lsereno

Ugh! On my way to my first Body Pump class since before I went to Japan and Christmas. Wish me luck! I'm looking forward to a good workout and planning on a nice long soak in the tub before bed tonight. Alley Oop! Lynda

OK, I'm home and I lived through it. Now we'll see how I do in tomorrow's class :-) Anyone for a rousing rendition of "Back in the Saddle Again"? Lynda

You look amazing! What a great slide show you have put together. Can't wait to see the onderland pics! Lynda

Congrats on the 3 lbs. and the running program! Lynda

Hi all, I'm still doing a little extra snacking so I'm grateful for my very small loss this week: .2 lbs. My goal for the following week is to return to my full workout schedule and cut back on the Snacks. I've got to step up weight loss to hit my goal by Valentine's Day. My Valentine's Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 144: This was my Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! 142: I've lost 80 lbs. post-op 140: Five lbs. to my final goal!!! 139: My number starts with 13. I haven't weighed this since the early-90s. 135: GOOOAAAL! Lynda Valentine's Day Goal: SW-144.2.............CW-142.6..............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: 142.8 Jan. 6: 142.6 Jan. 13: Jan. 20: Jan. 27: Feb. 3: Feb. 10: Valentine's Day:

Sorry, accidentally double-posted. See my next post for details about this week. Lynda

I'm 7.5 months out. Here's a typical day: Wake up: Soy Milk Latte Breakfast: 1/2 slice whole wheat toast, 1 C. Greek Yogurt made into smoothie with 2 strawberries, a splash of OJ, 1/2 C. Water, and 2 T Splenda Lunch: Lowfat string cheese, 2 oz. lowfat Salami, 5 whole wheat wheat thin crackers, little cutie tangerine Dinner: 3 oz. chicken, 1/4 cup potatoes, 1/3 cup vegetables After dinner snack: 1/2 apple with 2 t. Peanut Butter Lynda

I recommend bringing Protein powder and one of those shaker cups to ensure you are getting your protein in. I like the French vanilla Creme Gold Standard whey Protein from GNC. I mix it with lukewarm Decaf coffee. And I like the unjury chicken Protein Powder too. It mixes with just warm Water too. I didn't enjoy fruit at 5 weeks other than apple sauce and a bite of banana. It was too acidic for me. Have fun on the cruise! Lynda

Line up some friends that you can count on if you need a ride (or get the number of your local taxi company) and some that can pick stuff up for you at the store. I wanted a few things post surgery (second night gown, soy milk) that I didn't have at home. Lynda

Could have been just a figure of speech too, not a comment that you need to do more. Like wow, we are really getting there! We are hot mamas now - watch out world! Lynda

I had pain in areas that were not directly under the incisions. They move stuff around in there and haul you on and off the surgery table. I had a few pains that didn't entirely disappear for about 3 months. They slowly improved till after 3 months they were completely gone. Lynda

I agree with what others have said. Just want to give you a little encouragement to stick with your program and know the tool will work for you! My weight loss has been slower than a lot of people who started at a weight near mine, but I'm closing in on goal. Lynda

I got a weird dry skin rashy thing on my chest, just below my collarbone, and in a couple of places on my arms around month 4 or 5. It's gone away now. I thought maybe it's because I shrunk quickly and my skin couldn't keep up. I use a body oil instead of lotion after every few showers. I think the oil helps me skin. It sure soaks in fast! Lynda

My hair started thinning at 4 months and is still shedding faster than usual at 7 months. I have not had to change my style. As you can see in profile pic, taken Dec. 23, it still looks good. It makes a really scrawny ponytail though! Lynda

I'm very goal-oriented and I'm probably the queen of short-term mini-goals. Setting mini-goals helps me work out and avoid foods that are bad for me. And it gives me something to look forward to. I don't set a date for most mini-goals, they are steps on the way to a bigger goal. I participate in the holiday challenges posted in the General thread and those do have a date associated with them. I follow my program to reach the goal - I don't work out extra or skimp on good-for-me foods. I try to set a goal that is achievable if I work out and follow the program. Lynda

Happy New Years to you! And welcome to onderland. I love it here!!! I tried for more than 10 years to get there without the sleeve. Thank goodness for our wonderful tool. Lynda

Congrats Sharon! Can't wait to see the pic of you in one leg :-) I saved my biggest pair of jeans, but I haven't tried them on in awhile. I am down about 110 lbs.

Congrats, what a terrific way to start the New Year! How thrilling to see goal weight on the scale, and in less than 7 months! I love success stories. Pat yourself on the back for me! Lynda

I watched the clock and just drank an ounce every 15 minutes while I was awake. I only did this while I couldn't drink more than a sip without pain. After a few days, I didn't have to watch it so close to get the fluids in. Lynda

Hi all, I will update my full post later, the cut and paste isn't working for me tonight. Just a quick check in to let you know I'm at 142.8 this week. Just 7.8 lbs. to goal. So I'm down 1.4 lbs this week. Start: 144.2--Current: 142.8--Goal: 135 Lynda

I went to So Cal (400 mile one way road trip) three weeks after surgery. I packed stuff to eat in a little cooler bag. I still got tired really easy at 3 weeks and had to take a nap every day. Also, I couldn't wait till 8 p.m. for dinner, which is when my family liked to eat, so I just ate a little early. I packed Water, Protein powder, yogurt, instant decaf coffee, and lunchmeat. When we ate out, I had shrimp or crab cocktail. I had yogurt for Breakfast, lunchmeat at lunchtime, shrimp, crab, chicken, or Soup for dinner and two Protein drinks a day (one midmorning and one after dinner). Lynda

About a week for me too. I was up 13 lbs. when I came home the day after surgery. Sheesh! But now, 7 months out, I have lost about 80 lbs! Lynda

I use the unjury Protein powder. But I also use one from GNC. I use regular Vitamins. Lynda

Congrats and Happy Anniversary! You look fabulous and so happy. I know you must feel so much better without that extra 140 weighing you down. Lynda

My back fat rolls disappeared about the time I hit a normal BMI. My extra chins have been slowly dwindling, but are not completely gone. My tummy, thighs, upper arms, and torso are thin looking, but the skin is jiggly. I'm 55, so it's hard to tell what skin damage is age and what is weight loss. I still have love handles on my hips, but I had them when I was young and thin unless I stayed at the very low end of the healthy BMI range, so that's just my body type. For me, strength training exercise is key to looking more fit. I can see my muscles under my skin and they provide shape in my arms, legs, and torso. Also, I know I don't see myself as I look to others yet. I feel fatter and am constantly surprised that I fit in the small pants I wash. Lynda