My Doctor Suggested Weight Loss Surgery
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@wunderkindking Thanks for the great advice! I'll remember to jump off when I'm going to fall. I'll post pictures when that day comes. They should be pretty hysterical. I hope you didn't have too many bruises. I love kayaking and that doesn't seem to hurt too much.
It's very similar to a kayak without any sides. So, I think you'll be fine. The balance thing really is just a learning curve but it's not a steep one. Just a matter of figuring out where you need to be. ...bonus: My dogs LOVE it.4 -
@wunderking I hadn’t been to this thread before and just read through all of it. From your attitude at the beginning, to your acceptance of tough love, to your commitment to learn from your mistakes and from others, to all your hard work, you are a shining example of success. Congratulations and continued wind in your sails. Proud to be here with you.4
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Reading your story and progress is just GREAT! You've gotten lots of great advice and support which is wonderful. There is one question you asked months ago about could you make this lifetime commitment so many talk about and the answer is "yes you can!"
At age 61 after many serial starts on weight loss (lost the weight...kept if off for some time and then gained it back) I woke up one day at least 70 lbs overweight feeling hungover and just bad. Had had way too much to eat the night before and said "enough is enough" and made some decisions. Knew after years that going on a diet didn't work because ultimately I'd off the diet. I knew tracking my for worked and I'd been doing it but not paying attention to staying at my calorie goal. I knew exercise was just plain good for me and wasn't doing anything regularly.
It was mid October 2011 and I made some decisions: I'd track my food AND stay within my calorie goal of 2,000/day (at 5'8" I figured that was bout 500 cals less/day than I'd been eating). I'd choose to eat healthy most of the time. I'd find ways to move more. I'd forgo the wine during the week and be moderate on Friday & Saturday. And accepted that this was for life and I'd make small sustainable changes. Figured I could do this until the New year.
Well I did and I saw progress and recommitted for the next 8 weeks continuing to make small changes. There was no rush and no goal to lose x lbs by some date. Long story short I did lose over 80 lbs and kept it over for over 8 years. One big life event (a heart attack in 2013 after losing 50 lbs) got me to keep losing the weight and make exercise a daily event.
Over time all the healthy choices I made have become just the way I live my life. You can do this! Yes you can!4 -
Thank you so much, MJ. There is nothing like being surrounded by people who are where I'd like to be. All of the vast knowledge and experience here has helped me every step of the way. Congratulations on your success. I plan to follow in your footsteps. 1
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I'll always bet when people regain it's ALWAYS because they stopped being consistent. It's a given. You seem to have spurts of doing well followed by inconsistency for awhile. So you just gotta ask yourself: How bad do I really want this to happen? Because for just about anyone dedicated enough, it happens.
Your doctor telling you you should consider weight loss surgery basically states that they don't believe you have the ability to do it on your own. So what you need to do is really assess yourself and figure out how you want to lose your weight. Whatever path you take, it's going to be challenging.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Thanks @ninerbuff I'm almost halfway there and feeling great. It's been a struggle some days, but I have way more good days than bad. Feeling confident that I can do this.3
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Six month update: I started 2022 at the lowest weight and probably in the best shape in the last 20+ years. In the past, I remember thinking...if I can just get to 230 and stay around that number...if I can just get to 216...and it never happened. Until now...when I'm believing that I'll get to 160 this year and then feel it out before deciding whether that is a good maintenance weight or whether it needs to be a few pounds more or less. When I started this time, I honestly doubted I could do it. Thanks to this amazing community and my sister, who joined me in the journey, I've made incredible progress. (My sister hit goal weight after losing 50 pounds!)
As of today:- Lost 63.7 pounds
- Only .4 pounds above 200 (the 190's are just a few days away!!)
- Logged for 219 days
- Thrived over the holidays while not denying myself my favorite meals, snacks and treats on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and my birthday
- Back at a new low weight within days after each major holiday/event
- I started in size 22W jeans (I'm a jeans girl) and am now on the verge of donating the rest of my size 18's and settling into size 16's, (including the pair of size 16 Levi's that have been in my closet for the last ten years with tags still on them)
- I've been buying clothes at Goodwill and recently have added a number of size 12's to the 14's so I'll be ready as I continue to shrink in size.
- I am starting to notice the loose skin, especially on my neck. While it bothers me a bit, overall, my face has gotten thinner and that makes me happy.
- My swim times are still improving and I swam 1800 yards (a little over a mile) in 72 minutes on December 27th.
- I started in the Morbidly Obese category of BMI and am now in the Obese Class 1 category. While BMI isn't perfect, it gives me a ballpark idea on where I'd like to be.
What's next?- Reach my goal weight of 160 pound (-104.1)
- Sort out maintenance mode when the time comes
- Add a personal trainer for weight lifting when finances permit
- Swim a mile in sixty minutes or less
- A trip to Botswana is on the agenda, pending COVID. I've been to the African continent a number of times and I can't wait to go back strong and fit.
- Once my weight settles in at maintenance, I'll finally do serious shopping. Although, I have to admit, the quality and prices at Goodwill may mean some of my shopping will still be done there.
- I'll wear a dresses/skirts in public. I haven't done that for decades because I've always felt so ugly and uncomfortable. I can't wait!
- I'll see my doctor for my annual physical. I'm going to thank him for being brutally honest with me, helping set me on this path. I can't wait to see his face when he realizes I took him seriously and did something about it.
