gowalking

Congrats! What a great way to start 2015 off. There are amazing and wonderful things coming your way. Good luck and keep us posted.

Not sure if this is a resolution or not but my fervent hope/goal is to be this same weight as 2015 comes to a close. I'm expecting this to be a very good year as I am not anticipating any further surgical procedures for a change. A grandson is coming in April and a trip to China is being planned for after the summer. Feeling very happy and grateful as we embark on a new year.

I was banded in 2013 and lost the majority of my weight the first year..about 100 lbs. In 2014, I lost another 50ish lbs. but the amount of weight is secondary to the fact that I continued to lose..even losing around 30 more lbs. than I set as my goal weight. Now it's about maintaining. If I'm still this weight next year, and hopefully for years to come, that's when I'll be able to know I've been successful.

I'm sorry you are in a crappy place just now. It does sound though that you are in the 'zone' and know what you need to do in order to not sabotage your progress. We all go through bad times but the idea is to not turn to food for comfort. I know that tomorrow you might still feel crappy about your situation but at least you won't add to it by going to destructive behaviors. Good for you for knowing this much about yourself and heading to OA to help you get past this struggle. I myself am having a band friendly sandwich for lunch and heading to the pool as there are no doctor appointments to take dad to today and I have the afternoon free. I finished a deliverable not due till after new years, which always makes me feel better...and even though the boyfriend is pissing me off to no end, I refuse to let that push me towards bad decisions. Will sit in the shade, read my book, and swim laps for 20 minutes. Then tomorrow, I can know that I made it through one more day without falling into the food traps we often set for ourselves. Hang in there friend. I'm glad you posted today.

You bet. I've been in therapy for over a year now because of unhappiness as I got smaller and smaller. Turns out there were many underlying issues...isn't there always? But even my bariatric surgeon felt this was a good thing for me as I am nothing like I was 150 lbs. ago. The weight loss is the outward change but the other changes in my life are just as radical. Don't wait till you wind up with a serious drinking issue because you haven't explored the other issues the weight loss has brought to the surface. Good luck and remember that you are not the only one dealing with these feelings. There are more than just the two of us for sure.

Made me smile!!

Was futzing around in the kitchen yesterday morning making coffee and emptying the dishwasher when my dad, who was just sitting at the table reading the paper suddenly picked his head up, stared at me for a bit and said, 'look at my skinny daughter. Wow'. Then he goes back to his reading. My dad has a terrible habit of giving left handed compliments so I was waiting for the zinger but that was it. He just expressed what was likely in his head at that moment, and didn't have any ulterior motives. At least not this time. So rather than try to analyze what he meant, I just took the comment at face value and moved on. Was a nice normal moment for a change..

Happy Birthday Julie. All you need to do is get past these tough times. It may take a few years till this time of the year gets easier, but I promise it will. My late husband's birthday and our anniversary were five days apart...June 18th and June 23rd. It took a long time for that week to not bother me the way it did at the beginning. You have to do what feels right to you but I always wished my husband a happy birthday and a happy anniversary. It always made me feel a little better to acknowledge those days and move on.

You'll do fine Judy. It's scary because it's new but you'll get used to it and I'm sure you will have as much success as I have.

It sounds like fear of the unknown is part of your issue. I was myself terrified of having to give up all the comfort that food provided. The only reason I went ahead with the lapband was because I was heading towards life in a wheelchair and I couldn't work if I was that disabled. I needed to keep my job so I had no choice. Let me asssure you that you will feel so much better once the excess weight is off. So much so in fact, that you will not miss the food as much as you think you will. Stay with the therapy (I'm also in therapy) and work on your issues. But don't let fear rule you. My life is 1,000 percent better than it was two years ago. There are times I wish I could pig out...but then I get up and walk around. Every step I take, I say a thank you that I can walk again and that helps me to deal with everything else. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

How much you want to bet that while she was vocal with her thoughts, plenty of other people think just like her but know enough to keep it to themselves.

Most men are clueless about gifts. Good idea to regift and let others partake.

I was on the plane to Florida and sitting in the window seat. Needed to get past two people to get to the bathroom and both of them just tucked in their legs and I got past them! Neither of them had to get up. Imagine that huh?

