WLS support and inspirational information
Replies
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Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 7, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Mind your own business.
Just because you are in a relationship with someone—just because you love someone—doesn't mean you have to join with them in their unhealthy thinking and behavior. Nor are you responsible for their actions. It's not your job to fix them or solve the problems that arise as a result of their negative actions and feelings.
Your responsibility is to live your own life, not to obsess about someone else's problems. It's okay to take care of yourself even when those around you are struggling.
Action for the day: Today focus on your own business instead of someone else's. Give yourself the much-needed love and attention you deserve.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
I needed to hear this. I get so frustrated with my husband and my family and their unhealthy eating!0
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Hi! Would love to get some feedback/support/motivation from others that have had WLS. I had sleeve surgery October 27th. so I'm about 6 weeks post-op. Have hit a plateau as I reintroduce foods... am seriously considering going back to the liquid diet. I downloaded the MFP app about a month ago so I could start tracking my intake better. Hoping this helps.0
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Welcome Kris,
Make sure you stick with your program closely. Regarding your plauteau, are you exercising yet?
MacMadame,
I hear you. I need this also. I get so mad with my Mom. She has cancer and she still eats poorly. I don't get it and I do. I have given up with my sisters help and this inspiration tells me it was good of me to move on because we can not make our families jump on board with us.
Have a good weekend!!0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 8, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Live in the gray area.
Are you plagued by an "all or nothing" attitude? Do you find it hard to make healthy choices when you have made one tiny misstep?
It's time to get comfortable with the gray areas in life. It's time to allow yourself progress, even if you are not perfect. It is better to move forward three steps and back one than it is not to move forward at all.
Action for the day: Be gentle with yourself today and allow yourself to make imperfect progress.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Mollie - no, I wasn't exercising... did start this morning though. Walked on the treadmill for 30 mins and included a couple of 2 to 3 minute runs in there. Am excited that I wanted to run and actually managed for more than a short burst. Yay! I'm thinking I may do it again tomorrow or will do the balance ball tomorrow. Need to work on my core again, now that I've been losing the weight I am carrying myself differently and my back hurts often.
Have a great weekend!0 -
Mollie - no, I wasn't exercising... did start this morning though. Walked on the treadmill for 30 mins and included a couple of 2 to 3 minute runs in there. Am excited that I wanted to run and actually managed for more than a short burst. Yay! I'm thinking I may do it again tomorrow or will do the balance ball tomorrow. Need to work on my core again, now that I've been losing the weight I am carrying myself differently and my back hurts often.
Have a great weekend!
Kris,
Good for you! I promise you if you keep up the exercise you will break your stall as long as your eating is in order also. I know what you mean about posture. You may want to try walking around the house with a book on you head to develop correct posture. It will be hard at 1st but keep practicing. Our bodies are so use to the weight so we automatically slump. Let me know how it works.
Try to work up to exercising at least 30 min a day 5 or more times a week. When you have that down pat, keep increasing your time up to and beyond 60 min a day. Exercise will be the key to maintenance and reaching your goal. Our bodies are maravelous and you have to keep challenging it and mixing up things so hopefully you will not have these stalls. K.I.T.0 -
Your Scale and You
Unlike other plans that recommend weighing in weekly or less often, we advise you to weigh yourself daily.
"Daily?" you ask. Yes! Studies show that people who weigh themselves daily are more successful at long-term weight loss than those who weigh themselves weekly. Experts speculate that frequent weigh-ins remind you of your goals and help keep you motivated. At the Duke Diet & Fitness Center (DFC), we feel that an essential part of this daily weighing strategy is tracking your weight on a graph. A graph helps you to see the big picture: Rather than focusing on one day's number, you're looking at trends over several days, weeks, or months. There's nothing more motivating than seeing that line move downward over time!
We also like graphs because they can help you to become accustomed to the fact that the number on the scale does fluctuate each day. The line won't always move downward, and that's okay. Weight normally varies from day to day, based on factors like how much water your body is retaining, among others. We find that seeing these normal fluctuations on a graph keeps our clients at the DFC from getting discouraged by them — they look past the little ups and downs and focus on the larger trends.
Another advantage to graphing with daily weigh-ins is that it helps you self-monitor more effectively. If you see your weight beginning to trend in the wrong direction, you can take steps to nip that trend in the bud.
