JustWatchMe

http://m-catherines.lanebryant.com/products/p41553

My husband became increasingly emotionally abusive over our 23 year marriage, and I ate and ate and ate. Over the last three years he turned his rage against our teen daughters as well. I ate some more. In 2013, I realized that I had to get out of my food fog and take control of my life. Not just for me but for them. I wasn't going to wait until the abuse turned physical. I began the WLS process. Six months later I was banded. Life at home got worse, but I started getting better. Three months later I moved out with my adult daughters and filed for divorce. It took the tool of WLS to put down my food. Everything else followed. It's only just begun. But my health improving changed everything. My life is worth saving. I didn't feel that before. Until I was able to put the food down, I couldn't change my daily existence of eating, working and sleeping, no matter how bad it got. Even when he made life hell for my kids. And I was unable to put the food down without WLS. I'm a food addict. I will always want to reach for food when I'm stressed. I still do. But now I go to two 12-step groups (OA, CODA) and am learning to live life without excess food. I've lost over a hundred pounds so far, kicked a dozen prescription and OTC meds, got rid of back and most knee pain, sleep through the night, am taking care of some other medical issues I was too ashamed to address before, and look forward to the future. And I've set a good example for my daughters. Finally.

I have that problem too. I just keep hitting Goodwill every 2-3 weeks and trying on whatever I find. With the stretchy denim I have better luck. My last two successes were Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in 18w and now 16. My weight was changing too rapidly for me to invest in new anything. I'm unfortunately down to my lowest size of Catherine's slinky dress pants (0w) and then I'll have to buy some new slacks for work. I wish those slinkies came in regular sizes. I've worn them for many years. I'm not a skirt person because I have such trouble with shoes.

Thanks for posting. It helps relative newbies like me to hear from long time banders.

I do eat carbs but I lose better when it's only protein and veggies.

You look beautiful and happy !! Isn't it great to start the new year with such enthusiasm ?!

After WLS what were some foods you really began to like? Did you lose your interest in them later? About seven months post banding I discovered hummus, and had it nearly every day in every flavor, with celery, raw green Beans or carrots. That died out around month ten. Today I can take or leave hummus -- weird, huh? My latest craving is kale salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing, grated Parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes. My daughter made this on Thanksgiving and it's so good. I never thought I'd enjoy a salad without creamy ranch or bleu cheese dressing.

The Hundred Foot Journey

I went to a yoga class for the first time today. It was their easiest class (called Restorative) at Yoga By Degrees. My knees were cracking loudly, and there were some easy poses I still couldn't do, but for the most part, I tried all of them as best I could. I won't lie. I was embarrassed at first and even after my 100 pound loss so far, I was the biggest person in the class, but the instructor was so kind and attentive. She also had dozens of positive messages during the class that really spoke to me. I think I'll go back and see where this takes me. Namaste!

Congratulations !!!

Debbie, you look great!

Has anyone had their FitBit One stop syncing to their iPhone? I uninstalled and reinstalled the app, turned my phone off and on, and it just keeps "looking" but doesn't find the FitBit.

,

.

.

Beautiful and inspiring !!

.

The last time I was thin (for twenty minutes) stirrup pants were all the rage. I looked damned good in them with a tunic top. Now I should try leggings. I haven't worn a dress yet because I only own one from twenty years ago, but it's a dressy dress and I'll wear it for a classy evening out this month. I need to buy a pair of dressy shoes. Why I'm so scared about that, I have no idea. Crazy. My foot bones used to hurt so much that only certain flats would work. I went down a shoe size but am still scared to try any kind of heel, even a low one. Back pain was also an issue. Heck, maybe a good New Year's resolution for me is to buy a pair of heels!

@@traveler60, you mentioned back pain. Now that mine is totally gone, I tend to forget how horrible it was every single day before. I couldn't walk a block. I couldn't stand in line. I was living the small life of an elderly, sick woman in an obese middle age woman's body. I am so grateful that my first day of 2015 is pain free, and nearly medicine free. One more BP med to get rid of and all I'll be taking is vitamins. Life is so, so good.

Beautiful !!

Congrats to the newly banded. Be kind and patient with yourselves and stay off the scale. Each day should be a little better than the last. If it's worse, call your doc. Welcome to your new life!!

A foot massage from a local spa. Thirty bucks for forty minutes of bliss.

For me, this is how it works. I eat Protein first, then veggies, then carbs. 3:2:1 proportions. I take smaller bites and chew thoroughly. I slow down my eating a lot. I pay attention to the soft stop signals. A burp, a hiccup, a sigh, or feeling like I've had almost enough. Then I stop. When i do this I stay satisfied for 4 to 5 hours until my next meal. The band isn't supposed to stop me from eating too much. It's supposed to help me feel satisfied sooner. Not full. Full means I ate too much or too fast, and ignored my soft stop signal. Stuck means I didn't chew enough or eat slowly enough. The band keeping hunger away for 4 or 5 hours after a protein meal is the biggest benefit. I've lost over a hundred pounds and have had five fills. The last two fills were tiny. This is my experience and so far I feel successful. Good luck.

congratulations!!!

So sorry about your uncle. I lost my dad and uncle to ALS. Be kind to yourself. Christmas is rough and yours was especially hard. Just take it a day at a time and you'll be back on track.