It's been awhile so I thought I would offer an update...
Thaeda
Posts: 834 Member
Hey all! So.. in prior "chapters" I have addressed getting used to my "new" body, feeling vulnerable, feeling "nuts" about food (restricting sometimes, bingeing other times)... and I thought it might be good to pop in here and share where I am with things these days.
I am about 16 months out from surgery. I have lost more than my goal weight- because I had no clue where my goal "should" be and my surgeon was not big on him setting the goals-- he left that to his patients. I would be ok with losing another 10 pounds, but I am not "married" to the idea.
My focus right now is on extablishing a lifestyle I can maintain FOREVER- both with diet and exercise. I will start with exercise. For the most part I am choosing moderate forms of movement. By that I mean I am not "into" Crossfit" or "boot camps" or any of that extreme stuff. I love to work out, but I do not love being sore and I want to avoid injury. I walk, do yoga, lift weights once or twice a week. I am considering resuming raquetball-- I played years ago and really enjoyed it-- might like to get back into that again.
I am also playing with the idea of walking a half marathon in the fall. I have run in both halves and full marathons, but my running days are behind me due to arthritis. I am able to walk fast enough to be able to participate in distance events if I choose. Not sure I want to make that kind of commitment yet-- we will see.
Food stuff-- I am still figuring out what works for me. I was listening to a weight loss surgery podcast (I highly recommend it, BTW... www.weightlosssurgerypodcast.com/) and in one of the episodes, Katie Joy (a life coach who works with bariatric patients) talked about post op life being a long term learning process. I was always of the mind I would just keep doing what I did right after surgery forever, but life happens and stuff happens and being regimented and rigid all of the time is not workable--so I am saying "Yes" to the process of play. Playing around with food, figuring out what feels good, what doesn't.
For now, I am "trying on" intermittent fasting. I stop eating at 10pm and do not eat again until 12pm-1pm the next day. I like it. I get good and hungry-- it reminds me what true hunger feels like. Not boredom hunger. Not anxiety hunger. Not "wow those donuts look good-- now I am hungry"- hunger. There are also medical benefits to IF. Further, it gives me a little more caloric "latitude" later in the day which I also like. Another option in IF is the "5:2"-- where you fast 2 days per week and eat "normally" the other 5. I haven't decided how I feel about that. I am going to do what I am doing for another week and half and then may try 5:2 out for 2 weeks and see which I like best (or I may decide neither is for me).
So that is where I am right now. I still sometimes eat things I "shouldn't". I have binges sometimes. I have days where my eating is spectacular sometimes. It's all a mix. I have been within 5 pounds of the same weight for over 2 months now-- and that is pretty darn good as far as i am concerned because pre WLS I was a chronic yo-yo-er.
That's my story and I am sticking to it. As always I am so grateful for the support and encouragement I get from this group and my MFP pals. Blessings.
I am about 16 months out from surgery. I have lost more than my goal weight- because I had no clue where my goal "should" be and my surgeon was not big on him setting the goals-- he left that to his patients. I would be ok with losing another 10 pounds, but I am not "married" to the idea.
My focus right now is on extablishing a lifestyle I can maintain FOREVER- both with diet and exercise. I will start with exercise. For the most part I am choosing moderate forms of movement. By that I mean I am not "into" Crossfit" or "boot camps" or any of that extreme stuff. I love to work out, but I do not love being sore and I want to avoid injury. I walk, do yoga, lift weights once or twice a week. I am considering resuming raquetball-- I played years ago and really enjoyed it-- might like to get back into that again.
I am also playing with the idea of walking a half marathon in the fall. I have run in both halves and full marathons, but my running days are behind me due to arthritis. I am able to walk fast enough to be able to participate in distance events if I choose. Not sure I want to make that kind of commitment yet-- we will see. Food stuff-- I am still figuring out what works for me. I was listening to a weight loss surgery podcast (I highly recommend it, BTW... www.weightlosssurgerypodcast.com/) and in one of the episodes, Katie Joy (a life coach who works with bariatric patients) talked about post op life being a long term learning process. I was always of the mind I would just keep doing what I did right after surgery forever, but life happens and stuff happens and being regimented and rigid all of the time is not workable--so I am saying "Yes" to the process of play. Playing around with food, figuring out what feels good, what doesn't.
