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Tips and advice for our newbies

*follow your eating plan

*eat your Protein

*take your Vitamins

*drink your Water

*go low carb

*low to no sugar

*exercise

*as you lose weight & get into better shape - keep revamping your exercise, don't sweat it if you don't lose every day or every week - it's gonna come off so don't dwell on it

*enjoy the journey because it goes fast

*don't obsess over losing the weight

(try not to anyways)

*enjoy other things going on in your life

*Celebrate weight loss with non-food things

*if you do go out to eat at a restaurant - don't get too anxious; you're gonna have healthier options but even if you do choose unhealthy you're only going to have a small portion so it's not gonna hurt your progress (just don't make it an everyday habit)

*stay away from your trigger food(s) - they can get you into trouble... mine is popcorn. (Or aka crackcorn)

*enjoy the compliments - don't turn around with a negative comment like "yeah but I have loose skin or I still have X amount of weight to lose"

*just smile and say thank you - you know you deserved that compliment and know how hard you worked to get to where you are...

*don't let anyone get you down with saying shitty things like "I knew of someone that lost all the weight only to gain it back" --- you are not that person they are referring to.

*really push yourself with exercise (later on) - you won't die even though you may feel like you are.

See what you're made of!

You'll feel so good afterwards knowing that "I just did that!"

It's addicting. You'll want to continue to push your own limits.

*try new exercises and such

*your incisions will be tender, red and sore. If they are oozing pus then get them checked out - otherwise they should be fine

*that left (or sometimes right) shoulder pain is the leftover gas/air they pumped up your stomach with from surgery - it'll go away

*that extra painful area (left quadrant) on your stomach is where most of the work was done. It will be sore longer. (Bypass patients anyways) - the pain will go away eventually

*do what your doctor says about eating, drinking, exercise, everything. Follow the rules!

*Just remember why you had this surgery.

You want to be healthy and happy.

***No food or drink will make you as happy as how that new dress or pair of jeans fit. ***

- Or when you are able to walk or jog without being so out of breath

- or when you can fit in an airplane seat comfortably and not need a seat belt extension.

- or when you don't have to worry if that plastic chair will hold you

- or you can bend down to pick up that pencil you dropped and get up easily

- or having that social anxiety anytime you go out in public

- or looking around a crowded room only to be mortified that you're the biggest one there

- or taking the elevator up one floor and being ashamed of it because you know what people are thinking

Don't let the food control you anymore.

***Nothing tastes as good as being fit and healthy feels.***

*Don't think you have to have a certwin food because you'll never have it again; it will always be there. It's not going anywhere. You're just choosing to not have it now - you're in control. McDonald's will still be around 100 years from now, so don't fret.

*Breathe.

*You can do this.

It's easier than you think. You will have a tough time at first because everything is so new and you're most likely withdrawling from carbs, sugars, junk etc. But once that is out of your system - it does get easier, honest!

And when the weight starts dropping your priorities and cravings change.

You'll crave more successful weight loss then you will carbs! You'll think to yourself "that *insert food of choice here* isn't worth it!"

You'll crave exercise. Your body will anxiously await to move!

*Weigh and track your food. It helps a lot. I use Myfitnesspal. And I have a fitbit. Friendly competition is motivating :)

*Take one day at a time, again, try not to obsess and have your weight loss consume your mind. There are other things to your life right now too.

*Every few weeks or month - go thru your closet and try on smaller clothes - this is a huge motivator! I forgot to do that so many times and totally bypassed clothes and then never even got to wear them. (Brand new clothes, dammit!)

Gave them away with the price tags still on them.

Anyways, you can do this!

If there's any other questions - just ask :)

Heather

**if there is anything someone wants to add -- please do!

Let's all help each other be as successful as we can possibly be!

Surgery date: September 21 2015

Starting weight: 273.4

Current weight 168.4

Loss of 105 lbs so far.

18 to go :)

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  • Awesome, AWESOME list! As someone who is in maintenence mode, I would just add one more: Once you get to your goal weight, the hard work shouldn't end. There will be different challenges. Never b

  • Bamsucka !!!!!!!! You just delivered the goods right here, woman !!!! Way to bring it........and way to live it. The only possible thing I'll add to your list: *Don't embrace stall

  • KindaFamiliar
    KindaFamiliar

    @@heather5565 I'd probably add one more that's BP site specific rather than general WLS stuff... Here 'tis.. - Be extra nice to KindaFamiliar. He's not any kind of trouble and he knows stuff. T

Featured Replies

@@jaxmom

I totally laughed out loud to your

Ooooooooo cake comment

That was funny!

