Chelenka

Not sure if shrimp counts as soft food but I think if you chew very thoroughly and eat slowly, gauging how you feel as you go, you should be OK. Soup is usually a good choice too, if it's not a heavy, creamy or high-fat soup, which might be too much for your new tummy. I found shrimp easy to digest once I was cleared for solids and it is a great source of low-cal protein. Whatever you decide you are still early in the healing process so proceed with caution.

I'm with you! I ate with abandon too many Holiday goodies. Somehow managed to only gain 2 lbs. Got back on track Thursday and already dropped the 2 lbs. surprised at how quick that happened. Now onward to goal! I just have to keep reminding myself why I got the surgery and that it isn't a cure for my food addiction, just a really great tool to help me if I use it correctly. Taking part in the Valentine's Fay challenge which I hope will keep me motivated.

Nothing wrong with being sexy IMHO! LOL! Just enjoy it and own it!

I can send you a pair of Gap jeans size 20/35R. I think R stands for regular length. They are a bit loose on me now. If you are interested PM me with your address. I would suggest going to Walmart for PJs. They have the gamut of sizes and ate cheap.

Thanks for the link. I'm going to order the sample pack. Congrats on your awesome weightloss! You are working it!!!!

Ok, I'm in. My weight today is 234.8. My goal is to weigh 220 by Valentine's Day. Considering how slowly I'm losing (or rather I should say how quickly I'm gaining!) this may be an unrealistic goal but I want to push myself a bit. Thanks for starting this challenge.

I meant to post this before but screwed it up. Anyway, here's my list of 2014 resolutions. I am hoping that posting them here will help me stay accountable and on-track. Already having trouble with the TV one. This year-2014 I will eat slowly, savor and enjoy my food. I will strive to get at least 1/2 hour cardio every day. I will stop eating in response to emotional upsets, boredom, lack of intimate connections in my life. I will track my food intake and strive to eat 60-80 grms of protein every day. I will strive to avoid eating foods with processed sugar. I will turn off the TV when eating. I will weigh myself everyday. I will read this and update it, if necessary, every day!

Hope everyone is doing well. I weighed myself this morning and I'm up 2 lbs after the holidays. I have been sick for the entire time with a bad cold that has morphed into either bronchitis or walking pneumonia and the only thing I can really taste is either sweet or salty. My old eating behaviors reared their ugly heads and I was eating too many processed junk foods and high-sugar items like cookies (my nemesis). So below is my list of New Years Resolutions. Posting them here to try

Bought a pair of regular boots (not wide-calf) for the first time in my life! My feet are thinner too. My mom gave me a cashmere coat she doesn't wear anymore and a turtleneck top. I can wear them and never could have imagined in one million years that I would fit into my mom's cloths!

I will leave behind my use of food as a numbing agent for emotional pain and substitute for emotional intimacy/connection.

I've been totally side-lined for the past two weeks with a crappy cold which is still hanging on and seems to have morphed into another cold just when I thought I was getting over it. So I've been reading everyones accomplishments and I send you all my best wishes for continued health and fitness in 2014! Y'all are an inspiring bunch!

I have an occasional glass of wine with no ill affects. Sugar is my drug, not alcohol.

You are GORGEOUS both before and now!

Don't blame you at all for feeling frustrated. I think many people are made uncomfortable when one takes charge of their lives and embraces a dynamic change for the better, which is what you have done. So you know the truth, you know how hard you are working and the sacrifices that having WLS requires but most likely your in-laws don't. I'm sure your weight loss id clearly evident but for some reason they can't or won't compliment you on your accomplishment. That sucks! It would seriously piss me off. But I think your wanting some kudos is totally normal and well deserved! Post some before and after pics here on the forum and I'm sure many will respond and give you the compliments you deserve.

Cloths! How I LOVE cloths! (Sung to the tune of "Food, Glorious Food" from Oliver.) But I digress, i just took four large trash bags of my old cloths to the Purple Heart donation site. But I first pulled out one pair of my old pants and hung them back up in my closet. I am always fearful that I will re-gain all the weight I've lost, particularly now that I'm 9 months post-op and can eat more. But I also wanted to compare them to my new pants that I just bought. I need a new robe too. I'm still wearing my size 3X robe which I can't wrap any tighter and is hanging off me but my hubby wouldn't have a clue what to buy for me so I'll look for one after Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my fellow February 2013 sleevers! What an exciting year this has been! So much change but also, of course, some struggles too. May your New Year be filled with joy, continuing weight loss success, improved health and happiness!

Merry Christmas, everybody! May your New Year be filled with joy, continuing weight loss success, health and happiness!

All the best to you! We'll see you back, up and running or walking soon!

Hope so! ;p

45 sec bridge, 20 sec side planks, 40 sec regular plank which I could barely hold. Feeling a little shaky this morning maybe cuz I'm fighting a cold.

There is an article last Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer in the Health section that cited a study showing that people who regularly eat nuts live longer.

Fighting a crappy cold but got in a 2.12 mile walk this morning. The fresh air and sunshine was wonderful! Been keeping up with the planking challenge but not doing so well with this one. Not giving up though.

Stalls are normal. Most people don't lose in a straight line but in stair steps. Just hang in there, stick with your program and you'll be fine!

Been eating nuts a lot more. They are so good and good for you!

Hi Nancy: you are really honest and brave to post your struggles and fears here. I also had no "off-switch" when it came to food. I was absolutely TERRIFIED of surgery, ANY surgery! I also made a previous, aborted attempt at WLS two years prior. I backed out AFTER going thru the entire 6-month required pre-diet and nutritional counseling! I just wasn't ready and I was going to get the Lap-band at that time which I became increasingly unsure about. I also knew I wouldn't be able to stick with the 2-week pre-op diet and had tremendous fears about the surgery. Fast forward 2&1/2 years and I decided to revisit WLS. The more I learned about the sleeve the more I knew it was the right choice for me. But, I couldn't let myself think about the actual surgery. Of course I educated myself and was fully aware of the risks but I just focused on getting myself there. I put on the blinders and focused on the finish line. Thought I would lose my mind during the pre-op diet but I got thru it with the help of a dear friend who was 6-months post-op and knew what I was going thru. The post-op pain was really minimal for me but it did take about three months to get my energy level back. Now at almost 10 months post-op I have great energy but I still struggle with emotional eating. I just can't eat the same amount that I used to. Thank God! I think being self-aware and learning to recognize your emotional stressors that make you want to overeat is a first step to any successful weight-loss. I was never able to do that pre-sleeve. The inability to eat myself into a coma is what has forced me to slow down and take an honest look at myself when it comes to my behavior around food that is self-destructive. I wish you all the best regardless of what you decide. It is OK to take more time and be sure that you are truly ready. It's a HUGE life-change and the beginning is very challenging.