MichiganChic

Yep Georgia, me too. However, I have to weigh daily. I'd be 300 pounds if I didn't. I hope your hard work pays off. We know it's only Water, you can't gain that in a day

Mine is a 36. There isn't much difference between 34-40, and I think they are all pretty standard. Too small can result in increased complications.

You girls are rocking it! Great losses! Yesterday was a fast day for me, and I came in at 540 calories. Honestly didn't know if I was going to be able to do it. There is some serious instant gratification and self satisfaction when I can, though. Does anyone else feel like that? @@Ms skinniness eating that low for several days in a row also makes me feel accomplished. Awesome for you! I am still having so much problem with Fluid retention that its a little disheartening. Last Saturday I was down to 164, and yesterday I was 169. Today 167. I'm not going to let it discourage me, but I'll be glad to get out of post-plastics swell hell! It's likely going to be a few months....and then it will be summer, and the humidity makes me retain fluids....can't win, lol. Have a good one!

@@Georgia Thanks for the website. I'm going to give some of them a try. Another thing that I do is use spaghetti squash in place Pasta. It already comes in spaghetti form when you bake it. Today will be a fast day for me. Wish me luck. Good thing, too. Yesterday was less than stellar. And by that, I mean GRAZING. I know why obesity rates are so high in Michigan. It's too cold and miserable to get out! Here's to you all, ladies! Have a good one.

I used to think eating was a chore, but that isn't true anymore, and I miss those days! I still have to watch what I eat, but I can eat way more and I wish it was a little like that still. Make good use of this time!

Yeah, 1200 calories for the rest of the world Is a diet, and for some of it's enough to gain weight. I try not to think about it like that too often, lol.

Great pics! Looking forward to seeing your modeling pics, too!

My kids say I look younger, but I have wrinkles now and I didn't have any before. The overall look with body and face combined is definitely younger.

I eat nonfat Greek yogurt with equal, salted caramel SF torani syrup and a tablespoon of peanut butter.

When you can rock your athletic daughter's size small shirt.

Yeah, so do I. I went back to work this week and my legs are really swollen. I still feel like my belly is a little swollen, and I can see it in my back, too. I imagine I will be one of those people who stays swollen for a year. Hope it gets better for you!

I think that's a great question. For me, once I made up my mind to have surgery, I wasn't afraid. However, I made it my business to eat everything I wanted in the two months I waited for surgery. Then I was ready to move on, and I never looked back. Very rarely I find myself wishing (for a second) that I could eat more, but in reality I'm so glad I can't. I'm free from the misery of constant overeating. I feel liberated from that and my fat body that was so self-limiting.

@@Georgia I also love that flat feeling, and I miss it. But my blood pressure was never really high, just swollen feet and ankles from being so fat. When I lost the weight, my swelling got much better, but not totally resolved, but my blood pressure would be 80/50, so had to stop them. I'm still not over it, lol. Really, I love that I don't need prescription meds, but it would be good if I could just use that sometimes. @@Ms skinniness 700 is a great fast day. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can and be glad about it. I do know what you mean about getting tired of watching your weight. I get like that sometimes, too. It's tiring counting calories and carbs and thinking about it and restricting your intake. Once in a while I just need a break. I could also eat an entire grilled cheese, and it kind of makes me sad/mad. I didn't do anything to stretch my stomach, it's just the way it is. sometimes I think I want a tune-up! However, I cant eat everything else I would have before, so I'm still better off. So one thing I noticed today at lunch is that after detoxing from carbs and sugar and decreasing my intake a couple of days, my restriction seemed greater today. I found that to be encouraging!

