SECOND SURGIVERSARY: Loving My Life. Goodbye, 100 Pounds!

[Ann2]

Thank you, everyone, for your sweet acknowledgments. I'm so grateful for everyone who's on this path in front of, beside, and behind me. There's power in community, and this community has given me so much.

It's so thrilling to look at all the tickers above -- to see how much weight has been lost and how much health has been gained. So many of you are already at or below goal and holding steady. Others are on the way down. And many of you have lost more weight than I have. I'm in such good company here.

Thank you all!

[Kindle]

Congrats Ann. You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me. And not just in the weightloss department. The strength you have to overcome so many personal tragedies motivates me to keep going when I hit an emotional wall. Your example led me to seek a good therapist to help learn how to deal with stress and grief in a constructive manner. Life is hard no matter what size we are and its so awesome that you have discovered a path to happiness through it all.

[Ann2]

Oh, man, Kindle! You made me cry!

Ditto, ditto, ditto back actcha!

We all need positive role models. And thank God no one has to be perfect to be a role model.

I don't even know what else to say except thank you for walking nearby as we go down this road.

[ITACAT465]

I agree with Kindle, I follow all your post as I know you give good advice and examples for us all who are trying to adjust and learn this new lifestyle. Have a blessed Saturday everyone
Thanks
Cathy

[jessiejess]

My my how the tables have turned. Now you're my inspiration, role model, and motivation. I am so proud of you!! You truly are a badass. Much love to you!!

[Muted_Tummy]

It IS the daily dos, isn't it? I see this so clearly already as I attempt early on in this journey to align my aspirations with my persperations. But wait, year 3 = boring year?!

Congrats to you and yours. A toast to you from one at 46 who wondered if it was "too late" and found your post.

[Ann2]

It IS the daily dos, isn't it? I see this so clearly already as I attempt early on in this journey to align my aspirations with my persperations. But wait, year 3 = boring year?!

Yeah, that comment about Year Three being the year of boring real life probaby needs a little clarification.

I came up with that term myself when I started seeing a therapist pre-op. I figured losing weight would be an exciting time (and it was!). And I figured that learning how to maintain my weight (which obviously I'd never achieved before) would hold my attention (and it has!).

But after that, I figured that what was once new and exciting might get a bit repetitive and less engaging. I figured that during Year Three I might develop WLS fatigue -- that I'd get tired of doing the same old things that had helped me lose 100 pounds and maintain 100 pounds, tired of eating slowly, tired of drinking all my water, tired of exercising -- tired of the same old, yadda yadda.

And knowing myself (and that I love a challenge and reaching tough goals) I figured that this same old, yadda yadda time would be the biggest challenge of all for me.

I recently had that validated when I watched a video by a couple of well known sleeved folks (Tanya and Phil) who are about five and four years post-op. They've been incredibly successful and built big online reputations as inspirational vloggers. Both reached their weight loss targets and maintained for several years. Now they're struggling a bit with regain and being up-front about their challenges.

Something that Tanya said in response to a question from a viewer really rung my bell:

Viewer Question: "After you hit your lowest weight and began to regain, what was that like? What did you have to adjust? What were you doing that was no longer working?"

Tanya: "Well, I always say, nothing changes. If you want your weight to stay the same, nothing changes. I know for me things changed. I had alcohol more frequently. I've done a lot of analysis about this. And it's the little things, picking on crackers. I never did that when I was in my losing phase. I think all those things add up, especially the little things when you do it on a daily basis. And even after I really reined in the drinking to once a week or maybe not even that often, the weight doesn't just drop off. It gets a lot tougher! So if you don't want any regain to happen, nothing changes from the losing stage. But realistically do we we know anyone for whom nothing changes? Yeah, no."

I can't predict what Year Three (or Year Four or Year Five) will be like for me. But my own intuition and some reports by successful sleevers who are further out than me confirm that the way to maintain my new normal weight indefinitely is by making sure that "Nothing Changes."

Boring? Maybe. But that's a price I'm currently willing to pay.



P.S. The video I watched is at

[Emmeraldas]

Ann, Your phrase the "price you are willing to pay" hit home. I have a very dear friend. He is a 1969 baby and could be my son. We have been friends since he was in college. He is a brilliant engineer and having an engineer attitude was always a bit haughty about the "price you are willing to pay" for success. Success in your education, your career, your relationships, your life.

As we all "grew up " together over the past almost 30 years.... my group of friends have, like everyone's, succeeded and not succeeded in many aspects. My husband and I succeeded in gaining a BMI of 53 each, and limited our mobility to a sedentary life of constant pain. We mutually agreed to "pay" the price of lifestyle changes to whatever it took after deciding on VSG after many failed diets. So far, in the past 5 months we are doing well. These forums have helped us over some rough spots. The support and educational materials are invaluable. However, my friend, is not succeeding.

We had a very lengthy discussion, mostly an analysis when discussing with an engineer, of the whole bariatric surgery topic. Unfortunately his is not willing to "pay the price". While this saddens me to see him at his young age increase his mortality rate, his diabetic problems, his breathing problems, and his overall heath problems, I have to respect his decision. He is well informed of the pros and cons of his decision, up to and including early death.

I am hoping to reach my 3rd year of equally "boring" success. I am willing to pay whatever price it takes to succeed in this lifestyle change. In 5 months I am beginning to reap the rewards of my investment. I can walk better. The knees will never be what they used to be but getting up and down off the floor is getting better. Stairs aren't as painful as they used to be. Sleeping is more restful when I don't have apnea. Life is better. This is a price worth paying.

Thank you for your sage advice. You are an inspiration.

[Ann2]

Emmeraldas -- woman, you totally, totally get it!

Thank you so much for the story (albeit a sad one) of your younger friend. And congratulations to you and your husband for putting your feet on the WLS path and just going forward.

I hope to hear more of y'all's story and to hear of your ongoing success. No, this isn't always easy. But it sure beats the hell out of the alternative!

Lovely to get to know you a bit better. Thank you again.

Ann

[cathbas]

Ann...you truly are our hero!! Although I jump on here from time to time..your sage wisdom has really encouraged me thru some tough times as well...thank you from all of us ..and thank you from me too!!

[Ann2]

Thank you, cathbas. I wish for us both continuing success and good health.

[bigdogluver]

Anne, I can't thank you enough for sharing your story. You are truly inspiring!

[ktal68]

Ann, your starting weight is just 5 lbs above mine. I'm 49. I hope I can be as successful as you! I haven't scheduled my surgery yet. I hope to get this all taken care of in the next few weeks. Congratulations!