sarsar

LV...It's a strange feeling when you realize you can eat with those around you and it doesn't feel weird anymore. You are normal! It's a new normal for you. You can't compare yourself to everyone else. Enjoy the fact that you can go out and have a meal, even eat a whole cupcake and you don't have to feel guilty about it. That's what normal people do!! Now, the problem comes in if we go back to our old habits and start doing this all the time. Learning to be able to enjoy these things without the guilt or worry is probably where we are all striving to be. We can get there...one day at a time. OD...sending you another hug your way. Hang in there. Are you going to make it to the gym today? It'll help you feel better, and who knows, you might even meet a hot guy at the gym! Brown...how are you doing today? Just checking in on you! I had a good weekend. Eating was good, I was happy about that because that was my goal for the weekend. My cold is just about gone and I am feeling normal again. My appetite was low this weekend. I also had some cake but it was cheesecake. We had a birthday party last night and celebrated 3 birthdays in the family from the last few months, mine included. My mom made my favorite cheesecake. It was so good, I had a few bites and enjoyed every bite! I have another piece in the fridge to eat this week sometime, we'll see, the kids may get to it first. Fast day for me today. It's funny how extra delicious my protein drink tastes on fast days. Have a great Monday Ladies!

OD, sorry about the loneliness and pain that you are feeling. I look at you as a strong woman for doing what you did. You knew he was not making you happy and you decided to make a change even though you knew it would hurt. Hugs to you! Do you have Pinterest? There are so many cute ideas on there for parties. It is addicting...

Love it, Butter!

Looks great! Two questions for you... 1. Does the incision itch a lot? 2. Did you put another roll of toilet paper on the toilet paper holder thingy?

Glad you got a time frame. How about making your surgery the beginning of February, then you don't have to worry about her at all.

Brown, I love what MG2 had to say. We are in this for the long haul. We can't have the mindset of this isn't working after a few weeks so I'll just give up and try something else (I'm not saying you are doing this). This weight thing is going to be something we have to deal with forever. Hang in there. Give it more time. Maybe try to add more exercise? I know it's a struggle, you will get there! I can see doing 5:2 forever. I really like it. I enjoy my fast days and I know it sounds weird, but they help me feel like I'm in control. I have read others say that the key is to stick to it on feast days and I have to agree with this. MG2, sorry about the snow. I guess you are used to it. I know it's coming for us soon and I am trying think positive through this winter so it doesn't get me down. Swizzly, I totally understand the large bounce. I bounce up and down 5 pounds all the time. I don't get why it's such a high amount. This is one reason why I don't weigh every day. I know most people do but for me it's just too stressful to weigh every day. I usually weigh once a week. If I "feel" lighter one day I will weigh in and see where I'm at. Jane, hang in there. I am sure recovery isn't bringing out the best in you but it's all worth it. Soon you will be feeling better! Yesterday was a fast day for me. I came in at just under 500. My goal is to have a good weekend with eating since last weekend wasn't very good. I have a terrible cold and allergies going on right now so I am hoping to start feeling better this weekend. My husband looked at me today and said, "You don't feel good do you? You don't look right!". I had to laugh at that, He was trying to tell me I looked terrible in a nice way. lol I just took some cold medicine and I have nothing to do today so I am going to take a nap. Happy Friday, everyone. Hope you all have a great day!

Lemons have lots of vitamin C. You could make your own lemonade and drink lots of it.

I love this post! I am cracking up picturing you hanging there, lol! Good for you...congratulations!

I am curious to know what symptoms you had if you don't mind sharing.

Georgia, good article. I hate BMI! I think it's the devil, glad people are looking into this. My mom is overweight and diabetic. I wish she would get this surgery. I know it would help her so much but she's scared.

Hahaha...that cracked me up. I would have thought the same thing. Congrats on the loss M2G! I love hearing about how well this works for everyone! Cheri, thanks for the welcome! Everyone...I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the support this group gives daily. I know I'm new to the group but getting on here every day and seeing how you all stick together is so helpful. Thanks to all of you! Hope everyone has a great day!

I didn't take this post from the op as saying her sister was running her life or imposing on her. I took it as her sister trying to surprise her as a fun thing. Her sister doesn't have any idea that she is having surgery so I would assume she is just trying to have some fun in surprising her. I could see my sister doing the same thing and she wouldn't mean anything bad by it. Op, do you have any idea the time frame your sister might be here? Within the next month or two months? You could schedule your surgery a little farther out if you have some sort of time frame. If you are set on having the surgery as soon as possible you will probably have to tell her you have a prior commitment and need her to tell you the date.

