rs

So cool, giving back to to community, so to speak! I have an even higher respect for you.
The single one thing in my opinion that needs to be clearly mapped out and drilled into the newbies are the age old mantras:
"Everyone is Different"
AND
"Don't compare yourself to others".
If you can find a unique way to make this a long lasting impression on our audience, they will be so much better for it.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. My focus has shifted now from weight loss to exercise/fitness. Garmin is feeding what my scale was. The switch over was pretty damn immediate.
Add to that that you are probably home bored, and, well, I can see why you ended up focusing on food again.
I don't have any major words of wisdom, except that this time WILL pass, and in the meantime maybe research some fun trips to take/etc.? Something to look forward to?
I wish I could fix this for you, just know that you aren't struggling alone in this. Many of us have the same not great coping mechanisms that we are working through. We will all have our ups and downs. I'm really really glad that you are aware of what's going on with you, just naming the thing is a big step.
((hugs))

So continuing in the vein of "finding a new focus after weight loss"...
Main Point: I think its important to have a bag of other "foucuses" after weight loss. My go-to feel-better-about-myself activity was running/exercise. Due to my slower than anticipated PS recovery, and other self-inflicted setbacks, this coping mechanism is not available to me.
With no other thing to employ to pick myself up, I totally cliché-ed out and actually started drinking more for the purpose of feeling better. After realizing where I was going with that, I am making conscious decisions to NOT drink when I am feeling sh*tty (which is hard, man...work in progress).
Then, I guess I fell back to focusing on my diet and weight as this was one thing I knew I could do and do well, and control, and I knew in the past it made me feel good and accomplished. But the thing is, I don't need to lose any weight. So wth.
So now I am trying to find something I can focus on that I can do in my current state, that is beneficial to my health and well-being, and that I can derive some enjoyment/accomplishment from. This is proving to be difficult and frustrating, and creating a negative feedback loop.
#workingOnIt

Today’s OOTD features more thrift store finds. The lightweight sweater and the suede blazer were finds from last week. I LOVE the blazer, but I think it’s more of a fancy night out thing?
The jeans were not a thrift store find. I, uhh, paid full price for them. I really like them, though, and since I’m supposedly in maintenance..... Plus, if I shrink more I can just take them in a bit.
My puffy loose skin/fat thing on my tummy is annoying, but I think overall the outfit still looks best with my shirt tucked in.

 

Still hanging out in healing mode at home in my cozy compression garments + PJ's as my outfit for the month. Haha. Although the scarf does add a little pizazz, right? ;] But found new color way in that sparkly flat shoe with more neutral undertones to blend better with 25th gala ensemble. Designed the vest and ascot for hubby. Seamstress did a phenomenal job. She's now working on the sketch dress I submitted for our original matron of honor. Hubby was a penguin 25 years ago. This time, I thought the mid-grey tux (although the model looks 15!) with cool grey shoes + block socks were really hip + stylish for our gentlemen vow renewal party at 60 and older, but certainly young at heart. I think hubby gets more distinguished with age.

My OOTD …. He is just my WORK husband......

W o w z a !

W o w z a !

NSV = crossing like legs? That was my very first NSV! [emoji122]

NSV = crossing like legs? That was my very first NSV! [emoji122]

W o w z a !

NSV = crossing like legs? That was my very first NSV! [emoji122]

I found this dress at the thrift store. It’s pretty groovy. It feels odd when I pick up this more form fitting style of dress. I’m used to not feeling good/confident in them. So I have to remind myself to try them on and not just skip over them.

 

Hey Guys.. It's exactly 3 months out Today !!!! see any NSVs in these pics ??? which one ?

I'm so very sorry for your unimaginable loss. My heart breaks for you. Sending prayers.

Thank you! I ❤️ stripes nearly as much as I love a good bargain :)

I've got it over a silk button up today, and it looks pretty nice. I'll upload a pic in a few.
I go back and forth about sleeveless tops because of my arm skin, but I've come to the conclusion that nobody cares about it as much as I do. Tank tops are absolutely wonderful in the summer, so I wear the hell out of them then.
I think we should all wear what we are comfortable in, but be kind to yourself ❤️

Happy Monday !

I’ve been lurking here daily, decided to join in. Not a fabulous outfit, but super comfy. The big deal for me is this top is a size MEDIUM! Old Navy, and got it off the clearance rack for $5.99. Size 14 jeans. I haven’t seen these sizes on myself since high school!