Wishing you all happiness and good health in 2022!
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Nine month update: I can't believe nine months have passed. If you look at the very first post I wrote in this thread, my fear was out front and center. Could I do this? I seriously had doubts and several key people in this community rallied to encourage me and to assure me that yes, I could do it if I stayed focused, logged and was honest with myself. I'm grateful every day.
As of today:- Lost 73.5 pounds.
- Logged in 307 days in a row
- Still losing. My weight loss has slowed down, almost to a crawl some weeks, but I'm steadily losing.
- I've donated so many clothes. My size 16 jeans that had tags on them for almost a decade are comfortable and soon to be donated. I'm into a number of my size 14 jeans and into many of my large shirts. I drown in 2x shirts that I wore for years.
- I swam a mile in 66:58. My goal is still to be under 60 minutes. It's going to happen. I just need to keep working at it.
- I flew to Texas for an art retreat in March and...all that seatbelt left over after I tightened it made me smile BIG!
- Just a few pounds away from being in the BMI overweight category
- More comfortable in my own skin. I wasted so much time being self conscious of how I looked. That is probably the biggest weight lifted off my shoulders. Now, I really don't care what anyone thinks. I'm happy with me and that's the opinion that matters.
- I'm strong and steady on my feet. I am shocked at how much of a difference there is in my balance due to the weight loss and the workouts I've been doing.
- Winter has always been a great time to cocoon. While my exercising has decreased, I've kept moving forward. My sister and I start hiking again this weekend. That will really help me get closer to goal weight. (Did you hear that? Goal weight????)
What's next?- I donated a huge painting to be auctioned off at a charity event April 30th. I'm considering it my "on the red carpet moment." While I won't be at goal weight, I'm going to go to a regular store and buy a fun and colorful outfit. After all, artists can be bold and bright.
- I'm heading to Botswana in a month. Travel will be so much easier now that I'm in such better shape.
- I'm going to complete the Manitou Incline in the late summer. It's 2,000 feet of elevation climb in less than a mile. It's all steps. I've always wanted to do it, but didn't think I could. Guess what? I'm confident now.
- I can't wait to get back to hiking and plan to increase the distance and improve on my times.
- All my extra energy is translating into my art business and I'm starting a sister business later this year.
- I see my doctor in a few weeks. I can't wait for his reaction. I'll let you know what happens.
- I still need to add more weight training to my exercise routine. I'm doing Orange Theory Fitness classes about once a week, but I don't think that's enough. I want definition and strength.
Let me just say...you can do this!! I'd pretty much given up and assumed I'd spend the rest of my life over 250 pounds. If I can do it, you can too. Get engaged. Read the posts here and maybe join a challenge or two. When I'm the most frustrated, I know I'm not alone. Ask for help. There is so much wisdom here. Every journey is going to be different and there isn't one single path to health. There are people here who have lost alot of weight and have kept it off for years. They are still here encouraging the rest of us. It's not impossible. One day at a time...
This picture was taken in February. I'll post a new one once I have it.
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Oh, hell yeah!!!!
This makes me all teary eyed.
You are AWESOMENESS personified!!!!!!3 -
@springlering62
You are one of my mentors, Spring!! Thank you my inspirational friend. Now I just need to figure out the ice cream thing. 2 -
I am following in your footprints. You are an inspiration and soon I hope to join you in all your glory!
Thank you for posting.1 -
@fatty2begone
You've got this!! You are so welcome. I'm glad it's helpful and can't wait to celebrate with you!!0 -
@coblujay, the utter fabulousness of this update cannot be overstated. Congratulations, and respect!
I'm another getting a little damp around the eyeballs while reading it, and I'm usually not the woman who goes there. But this: So good!
I wish you nothing but happiness and more success going forward, and I know you'll achieve those goals, too.
Wonderful!3 -
@coblujay Oh, my gosh. I somehow lost track of this thread, but I recently turned "notifications" back on, and look at how flippety well you are doing!!
I am so happy for you and thank you so much for the uplifting update!
Local zoo - Western Lowland Gorilla toddler, "Kitoko" - I just saw him last week and he's a character!
Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo
https://www.zoo.org/growingupgorilla3 -
Congratulations!--an inspirational story for sure! There is a lot of life to live. Go!3
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@AnnPT77
Now you are going to make me cry, Ann. You are someone who has also been there since the beginning. I love all of your well thought out comments and how passionate you are about supporting the rest of us. You, Spring, CM and others have contributed in a big way to my success. It's because of all of you that I've stayed accountable and have trusted the process during the tough times. CICO, baby!!! 6 -
@cmriverside Woohoo! What a cutie! Kitoko is amazing. I'm headed back to Africa soon. No gorillas this time, but plenty of other wildlife. I can't wait! Thank you for all of your support!3
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@snowflake954 Thank you!! Haha! There is alot of life to live and I'm running with it...or swimming...maybe hiking...but definitely moving!!3
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First time reader, same starting weight and same strategy but only 11 weeks in. I’m on track with your journey at about 1.5 lbs lost per week. I read every word of this thread and very glad to see the journey through Jean sizes that I have in front of me! So nice to think of the extra energy. Thank you for sharing. 4
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This is a wonderful thread. The inspiration of the maintainers is just awesome. And you are doing great!!! Please update on your doctor’s visit!2
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