Feeling discouraged

[aidansmom 12]

I love following along with everyone's journeys:). I am feeling quite discouraged because it seems like I am a very slow loser:(. Everyone that has had surgery after me has lost so much more!! I know I am not overeating.....but I know I don't get all my Water in. I'm in a funk:(. Feel like I did all this for nothing:((((((

[McButterpants 2,846]

Hey - relax. We all gained at different rates and for different reasons, we're all losing.

Comparing yourself to others is a set up for disappointment - this is your journey and yours alone. Instead of watching the scale, take your measurements and lots of pictures - those will show you a different story than that stupid scale!

Edited October 1, 2014 by McButterpants

[JamieLogical 8,710]

I'm trying to not let it get to me. I will be one month out tomorrow and have "only" lost a little under 15 pounds so far post-op. I see people saying things like "I'm three weeks post-op and I've lost 45 pounds, but the weight loss seems to be slowing" and I'm like WTF?!?! I just remind myself that I am losing and this is a marathon, not a race. There are many advantages to slow weight loss. For one thing, most of my coworkers don't know I had WLS, so I'm not having to explain to anyone how I've managed to lose 45 pound in 3 weeks. Also, I imagine my excess skin situation will be much less dire if I lose weight slowly. Oh, and I won't be having to get all new clothes every month with my current rate of weight loss!

[AngelaAM 4]

I am one week post op. I broke down and weighed tonight. Only three lbs down in a week. I do feel bloating in my stomach. Feeling emotional tonight.

[McButterpants 2,846]

I'm 10.5 months. I'm down about 73 pounds from my high weight. I lost 18 pounds my first month - slow compared to some. Even my 73 pounds is low compared to some. I, too, stressed about my slow losing and worried about not meeting my goals when I was early in the process.

Here's what I know now...10 months later

1. The scale does not have the power over me it did when I was 1 month out.

2. My body is going to lose or not lose at it's own pace - the only things I can control are what I put in my body and how much I move my body.

3. This process/journey has become so much more than the scale.< /p>

When I say it's more than the scale, I mean I am now an active participant in my life. I have a better relationship with my husband and son. I love to exercise. I don't have to nap every day. I am happy - truly happy. I am proud. I am more confident. I am more patient with people. And most of all, I am kinder to myself. I am learning to be content - content with my life, content with my body...I'm learning to like myself again. I do hot yoga and I just ran a 5K last weekend - who would have thought that a year ago? Not me!

You're doing fine - embrace this process and all it has to offer. There are going to be bad days and there are going to be awesome days (I remember buying a pair of size 14 shorts...I cried in the dressing room because they fit - I immediately took them to the cash register and bought them without looking at the price tag!).

Be good to yourselves!

Edited October 1, 2014 by McButterpants

[JCP 619]

No no! Stop beating yourself up! Our bodies are all different. Our lives are all different. I am 56. I don't expect to lose weight quickly but I WILL lose and so will you! Think where you will be next summer...You will be a new woman!

[JCP 619]

Oh Angela, I understand. Don't worry about feeling emotional or losing 3 lbs. Your body has been through a very major surgery and is dealing with it. Please take a deep breath and try to sleep and rest. It's all going to be great.

[alyce20 82]

I am five weeks out and have never stepped on my scale at home. I weigh when I see my doctor. I made that decision on my own. When I weighed at my two week check up I was thrilled . Now I go again next Wednesday and I am equally excited to step on the scale. The scale is not your predictor of your future... You are . Hang in there. Alyce

[ready2livenow69 0]

I am one week post op. I broke down and weighed tonight. Only three lbs down in a week. I do feel bloating in my stomach. Feeling emotional tonight.

[Becky Walker Phillips 2]

I realize it's a numbers thing for so many, but it doesn't have to be. I keep thinking about that saying "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten". In the past I was obsessed with the scale and the weight. And I made myself crazy. Now, I'm trying to do something different. First was surgery, now I'm "judging" my body by how I FEEL instead of what I see on the scale. I feel better. I'm 2 weeks and 2 days post-op. Including my pre-op liquid diet, I'm down 25 lbs, I think. I actually forgot to weigh yesterday and today! That's never happened. But my clothes already fit better and I don't feel so bloated and miserable. I'm choosing to see victories in a different way now. It's no longer about just the number on the scale. I'm already going to have to dig out my smaller bras and underwear. That is bizarre to me that it's happened so soon. I am walking alot and I feel really good. I'm having no issues with food or Water, or swallowing, or GERD, thank God. I'm choosing to be grateful I was able to have this surgery now, just months before my 50th birthday. I'm ready to be FABULOUS and FIFTY, regardless of what number is on my scale. Please try to look at it through a new pair of eyes. Make different choices and decisions....not just about what's going in your mouth, but also about what's going on in your heart and in your mind. Good luck!