CowgirlJane

Well, I am hovering mid 150s, so finally have a bit of bounce range to stay under goal. I am working to build muscle too so am noticing clothes fit better. I never grew out of my clothes, but there was some snugness. Yeah! I read someone talking about how you can still have alot of visceral fat which is interesting to me.

Have you ruled out physical reasons? If my tummy is acidy I want to graze. Are you drinking and eating per your surgeon's schedule?

Congratulations!!! You have done so well...really inspiring!

Well it is hard to find people who want to do this stuff at age 50. Frankly, especially men people. I have several middle aged gal pals finally free of mom duty etc that wanna take on the world whilst their hubbies make a dent in the lazy boy. What I have done is find activity partners through meetup groups. Also have just adequate new friends last few years

All these photos were taken WITHOUT shapewear. After geting to goal, I was able to look pretty good with clever disguising of clothing and shapewear, but I chose photo #2 to show what I really looked like...extra skin showed even with clothes. My sleeve surgery was Dec 2011 - photo #1 is right before I got to goal of 158 in Feb 2013 - photo #2 is about 6 months later I had plastics in Oct 2013 (Dr Sauceda in Mexico - lower body lift, arm lift, breast lift and augmentation and SMALL thigh lift). - Photos 2 show pre plastics. Photos 3 and 4 were both post plastics and you can see that losing a few pounds made very little difference, it was the getting rid of the skin!

Congratulations! You have done great and I too believe in staying linked to support system' I hit 3 years in December and marked the occasion with a visit to a NUT for a little tune up! Best advice my surgeon gave me at my 1 year follow up....year 2 is nearly as important as year one, don't go back to old choices. Then on my 2 year follow up...guess what...year 3 is just as important..... I see a theme here...

Be careful not to compare yourself to others...different body types etc. I weigh heavier on the scale than people think I am based on looks/size. I am your height, my goal is 158. I got as low as 140 but I weigh about 155 right now and looking and feeling great.

Thank you for posting! I think another take away is even if your BMI is over 25...an active lifestyle is so important! I love being trim...many reasons...but after a lifetime of obesity the thing I value the most is good enough health and fitness to be able to live this way. Its GREAT to be able to have the energy and ability to DO. Way more important than number on the scale.

My bust is low too...but it's my anatomy. I have broad shoulders, big ribcage, surgeon's call it athletic build. I think it is like styling my curly hair...its best to go with what "fits" even if it's not there " ideal" (no flat iron touches my hair). My breasts look and feel natural so super pleased!

Sarah don't feel obligated to "catch up" - for me just having you here now is what matters. Went to a salsa club last night. Me and my gfriend were the only white people. She wanted to leave but they were cool people and thanks to my outgoing personality people were eventually friendly and even the ladies spoke to me in English. I got salsa lessons. I don't know the steps but I can follow! It was the funnest Valentine's day EVER and this is our new favorite place!

Denise, sending healing vibes!!! I am tired...worked out...rode...did chores.now going dancing. Fun day!

Buy eco drink vitamins there too. Just cannot do the pills and it is better than gummies.

Riding today too!

Haha..i get it! That would be huge....i love my horsey time!

More ideas..produce: campari tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes! Box of blueberries is a great snack Bag of cut up raw cauliflower or brocoli Lettuce I(romaine, spinach ) Premier Protein goes on sale for 5off a few times a year. I also buy many household items like paper towels, TP (I have storage space),dog food, kitty litter.

Kim, I must have been hallucinating whenever I typed about big life changes. Actually pretty stable but I am starting dating again and planning a trip to Costa Rica with a galpal. I am replacing my kitchen floor. And the scale is ever so slowly inching the right direction. More importantly I feel good and I feel like I look good. I have lots of good stuff going on but not sure any of them qualify as major life changes. Tomorrow night 3 of us girls are having an anti VDay night out...going dancing which I haven't been doing enough. That is after more riding! I am so looking forward to it!

Thank you Coops! Last night I had baby tacos from a taco truck - heavenly. I didn't eat the double baby tortillas and they were great without. I am so glad we did that - I got to pick where everything from a nice dinner at a great restaurant to a taco truck - it is funny that I should ever say I don't really want to be wined and dined. I just love eating small and flavorful! It was actually satiating too! Beef and cilantro with a great red sauce basically. I am off horseback riding...yahoo... have a great Friday everyone!

Ann - I think we need to have dinner together. ..that sounds heavenly whilst fitting my plan. Should it fall on a Fri or Sat night. .a glass of red would go well.

You know #catherincaddle I have the same fears. What if there is some horrible unknown about the sleeve? Difference is I have had years of delight, pleasure, gratitude at not.being food driven and obese with the sleeve. I want to LIVE but honestly I wasn't doing that before so I rolled the dice and so far no regrets at all. 3 years post op. 2 years at goal. Half my former weight. Keeping fingers crossed and working that sleeve! !

Threads like this make me wish we lived nearby. I have a sewing machine, I have a theoretical desire to use it even... I just need inspiration. My mother made our clothes but at some point realized that it was cheaper to buy premade. I just have a sense of style. .. and love clothes that fit.just.right. This is something I didn't appreciate when I was obese but now 5# makes a difference in fit. I Celebrate this...

LL... Can always count on you to keep it real. In all seriousness. .. I took this WLS crap serious like a heart attack. I realize this doesn't sound supportive but sometimes when I hear people...I cannot help but think. ..what did you expect? Removing the better part of your stomach, a life giving organ would be an effing cakewalk? It is still easier than my sad state at 300# but come on peeps... SUCK IT UP!

My catagory depends on the day. I think I am your basic hedonist who keeps a lid on it more often than not...

There has been a big increase in magazine articles. So far I have related to a few but not most. I wish they didn't show up as "new posts in forums" but stayed in the magazine section.

The instructions sheet they gave you is the same whether your start is 191 or 391. I agree that warm pool walking or something similair is the very best for someone with your health condition. My local YMCA has an amazing Water program for seniors and disabled AND they have low income programs for reduced (possibly even free) membership. It is worth a few phone calls. I started out well over 300# and it hurt like the dickens to do anything too. I started out with water aerobics and did that until I got under maybe 250#. Even at that weight, I was still big - fitting in some of the weight machines was tight etc. The point in my mind is to find physical activity that not just helps you lose weight, but improve your overall health. I found water aerobics to be a good "on ramp".. and have I built from there. I am now 3 years post op, at goal and pretty active.

Did you notice any improvements with adding the granola?