I'm sorry for your loss, Frank. We are here for you when you need us. Hugs to you.

So exciting to have a flat tummy! Can't wait to see pictures!

Glad all is well! Sorry about fainting. Keep us updated.

It's a rainy day here, too. Glad its rain instead of snow! Not looking forward to the snow. Fast day went great yesterday. I ended with 550 calories.

Thinking of you today. You will do great!

I confess, I had a bad weekend, too. I didn't eat a lot of food but what I did eat was not good. My PMS this month is terrible. I was in bed a lot of the weekend crying and feeling sorry for myself. Since I had surgery my PMS is off the charts bad. I'm not sure if it was the surgery, the weight loss or turning 40 or all of the above. Does anyone else have this issue? I'm also struggling because I have a hip injury and a pulled calf muscle that has hindered my exercise and it's driving me crazy not being able to get out there and exercise like I normally do. Today is a fast day. I can do this. GT, I like to hold off my eating on my fast days until later in the afternoon because I would rather eat in the evenings. I love to have popcorn before bed so I make sure to figure that into my calories for the day.

Butter, you look awesome! I really hope the next pic you post is not of you just wearing a tie! Every time I read about the cat biting the drain tube I think of a kid saying the dog ate his homework.

The joys of getting old! Laura, give these a try... http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/390107606556?lpid=82 I don't know how to post the actual pic, only the link.

Today is my fast day. I'm fasting on Monday and Thursdays. I like to hold off as long as possible because I would rather eat in the evening than in the mornings. I had a string cheese around 2 and I'm getting ready to have my protein drink now. I start having cravings a week before I get my period and all I want are donuts!

Thanks for the bump, Laura. I just went through and read everyone's introductions. Hi everyone. I'm excited to join all of you! I started 5:2 3 weeks ago and so far I really like it. I'll tell you a little about myself. My name is Sarah. I actually grew up thin although I did have issues with anorexia in my teens/early twenties. I didn't become obese until after I got married. In the first year we were married I gained over 80 pounds. Not sure why, he's a great guy, we are still married so it had nothing to do with being in a bad relationship. I did find out years later that I had thyroid issues so maybe that's when those problems began. Through the years I continued to gain weight. I didn't gain much when I had my kids because I was so sick that I actually lost weight. I hated being fat, it made me depressed. It was really hard for me because I was had never been fat before so I knew what it was like to be skinny and I wanted to be back there so bad. (No, I was not healthy when I was skinny and I know that now.) I'm not sure when I started looking into WLS. Many, many years ago my dad had his stomach stapled, back when it first came out. He has had a lot of issues with that surgery. All of my side of the family has weight problems. Anyway, I had looked into surgery but my insurance didn't cover it. Years later, after dieting and only losing 20 or 30 pounds and then gaining it all back plus more, my husband's insurance changed and I decided to look into surgery again. This time insurance covered it.(I ended up having surgery in Mexico but that's another story.) I had spent the last few years before this working out, dealing with my emotional issues and learning to eat healthy so I felt that I had given it my all when I decided to have surgery and for me this was the last resort. I wanted to be healthy. I wanted what I felt on the inside to show on the outside. I wanted to be me again. Almost 2.5 years ago I had surgery. I lost about 110 pounds within 1.5 years and then my body stopped losing. I was very comfortable where I was at and was happy and content. A never had a goal weight, I just figured when I was comfortable that is where I would stop. A few months ago I started looking at myself and wondering if could lose more. I looked deep inside and realized that I am still holding on to some of this weight because of some emotional issues. The same issues that I became obese in the first place. I have finally decided that I am going to finish what I started and shed all of this weight and not cover up anymore! I have been reading about all the success with 5:2 and decided to give it a try. So far I really like it. I'm not sure how much more I want to lose. At least 10 pounds...maybe more. I'll see where this leads!

Wow! You both look great! Have you saved a lot on your food budget?

4 miles yesterday. 8 miles total.

Yes, most of the time I wear Assets. They are a form of Spanx. I ALWAYS exercise with it on and I always wear one when I am out. At home I sometimes wear it. The ones I have are light so they aren't too bad to wear during exercise but I cannot wait until the day I have plastics and don't have to wear them anymore!