I havent blogged for a while but I read every day to see how others are doing. The last few days have been rough. I was banded may 28th. Bye Thanksgiving I had lost 63 pounds and felt like I was doing pretty good. I have gained and lost 3.5 pounds since Thanksgiving several times. This morning I weighed 197. I try not to compare myself to others but I read earlier about some one who had been banded a week before me who is down 90 plus pounds already. It makes me feel like I am really not doing well. I can say the food temptations have been awful I have not "pigged out" but i have not been great either. There are m and m's and candies, fudge and cake every where at work this time of year and it is hard to pass it up every time. I just want the rest of this weight off. I havent been drinking my protien either. I just hate to take in the extra calories even though I know it is important. I just want this weight off! I have already had four fills. am up to 8 cc's in my 14 cc band I think. I should be pretty tight but it still takes more than I would like to make me full. It makes it harder to push the food away. Just feeling sad and a little defeated. Hope every one is well. God bless.

My heart goes out to you!

Two little reminders. Remember - you are your own person. You (and your body) have your own story and that's the story that matters. So what that you are down 63 and someone else is down 90. They might have weighed more to start with. This journey is not about what you will weigh when you are done or what you weigh now. It's about improving your health and your outlook. You are down! That's what matters!

Reminder #2 - it's not a bad thing to have an M&M or a piece of fudge. But just ask yourself why you are having it when you reach for it. If it's because it's just there, put your arm back. If it's because you haven't had anything sweet in six days and you deserve one little M&M, then go for it. If it's because it's the holidays and fudge is rarely offered, ok. But the best thing you can do for yourself is ask why. And then listen to your answer.

If I could say anything at all in addition to what I've already said, I'd say - don't be sad. You ARE down! You ARE in one-derland. You ARE thinking about this. You ARE making progress. It will all be just fine. Weightloss will happen in spurts even in the best of circumstances and maybe "slacking off" for the holidays will actually help you in January. Don't beat yourself up - there is no need to.

Sorry for the verbosity, just my two cents...

NewMechelle,

You are doing wonderful. I can't even imagine 63 pounds less..that is what my child weighs. Keep your faith. Try to think about something else. Like how blessed you are and how healthier you are because of your brave choice. It is so worth it. I have not had my surgery yet, but I have been reading a lot of blogs lately. Take care and God Bless you.

Taking the protein in is what helps you burn and lose, to you you say it's extra calories, but those are the GOOD calories you need. If you want to avoid "extra calories" avoid the m&m's etc... they have no nutrional value and are literally just taking up space in your pouch and on your body. Comparing yourself to others isn't the best idea, you're doing great at 63lbs in 7 months, that's just under 10lbs a month, which is GREAT. No need to feel defeated, be encouraged. Even if you gain or go up and down, you're still doing great and you have the tool to be able to do what it is you need to do to achieve your goal.