LadyIvy

It wouldn't hurt to talk to a professional. However, you should know that when you lose massive amounts of weight at one time, hormones trapped in the adipose tissue that is dissolving randomly begin to release in your blood. This can last for the entire weight loss period but is worse in the beginning when you are losing quickly. If you find yourself not able to do or enjoy normal activity for 3 weeks or more, get some help.

Okay, thats wrong on so many levels!

I have some bad news for you. You can't target areas to lose weight. As the weight comes off, it will come off in the order it wants to. The best you can do is build muscle in those target areas so that when it does slim down, you have tone in that area. I build muscle really fast. The problem is taking off the padding so that you can see the definition. For example, I only lost a half inch in my thighs so far, (but my thighs have always been like small tree trunks. I was a gymnast, dancer and powerlifter in high school.) However, a month ago, I had a TON of cellulite and it is almost completely gone. I have found that whatever shape you started is close to what you are going to end up with when you hit "normal" weight. It has to do with activities that defined your body in the developmental stage as well as genetics. Just keep going the way you are it will all even out even if some places take a little longer.

Glad you are feeling better. We were worried about you

I have been in and out of physical therapy since November. My MRI indicates that I have bulging disks pressing on my spine as well as multiple disks that have extreme degeneration. The doc said apart from shots, massage and surgery, weight loss as well as strengthening the muscles that support my neck and spine are the only way I can get some relief. I am inclined to believe this, because this first 30lbs has shown me a WORLD of difference

Yesterday was another stern reminder that my motivation needs to stay high. I have been having a hard time figuring out what makes my body happy, but running in negative calories is surely NOT it. Every 2-3 months I have to go in for a spinal epidural because my cervical and thoracic vertebrae are so damaged from years of smoking, being overweight, gymnastics, dancing, power lifting etc. I have not treated myself well and am still fairly young and really paying for it. I sat in the office and came about as close as possible to a panic attack. It was obvious I need it or there was NO WAY someone having the emotional reaction to that I do would lay down on that table again. Sad thing is, I am great with pain. It is something about the spinal stuff that I REALLY do not react well to. I feel so much better than just two months ago. I was in so much pain the day of the surgery, lying flat to get into position really hurt on that cold table. I went from a daily pain level of 6 to a 2 or 3. Don't get me wrong, I still can't do what I used to do. Heavy lifting is pretty much out for me (I always took pride in not needing help for things). However, I am only 29 lbs down and my pain level as gone down SO much. I didn't even make another appointment. I decided if 30 lbs does this what can 45, or 60 do? I feel like such a wuss, but I just can't do this again. Every time I think about not going to the gym, or eating something that I maybe shouldn't have. I will be thinking of the multi-yearly spinal epidurals and the subsequent day of ridiculous pain, followed by a week of solid discomfort. I swear they get worse every time!

You still don't do dairy products. Eggs are a meat. Dictionary. com defines: dairy product noun milk and butter and cheese

You need to learn to prioritize yourself. This means making scheduled workout time that you treat like any other appointment. I need to do it first thing in the morning. How great for your 3 year old to get up in the morning and take a 15-20 minute walk with mom? My son LOVES our walk time and I wish I had started with him much sooner. Its time every day for the little biologist to come out in him. I have been sleeved since 4/9 and I am already hooked on my workouts. The other morning, I decided to walk instead of my dance workouts. I walked my son to school and then went an extra 2 miles before going home. Since I live in TX, if you are going to workout outside, it needs to be in the morning. Halfway home, my pandora station started playing some amazing stuff and I did the Charleston in the middle of the sidewalk and danced my way home with a smile. What a great way to start the day! All because I learned to prioritize my health. It is really hard, I am an A type personality that never gave myself time. I told myself it was because I didn't have time. People agreed with me because I have always been one of the busiest people most people know. Between grad school, being a military mom, practicing field biology, being part of the ELITE program and two years as president of the honor society I was very active and kept putting the weight on. I found that ton of extra time to eat so what if I took that time that I used in fast food lines and eating large meals and do something ELSE for myself. Even if I hadn't lost a lb yet, it has changed my life. I have a wedding this evening and leave for camping on Sunday. All I can think about is long morning walks on the beach and playing with my son. If you have problems doing it for yourself, remember how much your 3 year old would just LOVE to do this stuff with you. It will also teach her an active life so that she just grows up that way and becomes one of those that just does it every day.

