Living The Lifestyle...Friday Nov 6, 2020

imastar2

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - 88olds (George)
Tuesday - whathapnd (Emmie)
Wednesday - misterhub (Greg)
Thursday - linmueller (Lin)
Friday - imastar2 (Derrick)

Today's Topic: Since your LTL journey began can you describe your greatest / or most memorable Success? and your thoughts.

Then your greatest Relapse? and description or thoughts and resolution of that event.

imastar2

After I began my 2010 weight loss journey my greatest success came about 18-24 months into my journey when I hit 100 lb loss losing from 400.08 to 300.08. That was my first big success and half way to my goal. I was very happy but continued the battle to lose with some success but never getting to my ultimate goal of 185-200 lbs.

That brings me up to 2018 when I crept up about 15 lbs till last year when I blossomed and my biggest relaspe and gaining back up to 359.6 lbs. I had been experiencing some heath situations and began to start losing again till I finally got back to 300 lbs. This time around however I had a pacemaker installed 1/22/20 and a new aortic valve 3/4/20. This resulted in my feeling much much better. This week however I've let go and haven't weighed yet but I suspect a pretty heavy gain this week due to a couple of very large meals that DW and I enjoyed.

So as usual I must get my head back in the game.

steve0mania

Well, one memorable success was a doctor's visit. I generally go to the hospital's resident clinic, so every 2-3 years I get a new resident as my doctor. I recall getting a physical, and the doc had something about "skinny guys like you." He had no idea that I had been 50 pounds heavier in the past. It was like I got let into the exclusive (and elusive) skinny-guy club. That was a treat.

A great "relapse" came at an outdoor party we attended at a club. As we were leaving, the club was cleaning up, and someone from the crew gave us a whole pecan pie that hadn't been served. We got home and I literally ate like half of that pie (this wasn't too long after hitting goal/maintenance). It was so crazy-impulsive and thoughtless. I felt really guilty the next day. I think it was a wake-up call that there was still "heavy-Steve" lurking in the background, ready to pounce if I wasn't careful. Once in a blue moon I'll still have a mindless "splurge." Usually not a half-a-pie, but often way more than is appropriate for a snack. There is no finish line.

linmueller

Success ... First thing that came to mind was definitely not the greatest, but ... My legs! Seeing my kneecaps, them staying crossed w/o aid of a chair leg, not so bloated looking. I felt "normal"!

Relapse ... when I get hives in 2015. I was w/in #10 of goal, close to -#100. I got hives that stayed in some places and moved around others. They were debilitating! I was miserable, and it took a couple months to get into a specialist who treated them aggressively enough to get some relief. I couldn't focus due to the itch, then I couldn't focus due to the double dose of 3 antihistamines combined with pred. Could barely complete a sentence and couldn't complete a conversation. Even after I was off the drugs, it took a long time to get my mind back (close to a year, start to finish), and I still have some trouble finding the right words, but that might be age factoring in too. It was impossible to focus on my diet (I couldn't remember to track and had no idea what I'd put in my mouth at the end of the day) and the weight went up. It was a really tough time, and so fluky! When it all started I was healthier than I'd been in years, close to goal, eating healthy, exercising 🤷

Al_Howard

Best?? Tossup between the day I was taken off the diabetic meds, and the day I almost passed out at church from LOW blood pressure (and taken off one BP med.)

Worst?? A blur. After our 50th Anniversary, I went from under 230(at home) back up to the 240-250 range) Still up there.

88olds

I think they are the same. After about 8 years maintaining my 184lb goal. I showed up at my meeting and wasn’t sure if I was going to be 186 lbs or less. I had weighted in every month as required for 8 years. I had put off this month’s WI because I was sure I was over. This was the last day of the month. I considered not going and just breaking the string. Everyone associated with that meeting knew who I was. I was the nut who had joined years ago and never left and had never relapsed.

But at the meeting I was the voice of owning up. Don’t hide from WI, don’t quit tracking just because you’re over your number for the day. But now I was up against it. I dragged myself to the meeting. I got on the scale- 286lbs right on the nose. So my streak as a Lifetime freeloader continued, Having dodged that bullet, I immediately went back to work and soon had a comfortable cushion between me and goal weight. So the story of my relapse is also my most memorable success.

podkey

My most memorable moment was a bit like Steve's. I went to see my long time family Dr and his nurse practitioner whom I had known for over 15 years. I had been on WW and lost 50+ lb and the nurse who really knew me swore she had the wrong chart somehow!!

whathapnd

Best Moments - two come to mind.1) I was a slow loser, so my physical changes were gradual. The last five pounds to goal took forever, but apparently had a big impact on my four-year-old nephew. I was putting him to bed one night, and he looked at me with a cocked head and said, "You don't look like Aunt Emmie. You look like a different girl."

2) I was comfortably below goal and went to see a new doctor. The nurse practitioner was doing a new patient intake interview, and without having weighed me, she remarked that my weight was "obviously very good."

I love seeing before and after pics on the Success Stories board, and I'm aware how different (and usually younger/healthier) one looks at normal weight. You'd think I could use that to light a fire.

Worst Moment - seeing a pic from Xmas a few years ago and not recognizing my face. I got busy and got back to goal in record time, but I did it too quickly. My mother died shortly after, and I haven't found my mojo since. That's not an excuse, just something I need to reckon with.