Of course, weighing in daily isn't right for everyone. If you've ever had an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia or if you find it extremely upsetting to get on the scale, you should talk to your doctor or mental health–care provider. Otherwise, give it a try and see how it works for you!
If daily weighing is a good strategy for you, we encourage you to keep it up — even after you meet your weight goals. Research has shown that people who've lost weight and continue to weigh themselves regularly afterward are better able to keep the weight off. So plan to make your friendship with your scale a lifelong one. Doing so will greatly increase your chances of both short-term and lifelong success.
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Track Successes, Not Failures from Shrink yourself thin web site
Track your successes, not your failures. Most people that are trying to eat well and adopt a practice of regular exercise are very quick to point out their failings. They often report ending their day with a mental record of the things they shouldn't have eaten and the exercise they could've done but didn't. This doesn't lead to success. In fact, it usually just leads to feeling of failure and defeat. If this doesn't work, what does? While it's important to be aware of your weak spots, it doesn't help you to keep track of them. What is far more beneficial is finding the places where you succeeded and then building on those successes.
For example, it's great to develop an awareness that you're more likely to exercise if you make a date to meet someone at the gym. That's something you can build on. You can then make a standing date to meet a friend to exercise instead of attempting to go alone. It's great to develop an awareness that when you avoid television at night, you also avoid binges. That's something you can build on. You can incorporate more nighttime activities that don't include TV (and subsequently don't include binges). It's great to develop an awareness that you eat better when the kitchen is clean and you aren't overwhelmed with chores. That's something you can build on. By staying on top of chores and responsibilities you'll find yourself eating less.
What success (small or big) did you have today and how can you build on it tomorrow?
"SUCCESS IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A DIET"
Please visit my OH Support group:
www.obesityhelp.com/group/allinthemind/0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 9, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Redefine exercise.
Do you balk when you hear the word exercise?
You don't have to "exercise" if you hate exercise. You can mow the lawn, do home improvement projects, walk the dog, make pottery, or even play twister with your kids. Some people carry in their own groceries and weed their own gardens. Some people dance in the living room when no one else is home. Do whatever works for you, but don't pass up this great tool.
Action for the day: Do something to move your body today. Be as creative as you need to be to make it interesting and palatable.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 10, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Role play.
Changing your behaviors and actions can be a daunting task. And when your change requires you to set new boundaries with people, you may find yourself putting off a boundary-setting talk you need to have with someone.
Practicing what you want to say and how you want to say it will make those boundary-setting conversations much easier. You can write out what points you need to cover, practice with a safe friend what you will say and do, and only then carry out the real conversation.
Action for the day: Select one person with whom you need to set a new boundary. In your journal, write down what you want to say, then do a role play with a friend. Finally, have the conversation!
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 13, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Avoid comparing your insides to their outsides.
The problem with comparing yourself to others is that it's always a case of comparing apples and oranges. Even if you personally know the person you're measuring yourself against, it can never be an accurate comparison. Nobody completely knows another person.
Perhaps that successful person at work is struggling in her home life. Perhaps your neighbor with the immaculate yard struggles with a secret addiction. The only person you should compare yourself to is you. As you continue to change, compare the old you to the new you. See how far you've come, and what you still need to work on.
Action for the day: Today, try to avoid comparing yourself to others. Measure yourself against the old you, and congratulate yourself on how far you've come.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 14, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Put off the next bite.
If you are having a day in which you are thinking about food nonstop, you can adopt some strategies to get you through for the short run, and start a process to overcome your grazing or emotional eating in the long run.
To stop the grazing in the short run, try putting off your eating. One strategy is to set a timer to go off when you can have your next meal, and keep yourself busy until you hear the bell. Another is to start a task that will take up all your time until your next meal. Tell yourself you'll eat when you've gotten all your papers filed, for example.
Action for the day: If you have the urge to graze today, put it off by using a new strategy. Then, in your journal, write about how you were feeling when you began to crave the food, and how it felt to use your new strategy instead of eating.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Struggle and win.
One day it may be so easy to do everything right you don't even need to think, whereas the next day everything is an effort. When you face a difficult day, it's easy to want to give up, yet this might be the day that breaks the plateau or the day you reach the next milestone. To give up at this point, when you have come so far, is not an option. Even though your goal may be far away, struggling one more step gets you closer, giving up just gets you further away and makes your task that much more overwhelming. When the labor of the day is too much, turn to your support whether that is another person, a book, a quote, or your higher power (or all of these things). Cling to the support you have to help you take the next step toward your goal. Much later, when you reach your goal and look back at this time, you will see the struggle as something that made you stronger, that made reaching the goal all that much sweeter.
