How I see it

[healthy-me-in-Az 0]

Hi everyone,

We are all basically about 2 months out or coming up on it. I think the 'honeymoon' phase is pretty much over at this point. Reality is setting in about what having a band really means. I think for all of us it is so different. Some of the things I have seen others struggle with, I haven't had and I think I am struggling with some things I haven't seen mentioned.

For me, weight loss has always been more mental. I get in this 'magic zone' where my brain is in the right place and I do the things I need to do and BAM, 40 lbs slides off. Somehow I fall out of that zone and gain it all back. This has been my pattern over and over.

The quickest adjustment for me has been portion size. My dr had me on real foods 4 days post op. My husband served me a quarter cup of something and it looked absolutely huge. A half cup of something still looks huge to me. My mind made that adjustment immediately. I don't know why. Fear, probably. LOL

The other adjustment has been success. What I mean by that is, in my mind, failure is not going to happen. I WILL lose this weight. I WILL get down to my goal. When will it happen? That I don't know... but it WILL happen. I mean, I could lose weight before... just couldn't keep it going to get to goal. So now I have that tool that will keep it going. I have not been perfect. I have experimented with what I can eat. I have eaten Pasta and bread and cake and Cookies. I guess you can say I have sampled them. And that is ok with me. It's not going to stop me from getting to goal because this is a lifetime solution... not a quick fix.

I have tried to take the emotion away from the scale. I weigh every day. I look at what it says and shrug my shoulder like, 'ok'. It is just a number. Now, I will admit to a moment of weakness on this. I have my 2 month appt on Monday with my PA. I have TOM this week so my scale hasn't moved. I thought, 'if I do shakes all weekend I bet I could lose a few lbs before Monday' NO! NO! NO! That is a DIET mentality and I REFUSE! It is, what it is on Monday and that's that!!!

I think our perception is almost more important than anything else. I feel successful in this, so I am.

Having said that, I still haven't started exercising yet. And I haven't had a single day yet where I got my full 64 oz of Water. <sigh> It's a work in progress!

We can do this. We ARE doing this. How fast or slow, doesn't really matter. What matters is that we keep at it and don't give up!

[leshers2x2 1]

Very well put... I have also been able to drop forty pounds when I really put the effort but never been able to keep it off. I am approaching that forty pound mark and know that this time I can keep at it.

I have a difficult time with the band in that I always think their is no way that is possibly going to be enough to eat. I sit and torture myself over how big a portion of anything I need. I went to lunch with my mom yesterday and had one crunchy taco and refried Beans. I didn't need the beans but I convinced myself that the taco would not fill me up. Then afterward felt uncomfortable full!! I am learning and it is getting easier day by day.

I have bought myself two swimsuits in size 12 for next summer because I know I will be able to fit them by then!!