BuffyBear's Journal, 19 June 2013

Working for it is much more 'worth it'. Those surgeries are VERY dangerous. Many die from them. So she lost it, listen - one of my coworkers did too, then she reached a phase she was vomiting all the time. I think they undid the band or whatever, as she doubled her weight in the past two years. That woman WILL NOT keep the weight off long term. Al Roker of Today did it, then gained forty pounds, he's still chunky - but at least fairly thin and he HAS TO exercise EVERY DAY. There may seem like easier roads. One can't have a band around their stomach for life. It has to be a lifestyle change. Compare yourself to NO ONE else. There's someone richer (or will be), prettier - more handsome if your a man - someone with a decent spouse not addicted to drugs, someone younger (that is the great equalizer in life) who is better off than you. My first cousin's kids are going to inherit tens of millions - each - while they are young in all likelihood. Life is not fair. Think of the person in the wheelchair or on a breathing machine in a hospital half your age. They're there. Go volunteer to see it. The ventilator patient ward I worked on in Los Angeles shocked EVERYONE the first time they went through. We all can get on the pity party wagon very fast. You can do it... it is up to you not to sabotage your own goals. I lost, then I gained - I have NO ONE to blame but myself this time it is for good and I am calorie counting so I can eat fruit once in a while. Do low carb if you have to but stick with it or it is a real 'devil's revenge'- type of diet! I know!  

you're a man - typo above. 

Buffy - here is a funny one, my first cousin had like 40 pounds suctioned from his stomach. This was maybe five years ago. She said he went on a diet last year or whatever and swiftly lost 40 or 50 again. Right. He is going to destroy his health by have stomach suctioning every few years while he eats two meals at a fast food restaurant when he goes out. The quick ways to lose are not always healthy. Singer Luther Vandross was a big time yo-yo dieter and he died young of a stroke.  

Journaling has been such a help to me too & I've finally had some success in not eating my emotions by expressing them in my journals instead. Hope you find the same, my friend! 

GlennM - Very much appreciate your comments. Of course I know all this stuff in the logical part of my head. It is emotional part that has been taking me for a ride lately.  

Ruth - Yes, Journaling is such a great tool - I need to start using it more. Thanks for setting such a great example.  

Yes, Buffy - journal it. As soon as I got off of here daily - I gained weight. I won't do it again. Get it all out here, those who helped me five years ago no longer are on here. Maybe one or two of them, rarely. 

Don't let this bother you. My brother had it done but never changed his eating habits. He struggled with the food feeling caught and yes, he would vomit when he ate too much. He never got down to his goal weight. Just recently he had the band removed and I'm sure he is gaining like crazy. Learning how to eat right and exercise is the only way to achieve true weight loss for life. And yes, journaling it is great therapy. You'll get over this bump. 

Good to read that Glenn, Just last night I was thinking maybe I should get away from this FS and do my own thing. I know though, until I started recorded the foods that I eat,Good or Bad, I had no idea that some of them were so High in Fat and Calories. At the very least, even if I don't join a Challenge, I intend to continue to record my food and journal. Thank You Again, Audrey 

Many people don't stay. There are a few that were n before me, six years for me in October. I quit this a long time, and I gained. Some went to other sites, but I found them user unfriendly - they were difficult to use. I am glad I kept you on here yerdua. I am here to stay - even on maintenance to at least put in food. 

Aw Buffy....I feel that resentment! Who knows why we can't look a things from an unemotional, rational perspective? I was afraid (BIG time!)to get my ears pierced, so I doubt I could have ever faced any kind of weight loss surgery, no matter what golden riches might be promised. There are folks that seem to lose effortlessly while enjoying many off-plan foods on a fairly regular basis, and that's irksome to me. It shouldn't be, but it is. As Glenn says, life isn't fair. Keep on journaling...hope the venting on here keeps you from venting through inappropriate choices. Head up....all the struggles you go through on the journey actually help cement your resolve and commitment to this as a permanent WOE. Just look at how far you've come! 

My good friend had the surgery and yes she dropped 100+ pds quickly. But at a price. Now she has lost so much hair and what she has is sooo thin. She looks like she has aged ten years because it seemed to cause her skin to age. Also she has all this loose skin hanging all over. I think losing slower is much healthier for the body and mind. 

Yup...this journaling is therapy, only free! I totally get how frustrating the "easy-ness" others seem to be successful with, while we feel the struggle. There is always a price to pay for our choices. Learning how to eat healthy & within our means (calorie/WOE/Etc) is a far more self-sustaining long term solution. As much as I cry & whine & struggle with mostly myself, I know in my heart that the path I am on is the right one. So, try to let go of that little blip, be happy you found your resolve when you did, which is actually a huge accomplisment to be proud of.  

Buffy, I know the feeling, but there's no way in the world, i'd actually opt to have surgery, unless it was to resolve something life threatening. Hard as it is, I'd much rather our struggle and journey, and sharing journals with you, my friend. 

There are a number of people doing the "Skinny Fiber" thing and having great immediate results. It's hard not to feel a little resentful that they're dropping the lbs so quickly. I have to remind myself though that those supplements are incredibly expensive at $50 a bottle. And they don't teach you the habits necessary to MAINTAIN the weight loss. Also most doctors will tell you, a healthy rate of loss is between 1-2 lbs a week (or something like that.) Plus if you're like me and have stretch marks from childbirth as well as weight gain, losing weight rapidly does nothing for the elasticity of the skin, whereas gradual weight loss allows your skin to contract instead of just hanging.