@@CowgirlJane YOU are inspirational, too! Love this group - and happy to be a part of it. I agree, it is important to keep all of this in perspective, and remember that we have succeeded and are truly more normal than ever. I think one of the reasons for me that I start to panic with a gain is because it's been a slippery slope for me in the past. I lost, and then felt powerless to stop regain. I would watch the pounds pile back on, and for whatever reason, just couldn't get control back. I always fear I'm one carb or cheeseburger or slice of cake or pound away from that cycle. I think I just don't trust myself yet. Not sure if I ever will. A lifetime of obesity and the associated misery is just hard for me to shake. It's a price I'm happy to pay if it helps keep me at a normal weight. I do allow myself a little freedom now and then, and I don't beat myself up for the associated gain, but I do react quickly when it happens. So anyway, for moment, 5:2 seems to be working for me. I came in at 502 calories yesterday, and I think I haven't eaten that low since during my first year post op. I was surprised that it wasn't hard too for me! The weekend is coming, so that's always the biggest challenge for me! I lost 10 pounds this week, which I know was water (remember I'm in post plastics swell hell, still) but I know that the low carbs and calories allowed me to release some of that water. I think I still have another 5-10 pounds, though I don't know for sure. My lowest weight was 161, then I had to stop taking a diuretic last August, immediately gained 15 pounds, lost 10, had plastics twice, and have been fighting this edema ever since. Be glad you are not me when it comes to water weight, lol! Have a great day, and stay warm. It's sub zero and snowy in Michigan. Also be glad you are not me for that

Nicely done - both the video and your weight loss. Congratulations!

Absolutely. And if your doc is offended, run. I didn't have to ask, either. My doc discloses his in his seminar.

I also have a goal of 155, but I think I'd love to see the 140s. Just to see how it looks, if nothing else. I haven't been there since the 80s when I was in my 20s. I think I look and feel pretty good in the lower 160s, but I'm never sure if that's not just an excuse to call it good enough. It's where my body wants to stay, and it was the same before I got morbidly obese. 160 was where I mostly was, and would go up or down 20 pounds, depending on how hard I dieted and exercised. I'm going to play it by ear. I think 155 would give me a little wiggle room. Anyway, had a pretty decent day yesterday, probably lower than it should have been for a non-fast day, at 750 calories. I was busy and not that hungry, so I took advantage of that. Today is going to be an actual fast day, and for me, that's around 600 calories. I feel better getting off the carbs, and while I still have a lot of visible swelling, I've dropped some more water this week. Such a relief! I felt like all of my skin was too tight for my body! Have a wonderful day, ladies!

You'll be ready for summer! You are lucky you don't need all the extensive work I did!

I have the same problem. I had lower body lift and brachioplasty in August, and never did lose all the swelling.Then three weeks ago I had thighplasty and breast lift. I gained about 15 pounds in 2 days, and I'm still up about 5. My ankles are huge at the end of every day and I find it to be miserable. I keep thinking I'm the only person who has 12 pounds cut off and my weight increases! However, I'm still not sad

It's totally worth it. I did have quite a bit of pain and even more swelling, but the pain didn't last that long. I do it again, for sure.

That looks good. where do you get the gluten free meatballs?

Yay! So glad to hear you had a good experience! Do you know when it will be? What are you having in your first procedure? I had 2 procedures so far, and I'm probably going to have a little minor tweaking done. I was really a mess before, and I am really happy with what I had done. My body is far from perfect, but it is greatly improved. It's a very exciting time for you - can't wait to see your transformation!

Wow, interesting! I didn't have to have that, but it would be kind of fun to see.

I couldn't do it. I used to be able to lose when I was younger, but never could keep it off. As I hit my 40s, I was unable to lose even a few pounds. I was hungry all the time, and dieting was miserable and totally non-productive for me. I really struggled with the decision to have the sleeve, thinking there was something wrong with me and it wouldn't work. I was really miserable at my highest weight, which I maintained for years. Once I had the surgery, I finally understood. For me, surgery gave me a fighting chance at weight loss and health. Compared to what it was like before, this is so much easier. At two years post op, the sleeve helps, but it's me doing the work. However, I learned a lot about my body and what it takes for me to lose. I know I have to eat about 900 calories a day to lose. That explains why it would take months to lose 10 pounds on weight watchers. Even if I had known, I wouldn't have been able to do that before surgery. Now I can maintain on around 1200-1300, which is "diet" for most people. So, only you will know it it's right for you. For me it was, but you need to decide if the risk is worth the benefit. Good luck.

Had a pretty good day yesterday, and came in under 1000. It's been a long time since I did that, so I'm feeling in control! Such a good feeling after feeling out of control for the past couple of weeks. I dropped a couple more pounds of water, and I can still see plenty of water on me, so its really hard to know my true weight. I sure hope the calorie and carb restriction, along with the sub-zero temperature helps to get rid of all this post plastics swelling. Have a great day ladies, wishing you all success!