I think losing the weight was easy as compared to this part of the journey. Without a goal weight to strive for and the motivation of watching the numbers go down, what do I do to make sure I don't let my weight creep up?

I've only been maintaining since the beginning of the year so I'm really a newbie again. I have bought all the clothes I need so shopping is no longer the motivator. I'm dating again and I know that I tend to eat emotionally and what is more emotional than dating, right?

I really hope that maintenance vets are around to support me and others who are still getting used to this new way of eating. I still am reminded of how bad my mobility was when I was heavier but as the years pass, I will get used to my new normal and that's when I fear I will slip again as I've done in the past. I know I never had the band before to help me with this but I worry as the newbies worry about losing the weight. What if I can't stay successful during this phase? What if I become one of those folks who gains alot or all of it back?

I'm not really looking for answers as there are none. I just need to put it out there that I have to find the strength to get me past the difficult times and always keep my eye on the prize. To me, success means that no one thinks of me as a before/after. I want everyone to think of me looking like I do now and not recall the fat me. I want the fat me to be a memory in my mind only. ..and in the few rare pictures of me at that large size.

I hope to be able to post here on every bandiversary and say that everything is still going well.

I cannot echo enough about taking one day at a time. Sometimes, all you can do is take one meal at a time, one hour at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow. LIVE in the moment. I went to Over-eaters Anonymous for several years before surgery.

Maintenance is to me, the more difficult part of this. I have to remind myself of just what a slippery slope it is to fall back into old BAD habits. Thinking I can have this or that when in fact--I can only rarely but not every day. That is the part I've always struggled with. Not eating certain trigger foods every day. Foods that trigger that all consuming, I cannot eat enough.

I see a counselor, I have been working on my head for so long. Man I wish I had a reset button for my brain! It's not easy as I have to work every day at it--One Day At A Time, (ODAAT).

Blessings,

Kathleen

Edited June 16, 201511 yr by Katcloudshepherd

I, too, find the thought of a major regain quite scary. You do read on the boards about some who had blissful years with WLS ... Then a crisis or health change or band removal caused a huge change in weight... While they were watching their intake and exercising!

I don't know about any of you, but I am NOT willing to go back to 249 lbs ever !I I eat well and exercise faithfully

And just hope I am one if the lucky ones that can keep up my lifestyle .

It has been over 8 1/2 years and I am still a bit fearful of what happens to us long term banders. I don't see any 15 year post surgery posts... But I want to read them!

Any info on anyone past 10 years ?

Alex and jack are the only posters I see with that much experience.

I don't fester on this... But it is in my head.