This post is really for the folks who are considering the sleeve, wondering if it will "work" for them, if they should take the leap...

This post is for the folks who just returned home from surgery or are several weeks out..the people who are starting to feel discouraged...didn't realize it would be so "hard".

And, this post is for the folks that have a bit to go before they reach that goal they set thinking the weight they REALLY want to be is unattainable!

First, the sleeve alone will not "work" for you unless you are willing to WORK with it! It's a tool not a cure. And, yes, it is often hard, especially in the beginning when you are creating new, successful solutions to combat old habits that got you where you used to be stuck. But, the very best things in life come from pushing through the hard moments. If you give up before you get to the top of the mountain, you don't get to enjoy the beautiful view. Trust me, it's spectacular when you get here. DO NOT GIVE UP!

Now, about that goal weight...if you are anything like me, you've lost and gained so many times you've become used to failure. You almost expect it. So maybe you set your goal weight at a number that seemed pretty reasonable. Attainable, even, right? And, perhaps, you told yourself that if you got anywhere near it, you'd be happy because, for goodness sake, it's soooo much better than where you started! It's a definite win! I did that. I let my pre-sleeve experience shape my goal. But that wasn't the number I truly wanted. Initially, I just didn't believe that I could ever get back to my teenage and 20's modeling weight. I mean, I'm a woman in my 50's! That could never happen, right?! So, I shot for 5 pounds over the top of the weight chart for my height.

Guess what happened as I was working my way down the scale, working my program, building strong/healthy eating habits, changing my relationship with food? I hit that goal! Then I shattered it! Then I continued on, logging every morsel of food I put in my body, every darn day!

I'm not even a full year out of surgery. But by working with my sleeve and using this tool to it's fullest potential, I weigh LESS than I did as a slim teenager! I'm 2 sizes smaller than my busiest period as a model in my 20's!

This tool requires sacrifice. But, you are only sacrificing the things that were dragging your body down in the first place. In fact, I look at it as finally showing ourselves the respect we've deserved all along.

You are so worth it. You absolutely deserve be healthy. Life is so much easier mentally and physically when you shed the weight that you are carrying.

It becomes easier every single day! Then the months fly by and it becomes routine. All of a sudden you realize your whole life is brighter, healthier, EASIER!

I put everything into getting where I am right now. I truly believe if you give it everything, the sleeve will give you your life back!

You absolutely deserve this! You are absolutely worth this! Don't let anyone make you feel/think differently!!!!

PS....Log everything every day! That's a game changer. Load an app (I use LOSEIT). Log everything. Never stop logging!

Love to all!

Those are inspiring words that we all needed to hear or will need to hear at one point or another during this process. I was supposed to read your post tonight, I will refer to it during my struggles with myself.

12 hours ago, Krimsonbutterflies said:

Those are inspiring words that we all needed to hear or will need to hear at one point or another during this process. I was supposed to read your post tonight, I will refer to it during my struggles with myself.

I’m so thankful you posted here. Your comment shot this thread back into MY world! I’ve had some major, I mean MAJOR life events in the last couple months and I have struggled. Weight maintenance hasn’t been a huge issue (I’m at the upper end of the fluctuation window I allow myself) but outlook and positivity wavers. Your comment allowed me to revisit my everyday outlook on this issue and life, in general. It snapped me out of my negative head space. I was supposed to read YOUR post TODAY!

12 hours ago, Screwballski said:

I’m so thankful you posted here. Your comment shot this thread back into MY world! I’ve had some major, I mean MAJOR life events in the last couple months and I have struggled. Weight maintenance hasn’t been a huge issue (I’m at the upper end of the fluctuation window I allow myself) but outlook and positivity wavers. Your comment allowed me to revisit my everyday outlook on this issue and life, in general. It snapped me out of my negative head space. I was supposed to read YOUR post TODAY!

We never know the deed we are sent out to accomplish for the day. A seed you planted has flourished and is creating a harvest that you are able to feed from yourself, how lovely. Thank you for planting something so nourishing for each of us.