Some stats:
Sleeved: 07/16/2012
SW: 296 lbs
CW 264 lbs (it's actually a bit less than this but I rounded the #
)What I've learned so far:
1) I dropped about 20 lbs within the first week after surgery and hit a discouraging stall. It happens to all of us but the body will adjust and will continue to lose steadily. Your brain will start playing tricks on you and on your motivation. Do not let it.
2) Water was still a struggle until 3 weeks in. Most people laugh at the fact that water intake is so difficult. Unless you've had this surgery, you can't imagine how basic water is a struggle to get down. But HANG IN THERE, your intake will increase AND this is will make the fat flush down WAY faster...
3) Food choices are a land mine but as you settle into this journey, you will realize that your new brain is educating itself while also fighting the old brain. I have made 95% good choices and have learned to incorporate healthy versions of foods I crave for. Severe deprivation is a trigger in itself which causes one to binge. Don't punish yourself or blame yourself. Realize, accept, forgive, and fix. You will surely have emotional and stressful triggers but you will be CONSCIOUS of them instead of just running to a pint of Ben & Jerry's. I feel PAIN when my stomach is full. I never overeat, I mostly eat proteins. I have learned how to take care of my sleeve. It will remain an ongoing process.
4) I have a love/hate relationship with exercising but will definitely amp it up, especially strength training. The thing is that you can feel so weak and depleted on 600 calories that by the time you add in a 300+ calorie burning workout, you feel like a zombie. I am registered for a 5K on 09/30 that I will surely complete EVEN IF I walk it. Setting goals and keeping them is KEY. Keep pushing yourself to places and levels you could not have ever imagined in the life you are gradually leaving behind. You'll be amazed at how progressive actions force the brain to obey. Challenge but obey.
5) Your brain (nor the mirror) will not see your weight loss. It will refuse to accept that you are indeed slimming down. Your body will feel the changes, you will feel lighter, you will feel healthier and better- but your brain will still fight you every step of the way. Your brain got you to where you are at in the first place. It is and will remain your biggest enemy. NEVER stop fighting it... It will tell you that you can't make it, that this huge amount of fat is never leaving you, that all the people who are noticing the changes are just being polite, that your clothes only fit better because you lost water weight. That these success pics you see on the forums are about OTHERS not you. You can't possibly believe you can do this and be a size 10, 8, 6 coming from a 22/24. Just tell it to SHUT THE HELL UP and keep shaping that NEW brain that will forever erase it! -- I think I'm going to invent a brain puncher!
6) You will find negative people who will try to cast their own issues upon you and try to insert their own drama in your life and journey. Go back to #5 and tell them what I told you to tell your old brain.
7) You will have that pep in your step and won't know where it's coming from. It is from within.
8) You will realize that you missed/wasted so many years and often wish that you had had this surgery earlier in life.
9) You will continuously compare your #s to others' on the forums and will get either discouraged or fueled. Do not fall for this trap. Each person has his/her own rhythm, internal and external factors, and various levels of physical activities. Learn from the posts, the vets, but mostly from yourself. You will be surprised of how much more in tune you will be with your new brain and body.
10) You will want to be skinny TOMORROW and obsess with the scale. DON'T. You did not get here overnight and neither will you leave it as such. It takes time but less time than if you had attempted to do it without this helpful tool. You have a control switch. Use it!
Count your blessings and enjoy the journey!
I'm blessed, thankful, and amazed!
