kmwheel

It's helped a lot with my stomach and hips, and really jump-started my weight loss. Before that, I was only walking and definitely losing, but being in the Water allows you to work more muscle groups without putting pressure on the joints. I definitely think I'm a mermaid now...I can do things in the water that I just can't do on land. My core strength is so much better now. When I first started, there was this exercise we did where we hung from the side of the pool and dead lifted our legs using our abs. I couldn't even do one...now I could do them in my sleep. I've lost 6" from my hips and even more in the upper torso. I've had 3 kids, so it's not like the pooch is going to go down that much, lol! My legs are very toned and I have muscle in place I never knew existed. I love the fact that I can now wear junior size skinny jeans and regular boots...no wide-calf necessary.

I've been doing it three days a week since October and I love it. It has really helped me firm up. If anyone's worried about wearing a swimsuit-don't! There are people of all shapes, sizes, and ages at water aerobics. I have made some really nice friends there, too! I am actually looking into joining the Y because they have more classes and I feel like I need to step it up to more than 3 days a week now.

Truly what it's all about. It's fun to be in a smaller size, but infinitely more so knowing I'll be around for my kids. I was so excited when I got of my blood pressure meds that I danced with and hugged my PCP.

In 3 months? Wow!! Look at you all belted up. Very pretty!

I will do a sip every once in a while, just a tiny sip!! I think it's more of a mental thing than anything. I used to love Diet Dr. Pepper...or even the store brands. I'm glad I don't need it anymore.

Congratulations! I just hit the "overweight" category, too. After years of being "obese", it's nice to be something else for a change.

I feel the same. I have the same shape, only smaller. The other day when I went to the bathroom at the movies, I scared myself walking into the bathroom because there was a mirror right there and I didn't know the person rushing toward me. It takes a while for our brains to catch up with our bodies. I will tell you some things that I do. I take my measurements frequently, I put on the few old clothes that I kept so I can "really see" the difference. Here are the non-scale things that make me feel so good about how far I've come: running up the stairs without losing my breath, shaving and tying my shoes with no difficulties, being able to get off all of my blood pressure meds, and finally going from morbidly obese, to obese, and finally to "just" overweight on the BMI chart.

Surgery date 9/14/2012 weight 232 As of today 1/21/2013 I'm at 173 59 lbs. lost Starting to notice a little more hair loss, but other than that, labs have been very good and I'm off all of my blood pressure meds and doing water aerobics three times a week. Hope to increase exercise as I go. Congratulations to everyone on their losses!!

I would say it's a bit less and I have problems going sometimes. I find that really staying hydrated helps. I am 4 months out. I was able to start going better when I got to the point where I could get some roughage (salad and veggies) in with my protein.

Love the pics. Congratulations!

That is so great to hear. Seems like there are so many great surgeons around GR. I was just up there in December for my mom's knee replacement surgery. She was at Butterworth, and they couldn't have taken better care of her. They live in Belding (where I grew up), but I've been in Illinois for 17 years now.

Wow, that looks pretty amazing...you can see a big difference even right after surgery. I will be anxious to hear how your are doing/feeling as you recover. Thanks for sharing the photos, too.

Your story and progress are amazing...you had me in tears. You really do have to follow your heart!

That is such an amazing progression. Thank you very much for sharing!

You look awesome...I love the scrubs, too.

Congratulations on your loss...you are like the poster child for sleeve success! Keep rocking that sleeve and good luck with the hernia surgery.

That sounds like a really good stretch, and I'm going to try it...but I have a question. Do you know a good, gentle stretch for quads and inner thighs? I somehow did a number on myself with the elliptical yesterday and two exercise videos after. I have been doing water aerobics for a few months now and never hurt myself like this, so I've decided that I'm a mermaid and will only work out in the water from now on. But I'm sitting here with a heating pad on my legs and I just want to get back to walking without looking like I'm dying.

I do the Walk the Pounds Away (Leslie Sansone) and I also got a little bike thing that goes on the floor. You can sit and pedal while you're watching tv. It might not seem like much but it does add up. Also, hand weights are pretty inexpensive, or you could just fill two water bottles or milk jugs. Think occupational therapy. Vacuuming, dusting way up high, bending down to clean up toddler mess...or just turn on your favorite music and dance with the baby...you'll both have fun!

Yes, I went from a 9 or 9.5 wide to an 8.5 medium already...and I'm not done losing. It sucks because I had a ton of really nice wide-calf boots that are not only too big in the leg, but in the feet as well. I have about 2 pair of shoes I can wear and no money.

Hope you feel better tomorrow...that anesthesia can do a real number on you!

I can really see a big difference, and it's cool that you're wearing the same or similar clothes so you can really see. I don't really have any good full body shots of me "before". How are you feeling? My surgery was 9/14, so we're only a couple weeks apart. I'm feeling pretty good. It is hard to get that protein in and remember all of the vitamins, though.

I think that's baloney, but I was afraid that was what was going to happen when they left it up to the regional contractors. My dad was asking if he'd be approved for the sleeve (he's 73), and I told him that I doubted it. It makes no sense that RNY would be approved and not the sleeve, because VSG is (I think) far less invasive. I was waiting and waiting for Medicare/Medicaid to get around to it, because I have TriCare and they usually follow Medicare's lead. I'm glad I didn't wait any longer...I ended up going self-pay. In my dad's case, I just don't think it's ever going to happen for him, and that makes me so sad.

You look gorgeous...what a loss. So happy for you! I know those feelings of being uncomfortable, too, and it such a good feeling when you get your confidence back. So glad that your boyfriend and family/friends have supported you. What a payoff!

Yes, I do, and I don't know what causes it. Maybe it's because my veins are closer to the skin now? I will admit, I'm very fair-skinned, so every little bruise shows up on me.

I got tears reading your story. You've had an amazing journey, and I'm so excited that you've resolved your health issues and gotten your confidence back. Enjoy your family and the new you!