Originally Posted by
Ann2
Kenson, you are always so smart and sensible. What a good point of view you have. I'm really happy you're having such good success and it's the wonderful accountability factor you needed.
For the record, I'll be five years out this coming August. You're just a little ahead of me.
You asked what I am doing these days, so here goes:
1. It will shock no one to hear I'm still planning and tracking all my food, water, exercise, etc. on My Fitness Pal.
2. I'm still doing yoga classes 2X/week.
3. Still trying for 10K steps daily (and hitting that most days).
4. Right now (springtime cleanup time) I'm working my patootie off on the farm.
5. Doing everything I can to get at least 7 hours' sleep a night. I've figured out that that good sleep is pretty much necessary for me to do the other self-care behaviors I need to do to remain healthy.
4. Drinking water -- but boy, do I struggle with this. If I drank 8 glasses of water every day I'd be so pleased with myself. Good news is I'm doing better than I used. Bad news is I seldom reach 8 glasses. Somebody come over here and spank me!
5. Take all my meds (thyroid and antacid) and vitamin/mineral/other supplements every day! Never has been a problem for me.
6. Still see my therapist once a month. I should have put this further up on the list. This really helps on life stressors, which we all have, and which are usually the source of poor self-care sneaking back in.
7. Oh, and I weigh every morning, unless I'm not at home. And I record this in My Fitness Pal, too.
8. I still eat most of my protein first during most of my meals. And I chew real good.
9. My daily veggies/fruits servings have climbed in recent years to usually at least 8/day, but lately it's been more like 10-11/day. Boy, that's not only nutritious, but very satisfying. Makes everything else I'm eating burn slower and keeps me from getting hungry.
10. If there's a meaningful celebration or a vacation where delicious foods are served, including foods and extra drinks I don't have on a regular basis, I enjoy them. And then when that's all over, I cut back for a while until my weight is back at goal or maybe even a little under. And I NEVER crash-diet, e.g., do the XYZ diet, or even keto (I like my veggies too much). Instead, I'll do things like cut out all breads, cheeses, and added sugar. That'll fix about anything for someone who needs to lose a little weight.
11. I should also add that I'm VERY MOTIVATED to remain at my 100-pound weight loss goal!
12. Finally, in addition to this group, I belong to another online group (but it's private) of a dozen people who were sleeved anywhere from 3 to 10 years ago. Some of us have met each other in real life, but most of us have not. However, we really click and have lots in common. Yes, we talk about weight, food, exercise, etc. (all the things I listed above and more). But as much or more than those topics, we share our challenges in daily life -- family illness and deaths, caregiving of others, our own ailments, work issues, new jobs, new babies and other family issues, etc. In other words, if it's a change in our lives or it's bugging us, we talk about it. And everyone is supportive of each other, no matter what approach they're taking to maintenance. Some are low carb, some are more balanced (like me), some count calories, others don't, some are serious athletes, others only walk around their living room or office. And nobody tries to make anybody else DO anything. That's up to each person. But we all show up regularly and find it to be a safe space to take the your laundry in your head and hang it out in sunshine. I suppose it's a lot like self talk, but in front of other people who understand what we're all dealing with.
That's it. I'm done.
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