chrissylu

Hi everyone! I sure do miss you all! I hate not being able to check in as often as I used to. Hope everyone is doing well. Sounds like we're each having some real challenges! Its okay though...we can do this. We just have to remember that the only thing for which food is an actual solution, is nourishment & ACTUAL hunger! With that being said, I must admit to caving in to Doritos and 3 Musketeers (chocolate nougat) Bars this week. Have only been to the gym once this week but walked at lunch two days and got on my mom's elliptical for about 10 or 15 minutes this morning. Its not much but at least I was moving. I'm kinda maintaining...back to playing around with the same two or three pounds. I guess another liquid diet fast is in order...and getting to bed earlier so I can get my butt outta bed in the mornings and go to the gym!! Hope you all have a great weekend! I think we might visit an alpaca farm on Sunday! If you've not felt anything made from alpaca "wool", you don't know what you're missing....so VERY soft and warm!! God bless! C

Trying to adjust to my new schedule. Been working out but pounds are coming off. They're not going up, but they're not coming off either. Weird. I may have to do a liquid diet to jumpstart things again. I uploaded a new pic to my gallery.

Hello Nicki, Nicole, Meredith, LadyBandito, Horsegirl and all who I may have missed! I'm sorry I've not been on all week to help support you all. I've not been this busy at work in a LONG time and it doesn't seem to be letting up.That's okay...makes the workday go by faster but it keeps me from checking in with you guys. I've skimmed back over a few posts and just wanted to comment on a few things. First...Nicole, I'm sorry I missed (somehow) you entering Onederland....I'm so excited for you! And your profile pic looks great! Nicki (t least I think it was you), I understand about the husband thing. A few years ago, when i lost weight on WW, my hubby and went through a rough period. I don't think that it was jealousy, as much as it was him having to get used to a more confident, fight-for-myself ME. This time around, he's way more supportive and appreciative...and its great. We are praying for release from that attitude and for compassion and understanding and support to take its place. Meredith...how was the seafood festival?? I would HAVE to eat something at that...love seafood. LOL. Ladybandito and Horsegirl (and everyone really)...thanks for your posts of support. Even when they are for someone else, I think they help us all. I had a rough week last week. I've been so busy, I haven't been logging food everyday. I have been back at the gym, so that's good. Weight was going up and down but good news...this morning the scale told me I'm back to 84 lbs gone! Yay! I hope I'm over that yo-yoing plateau. Well...its going to be a beautiful Sunday that the Lord has given us. I must go to choir practice now. Today is National Back to Church Sunday...so if you're not in one regularly, I invite you to seek one out in your area this morning and make a visit. I don't know what I'd have done on this journey without God guiding me...and leading me to my new WLS friends. God bless you all!

Hi everyone!! What a crazy week! With this new gig, I am busy every minute of the day, working overtime (yay) and truly exhausted at the end of the day. I haven't even had a chance to really post until now. I've had an okay week this week...I guess. I have eaten some things I shouldn't have, but I also started back to the gym yesterday and today. I blame the bad eats on TTOTM...and also because of that, I'm still hovering at 83 pounds...but I'll take it! I'm going out on a limb to say that I am green zoned at 6.6cc (i think). I cannot eat a full cup of food. If I do, I feel like my stomach is going to rip. No food in the morning...I'm doing shakes for breakfast every day and even at lunch I eat very soft food like soft cheese or a tuna salad pouch (meredith...I have to be very careful with these now. ) I'm so proud of all you and what you've accomplished. Not just the weight loss, but dealing with stress, attitudes, depression, getting back on the exercise wheel. I've been dealing with all of that too...just haven't had a chance to share. I'm keeping you all in my prayers. Much love, C

whew! What a Saturday...busy busy. Hi everyone! Well...I've decided that I am definitely at restriction. Just made taco salads for everyone for dinner. I measured out a 1/2 cup of the beef mixture. Added a tbsp of salsa, tbsp of sour cream, tbsp of sliced black olives and just a few tortilla strips. I really didn't think it added up to that much but it must've been a full cup of food. Oh my word...I am absolutely stuffed!!!! But I'm also satisfied with that. 8 months ago...I would've gone back for another cup full. Today was 1/2 price day at Goodwill, and DH and I both had OT on our paychecks this week...so we went shopping. Well, I shopped more than he did. LOL. We went to two GW stores. I came home with three kitchen towels, two toys & a t-shirt for my son, a t-shirt, golf shirt and a pair of LEVI's for the DH, a pair of slacks, 4 skirts and 6 blouses (one of which can be worn like a jacket also). I didn't spend over $45!!! But the big "WAHOO!" NSV of this day is....all of the clothes I bought were 14's!!! You have no idea how long it has been since I've worn a freakin' size 14! I still have 17 pounds to go for my primary goal. I'm now thinking to myself that I might actually see a size 12 again!

