How to Focus?

OH Juli · 09-14-2007, 08:54 AM

I’m six months out from banding.

I’ve got good restriction, I don’t want it to be any tighter but I still eat a good 1400 calories a day. Sometimes more.

I exercise, but I’ve exercised more in last few months.

I’m not cooking much and eating what I find, cans of soup and chili. Burgers with out buns; even the occasional cookie gets consumed.

I’m feeling a little tired of journaling and I’m focused on other things in my life such as my schooling, my work, my daughter’s newly developing medical needs and family. I’ve pushed a lot of this aside for months and it’s creeping back in and taking space in my otherwise focused mind.

I can exhale in a few weeks but I don’t want to get off track in that time and feel it slipping that way. So I know the goal is to dig a little deeper. Can anyone give me some encouraging words? Like tell me that it’s normal to need to regroup after so many months? Give me tips on refocusing my efforts? This is the first time in this journey that I’ve felt like I wasn’t gung-ho about the process. I’m struggling.

Thanks so much.

JulieNYC · 09-14-2007, 09:54 AM

Juli,

I was just where you are! It happened for me a little later in the journey, but it was still just as you're describing. Basically, I got to 199 and just quit trying because I was sick of tracking calories, making time to exercise, etc. I knew I wanted to lose at least 50 more lbs, but I had come such a long way and I was just tired of the diet mentality.

So, I took about 2 months off. Part of it was conscious, part of it wasn't, but for about 8 weeks, I didn't watch what I ate and I exercised some but I didn't log it or pay it much attention.

The GLORIOUS part of this is that I didn't gain weight. Pre-band, I'd have gained 40 or 50 lbs in a heartbeat just by setting down the diet reigns.

And, one day, losing weight became important to me again, so I picked back up the reigns and lost about 10 or 15 lbs before I needed another break.

I guess my point is that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It's life, not a diet. If you need a break, take one. The band will help you maintain until you're ready to make the effort again.

Stay involved in the LBT community while you're on your break though. That'll help you stay sane, in terms of overall life/food choices and might provide you with some motivation once you've had your break.

**Jack** · 09-14-2007, 10:21 AM

Sometimes I dig out my old fat shorts and compare them to my current more-svelt shorts...there is a noticeable difference from the 58s to the 42s....

And I yearn for the breakthrough to 40s .....never seen that in over 40 years...

And each day goes on....it requires less effort to focus, as good habits become easier to continue...

but I'm tired too....not as tired, not as fat....

cheers on your journey

CJQuilter · 09-14-2007, 10:48 AM

Jack - why did you hae an unfill? My first fill was 1.1....my second .7 and I have no restriction....that I can tell. I have a 10cc band. What is the difference. Why are some 4's 10's and 11's?
Carlotta

OH Juli · 09-14-2007, 11:18 AM

Julie and Jack,

Good advice from both of you.

I'll take it to heart.

J

TracyinKS · 09-14-2007, 11:34 AM

Thanks for this thread and thanks to Julie and Jack for answering!

I think we all get complacent every now and again... I think for us in the 5-6 month range its a matter of settling in for the long haul.

Cerrin · 09-14-2007, 12:59 PM

Something I am trying is getting pictures together of things I want to do and cant at my present weight. Or wont may be the case.
Like horseback riding and kayacking shopping in "normal" stores Wearing pretty shoes buying bras from a fancy store having matching bra and panties, playing on the floor with my nieces, rollerskating.
If I have a reminder of WHY I want to lose the weight I am hopping it will keep me on track.
I am actualy very proud of myself I went to the gym yesterday to work out when I would of normaly wimped out on going.
I had PMS and a quiz to take and still went to the gym. Props to me.

**Jack** · 09-14-2007, 03:46 PM

CJQ:
Bands come in different sizes and different internal volume capacities...

Although we had planned on placing a '10' my surgeon informed me postOp that my internal parts required a '4'...that the '10' would have been too loose even with a lot of fill.

I believe there is a lot more control with the larger 10s & 11s, and some of them are segmented instead of a single inflatable donut-shape. That too is intended to provide a better results for the patient.

I was unfilled a bit because I was too tight. I had daily episodes of PBs and sliming and inability to eat much hard protein without incident.

Roughly calculated, and only by example, NOT exactly such, my 1.4cc/4cc band is "equivalent" to 2.8/10cc band in theory... when at 1.7/4 that's somewhat similar to 3.4/10... and I had too much restriction. That caused problems and altered my hard protein intake, besides being somewhat uncomfortable in a unconscious sort of way.

I have trying to retrain myself to do the hard protein first...yet still I have found lagging interest in such as steak, chicken. I prefer cereal, veggies, beans, cheese, and other less-dense foods.

At times pre-unfill I could only start my day with liquid protein. Now I can usually manage my Holy Shredded Wheat after being up a few hours and having a mug or 2 of coffee.

Don't overlook experimenting with your own Band. It will teach you much. Just don't be in too big a hurry to impose old eating habits on yourself.

I have found the other side of being defilled, I have increased 'hunger' and find myself growing restive about grazing again. Bulky veggies such as my Prime Free Range Golden Zucchinni raw on the hoof, tends to manage those urges quite well, while a fresh tomato or 2 are a refreshing and healthy snack. Although, if I do eat the hard protein mid-day I have less evening hunger.

It is a fine balance we much learn.