Important Lesson On Beating Ourselves Up!

[ATeam 38]

Hey guys,

Its been awhile since I've posted until today, but I wanted to share something with the group that has really helped me.

I have been feeling very discouraged with my surgery progress so far. I started at about 192 lbs, and am currently sitting at about 155 (give or take up and down a few lbs). Its REALLY hard for me to get down below this weight (this was my old skinny weight), as I now have to start trying extra hard, and pushing myself to exercise more. I also love my wine. Anyway, I have really been getting down on myself, and today I decided to listen to a support podcast that the company I had VSG through gives to their clients. The entire topic was about how we have all come SO far, but yet we all seem to focus on the negative and how much farther we still have to go. She spoke of patients who had lost 120 lbs, but could only still focus on the extra weight that still had to come off. She then asked us all to think about how we would have felt about ourselves and our current weight situation post VSG when we were pre-op. Could that person who lost 120 lbs have even fathomed that before? Probably not. We, along with our tool have made this our reality, and let's savour it! Even if we do give in once in awhile and have those chips, or the scale doesn't move for a week or so, remember : WE ARE IN THE 1% of people who can actually lose it!

I know if you would ahve told pre-VSG me that I would lose nearly 40 lbs, and maintain a steady size 6 I would have jumped for joy. Old me could have got there, but would have promptly balooned up and put the weight back on. I could never have imagined getting to this steady size, even if I still feel like I have another 15 lbs to lose.

I went on Facebook today and looked at pics of all my progress: Wow, have I gotten thinner month by month! I tried on clothes that used to be my "skinny clothes". They all fit or were baggy! AMAZING, but yet, I still focus on the negative. I will change this, I will curb it.

I urge you all to look back at your incredible progress and revel in our victories- we've come a long way baby!

[favoredone 590]

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this!! I really needed to read this... I've been on the road for 3 weeks... Working out very little and struggling with eating..(some days I hardly eat, others I'm ravenous!!)... I was sitting here riding w/my brother ( from Va Beach to DC) and just really kicking myself... But, now... I am making a plan to get back into the gym when I land in Chicago tomorrow and heading to Trader Joe's to stock my fridge... Thanks again for sharing!!

[coops 1,790]

ATeam,

Your timing of this post is just perfect for me...

I am just over two years post op... not at goal, and I have been in a stall since Oct last year... 9 mths!! Believe you me, I have tried everything and anything to break this stall, but my body just seems to be very happy here, even though my mind is NOT!

So, to read your post has sort of put this into perspective for me... I seem to be focusing on the last 14-20lbs instead of looking at the 74lbs that have gone forever... there is no way will I ever see the numbers 238 staring up at me, so I have to be happy at seeing 164... right!?!

Now, this doesn't mean that I will stop trying to get rid of the last bit of weight... there is no expiry on the sleeve, but I also have to realise that me and my sleeve have done a good job, not only to lose but to maintain this weight and size for the last 9mths!

[ATeam 38]

Thanks guys, it really put it all in perspective for me! We are all doing SO great!

[On my Waaaay 21]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!!

[atkinsguidry 33]

What an amazing message, I really needed to read it....I'm 4 months out and have lost 46lbs and proud of the loss.

[Imlosing big 112]

true inspirations thanks for the read.