Action for the day: Days of struggle are bound to happen, but help is not far away. Today, reach for that help whenever you need it.0 -
Water retention. It's pretty common as solid food gets re-introduced. If you are tracking your food and you are eating less calories than you burn, you are losing even if the scale doesn't show it.Have hit a plateau as I reintroduce foods...0 -
I'm a big believer in weighing daily. There was this period where weighing daily was driving me insane so I had my dh hide the scale for a week or two and only bring it out on Mondays. But that was just a brief period. In general, weighing daily helps me to keep a 1-2 pound gain from becoming a 10-25 pound gain!Unlike other plans that recommend weighing in weekly or less often, we advise you to weigh yourself daily.0 -
I'm a big believer in weighing daily. There was this period where weighing daily was driving me insane so I had my dh hide the scale for a week or two and only bring it out on Mondays. But that was just a brief period. In general, weighing daily helps me to keep a 1-2 pound gain from becoming a 10-25 pound gain!Unlike other plans that recommend weighing in weekly or less often, we advise you to weigh yourself daily.
I agree 199%.0 -
Mollie - no, I wasn't exercising... did start this morning though. Walked on the treadmill for 30 mins and included a couple of 2 to 3 minute runs in there. Am excited that I wanted to run and actually managed for more than a short burst. Yay! I'm thinking I may do it again tomorrow or will do the balance ball tomorrow. Need to work on my core again, now that I've been losing the weight I am carrying myself differently and my back hurts often.
Have a great weekend!
How is the exercise going?0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 15, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Draw a line in the sand.
With weight regain being so common, it is helpful to set up some parameters for yourself, so that you know how you're going to handle it when the scale creeps up.
Choose a weight beyond which you do not want to gain. When you get close to that weight, implement a plan to take care of the extra weight right away. Waiting will only invite more regain. So, know your line in the sand and vow not to cross it.
Action for the day: Do you know where you line in the sand is? Choose it today. And write in your journal the plan you will follow if you get close to your line.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Exercise is not going well... did 2 days of power shopping, spent all day yesterday making pierogi for Christmas eve dinner, picked up an extra shift at work Monday night after all the shopping and hosting the team dinner for my son's swim team, tonight is back to work - 5 12's in a row. the 12 hour midnight shifts kill me, need to get to bed so I can get enough sleep to do it all over again the next night. Will have more time to get the exercise in my routine after I start my new position. Will still be working midnights, but only 8 hour shifts - so my game plan is to get home in the mornings, get the kids on the bus, and then off to the gym. At least I did a lot of walking during the shopping trips. Constantly working on it...0
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Exercise is not going well... did 2 days of power shopping, spent all day yesterday making pierogi for Christmas eve dinner, picked up an extra shift at work Monday night after all the shopping and hosting the team dinner for my son's swim team, tonight is back to work - 5 12's in a row. the 12 hour midnight shifts kill me, need to get to bed so I can get enough sleep to do it all over again the next night. Will have more time to get the exercise in my routine after I start my new position. Will still be working midnights, but only 8 hour shifts - so my game plan is to get home in the mornings, get the kids on the bus, and then off to the gym. At least I did a lot of walking during the shopping trips. Constantly working on it...
That is wonderful Kris!! All movement counts but nothing ever beats 30 to 60 minutes of cardio and additional 30 or so min of strenght training. Being mindful and working yourself up to something is good enough. Just keep challenging yourself and I know you will get there babe!
Congrats on new position! After the 1st I am sure things will settle down for you! I am glad to see you are still with us here. If only a few of us, it still makes it worth my while to keep adding information that I think may be helpful to us as WLS patients. Keep up the good work and have a good week!0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 11, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Get your game face on.
The holiday season is heating up now. People are having parties, going caroling, shopping, and baking like crazy.
Put on your game face now. It's time to get serious about your goals and your needs. Rather than use the holidays as an excuse to throw caution to the wind, use them to improve your health-building skills. Winning means you practice hard, take your lumps, and make real progress. It is an attitude and a way of life. Your challenge has been laid out. Are you ready to rumble?
