Baby it's cold outside!

Temperature this morning when I left the house was -12.5 degrees celcius (9.5 farenheit)and it's not supposed to warm up very much. I'm much colder now with 80+ pounds less on my body but have found that after my morning workout I'm warmer for a few hours. That's good incentive to get my rear out of bed and get on with it.

I've been out to far too many lunches and dinners to count over the last couple of weeks and although I had a game plan it's been challenging sticking to it. I've had some of the best wine and food ever and although I've been eating far less than I would have during the same time last year it's more than I should be eating. I've found it far too easy to say yes to the many tempting treats and they go down so easily. I hit a new low last week (212) but am up a pound this week. I don't think I'll hit my goal of getting into the ones by Christmas but I'm going to keep working on it. I will get there, it's just a matter of time.

There has been some interesting dialogue going on in the blogosphere, much of it has not been kind to the banded. Here's the thing, we are all trying to get healthier and for most of us that involves weight loss. There are many ways to accomplish that goal and we are doing what works for us. For the majority of people who choose gastric banding it is after in-depth research and conversations with medical professionals. It is not something that is entered into lightly and it may not be the best method for everyone.

I know that after losing and gaining weight for over half my life I wanted something that would provide long term results and this is working for me. We have all been successful at losing weight, it's the keeping it off part where many of us struggle. We know the stats; it is very difficult for dieters to maintain their weight loss in the long term. Those that are able to maintain their losses are the fortunate few rather than the norm. How many of us have sworn that we would never regain after a successful diet attempt? I know that I did. The most that I lost on a diet was years ago on WW, about 55 pounds. A year later I had regained most of it, the following year I gained another 30+. I was 100% convinced when I made that vow after WW that I had this thing beat. The embarrassment of regaining plus more started the isolation. I didn't want anyone to see me and so began the self-imposed exile. I would start another diet, stick to it for a few weeks and give up. I have lost the most weight I ever have this year and I'm maintaining what I lose. This is a huge accomplishment and I know that I will reach my goal.

Long-term weight loss is hard regardless of how we do it. There is no best way and there is no prize for how quickly one loses. We need to be kind to ourselves and to each other.