Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater

Back in June, I posted this blog about weight loss surgery and how I would love to make use of that "quick fix" if the pocket book allowed it.

A number of people commented, but the one that stuck with me the most was from a woman who had had surgery and she let me in on a little secret and I am going to let you in on what she said too, in case you didn't catch the comment.

Basically she said, all the surgery did was limit the ability to eat the things that are not good for you, like chocolate cake, but it doesn't take away the cravings you have for it.  It was hard and stressful and depressing...she felt like she lost her best friend.

It's been about 6 months since that post and you know what?  I am coping...I have managed to lose over 20 lbs in one year.  It's not a lot, nor is it as much as I was hoping, but I'm happy.  It's still going in the right direction.  This year, I hope to double it.  I really want to ramp it up this year and while I say that, I do still need to put that plan in action.  Right now I am working on the diet aspect and trying to get away from the nasty snacking habit I picked up somewhere.  My body does not need it.  I dont' like to snack between meals or in the evening.

My mind set is changing and where as before I thought weight loss surgery or any of the other programs out there were a good way to go, I now feel like they are cheating.  It can be done with hard work.  And it is HARD. 

                                                        

I am nervous and leery of any program that has you limit what you eat and then gives you supplements to make up for what's lacking. Why can't you balance that out and eat naturally?  I don't need to starve myself and I can still enjoy the foods I love.  Just not every day.  If my calorie allotment is 1500 a day and I go over, I need to work it off...simple math.  Right after Christmas, I had 2 chocolates (150 calories).  That night I got on the treadmill and walked for about 30 minutes.  When I was done, I looked and noticed I had burned about 150 calories.  I put it in perspective and said to myself (with disappointment) that my walk basically just burned off those 2 teeny tiny, itsty bitsy chocolates instead of fat. The chocolates didn't taste so good after all.  But I don't regret having them.  Better to curb that craving now then a few hours later when I would have had 4 of them.

The other thing I have come to realize is that this blog is MINE.  MY way to journal this process, MY way to express my concerns and struggles, MY way to vent my personal feelings.  I have to stop thinking that others will not like me because of what I say.  I don't say anything to make people upset and if you have or are using a method I don't agree with or want to use, it doesn't mean I don't support you in your endeavors.  It's a lifetime of wanting people to like me coming out and I have to remember....my friends are true to me and as adults we are allowed a difference of opinions.