What are you keys to success to losing this much weight?

Starting at 485 lbs I have a total of 290 lbs to lose to get to my target weight. I have not been banded yet but will be in just over a week. Since January I have lost 33 lbs and am currently at 447 lbs. Yes that has been great to lose the 33 lbs but I know it would be nothing to gain it right back. So I have started asking myself what will be the keys to my success?

Now I ask the same question to you. What are the keys to your success of losing weight and especially those like me who have over 200 lbs?

I know that I have lost over 100, so I can tell you about that. I truly think that eating better foods and exercise has been my key. I make sure no matter what I get in at least 4 days of exercise a week. I don't deprive myself of anything (as long as I get in my exercise). I am in love with chocolate and when I what it I have it. I have found that I want it less often then before and of coarse in smaller quantities. Definately, I would have to say that this site is a big part of my success. When I wasn't losing as fast as others here, I stopped coming because I got discouraged. Big Mistake! I started coming back and joining challenges and I am almost at goal. The challenges here are really motivational and the people you get to know inspirational. Good Luck on your banding and congratulations on your weight loss you have had. This is a good inclination that you are going to be a successful bandster.

Pete:

My success has been because I refuse to fail. I have tried all of the diets out there during the last 20 years. I refuse to fail again. Part of this refusing to fail has lead me to exercise 6 days out of 7. I walk 3 to 5 miles per day and sometimes trikke too. I went to the gym for a month, but I think I prefer to walk outside versus doing strength training in the gym. Trikking became my new sport that I love. I actually look forward to trikking. You're in Florida so you've probably seen alot more trikkers than I have. Give it a try when you have a chance. I'm not sure of the weight limits on the trikkes, but check it online. There's a trikke store in Tampa, FL. Google it and you'll find it.

Determination and a change to a more active lifestyle have been my keys to success so far.

Best wishes to you. Let me know if you ever try trikking and if you like it.

Sue

What success I have had I credit to using the surgery as a tool.

I am not going to blow smoke and try and say it has been hard....because for me it hasn't. I have been banded going on 15 months now and have lost in the neighborhood of 225 pounds.

For the first 9 to 10 months I didn't exercise....I didn't alter much - other than food consumption and tried to pay attention to what I ate and how I ate it......start with a few bites of Protein followed by a bite or two of veg's and then a starch and desert bite or two if I had room.

The people at the weight loss center say I am the exception to the rule....I cannot drink when I eat or it makes me throw up - so I can't "cheat" food through the band. If I eat too fast, which I still do sometimes, I start to slime and know I am going to throw it up....it is a way of life.

I am probably on the tight side with my band, but it is working and I don't want to unfill any with it going good.

I am now trying to exercise some and still watch what I eat - although I not as good at that as I was a few months ago....I drink a couple of beers every now and then again and eat more sweets than I should now probably.

One thing I miss is my monthly appointments. I didn't weigh at all between my monthly visits because my weight wasn't the important thing to me....getting off my diabetic medicine within three months of surgery and both of my blood pressure meds within 9 months was the success I wanted to see.....that and being able to sit on the floor and get back off of it without calling a crane for help is what I was looking for.....and sustaining that - that is my success....

....but, with my year of free monthly visits now over - I am not going in like I did. I have an appointment in another three weeks and will be interested in what they have to say - I just kind of looked forward to the monthly visit and re-assurance that things were OK.

Best of luck to you - keep it one day at a time and remember if you fall off today - get back on tomorrow.

Happy Holidays!!!

dab

Thanks all for sharing your stories to your success! This is all really encouraging and will be very helpful!