oldiebutgoodie2

So are you used to being forever "normal"?? Or are you still in awe when you put on those size 8 (?) pants? I have gotten to a size 14 a couple of times, and 12 for a short period of time. Each of those times, I felt like I was in a dream or in a movie, and I even felt sort of like a fraud! Now that I am FINALLY going to be "normal" forever, I was wondering how long it takes to really feel for real! And yes, you so deserve to do the happy dance!! Super congrats!!

Great suggestions! I love the meatball idea-- meatballs freeze well, so I think I will make up a slew and baggie them up in 4-piece sets and throw them in my freezer to add to my rotation. Thanks for the idea!!

Wow! I'm exactly where you are regarding getting close to ONE-DER-LAND!! Just thought about that today. My weight loss is getting a little slower, so it will probably be a month before I get there, but oh well....last time I was in Onederland was about 5 years ago for a short visit. This time, I am moving there permanently, so what's one month?! Thank you everyone for sharing all your great experiences with your fills...and everything else! I am now not going to worry about my first fill one more minute! Everyone here is so wonderful, understanding, supportive, and just over-all amazing!!

I'm scheduled for my first fill in two weeks. My PA said it only hurts a little and that they use nothing to numb the area. But a friend's doctor rubs the surface first to initially sort of numb it, then does a small shot to numb the inside area before using the needle to insert the saline! So sounds like it may be pretty uncomfortable without anything. If your dr. uses nothing like mine, could you please share how it felt? Thanks.

I used to do Sparkpeople! Do you use it now? I didn't know they had recipes-- I'll check it out. Thanks!

OMG! I just noticed you are ONE pound from goal!!! Early congratulations!!! What are you going to do to Celebrate?

I love alfredo sauce and thought we'd never get to meet again! So thank you for the info that Ragu carries a lowfat alfredo!!..and 2 protein to boot! Thanks!!

I'm an oldie moldie, but I'm still planning on PS. My Mom had lost a lot of weight and ended up with a physically irrating, heavy, huge apron stomach, which the insurance wouldn't cover and she couldn't afford to have removed. So I'm saving my pennies, as I see the apron emerging. I'm starting to do arm exercises, but since they already do the super dangle, I will probably do those as well. I would really like to wear sleveless for the first time in 30 years, so PS will probably be the solution there, long scars or not! So if you can afford it, I'd say go for it! You only live once!

Love your ticker! Think I'll check it out! And congrats on your weight loss!

Thanks! And super congrats on your weight loss! You must feel like a million bucks!

Great ideas! Thank you! And SUPER congrats on your weight loss!! You are amazing! An inspiration!! Why did you go lap band instead of bypss? I had "only" 90 lbs to lose, and my dr. tried talking me into bypass, which I think is way too invasive, restrictive and unrealistic.

I bet that's the best cookbook of them all! Where can we get a copy??

wow! This has nothing to do with travel, but I just wanted to say super congrats on your weight loss! Post a recent pic! Again, great job!!

I'm starting to lose/regain/lose/regain the same one pound, even though I am eating the right amount of protein, and drinking the right amount of liquids, while still staying under 800 calories a day. Really frustrating. Last time that happened, I was staying under 500 calories a day--so I jacked it up to 800 and started losing! Weird! Maybe I should now jack it up to 900 or 1000??

Cudos for you doing this with all that road travel! I know what you mean about all the fast food being overwhelming on the road. What a good idea you have of stopping at a local market instead! At least they have healthy choices! One great fast food I discovered is Carl's Jr. turkey burger in a lettuce wrap. I get it with cheese and all the condiments. It's just like eating a cheeseburger hamburger--delicious! Rubios also has a healthy choice menu that has grilled fish tacos (the one I went to the fish was salmon!) and they sometimes also have shrimp tacos. I just eat the fish (it's a good 4 oz!), but if I want to "spend" the calories, I sometimes have the corn tortilla shell, too. Continued good luck to you. You are doing so amazing!

Another very wise Mom. My Mom used to say the very same thing all the time. And it always came true!

OMG. It makes me tired just reading all that you do! :-) I'm so jealous! Were you always this active? I just cannot get motivated to do any exercise, except lots of walking when I shop!

Great list! Even found myself chuckling in parts cause I so identified! Thanks! And super congrats on your AMAZING success! I haven't looked for it, but hope there is a section of success stories and what life is like after reaching goal==you should make an entry in that one!

Very insightful. Thank you so much. Continued good luck and good thoughts!

I weigh every day. It keeps me focused. and acts as a gentle daily reminder to file in the back of my head for the rest of the day. I found in past dieting that when I weighed daily, I did better....no kidding myself that having that piece of cake won't make that much difference....and most of the time, it is a positive reinforcer. The thing is, occasional weight gain is inevitable-- Water retention, body chemistry changes, whatever. I have had times when I am eating and taking in liquids perfectly (I keep daily track of all that), and I stay the same weight for days--then all of a sudden, I lose 2 lbs overnight! So please don't get discouraged about occasional weight gain...it's just that if it's on-going, that may take some re-evaluating. Please don't worry about the weight gain right after surgery. My doc said almost everyone does. Your body went through so much, including lots of gas, water retention, etc. You'll feel so much better about everything in a week or two. AND, if you are taking any pain meds, that means constipation! Best of luck to you! I think you will do great!

Hi, Cliff, I just noticed your sub-notes of all your dates and weights, and most importantly, your comment at the end, "this is going to be so hard!" So how has it been in retrospect? You might want to update your notes! Again, super congrats!

Today I turned 63; I woke up at exactly 6:30, got on the scale, and hit a total loss of 30 lbs! Anyone into numerology-- all those variables of 3 have got to mean something! :-) Thank you all for your shared stories about numbers! And your good wishes! I had a wonderful b'day, so the numbers thing must mean something positive! Continued success to everyone---Sid21, so much lost and only 2 lbs to go! So cool! Congrats!

Wow! You've lost over 30 lbs in about 3 weeks!! Amazing! And congrats for losing 25 lbs pre surgery! I love your story about your parents! Amazing universe, isn't it?! Keep up the great work!

This has been so fun hearing all the neat numbers stories! And how cool for you that yours is also a special bond between you and your daughter.

yes indeed! Thanks for the neat story, and good luck on the 6th (multiple of 3--my lucky numbers!).