Feels like I'm in line for Soarin'!

[Mykelogan]

Or really any Disney attraction. What do I mean by that? I have a LONG way to go to reach a healthy weight. I mean, I have lost 200lbs already, and am still by far the fattest person I know. I could lose another 200lbs and still be chubby! So like the deceptive lines at Disney, I can feel like I have come so far and then I turn a corner and realize I have soooo much further to go. It can be pretty demoralizing. Especially when you meet new people and realize that they have no idea how far you've come. It makes me want to wear a button that has a picture of me at my heaviest with the words "This used to be me!" in big letters. You know, one of those 12" buttons that were big in the 80s.

Anyone else going through this? I suppose I am looking for commiseration and support!

 

[lisah0711]

Congratulations, Mike, on your wonderful accomplishment of losing 200 pounds! That is exciting and I'm sure you've already noticed many, many positive changes in your life and health as a result of your hard work!

I just read a bit of your WISH journal the other day because I was curious about someone who could bring jennz out of lurkdom!

Obviously you have found something that works well for you with all the success that you've enjoyed. I don't know if you've ever run across the site sparkpeople.com -- I like their emails and refer to from time to time on my own journey. Your post made me think of this one:

Enjoying the road to accomplishment

Stop living life for what's around the corner and start enjoying the walk down the street. - Grant L. Miller, motivational guru

It's possible to be a little too focused. With blinders on, it becomes easy to completely live in our vision of where we will be in the future, while ignoring the improvements that we have made in the present. The road to a healthy lifestyle is a long trip. While it's very important to realize what we are shooting for, we also need to make sure that we keep our heads in the present to enjoy the progress we've made. If your goal is to lose weight, instead of waiting to celebrate until you lose it all, enjoy today's small victories and take advantage of your improved health now. This approach serves as motivation for any aspiration in life. Set ambitious goals and enjoy the road to accomplishing those goals, because life might pass you by if you are always planning for tomorrow without ever seeing today.

I think enjoying the present is a hard thing to do and it takes some practice. Kicking yourself in the butt for past mistakes and plotting a strategy for the future doesn't leave much room for enjoying today. But truly that is all that we have.

And not worrying so much about what people think of you is also hard to do. Truth is some people may never like you or appreciate all you've accomplished for no good reason at all. Instead of worrying about them, concentrate on the people in your life who really matter and who recognize your accomplishments and hard work. I didn't figure that one out until I was in my 40's.

Yep, that ride seems a long, long ways away from where you are now -- but remember just like the next corner may bring you something fun and exciting in the queue, those days on your way to your goal can bring you joy as well.

Good luck! I know you can do it!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Mike, First off I want to say congratulations on the 200 pound weight loss!! That is a truly amazing accomplishment.
As far as the queue is concerned, don't sweat it. The best Quote I've read lately is "concentrate on how far you've come, not how far you still have to go."

I agree with Lisa, don't worry about what people think of you. They need to focus on others imperfections to not see their own.

Keep up the good work Mike!

 

[camnhan]

AMAZING

I think many of us fall into that trap..we never get to the place we see as "success"
it is funny because was 128 on my wedding day and look back at pictures of me then and think "wow my thighs are huge and I have a 3mth pooch" I would love to be back down to that weight but realize I was not happy then and probably won't be happy if I ever get back there....

we have to find a way to find happiness and peace with the little things and successes in Life...take pride and joy in all you have accomplished! Every lb, every step, every move....it is all about you and you alone...no one else.

 

[Mykelogan]

Thank you all so much. Your perspectives are very helpful. I do need to focus more on each step and less on how long the road ahead is. This is something that has never been easy for me as I am such a "big picture" person in general.

 

[PrincessRhi]

First- congrats on the loss of 200 lbs!

Your analogy made me laugh because it's all too familiar. Although if I were to go based on my own personal experience, I've waited in that long line to get to the ride and just as I'm about to hop on board the damn thing breaks down. So now the ride has opened up and I'm back in line again. It's the same darn 60 lbs that I lose, keep off for a bit, and now they're back on again. So I totally understand the need for motivation to keep going.

Have you been celebrating your losses? It's something I find helps when the road ahead seems too far and long. Usually when I hit 10 or 20 lb losses, I'll do something for myself like a trip to the spa (I know, not manly at all-- maybe a trip to a Sox game?) or something else that I normally wouldn't splurge on. Sometimes looking forward to those milestones really helps make the time pass a bit faster.

 

[lisah0711]

Hmmm, maybe consider changing your ticker. Show your whole goal and that slider will show where you actually are -- more than half way there! That is the big picture really -- you've come so far already! The hardest part is behind you. You can do it!

 

[sue and co]

Wow - you've lost 200lbs already that is awesome It is so easy to get caught up in where you are going that you don't pay attention to where you are now and you are in a great place half way to your destination. Congratulations on your success, don't lose motivation now because before you know it you will be just where you want to be.

Just keep going and know that everyone here has there own mountains to climb but we are still here to support you with yours.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Mike, Can you share some of the the things you can do now that you couldn't do 200 pounds ago? That might help shed some light on what you've been able to do.

 

[amykathleen2005]

Wow, what a huge loss! That is amazing!

 

[Mykelogan]

Your responses overwhelm me, thank you so much for your support!

PrincessRhi - I do agree with your idea of celebrating the progress so far. Something I need to think about.

lisah0711 - Good idea. I guess I have been sitting at this weight so long I felt like it had become my starting point. Best to remember how far I have come. So I made a new ticker! Thank you!

Sue - Thank you, I appreciate and agree with your perspective.

amykathleen2005 - Thank you, you're right, I sometimes lose sight of how far I have come.

BernardandMissBianca - I like your question. Here's my answer...

Things I can do now, that I could not do at 600lbs:
1. Buy clothes in a store (albeit a Big & Tall), not have to order everything online.
2. Go to the mall and walk around.
3. Go shopping.
4. Make a quick trip to a store if needed.
5. Fit in every car, and use seatbelts.
6. Fly with only one seatbelt extender.
7. Play kickball in a summer league.
8. Stand up for hours, not just 5min.
9. Take the stairs... for the most part.
10. Park anywhere when I shop, not drive around for 20min hoping for a close spot.
11. Go to someone's house without the fear of having no where to sit, or breaking their furniture.
12. Dance
13. Fit in a seat at a movie theater

How's that for a start? Puts a lot of things in perspective for me. I look forward to adding even more to that list!!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Mike that is an awesome list!!!
Now how about a list of things you want to do. I think you need some big and small goals to reach.
I know for me my goal was to run a 5K. I'm still 70lbs overweight but I did the Disney Everest 5K last year, I just focused on that vision of the medal while I was training. I wasn't the fastest runner out there, hell 1/2 the time I walked or when I was "Running" DS15 was walking next to me (he's a runner) but I was determined to get that medal and I did!!
It's not all about the destination, It's a lot about the journey and reintroducing you to yourself, to introducing the new you.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

DH just found this for me to send to you:

 

[Mykelogan]

Buffy! Thank you and your DH so much! I love that pic, it's my background now. I am going to work on a list of goals, big and small. and post them on my WISH Journal.