For now, I am "trying on" intermittent fasting. I stop eating at 10pm and do not eat again until 12pm-1pm the next day. I like it. I get good and hungry-- it reminds me what true hunger feels like. Not boredom hunger. Not anxiety hunger. Not "wow those donuts look good-- now I am hungry"- hunger. There are also medical benefits to IF. Further, it gives me a little more caloric "latitude" later in the day which I also like. Another option in IF is the "5:2"-- where you fast 2 days per week and eat "normally" the other 5. I haven't decided how I feel about that. I am going to do what I am doing for another week and half and then may try 5:2 out for 2 weeks and see which I like best (or I may decide neither is for me).
So that is where I am right now. I still sometimes eat things I "shouldn't". I have binges sometimes. I have days where my eating is spectacular sometimes. It's all a mix. I have been within 5 pounds of the same weight for over 2 months now-- and that is pretty darn good as far as i am concerned because pre WLS I was a chronic yo-yo-er.
That's my story and I am sticking to it. As always I am so grateful for the support and encouragement I get from this group and my MFP pals. Blessings.
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As always, thanks so much for being such an open book. It helps so much to see that others are going through similar things. I have always admired you for letting yourself be vulnerable so that your experiences might help others. Trust me when I tell you that your sharing has and does help others, on many levels. I, and I know others in this group, are so grateful for you too!0
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Thanks so much for your information. I am 13 months post op and close to goal that I set for myself. I want to lose maybe 5 to 10 more for wiggle room, but I was wondering what to do when I get to that weight, my diet plan from Doctor really doesn't have maintenance. I have a diet for life plan, but how do I stop losing weight? Does it just stop? Do I add calories back in? Back off from working out? I really love to work out now and don't want to give that up. I haven't weighed this little in 30 years, and I feel amazing. I will have to read up on the IF that you talk about. Thanks again for being so candid.0
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Great information! Thanks for sharing with us. My doctor's plan for maintenance is to up calories untill you stop losing. Well that's helpful (not) as I've already stopped without even trying to! Anyway, I appreciate your sharing this information and the podcast address. You inspire me to continue to work at this until I can hit Onderland like I want. You rock Thaeda!0
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As always, thanks so much for being such an open book. It helps so much to see that others are going through similar things. I have always admired you for letting yourself be vulnerable so that your experiences might help others. Trust me when I tell you that your sharing has and does help others, on many levels. I, and I know others in this group, are so grateful for you too!
Awwww. I am just gonna let that soak in for a minute--- feels good! TY! As I approach the "other side" of my 40s I am finding it increasingly less scary and more rewarding to just be who I am. I cannot say I always have that much bravery to be genuine in every moment- but I am closer than I was. You have also shared a lot of your "inside" stuff in this forum that has been helfpul to me and I am sure lots of others. We all do for each other around here, yes? It is the definition of community- sojourners in life, supporting, reaching out, friendship-- all good stuff!JreedyJanelle wrote: »Thanks so much for your information. I am 13 months post op... I have a diet for life plan, but how do I stop losing weight? Does it just stop? Do I add calories back in? Back off from working out? I really love to work out now and don't want to give that up. I haven't weighed this little in 30 years, and I feel amazing. I will have to read up on the IF that you talk about. Thanks again for being so candid.
If those are actual (vs. rhetorical) questions, I would suggest you worry about how to stop when you are ready to stop. In the mean time, just be where you are.pawoodhull wrote: »Great information! Thanks for sharing with us. My doctor's plan for maintenance is to up calories untill you stop losing. Well that's helpful (not) as I've already stopped without even trying to! Anyway, I appreciate your sharing this information and the podcast address. You inspire me to continue to work at this until I can hit Onderland like I want. You rock Thaeda!
Pat- as I have told you before- you are one of MY heroes-- so diligent and committed despite the outcome not being what you expected or wanted. You are also very generous with folks in this forum, offering help, wisdom and encouragement.