Action for the day: Get a notebook and label it, "WLS Game Plan for the Holidays." Write down a list of the games you will be facing: family gatherings, office parties, gifts of baked goods, etc. Under each item, make a list of strategies you can use to be a winner.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
I think it's important not to use the holiday season as an excuse to stuff yourself like a pig and loll around. But I also think it's important to give ourselves a break.
My goal for Dec. is always to maintain, not to lose. In fact, I am deliberately taking off from triathlon training and just doing an occasional workout. I'll start back up again in Jan. refreshed and (hopefully) healed up.0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 21, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Exercise your mind.
Your mind needs to adjust to the major changes you've gone through. You have behavior patterns to correct, emotions to process, and information to learn. But where do you begin?
Assess your mental condition and address your issues in that arena. For example, if you are feeling depressed, go talk to a professional about it. If you are confused about what you are supposed to be doing regarding your WLS, seek out experts who can provide you with good information. If you want to change your habits, get support and information so that you can work on the changes you want to make in a more productive way.
Action for the day: Think about your mind today. Are you doing what you need to do to make a mentally healthy adjustment to the new you? If not, begin today.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
I am pleased that with the little bit of grazing I've been doing at work - I have managed to increase my weight loss! My doc has me on such a low caloric intake.... wondering if maybe it was getting to be too low as my activities increased?
Went and bought a little black dress for Christmas... from a size 24/26 to a loose 16 (didn't want to hug all the sags too tightly)! It lifted my mood immensely! I am usually so depressed this time of year...
If I don't post for a few - Everyone have a great Christmas!0 -
I am pleased that with the little bit of grazing I've been doing at work - I have managed to increase my weight loss! My doc has me on such a low caloric intake.... wondering if maybe it was getting to be too low as my activities increased?
Went and bought a little black dress for Christmas... from a size 24/26 to a loose 16 (didn't want to hug all the sags too tightly)! It lifted my mood immensely! I am usually so depressed this time of year...
If I don't post for a few - Everyone have a great Christmas!
Keep up the good work Kris!!! Congrats on the little black dress too!! Don't worry about your calories being too low babe. That is a myth right now. Until you have a stall, keep doing what you are doing.
Have a good week! I don't celebrate any of the holidays. You are doing great!0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 22, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Tell yourself this too shall pass.
If the holidays have put a dent in your healthy lifestyle, it's time to forgive yourself and know the holidays will end shortly. You will soon be moving on and getting back into your healthier habits.
When you are in a bad place with food, the fear is that you will be there forever. But you won't be. This too shall pass. Tell yourself that and start making plans for better days. They are just around the corner.
Action for the day: In your journal, write a loving and healthy plan for tomorrow that will help you feel in control of your eating and your life.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 26, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Finish the year on an up note.
You've made it through most of the holidays now. You've made some good choices and maybe some not-so-good choices. New Year's Eve will be here soon. Use the tips and tricks you've learned along the way to finish your year on an up note.
If you're going to a party, bring a WLS-friendly dish to share. Make a point to take small bites and chew thoroughly. Use a smaller plate. If it's a buffet, let someone you trust put food on your plate and bring it to you. Don't drink with your meals. Plan things to do with your hands other than eating: knitting, puzzles, games. Don't skip one meal in anticipation of the next. Remember, small choices matter.
Action for the day: Make a plan for the remainder of your holiday season. What a great way to kick off your new year.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
Weight Loss Surgery Support: Daily Inspiration for December 27, 2010
Katie Jay, MSW
Skip the alcohol.
It may be tradition to drink alcohol on New Year's Eve, but alcohol can be risky for WLS patients, depending on your type of surgery. For example, people who have had gastric bypass may become more easily intoxicated than before their surgery.
But did you know that alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while protein and veggies have 4 calories per gram? That is why people who start drinking again after surgery can have more trouble losing weight or more easily gain weight. More importantly, though, alcohol can become an addiction for those already struggling with food.
Action for the day: Think about how your behavior with alcohol can affect your WLS recovery. Maybe it's worth skipping. And if you suspect you may have a problem with alcohol, please seek help.
© 2007, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. All rights reserved. Daily Inspirations are provided by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Get our free report, How to Regain-Proof Your Weight Loss Surgery at www.nawls.com.0 -
This time of year a lot of people are posting that they've been eating badly and plan to get back on track next year. I say it's never too early to do what you know you need to do. So I'm going to get back on track today.0
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