This new job has me so busy! I'm sorry for just lurking...and I'm so far behind! LOL. Melissa...welcome! Meredith...congratulations on the new job...so happy for you! I feel you on the restriction...had just a small fill last week and I believe I'm totally at restriction. Haven't tried my beloved tuna salad in a few days. lol. Nicki...make that new gig work for you! Good for you to use your break to excercise. Nicole...i'm glad you posted too. Please don't ever feel like you are alone in this or that anyone is going to judge you for how you feel, or for making a possible mis-step. You have a brand new day...heck..a brand new minute...to start over. Its good to know though that food doesn't make you feel the way it used to. That is a great accomplishment. I'm sure I've missed something but I have been reading posts. One day at a time, ladies...one pound at a time. Love to you all!

Thanks Nicki! Yeah...it will be good. Its just a really busy time right now. I've not been able to exercise, but thanks to my slight fill on Monday and 2 days of liquids, I finally hit the 80lb mark! yay! However, I was only able to eat about a 1/4 cup of my fave tuna salad. I'm PRAYING that I'm retaining water or something that is tightening my band...and that the tuna salad thing will not be forever. Its my fall-back food! So, instead i'm eating some cheese and will have another protein shake later. Hopefully that will keep me from diving into the cake they're bringing for the girl who I am replacing. wish me luck!

oh lookie...I made a long post too! LOL.

Oh my goodness peeps! It has been a crazy few days! I unexpectedly started a new job Fridaybut I couldn't say anything until now. I am with the same company (t.v. station) and I swtiched from being the local sales coordinator to the national sales coordinator. The previous national person resigned and I was asked...well was basically moved as I didn't have much choice in the matter...into that position. It is crazy busy and I have a lot of "straightening out" of things. Thank God I was on liquids today because I didn't have time to eat! LOL. Doctor appointment was fine. I'm holding at 78lbs! I expect (hope anyway) to break out of that while I'm on liquids/mushies. He did just a tiny fill because I have been able to eat a full cup of food. I'm at 6.3cc in a 10cc band. I also haven't done well at logging my food the past few days. I'm trying to regain that control. Schedule has been so nuts, I haven't been able to exercise and I feel it. I hate that its dark again so early in the morning. I enjoy walking my neighborhood while its quiet. Meredith...good luck on the job interview...I'll say a prayer for you. JDI...congrats on the new gig, if I haven't said so already. And work that stress out! But...as long as you're not stress eating...then you're ahead of the game anyway. Horsegirl...hang in there and take it one day at a time. You're doing great! I know I've missed something or someone, so I apologize. Wanted to check in before I iron for tomorrow. "from morning til the setting sun, a woman's work is never done. "

hey everyone...its been a busy weekend so I'm just now checking in. I've got a check-up tomorrow and I hope the scale is good to me. I haven't been so good on eating the right things this weekend...and I'm quite ashamed of myself. oh well....tomorrow is another day to start over!!

Meredith and Nicki: Congrats on some great interviews and to the new job for Nicki (and I'm putting it out there in the universe for Meredith too!). A little confidence can go a LONG way! Kymie: I'm on a plateau as well...haven't been exercising like I used to. I do have a free week's trial at the fitness center that is located in the same building as my doctor's office, so I'm looking forward to trying that out. Like Meredith, I'm just glad I haven't gained more and I keep reminding myself how far I've come in such a short time. I'm so thankful for the friendships and encouragement we have for each other on this board!! NJ2NC: have a safe and fun trip. You will do fine with the MIL's meals! And congrats on Onederland!! yay! I have a check-up on Monday, so we'll see how that goes. Here's an NSV for you....I actually had someone tell me this morning that I looked like I didn't need to lose anymore weight! Wow! wonder what she's gonna think when I hit that primary goal of 100 pounds gone?? LOL. Everyone have a blessed day!!

Thanks Nicki...I think its just my body adjusting too. Of course, there might be a lot of fiber in all that dang popcorn I've been eating! LOL!! But I'm counting it so at least there's that! Kymie...I'm trying to psych myself back up to exercise as well...especially now that school is back in session. Hoping to start my gym membership back up in a couple of weeks...that way I can exercise in the morning while its still dark out. I'm not really comfortable walking my neighborhood in the dark and I don't have a treadmill. Maybe I can get into a groove of walking or biking in the evenings when I get home from work. I did, today, bring a change of clothes to work and I'm going to FORCE myself to walk for at least half of my lunch break. The great thing about working in downtown Nashville is that there are good slopes AND level places to walk...a good variety of a work-out...and lots of people watching too!