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Thaeda, I love following your updates. You help me to understand better this process that we have chosen to put ourselves through. You remind me that having the surgery did not make us perfect and we will have some days where we don't make the best choices, but its ok. Mostly, you inspire me with the success you have had, both physically and mentally.0
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Thanks so much for the info and honesty - its refreshing and so nice to have someone who has walked that walk here as a supporter always willing to share for those of us at differing stages, it is so comforting and inspiring 0
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loriloftness wrote: »Thaeda, I love following your updates. You help me to understand better this process that we have chosen to put ourselves through. You remind me that having the surgery did not make us perfect and we will have some days where we don't make the best choices, but its ok. Mostly, you inspire me with the success you have had, both physically and mentally.
Well thanks. Progress... not perfection.joysie1970 wrote: »Thanks so much for the info and honesty - its refreshing and so nice to have someone who has walked that walk here as a supporter always willing to share for those of us at differing stages, it is so comforting and inspiring
Glad you find it so. I take a lot of comfort in being a part of a community where we all "get it".0 -
Its my understanding that IF is when you eat like 1/2 of you every day cals on those 2 days, not so much that youre "fasting" as in not eating.
So say youre at 2000 cals, on those "2" days youre only eating 1000...that's my understanding of IF!0 -
Thaeda,
Echoing the others, your updates are so valuable. Introspective, honest (to a fault!) and informative. Please keep them coming.
I have been much more successful than expected at sliding right into maintenance. I have been within a 5 pound zone for the last month since hitting my goal weight on 4/15. I added about 300 calories per day slowly and don't feel bad about going over on my active days. It seems to be working.
You said: "As I approach the "other side" of my 40s I am finding it increasingly less scary and more rewarding to just be who I am"
This is very profound. It encapsulates the danger of self-criticism and shows the positive 'other side' of not always doubting yourself and wishing you could be someone else.
Other people see the 'who I am' and like him, why can't I?
From reading your stuff here, I liked 'who you am' from day one!
Rob0 -
Thaeda,
I have been much more successful than expected at sliding right into maintenance. I have been within a 5 pound zone for the last month since hitting my goal weight on 4/15. I added about 300 calories per day slowly and don't feel bad about going over on my active days. It seems to be working.
Super! You have done really well from the "git go" so I am not surprised that maintenance was a smooth transition.
You said: "As I approach the "other side" of my 40s I am finding it increasingly less scary and more rewarding to just be who I am"
This is very profound. It encapsulates the danger of self-criticism and shows the positive 'other side' of not always doubting yourself and wishing you could be someone else.
Other people see the 'who I am' and like him, why can't I?
Yeah--- THIS^^^---exactly! Why focus on the few who may criticize instead of the oodles of folks who love and support me?
From reading your stuff here, I liked 'who you am' from day one!
Rob
This made me LOL. I appreciate your support and friendship here at MFP.
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I'll be redundant and say the same thing - I have always valued your candid posts. I am one to think out loud, and it seems you may be the same. I always take something away from your posts. I'm excited to listen to the podcast - thanks. And, as I am thisclose to the top of that hill, I too, am learning to just be me. I'm 20lbs from goal, and you, Rob, Pat...have all been good role models!0
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Thank you for being you! You're such a positive force on these boards and a beautiful person and spirit. You help so many (including myself) with your honesty and camaraderie- so thank you!0
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I'll be redundant and say the same thing - I have always valued your candid posts. I am one to think out loud, and it seems you may be the same. I always take something away from your posts. I'm excited to listen to the podcast - thanks. And, as I am thisclose to the top of that hill, I too, am learning to just be me. I'm 20lbs from goal, and you, Rob, Pat...have all been good role models!mycatsnameisbug wrote: »Thank you for being you! You're such a positive force on these boards and a beautiful person and spirit. You help so many (including myself) with your honesty and camaraderie- so thank you!
I thank you both-- I receive so much help and encouragement being a part of this community-- if I am able to give a little back, I am thrilled!! 0 -
I am about 20# from my goal and find all your posts help me find my new normal. I also wondered how to find my sweet spot, and was going to just slowly add calories until I find the place where I stop losing and don't gain. My program doesn't address that issue until your one year checkup. Thanks for all your help along our journeys.0
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