SparkPoints: (150)
Fitness Minutes: (100)
Posts: 16
8/16/12 8:44 A

Hey Aly...

I'm still getting acclimated to this site and don't really spend too much time here. I'm a member of Obesity Help, and spent hours (days!) there before, during, and after my surgery. Now, not so much, but I made some great friends over there and see many of them IRL. I pop onto Spark when things don't seem to be connecting, so I can review what I'm doing and see where adjustments can be made.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Please don't be too hard on yourself for the weight you have regained. I'm afraid that guilt and shame only lead one to a bad cycle of eating and blaming. You've been through a lot, but you know you have a tool and the knowledge to be successful. You also know that you need to be the best, healthiest, most present person you can be for your daughter. And also to teach her to respect herself, and care for herself by practicing good habits.

Be kind to yourself. I'd be happy to communicate with you if you feel like you need an ear or a shoulder!

Regards,
Linda

Posts: 25
8/13/12 4:15 P

Hi!

It's pretty quiet around here. I was hoping to see more activity from those who are several years out from surgery! I guess life moves on, and I myself am guilty of falling off the message boards after weight loss and regaining my life.

It was easy for me to keep focus for the first few years out, but life happens and sometimes the focus gets blurred. For me, I endured the death of my husband and at the same time, the birth of our first child. I've regained 50 lbs since my pregnancy 5 years ago that I haven't lost, but have found many more things on my radar than just myself.

I'm here looking for encouragement and tips, but am also happy to help. Nothing wrong with being excited about success, as long as it's balanced with real life. Stuff happens and even so, we can always get back up and start over.

I look forward to hearing from you!
AlysMawm

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 49.5 99 148.5

198

SparkPoints: (150)
Fitness Minutes: (100)
Posts: 16
7/12/12 7:54 A

Hello all:

I am a 49 year old married mom of two boys, the second of whom is about to leave the nest.

In Feb. of 2008 I made the best decision of my life (sorry, dear husband, it was the SECOND best decision) when I underwent RNY gastric bypass surgery. It took two years to reach my goal weight, and I have maintained that 140 lbs loss ever since. I also have no intention of ever going back.

The surgery for me was part of a number of measures I took to get the weight off, and I focus daily on fighting that battle. Sometimes I get distracted, and that's why I've returned to SparkPeople - to regain that focus before it leads to an increase on the scale.

I am a huge cheerleader for weight loss surgery. It changed my life. But I hear a lot from people who have had the surgery (and others who want to lose/have lost by other means) that they are struggling. My first reaction is to tell them that I hear their frustration and I'm sorry that they are having trouble. My second is to tell them I'm GLAD they are struggling - that means they haven't given up. So, I say "Embrace the Struggle. Fight for your life. Fight every day." There is no finish line. The desire to be thin and healthy is a way of living, something you must incorporate into your life and into your heart. It is a gift you give yourself.

Quality of life, to me, is even more important than the length of it.

Time to get off my soapbox. I look forward to getting to know you all!