Meredith...Good Luck on the job interview!!! btw...I have discovered too many favorites that are not causing problems: potato chips, POPCORN, and mounds bars. on the flip side, I've started having trouble with rotisserie chicken and deli ham and turkey. Those WERE my go-to foods. If I'm not careful, I can get stuck on my fave...tuna salad. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't eat tuna salad. LOL. I might have to start living on protein shakes. Okay...on a rather gross note....I have a question. I know that early on in this thread, we discussed having irregular BM's. Before surgery...BM's were regular, every day. After surgery, it became more like 2, 3, or 4 days. It became common for me to have to have a laxative at least once a week. However, over the past few days, I'm almost back to my pre-WLS schedule. Anyone else experiencing this? Could it be a sign something is wrong...or just my body finally adjusting to the new way of life?? I have not really changed anything as far as my eating habits go and have not added fiber to my diet. The only difference is that I have not had my multi-vitamin in over a week ( I keep forgetting). I've missed the MV before and not had this happen. Thoughts??

Oh my! I'm so far behind! LOL. Welcome back Dee! Welcome back from vacation everyone. I was on vacay last Thursday through the weekend...and just haven't had a chance to post. I'm off work today for the kiddo's first day of seventh grade...so I had a few minutes before he gets home. I did okay during the vacay. didn't really gain except for a bit of water weight. At the theme park on Thursday, I had a double serving protein shake on the drive from Nashville to Santa Claus, IN. We got into the park and I did not eat again until about 530!!! Didn't even think about food. However, they have free drink stations throughout the park so I did drink a lot pre-sweetened tea and lemonade. LOL. It seems like everyone has either done okay or rebounded from vacations/summer break. Time to knuckle down and get back on track for me. Gotta get back to an exercise routine besides just walking. These abs and thighs are NOT going to tone themselves. lol. I have a check up on Monday. Don't know if he will do a fill. I feel like my band is fairly tight most of the day. I just have to do better about what I'm putting into my body. (i just ate miniature mounds candy bar!) Hope you all are doing better than I am. Oh...I DO have an NSV. I'm officially into size 16 (not 16W), down from almost a size 26! And...the 16's are loose in the waist and hopefully will be loose enough to go to a 14 soon. Have a great day!

Hi Jessica! You should be able to find a wealth of information here and lots of people willing to share their experience. Good luck to you and God bless on this journey!

Wow...that's cool! Congrats on your surgery! Just be aware that, though you may be feeling better after a week...and able to get more down at a time, you will not be healed completely. Your abdominal muscles have been cut and it will take a while...so be careful with rigorous exercise and no heavy lifting. As for the hydration, gulping is not a good idea, though by that time, you should be able to drink a little more freely. Be careful and God bless!

Rhodes...congrats on how you handled it. Definitely prove them wrong...and you are so right...God's got this! Slojo67...I can't believe someone said that to you. Congrats to you on your response as well! God bless you both!

What Donna said. No carbonated drinks. I love love love Pepsi...but haven't had any since January 10, 2012. I mix sugar free hawaiian punch flavors with my water to get that "something sweet to drink". I also drink tea sweetened with Splenda. Your doctor should give you some dietary guidelines, especially for the first few weeks after surgery. For most people, bread and pastas are no-nos. A lot of it will be learning as you go along. For instance, I'm about 6 1/2 months out from my surgery...and just about a month ago, discovered I can no longer eat watermelon. So just be patient, follow your doctor's orders, talk to the nutritionist, and seek help on this board. There are a lot of great people on here willing to pass along what they've learned. God bless!

Those are my comments in blue on the quote of Nicole1's post.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Trying to psych myself up for a one-day trip to Holiday World on Thursday!

Hi everyone! I haven't posted much this week, but I've been reading everyone's posts. In regard to the plateaus...I must say...I've had several...and its easy to let it get you down. I'm on a mini-plateau right now. But I have to remind myself (just about every day) how far I've come in such a short amount of time. Last week a found a picture of me from last November. I had just completed walking my first 5k. That was a victorious day for me because I DID IT! And I weighed about 265 at the time. That's a big deal! Now...8 months (ish) later, I've looked at that photo and had a "AHA" moment. I realized that the person in that picture is not who I am anymore...at least not on the outside. I finally am starting to see myself as thin(ner). I'm not completely the same person on the inside either, as I've learned so much about myself (and even other people) in these past six months. I also realized that the photo is significant for another reason. Completing the 5k that day was the moment I truly decided to change me. The next day, I started exploring my options for WLS. So while we're on these plateaus, lets not look at them as "problems". Let's use them as time to reflect on how far we've come and to see how far we are going to go. I truly love each one of you and am so proud of what we are doing! Have a blessed day everyone!