallas jersey-tries to sell it to me as a reward for losing weight. Yeah, I'd rather gain the weight back than wear that thing lol ????

Edited by LaLoLaughs

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I agree with you on that one!!! Guess the giants aren't so bad after all when Dallas is around.

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This is the first time I am writing on a sleeve forum. This was the first article I really related to. I realized this morning that I am in control. Only ME! food does not control me. I control it. I am 3 months post sleeve and lost 44 lbs. I want to lose another 35. I am stalled for about 2-3 weeks but I need to remember this happens and not to get frusterated. I am in control. P.S. Giants girl looks awesome! I'm from Buffalo, you won't see me in a Bill's jersey anytime soon! lol

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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