LifetimeLoser

I wanted to FINALLY post a pic. The before picture is a couple days after surgery...probably about 300 pounds. In progress photo is my current picture (on my way to the gym) at 208. I am 5'6" My highest weight was 311 before surgery, but got down to 298 on my 1 week liquid diet for surgery day.

I am very pleased with my progress. I know there are still aspects of my "diet" I need to work on, but such is life. Things can never be perfect 100% of the time. Thanks!

I weigh myself on the scale everyday. I used to get discouraged in the very beginning, but I don't anymore. As long as the scale doesn't go up, I am pretty happy. Of course, I am more happy when it goes down. I think the scale helps me get really nitty gritty about this whole process. If I do gain, for example, I try to think about what is going on. Did I eat something salty? Did I really eat enough calories to gain (this is never the case)? Am I getting my period? In the first couple of months after surgery, I was very discouraged and obsessed about the numbers on the scale. I even wrote about it in my blog. Over time, I was able to wrap my head around certain things like...I can't possibly gain a pound in a day (of real weight anyway). I could be getting smaller despite the numbers on the scale. I know you are aware of all these things because you are informed, knowledgeable and intelligent. With that being said, it is a process. Just because we know something doesn't mean we actually believe it yet. I tried weighing myself once a week in the very beginning, but that didn't work for me. Seeing the daily fluctuations actually helps me understand what is going on with my body.

I just made 6 months post-op (yay I am a veteran?). I don't really know what I am asking with this, but here I go. Lately, I have just been really disinterested in food. I open the fridge, look at it, and nothing seems to spark my interest. Don't get me wrong...I definitely get my calories in...on occasion I even get 1500 calories when I reach for a treat. I try to imagine eating it and nothing seems to want sound good or filling even. I started just reaching for my Quest bars and Protein shakes because they seem to be the only things that satisfy me and make me full. I am hungry. I don't really know what is going on with me or my body. I am hungry. I want to eat. I want to be fulfilled, but I don't know... I am starting to shy away from stuff that feel uncomfortable also...like the dense things like chicken etc. I tend to eat things that are easier going down like filet mignon and poke (raw fish). Just thinking about the food being in my throat turns me off. The bad part of this whole thing is when I do reach for the things that are easier going down. Sometimes they are good high protein things when it is available and sometimes it isn't...like crackers and cheese. Anyone have ideas or suggestions? Has this happened to anyone else? I am still working out 6 days a week. I am still losing weight and making progress. I am just worried that this will continue and it will affect my eating habits and eventually my fitness level because I need to be able to get my calories, protein, and Water in.

Yes. I just recently noticed that I've been having trouble eating super clean because I no longer love to cook. I used to live to cook. I stock my car with quest bars and protein pudding. My hubby and I have been eating out a lot. I hate eating out because it's stressful for me. I think of the money I'm wasting, the food I'm wasting and it takes me twenty minutes to decide. I still try to make healthy choices when eating out, but it finally dawned on me that my disinterest in food had affected many other aspects of my life.

Give it time. You might not see a difference because your mind needs time to adjust also. We are also our own worst critics. It can't be helped. I'm sure if you showed other people they could tell you the differences.

congrats...I'm almost there too.

Sorry...to answer your question...I told anyone who would listen. I am more conservative about it now. Only when people comment on my weight loss and start asking me questions do I go into it. If he just gives me a compliment I simply say, "thank you."

I'm pretty stubborn. Once I make up my mind I am going to do something there is pretty much nothing that can get in my way. That being said I told everyone once my mind was made up. I expected people to have his or her own opinions. When the time came when someone said to me, "No you don't need to do that. Don't do it!" I was pretty firm and just told them that "I am already in this." "I put my deposit down and the date is scheduled." Even if people can't understand the investment you have in the surgery...most people can understand an investment in terms of thousands of dollars.

i recently just fit back into my engagement and wedding rings! Awesome nsv. I won't lie I cried. I am looking forward to going zip lining and doing outdoor activities with my 3 year old and husband that I was just too embarrassed to try. I also want to be able to run a marathon, but that is months from now...maybe even a year.