You need much yummier food to make that little bit you can eat worth it. I have started baking and cooking again and make sure everything is super delicious and healthy since I can only have a couple of oz of it. Poorly made food just pi*&es me off now. I have a challenge where I find something high in protein and that I really want, and then I make it over and make it super healthy! Its fun to invent tons of new recipes (including baking 60 calorie cornbread love muffins for the occasional carb intake). I used to eat things in large quantities in the simplest way I could make them. Now nothing is simple, (but somehow ALMOST as fast) and has WAY more flavor.

So wrong, yet so yummy. I actually am going to a wedding today and have to watch out for stuff like cupcakes!! One thing I have learned though. I still think I want my sweets, but after a bite or two, I feel sick and my son gets really lucky because I just can't eat it. I can't stand regular sugar anymore. Good whipped cream used to top my list too. I would have to try the PB stuff!

Are you still in the weight loss stage or the maintenance stage? If you are in maintenance, most women don't need more than 1800 calories. Take into consideration that you were previously overweight and subtract 360 calories a day. It may be time to go back to basics and remember to take 20 minutes to eat meals, chew slowly and get lots of water. Also, log the amount of sodium you are taking in. I agree, gaining that fast might be water weight. You can use sparkpeople.com to keep track of calories, fats, proteins, sodium etc. They have a phone app in case you aren't near your computer often.

I found that after a month, keeping my caloric intake under 600 was causing BIG stalls. Everyone is different. You have to figure out what your body can handle and what it wants to keep that weight loss going. I also work out 30 minutes to an hour 5 days a week and my caloric intake was negative. I don't care what anyone says, that just is not healthy. I don't care if it takes me a bit longer than other people, you just can't deprive your body and brain of calories like that and continue to function at peak. I now aim for between 700-900 a day (which is difficult when all you eat is the healthy stuff). I usually need 2 protein drinks to do it. It takes a bit of experimentation. Also, hold a trick up your sleeve for when you have that first big stall. Extra calories, less calories, more working out, less working out, different work outs. The body is amazingly adaptable and when you hit a stall often changing something for a few days is just what you need.

Here is the great thing about this surgery, you are not saying goodbye. You are saying see you later. Yes, you might decide some of those things you don't like anymore. But how hard is it to say goodbye to something you don't like? With all of these favorites of yours, you can still get them, you just won't see them as often and will eat a LOT less of them. I found that with a lot of my favorites, I really don't like them so much anymore. However, knowing that I COULD have a little if I really really wanted to makes it much easier to let go. I have noticed that when people tell themselves they can't have something, they want it so much more. This way, I care very little! You are going to be surprised how much this surgery changes a lot of your perspective on foods you thought you could never let go of.

A journal would be helpful, but I still would ditch the juice. It is a LOT of unnecessary calories.

Every single itch, rash or pain that your excess skin causes should cause a doctors visit. If it is documented to likely cost them more in treatment over time, then to just do the surgery, almost every company will approve it. Foremost, you should be proud of yourself. No, the excess skin my not be the prettiest thing in the world, but what you are doing for your life and the rest of your body is beautiful and strong! Don't let that negative tape recorder in your head find something new to say. Keep up the great work! Congrats on breaking 300, you should celebrate!

Same here, started feeling much more normal around week 4. I didn't need the naps anymore after that.

I remember a study years ago where they found sweet and low ingested in excessive amounts caused cancer in rats. That is when they started creating stuff like splenda and truvia.

I use splenda. I get over 100 oz a day because of it. I drink decaf sweet (splenda) tea. I really can't even tell the difference anymore. We switched from sugar over a year ago and my husband instantly lost 10 lbs. We never went back. I hear a lot of good things about Truvia too.

I use a straw too. I actually drink slower with one and don't get gas issues.

Congratulations!

Many do, it depends on the length of your torso and the width of your hips. Take a look at images of women in bikinis on the net. You will see how different thin figures can be.

I was told no more than 10 lbs for at least 6 weeks. He said my abs would let me know if it was more than that.

It only takes 72 hours to clear out of your urine, but it could take a month to clear out of your blood. It depends on how long you smoked and how often.

This is exactly how I did it too.

I was told that I had to quit. I went ahead and quit as soon as I was approved. I haven't had a cigarette in 7 1/2 months. It seemed silly to me to go through a major surgery for my health and continue smoking.