IWTB: 9 Weeks Later

9 weeks have passed since I had lap band surgery. I've been quiet on this blog for the past few weeks because it doesn't seem like much has changed. But thinking about it, a LOT has changed from this time last year. It just goes to show that weight loss success requires mental changes as well as physical.

My current weight loss is about 28 lbs. I fluctuate between 217-220 lbs (My highest weight was 245.7 pre-surgery) and have been "stuck" here for about 6 weeks. It honestly has been one of the most frustrating things I've ever experienced. I will wholeheartedly admit that I expected this to be so much easier. I have been told time and time again from those who have been through this that it is NOT the easy way out, the band is a tool and you still have to do your part to lose the weight. I wanted them all to be wrong! 

I, like a gazillion other women in this world, wanted to lose lots of weight really quickly without much effort from me. I'm coming to the realization that it will never happen that way. If I'm going to be successful, I can't rely on anyone - or anything - except myself. Maybe that's common sense to some of you, but this chubby chick has been in deep denial for many years. It takes me a little longer to pick up on these sort of things. 

So my weight hasn't moved a whole lot, (even though almost 30 lbs in 9 weeks is pretty darn impressive) but what has changed? The way I think about food. I'm not completely reformed yet, but I find myself being more careful about what I choose to eat. I'm also eating less. Multiple servings of dinner was always a given for me. Every night I would eat until I was Thanksgiving-full. Now I have one serving and I'm good. 

Another thing that has changed? I haven't gained weight. I consider those 28 lbs gone forever. A few years ago, I worked really hard, watched what I ate, exercised regularly, and lost 17 lbs over a 4 month period. Christmas rolled around and I decided to loosen the reins a bit and gained every single pound back. Plus more. That was my rock bottom. I had worked so hard to lose that tiny amount only to gain it back in no time. I felt so helpless and hopeless. I may be frustrated with my stalled weight loss, but I am not hopeless. I know what I need to do and I will be successful this time.

This is not a sprint, it's a marathon. I'm not just losing weight, I'm developing habits that will keep that weight off. Stick around for the ride, won't you?