Thank you everyone!

Yes I get more hungry. On the plus side after a couple days off increased calories during my Tom I drop a few pounds almost immediately.

It seems there is always an excuse not to go to the gym. I'm tired, I don't have clothes, I forgot my shoes, I have to cook dinner, I have to go to the store etc. I have been fairly successful at being consistent with my gym goings. I didn't plan all the things I do...I sort of just fell into it, but these are my tips for making sure the gym (exercise) is part of my day. 1. I practically live in gym clothes. I know it isn't feasible for everyone, but I can wear it to work. The gym I go to is across of my job. I live about a 20 minute drive from my job and gym. Every morning I wake up I put on my gym clothes that way I am ready! I sometimes go before work and sometimes after. 2. I plan my exercises for the morning time before I have anything going on. It leaves less excuses if I can do it and get it out of the way. I still have the "I'm tired" excuse, but I push through it. 3. My car is like a tank. I could survive in there! I have my workout shoes, extra pairs of socks, bottles of water, vitamins, protein bars, workout towels. I never "forget" anything because it is already stock piled in my car. 4. Goals! I am a very goal oriented individual. Each day I am at the gym I envision myself doing something faster, better, longer the next time I hit that machine.

thank you for posting! you look very athletic and healthy and happy!

awesome!

Sleeved January 30th, 2013. 103 pounds lost so far. Almost to onederland!

I understand what you mean. It can be frustrating as my family is highly religious also. I also understand that for them because they believe so much in their faith it is hard for them to think out of that box. I don't think people are that on it to remember....oh I shouldn't say that because she is an atheist. They just do what they do.

That must feel awful! I'm sorry to hear that, but you found something you didn't know was there and now you can take care of it...whatever it is. Soon you will be on your way to being sleeved.

For me it was the placement of pain...lower abdomen and the lack of other things...like I didn't have a fever etc.

Well, I am basically 7 months post op. My weight loss has slowed down to about 10 pounds a month. It doesn't bother me as long as I continue to see results. I haven't been super strict with my diet. I am on the go a lot and started relying on my bars and shakes a little too much I think. I need to start cooking more so I am in control of my food and get that dense protein in my diet. I think that would help me a lot. Other than that things are well. I have no complications. My surgeon is happy with my progress and thinks that I will be very successful. I don't see him until my 1 yr. post op appointment. My blood pressure and resting heart rate is lower than his!!! I believe it is all the cardio sessions I do. I continue to work out 5-6 days a week and feel awesome. On the days I feel I need a break I just take a break. I don't feel the stress like I used to pre-op. The stresses of what I eat, when I eat, how many times I work out etc. I guess I just have faith in myself and this process. It is working, is continuing to work, and I am faithful that if I do the right things it will work in the future. Thank you body for adjusting to this process and doing what you are supposed to be doing...LOSING WEIGHT!

looking skinny!!!

To each his own for sure. I would say if you can lose weight by eating everything in moderation than good for you! You are one of the lucky ones. I know how my body works from decades of diets. I don't have to eat super low carb to lose weight. I can eat about 150 grams and still continue to lose...for now. I am still about 70 pounds from goal. When I get closer to goal I might have to do phase 1 of the south beach to get the last few pounds off. What has worked for me: I eat fairly low carb, but not everyday. Some days I have treats or eat more starchy foods and the next day I will cut those things out. I do rely a lot on my Protein shakes and bars because I practically live in my car. I am always on the go so it is either that or stopping at some fast food joint and trying to make a healthy food choice. I don't recommend a high carb diet unless you are intensely working out. As for exercise, I love to exercise so I would do it even if it didn't cause me to lose another pound. You can always test your body out. Try eating a different range of carb intakes and see how that affects you.

I love reading your posts. You always have a well explained, concise version of something. It is always easy to read and sounds intelligent.