How to Focus?

[OH Juli 15]

I’m six months out from banding.

I’ve got good restriction, I don’t want it to be any tighter but I still eat a good 1400 calories a day. Sometimes more.

I exercise, but I’ve exercised more in last few months.

I’m not cooking much and eating what I find, cans of Soup and chili. Burgers with out buns; even the occasional cookie gets consumed.

I’m feeling a little tired of journaling and I’m focused on other things in my life such as my schooling, my work, my daughter’s newly developing medical needs and family. I’ve pushed a lot of this aside for months and it’s creeping back in and taking space in my otherwise focused mind.

I can exhale in a few weeks but I don’t want to get off track in that time and feel it slipping that way. So I know the goal is to dig a little deeper. Can anyone give me some encouraging words? Like tell me that it’s normal to need to regroup after so many months? Give me tips on refocusing my efforts? This is the first time in this journey that I’ve felt like I wasn’t gung-ho about the process. I’m struggling.

Thanks so much.

[JulieNYC 4]

Juli,

I was just where you are! It happened for me a little later in the journey, but it was still just as you're describing. Basically, I got to 199 and just quit trying because I was sick of tracking calories, making time to exercise, etc. I knew I wanted to lose at least 50 more lbs, but I had come such a long way and I was just tired of the diet mentality.

So, I took about 2 months off. Part of it was conscious, part of it wasn't, but for about 8 weeks, I didn't watch what I ate and I exercised some but I didn't log it or pay it much attention.

The GLORIOUS part of this is that I didn't gain weight. Pre-band, I'd have gained 40 or 50 lbs in a heartbeat just by setting down the diet reigns.

And, one day, losing weight became important to me again, so I picked back up the reigns and lost about 10 or 15 lbs before I needed another break.

I guess my point is that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It's life, not a diet. If you need a break, take one. The band will help you maintain until you're ready to make the effort again.

Stay involved in the LBT community while you're on your break though. That'll help you stay sane, in terms of overall life/food choices and might provide you with some motivation once you've had your break.

[CJQuilter 0]

Jack - why did you hae an unfill? My first fill was 1.1....my second .7 and I have no restriction....that I can tell. I have a 10cc band. What is the difference. Why are some 4's 10's and 11's?

Carlotta

[OH Juli 15]

Julie and Jack,

Good advice from both of you.

I'll take it to heart.

J

[TracyinKS 7]

Thanks for this thread and thanks to Julie and Jack for answering!

I think we all get complacent every now and again... I think for us in the 5-6 month range its a matter of settling in for the long haul.

[Cerrin 3]

Something I am trying is getting pictures together of things I want to do and cant at my present weight. Or wont may be the case.

Like horseback riding and kayacking shopping in "normal" stores Wearing pretty shoes buying bras from a fancy store having matching bra and panties, playing on the floor with my nieces, rollerskating.

If I have a reminder of WHY I want to lose the weight I am hopping it will keep me on track.

I am actualy very proud of myself I went to the gym yesterday to work out when I would of normaly wimped out on going.

I had PMS and a quiz to take and still went to the gym. Props to me.