Obesity in America
Posts tagged Weight Loss Surgery
My Long-Term Lap Band Success – Staying Motivated After the Compliments Stop Coming
Sep 4th
Have you had lap band surgery? Are you considering weight loss surgery? Are you interested in learning about how a real, long-term successful lap band patient stays motivated? I had lap band surgery four years ago and have been maintaining a normal, healthy weight since 2007.
When I moved cross-country to a place where no one knew me before lap band surgery a really strange thing happened. People assumed I never had a weight problem. While that may sound like a great thing it has been difficult for me at times. I was already at the point in my journey where the compliments had started slowing down; I was no longer receiving that daily dose of: “You look great! I didn’t even recognize you. You don’t look like a person who has ever had a weight problem…” Those compliments that had come many times a day, slowed down to a trickle; when I moved, they came to a screeching halt.
Since childhood I always fantasized about what it would be like to live in a normal body. Now I found myself in a normal body confused; I guess that should have been a reason to celebrate – an NSV (non-scale victory). Instead I felt lost, like someone had shut off a major spigot of motivation for me. To further complicate matters I am an extrovert. The definition of an extrovert is that you get energy from others. I found myself missing and craving those compliments, the constant reminders of how far I had come which are a huge motivating force for me. Thanks to my lap band I got what I asked for, now how would I stay motivated and maintain my weight loss success?
I found myself needing new sources of external motivation and having to accept that I need others to help propel me on my journey. I need support and encouragement along my journey. I can’t do this alone. I don’t want to do this alone. Some things that have helped me when the compliments stopped coming are:
Reinforcement from my children – my daughter constantly reminds me that I am healthy, fit, and strong; my son likes to “work out” on my exercise equipment. My children model my behaviors. They tell their friends “Mom eats healthy. Mom exercises and takes care of her body.” Trying on clothes – whether it’s “shopping” in my own closet or in stores, when I am reminded that I wear single digits I get a lot of reinforcement. Joining a new gym – people looked at me as one of the fit people at the gym and I am now comfortable working out and trying new approaches to staying fit. Talking to my mentor on a daily basis – my lap band support network is more important than ever. Going back and re-reading my goals for surgery as well as old food journals. Both are constant reminders of how far I’ve come. Going public with my story. I was very private about my decision to have lap band surgery – now it’s all over the internet. I share my story with anyone who will listen. Reaching out to others in the lap band community and paying it forward. Listening to others who are on this journey. I’m always in awe of how much inspiration I get from people who are early on their own journeys, on a daily basis.
I have had to find new sources of motivation to maintain my success with lap band surgery. I hope some of these tips are useful for you or someone you care about.
How I Lost 76 Pounds Without Weight Loss Surgery – Stop Eating Processed Foods is the First Key
Aug 25th
The catalyst for my huge weight gain was when I quit smoking cigarettes. Of course I was always an emotional eater, but the cigarettes kept it in line and my weight did fluctuate, but never more then 10 pounds or so.
That was manageable until I quit sucking smoke.
And remember this, the cigarettes smoke, you suck it in.
I hit 294 pounds this past January, 2010 and seeing that needle approaching 300 really got me thinking about my health and appearance because not only did I look terrible and my clothes didn’t fit right, I could hardly move or tie my shoes or get in and out of my car very well.
Once I decided enough was enough, I set up my goal and my plan. My goal remains 195 pounds and I keep getting closer and closer as each week goes by.
My plan started with throwing away all the processed food I had in the house and not buying anymore.
I describe processed food as any thing in a box, bag, can or other container, frozen or not, that has ingredients with names that you need a chemistry dictionary to read, pronounce and understand what they are.
The list of non-food items contained in boxed, bagged, canned or frozen foods is extensive. The best way to see them is look at any package you have.
The list of chemical names are scary and I doubt anyone will ever understand exactly what they do to a human’s body. And the amount of sugar and salt contained in processed foods is practically criminal. My decision was, why take a chance, you don’t have to eat them so why do it?
Processed foods can make meal preparation easier but at what cost? And, how much time is really saved? 10 or 20 minutes? Is that amount of time really important enough to eat foods with ingredients that sound like they should be in your cars upholstery, not in the food you eat.
I adamantly suggest that the first key to losing weight is cutting out as much processed foods as you can. And, even if you only want or need to lose 5 or 10 pounds, banning as many of the processed foods should be your first step. And if you can’t afford the extra time needed to cook real foods, then at least try and find certified organic processed foods. They will have fewer chemicals and should be, (remember to read the label, just because it says organic doesn’t mean it’s perfect) far healthier for you and your family.
This will get you in the habit of buying more fresh foods and taking a little more time when preparing meals.
It’s worth it, it will jump-start any weight loss plan you use and everyone else who eats your meals will be healthier. Research and science really don’t quite understand how the different chemicals affect our bodies. And if nothing else, think about what you’re feeding your children.