You may want to also come join us for our online weekly support meetings face-to-face. It's a great group of people who really help you work through your struggles and help you do the head work. And we have great ideas for getting back to basics. PM me if you want the deets. (It's in addition to getting back here to BP and staying active and engaged.)
We will always be pre-disposed for regain because of our disease. WLS only puts that disease into remission. After that remission is determined by our gut/head/fork. (hugs) Sorry, but it's true for the largest majority of people in this world. Only a short few are blessed to never have to revisit the risk of regain. But I've seen SO MANY tackle their regain (100+lbs) of it and be victorious by strapping on the brass balls, rollin up their sleeves and getting back to basics!! It can be done. You guys can do it! @catwoman7 is living proof and so many others like @healthy_life2 (not tagging for some reason).

I found these 3 pieces at the thrift store today. I really love the vest.
The 2nd pic is today’s outfit. Very simple, oversized sweater and leggings. The sweater wasn’t always oversized, 😂, but it’s still super comfy.

Good morning lovelies!

I’m sooooo psyched to be off work today and to be heading to the studio in a few minutes.

I agree with @Sheribear68 that the “high” from losing weight has to be replaced. I did not have plastic surgery. I was advised a few months ago to get foot surgery. I was told I would have to be pretty inactive for a few months so I decided to wait at least another year. I know my personality and I have to keep moving and active. I stumbled upon refinishing furniture and painting everything in my path to keep me busy.
I stay around 1300 calories a day with an occasional 1500-1600 day, so far that seems to be working for me. I have slacked off on Water thanks for the reminder!
The mind game that has worked for me over the past year: When I’m out to eat (more choices mess with me) I talk myself into something healthy and repeat, “you will not care what you didn’t order or eat 30 minutes from now “ I also look online and decide what I’m having before I leave and never waiver. Sometimes I do plan around a higher calorie unhealthy meal.
Snacks are another area I’ve struggled with, I crave very carby foods when I’m bored. What works for me one month may not work this month. 4/months ago I would grab a coffee with Premier Protein, 2 months ago I’d grab grapes or a 110 calorie meat stick. This month I’ve felt hungrier and I bought a big bag of these cute pink lady apples and that does the trick for now. Are those my first choice for a snack? Hell no, but I ask/tell myself, will I care 30 minutes after I eat it.
My husband and I are going to a fabulous bbq/smokehouse place for lunch today. This is the kind of place that can have a long line out the door on any given day. I already decided I’m having smoked turkey even though I would prefer burnt ends or a burger. (We went a few weeks ago and I planned and had a burger for that outing) I’m sure it will be delicious and I’m also sure will have a few seconds/minutes of self pity for missing out, but I’m ready for that.
It works for me and I can honestly tell you I’ve never cared or regretted what I didn’t order or didn’t eat later that day.
Bonus: I’m stopping at a really cute store that sells my favorite fancy paint (from a Toronto company) on the way to lunch. That is my new “high”.
Getting out of a funk is hard, it would be so much easier if Cher could come over and slap us.

I'm with ya, my friend. Yes WA state. This weather (pretty much rainy and gray 10 months of the year!) generally doesn't effect me - moved here nearly 9 years ago but have been on antidepressants for over 20 years. I did just return from Cali celebrating my mom's birthday. I did enjoy the sunshine. Could be that I'm a little down being back at work, plus work itself has been more frustrating than usual this week. Plus I have a stupid cold sore or acne or something that I've messed with and now that area of my face is totally swollen! It hurts, plus I'm extremely embarrassed. I'm not too sure if the PS is playing a role in my issues because I only had my arms done and I'm doing fine with all of that. I can see where your TT is still wreaking havoc for you. Plus the fact that you were running a lot before and now you're not would certainly factor in.
I agree, we need to be kind to ourselves and ride this wave and focus just one day at a time. Being hard on ourselves will likely make it worse, at least that's what I've experienced during my overweight years.
We've got this - even though I am now going to crawl into bed and try hard not to cry.
Xo

I'm with ya, my friend. Yes WA state. This weather (pretty much rainy and gray 10 months of the year!) generally doesn't effect me - moved here nearly 9 years ago but have been on antidepressants for over 20 years. I did just return from Cali celebrating my mom's birthday. I did enjoy the sunshine. Could be that I'm a little down being back at work, plus work itself has been more frustrating than usual this week. Plus I have a stupid cold sore or acne or something that I've messed with and now that area of my face is totally swollen! It hurts, plus I'm extremely embarrassed. I'm not too sure if the PS is playing a role in my issues because I only had my arms done and I'm doing fine with all of that. I can see where your TT is still wreaking havoc for you. Plus the fact that you were running a lot before and now you're not would certainly factor in.
I agree, we need to be kind to ourselves and ride this wave and focus just one day at a time. Being hard on ourselves will likely make it worse, at least that's what I've experienced during my overweight years.
We've got this - even though I am now going to crawl into bed and try hard not to cry.
Xo