I've always wanted to write a book! Lol

Actually I've been encouraged to since I wrote poems in high school (which was a bazillion years ago)

My Omi (Dutch for grandma) always Saif I wrote my letters to her like I was there talking.

I like writing but for some reason I went into nursing and Health Record Management.

Weird.

HA!

but thank you for the comments and compliments! !!

Happy to help!

Ooooooo do it!!! And when you go on tour to promote your book I will be your assistant and fetch you Protein shakes. We could hit all the major cities and meet up with all the amazing people on this website.

Hey and I wonder if you could get a big advance and use it to buy us clothes to wear on tour? And pretty shoes and purses. Makeup and accessories. Squeeeeee!!!

Pushy little thing, aren't I? ;) ;)

It's so much fun to dream...

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@heather5565 excellent post! so very helpful. Thank you!

are you Dutch heritage? (I am too but I do not know if I can teach the grands to call me Oma)

and just start writing one page at a time, see what comes of it? Earlier this year I did a piece for fan fiction because books niggle at my mind all the time, and to my surprise it was very well received! and that was a lovely boost for me.

  • Author

@@jaxmom

I totally laughed out loud to your

Ooooooooo cake comment

That was funny!

I've always wanted to write a book! Lol

Actually I've been encouraged to since I wrote poems in high school (which was a bazillion years ago)

My Omi (Dutch for grandma) always Saif I wrote my letters to her like I was there talking.

I like writing but for some reason I went into nursing and Health Record Management.

Weird.

HA!

but thank you for the comments and compliments! !!

Happy to help!

Ooooooo do it!!! And when you go on tour to promote your book I will be your assistant and fetch you Protein shakes. We could hit all the major cities and meet up with all the amazing people on this website.

Hey and I wonder if you could get a big advance and use it to buy us clothes to wear on tour? And pretty shoes and purses. Makeup and accessories. Squeeeeee!!!

Pushy little thing, aren't I? ;) ;)

It's so much fun to dream...

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Omg this is so awesome!

I think we'd get along great and our tour would be a huge success!

  • Author

@@Christinamo7

I am half Dutch half Canadian lol

My dad and his family came to Canada when he was in his 20's and he married my mom that is from British Columbia Canada.

I can't speak a lick of Dutch tho, unfortunately.

It is true - Oma is actually the correct way to say Grandma in Dutch.... but my "Oma" wouldn't even acknowledge you if you called her Oma. It HAD TO BE OMI.

Dutch people, eh Pffft ?!?!?!

Hahahaha

Now I am seriously considering on writing a book....

I used to journal like I was writing a book. Maybe I should try it for real!

Edited by heather5565

@@Christinamo7

I am half Dutch half Canadian lol

My dad and his family came to Canada when he was in his 20's and he married my mom that is from British Columbia Canada.

I can't speak a ***** of Dutch tho, unfortunately.

It is true - Oma is actually the correct way to say Grandma in Dutch.... but my "Oma" wouldn't even acknowledge you if you called her Oma. It HAD TO BE OMI.

Dutch people, eh?!?!?!

Hahahaha

Now I am seriously considering on writing a book....

I used to journal like I was writing a book. Maybe I should try it for real!

see, I knew I liked you a lot! My Dad's family is from Holland - his grandparents moved here right before his dad was born. The only Dutch I picked up on were naughty words spoken in the direction of naughty children who irritated the elders enough to make them revert to speaking the old language. ha. Trying to learn a little bit now but its hard at my age.

do try to write your book, what could it hurt?

Learn to love yourself. If you don't then you won't be happy with your new body. I knew we all used to daydream about how perfect our lives would be if we only lost the weight but we know deep down inside that reality is far different. Love yourself every step of the way so that you can enjoy your new life.

Edited by Proud2BMe

  • Author

Learn to love yourself. If you don't then you won't be happy with your new body. I knew we all used to daydream about how perfect our lives would be if we only lost the weight but we know deep down inside that reality is far different. Love yourself every step of the way so that you can enjoy your new life.

Good tip @@Proud2BMe

**if there is anything someone wants to add .....

weight loss, success WILL happen

you MUST be patient

you won't/can't lose all your weight/inches over night :(

God Grant Me Patience, Just Hurry Up About It!!!"

@@heather5565

good post, words, hints, advice

thanx for taking the time writing post

kathy

this is great! Thanks for putting it together.

This is wonderful and so helpful for me. Thank you for taking the time!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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