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Time. Seriously. 7 months of rapid weight loss, your skin needs time to catch up. I have loose skin but saw a noticeable improvement between year 1 and year 2. I also work out regularly and hit my water goals.

I barfed the first time after taking a Vitamin (thought I was having a heart attack!). I learned that I needed to take with food and space out my dosing. Experiment. You may need a different brand or form (liquid versus chewable, etc).

PS- Ann Taylor sells Tall inseam pants online but go into the store to find your cut (though it sounds like you would wear a Kate style pant). [emoji158]

I think I may have invented Girl-Fu, having worn makeup since 3rd grade (it was play makeup but that didn't stop me from wearing it to school). Later I worked for Lancôme and another cosmetic company as well as at clothing stores. I agree with some of the advice given already. For makeup, I wholeheartedly recommend going to a MAC or Smashbox counter and having your makeup done. Make an appointment; you can go more than once to try different looks. The makeup application is free though the expectation is that you buy at least one item (lipstick is cheap and it's impossible to not find at least one shade that you like ). The point is that both of these companies are branded on being makeup artist based. They teach their staff the latest in make application and are more than willing to teach customers how to replicate the looks (since they want to you to buy it all). Unless it has changed in recent years, MAC does not pay commission, they pay higher than average salaries and thus have more skilled makeup artists. For clothing, I agree with the Ann Taylor advice but with conditions. Do not let the teeny boppers that sometimes work there dress you. How could they possibly understand corporate dress for a woman in her 40s. So scope out the sales clerks and work with the one that you like how they have styled themselves. Additionally, this will sound familiar, make an appointment at a high end department store (Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, etc). They all offer personal shopper services and again you don't have to buy everything, just something. I used to have them help me with suits and what's not to love? Large private dressing rooms where everyone there waits on you, free refreshments, they send for the alterations person at the end of the appointment and then a week later your perfectly tailored clothes show up at your house. Seriously, people who say they hate shopping are doing it wrong. Congrats on your new management opportunity.

Soup for cold weather? No Soup if you are sick? Yes as you need to stay hydrated and most people eat little to nothing when truly sick, so a little soup is better than nothing but ditch the oyster crackers and noodles- add extra veggies and chicken. Get well soon!

Go for it. Keto is great. I Keto from time to time as a jump start to weight loss or to eliminate sugar cravings but often find I just don't enjoy that much fat after a week or two. I can still be in ketosis on more than 20 grams but less than 100 grams of carbs. So I find a low carb diet more sustainable. I just followed the eat protein first, then veggies and (then if I had room, which most of time I didn't) eat carbs adage and lost all of my excess weight.

Went to bed in wool socks, a base layer shirt, a sweatshirt and fleece lined pants plus had the heater on! I'm 4 years out! So to add to previous posts, layers are key. Gloves and hats make a huge difference when outside in the cold. I opted for a heated throw for my bed as opposed to a mattress pad- hubby is always hot so this is easier to keep just on me and it turns off automatically after an hour (and I'm usually asleep by then). I have a wardrobe of coats all different weights and I now own more cardigans than I could have ever imagined.

Everyone's plan seems really to vary on coffee so definitely ask your surgeon. I personally abstained for nearly a year and actually never missed it. When I went to SBUX, I would order a skinny, vanilla steamer, which is just steamed nonfat milk with sugar free flavor so I never missed the coffee and still got to enjoy the experience of going out with friends.

@@smallbmi Keto is not like Atkins but more like Atkins induction. I doubt UK Cathy is doing any shakes on Keto as she is almost 4 years out. I only make a shake as a snack- maybe once a week if I didn't hit my protein numbers for the day- as I too am 4 years out.

Are you taking a PPI?

Best of luck with your surgery @Michellevis. You can do this! Remember that the day after surgery is when the actual journey begins. [emoji4]

Regarding this week's question, my response is probably different than most. I have stayed on plan. This was a planned weight gain period and I am now on a planned weight loss period. I am a bodybuilding fan and planned periods of bulking and cutting are part of the of the work to change your physique. That said, I absolutely effed up this bulk, it was my first and it confirmed that I am an abstainer and not a moderator. I have to have a structured eating plan to gain or lose weight otherwise it will be a food free for all. So while I now put in the work to get off the fat off, I do not think I gained any appreciable level of muscle during my bulk.

1/8/17: 142.5

Daily or every few days, keeps me focused

Took 30 pounds for anyone at work to notice.

I'm doing Keto to get the holiday chub off. I love it to start off a diet because it is instant gratification. I was in Ketosis within 3 days. Granted I'm losing a lot of Water weight (I'm a bloater and carbs blow me up) but I've lost 5 lbs in 5 days. Ultimately for me, I will up my carbs after the first few weeks as Keto is not my choice of a life long way of eating but a lower carb diet is. I can still lose weight with my carbs up around 75 grams as long as I am exercising. Of course in upping the carbs, I will bring down my fats.

^^^this. The difference in my skin less than one year out versus two years out was noticeable. I still haven't had plastics and would love a tummy tuck but you will get some improvement with time.

Amazon Prime would be stellar. I live in a small town, no Supercenter just a regular Walmart.

I still faithfully use My Fitness Pal. I loosely plan my meals for the week. So since I'm minding my carbs to get the holiday bloat off, I will punch in various meal ideas the night before to give me guidance for the following day. I still focus on Protein with every meal and never really went back to eating bread or Pasta. I also do better when I keep my Water intake up. Hope that helps.

You look so hourglass now! Looking good OP and your thighs look great. I am on the fence regarding thighs having read posts on here for and against. Thank you for sharing.

Sounds okay. How far out are you? How much water did you drink?

I was told to wait 4 weeks as incisions where still healing.

Can you post a URL? Not getting anything on the mobile version when clicking the embedded link. Thanks

My goals for this year is to lean out and get under 20% body fat and to improve my hip mobility and overall flexibility. I also hope to get to a 5 day/week workout schedule.

Cheapest whey Protein powders in stores; Walmart and costco Best is subjective but I like Isopure Natural, Optimum Nutrition, Pretty Fit and Cellucor powders. I find online searches net different prices all the time so shop around.