coops

HEY.... goal in five months... how good is that... congratulations, you have done a fantastic job! Stories like this always cheer me up, especially when I am struggling along, as I am at the moment, so this was timed perfectly!! Tell me... what is the best thing about being at goal... give me something to aim for and to dream about xx

Hello all, Just thought I would have a little vent... I am recovering over an episode of pneumonia... I feel much better than I did a week ago and most of the symptoms have gone; just really tired now! My Dr told me no exercise for at least 4 weeks, so I have no way of getting rid of any frustrations... Anyway, due to the pneumonia - literally scaring the crap out of me - I have given up the ciggies... I was going to do this in the new year, but after being sooooo poorly I am doing it now! So, what is my point... My head is in the shed... my eating habits, due to being off work, have gone a littel squiff... ie I am eating more carbs than before and eating at irregular times and some days more than three times a day! Then in the evening, and evening only, I have massive cravings for a smoke... now I haven't given in to this, and I haven't eaten something to replace the ciggies... YET!! I just feel all over the place if that makes sense... I am worried that my weight loss will slow down again and I really don't want it to as I was doing soooo well!! *sighs* I suppose boredom is also a problem, but I am trying to fill my time, but I have to be honest, it is difficult when I am either thinking about food or about having a ciggie... neither of which I can do now, like I used to.... Thanks for reading, and sorry for the rant!! I am sure I will be better soon enough...lol

Well Done... I bet you are walking on water... I know I would be... keep up the good work xx

Ok... I need HELP!! In the three weeks that I haven't smoked I have gained 4lb... yes GAINED 4lb and that has really been in the last week!!! I have not 'binged' or replaced food for ciggies...and I couldn't over eat even if I wanted to! Granted I haven't done much exercise but the DR said I should wait for 4-6 weeks after pneumonia to exercise again... I have been walking... but nothing like I was doing! I am soooooo worried that this weight gain is connected to the no smoking... I am in a quandry!!! I really can't afford to put weight back on... especially as I am such a slow loser anyway!! Words of wisdom from my VSG friends is seriously needed here....please

Pauline... 3 mths = 3 1/2 stone (49lb) ... that is amazing... hunger or not!!! well done and congrats!|!! with the hunger thing... is it physical or head hunger... is it acid? will a glass of Water help get rid of it? On my programme I am only allowed to eat three times a day... so if I get hungry between meals I have a drink of water or a cup of tea... dunno, it might work for you... it does for me! Let us know what happens x

Hey Ange... yea I defo think we meed to meet up to thank him personally!! Just imagine at the concert we will both be getting jiggy with it... I am going to do a mood board type thing to take to the gym with me, in it will be my ticket along with a picture to help with 'the power of the Willimas' lol, and all the things that I want to do and things I want to wear when I am at target. So, I will put a pair of size 10 (UK) Bench jeans, a bikini, a squash racket and so on! Fingers crossed that by then it will become reality! xx

Bonbon, this is not stupid at all... and it touched me to be honest. Firstly, congratulations on your excellent weight loss since Aug, that must make you feel better both phsycially and emotionally! Keep it up! I completely understand where you are coming from with your weight and the opposite sex. My position is slightly different though. I was never obese when I was single, overweight but I 'carried it well' and I was still active and fit. My real weight problem has been since I have been married and I have often wondered why my husband stayed with me when I was so big and unhappy. Truth is we can't stop other people having feelings for us or being attracted to us, regardless of what we think of ourselves and what our demons are doing to our self confidence. I agree with Tiff, there has probably been fellas who have showed you 'romantic' interest, but you have probably rebuffed them not realising it! Use this weight loss journey to re-evaluate who you are... think about how you deserve to be fit and healthy, and yes that includes being attractive to others....AND YOURSELF!!!! Remember, you deserve to be happy too...

Erm, would he do the cooking??? Problem solved??? Don't shout at me... just a thought!! x

You two are looking fab... well done and lets hope it long continues... I love the fact that you are doing it together... you have such a brilliant support system in each other!!

This is very interesting... the passion from all the responses is amazing and it just shows how wrong her comments actually are. It is because of people like her that I have such low self esteem when it comes to my body image ... people who stare, laugh, be rude about my size... hey, we all know what I am saying here!! A far as her own demons go, this is not a good enough excuse, it doesn't wash with me!! This lady is apparently a professional writer and with that comes responsibility, she should keep her personal opinions to herself!

Hey, Hahahaaa... Tiff, that made me giggle... love it!! I too have saved two pairs of trousers ... one pair of 3/4 jeans that used to be snug and a pair of black linen work trousers... had to save these two items!! I too am a visual person and it does help me get through the harder times!

Ok, I really need some advise here... My surgeon has never mentioned Protein bars and drinks... he did say to eat protein first and ensure that my diet is rich in protein, which is mostly is (by that I mean over the last two weeks, when I have been really poorly I have waivered a little but otherwise it is protein first all the way). Now, although my weight loss is ok, it seems to be a lot slower that others and there are regular periods of my weight staying the same... so... my question is; do I invest in some Protein Drinks and include them in my daily calorie intake, or should I just keep plodding along? Oh by the way, I am in the UK so if anyone can recommend a Protein Drink that I can buy here... if you think it would be worth me trying them out??? Cheers Coops x

Cheers Tiff... yea, that makes sense. I have increased my water today, and will continue to do so as I have slacked off a little lately, but I haven't been well so I suppose I need to get focused and stop moaning...lol

Hey Jordien, thanks for your help! Yea, I use myfatsecret to monitor what I eat and my Protein is normally 60g or above... I was just wondering if using Protein shakes and bars as a Meal Replacement would speed up my weight loss and perhaps stop these stalls that I get... I dunno... suppose I am just feeling a little down!! I have given up the smokes too and I am soooo worried that this will affect my weight loss, last week I stayed the same and this week - mid week weigh in and therefore unofficial - I have gained 2lb... this is the first time I have gained and I am really worried!!!!!

What a result... back of the net or what... well done and congratulations on your remarkable achievement!!!

Perhaps, just perhaps, we should all just concentrate on the liquid stage of this ... especially around christmas time and liquid taking the form of alchol... with or without sugar..lol... I think for me it is going to be getting in to a routine, especially when I am not in work... luckily we don't over by on the sweets and treats at christmas... I too will be looking for any words of wisdom!! x

Good thread... this has been on my mind too... not really sure how to handle it at the moment!! I will have to be really aware of food this year around christmas and new year... ideas and plans would be good... x

two weeks today, two weeks today.... I ain't had a ciggie for two weeks yey!! I did however, have a mini splurge last night ... I haven't eaten choc since my op but last night I had choc, crisps and biscuits... as a Meal Replacement...lol... I haven't lost any weight this week, infact I have put a pound on so the splurge was a kick back at that and no ciggies... Gotta draw a line under it and move on now!!! I hope this isn't another bloody stall though, 'cos that would drive me nuts at this point!!!

I was made fun of when I was young... being a fatish child... it hurt so much!! I suppose I still carry a little of it around with me today, which is why I can't and won't tolerate stupid jokes like this...

It's not big and it's not clever... the lad isn't even fat... !!

Thanks Emerald... I have sorta started this when I am in the gym on the running machine... when I am brave enough I will hit the streets... not sure if my village is ready for me yet though...lol... at least I know that I am going in the right direction!! Good luck for your half marathon x