Oh..one more thing. I was on Fifth Avenue yesterday and while waiting for the bus, took this picture of Tiffany's. I should have walked instead of taking the bus because Harry Winston's was also decked out magnificently. You guys should really see this town at Christmas. It's beyond words. Anyway, here's the one pic I took. Enjoy.

Tonight is the company Christmas party. It's a formal affair at a local hotel with a cocktail hour, then dining and dancing. I have a little black dress, sexy shoes, bling on my clutch and bling for my accessories. I'm wearing the full length mink and I know I will be beautiful tonight. How wonderful to look forward to something instead of fearing it because I'm the biggest person in the room, or because I can't find a chair to sit in because my knees are killing me. For anyone struggling with holiday treats and temptations, think about how much better life is at a healthy weight instead of being overweight or obese. For me, it's easy to walk away from the buffet table especially when I can do it in kick-ass shoes and in no pain and with no cane.

Arlene...I have to admit that your family stories highlight my day. I read them and feel so glad that it's just not my screwed up family out there...lol! I have one DIL I have to walk on eggshells around and another who puts on a puss if/when I do something wrong. And as mothers of sons know, you have to get along with the DIL so you can see the son and grandchildren when you want. The only revenge I get is that my younger DIL is having a boy so she will see eventually what it's like. I too am so very grateful for the friends I've made on this site. To not have to explain stuff and know that you all understand is so comforting. Even the therapist can't quite get some of what I tell her about being a fat girl in a thin body...or how freeing it feels to fit everywhere now. Or how I am still a control freak about how/what I eat. I'll never be free of the food demon and I know it. I'll have to be vigilant the rest of my life and do whatever I have to in order to make sure I don't put myself in harm's way..be in situational or someone toxic in my life. I know that you guys understand exactly what I'm talking about.

Thanks sweetie. What a wonderful thing when you fit in the world again. You'll get there too. Congrats on your upcoming surgery.

Showing up in our lives. I love that phrase. I'm having some issues with the two men I've been dating and the urge to turn to food is strong. But I don't...and will deal with these guys as I need to rather than eat to distraction as I would have done in the old days. Thanks goodness for my band..and my therapist. Glad I'm heading to Florida to focus on dad and to help mom. Driving them to the doctor tomorrow as a matter of fact. I'm also looking forward to the nice weather and swimming laps in a warm pool. I love the feeling of speed as I slice through the Water. And no...I'm not a fast swimmer but I feel fast and that's what counts.

Oh gosh...no latkes tonight, OK? Let that tummy settle down.. Enjoy!

I just saw the comment Jim and posted my own. I reiterated that one can't bash a surgery without clarifying why. Then I also used my own situation to note that I am a success. For the life of me, I can't understand why people who suffer the same issues are so devisive on what surgery one chooses. Who cares which surgery it is...as long as it's what the person wants and is comfortable with...and is successful with. I know...sorry...we're just preaching to the choir. Time for me to go offline as well. Heading out to an exhibit later this afternoon and then going for a foot massage. Tomorrow I head to Florida to help mom take care of dad. He had heart surgery a week ago and is doing great. Sis and brother are there now and I take over starting Wednesday when sis heads back home. So wonderful to be able to be healthy enough to take care of a family member instead of having them take care of me. That's what this is all about...living our lives.

Here here! Everyone is entitled to their opinions but you can't say the band scares you and not clarify why. I too have been very successful and have had zero issues with it and eat everything I ate before except junk and fast food..because I make the choice not to and not because I can't eat it. Good luck with the whatever surgery you decide on suzy.

Oh gosh. I'm so sorry and like the poster above says, keep fighting for your quality of life. Everyone deserves it.

Happy Chanukah Arlene.

Yes you will. And when you do whatever it is that you wouldn't have been able to before, the sense of accomplishment will be overwhelming. Good things are coming your way and I'm thrilled for you.

Ha ha...someone shorter than me. Yes...I want folks who are considering lapband to see that it's possible. My own PCP told me I'd only lose 40 lbs. with the band now I weigh less than she does. You're doing amazingly well so far. 82 lbs. is quite an accomplishment. I bet you feel much better already and you're not far from onederland either.