Chelenka

Hey Marydrew: I agree with Georgia! You have lost 100lbs! That's AMAZING! Give yourself some credit! Stress alone can interfere with weight loss. I would encourage you to try to get some exercise because it will really help you feel better and help reduce your stress level. Hang in there and stay in touch! We are all in your corner! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Hi Everybody: happy October challenge! I did bupkis yesterday but rode my bike 15.7 miles today. Butter - so glad your surgery went well and Ted- also so glad that your wife's surgery also went well. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

You may have a whey allergy or intollerance. GNC sometimes has samples of protein powders that you make up yourself with nf milk in a blender so you can try them without making a huge investment. If it's the whey that's making you sick you will need to use soy-based protein products. I purchased whey Protein powder shake mixes online from The Vitamin Shoppe website. Both the Syntrax and Dynmatize Elite brands work for me and I like them. Best of luck to you. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Welcome and congrats! You are going to do great! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

I had reflux pre-surgery but it got worse post surgery for the first 3 or 4 months. I was on nexium twice a day but I also started drinking a Tsp of organic apple cider in my first glass of Water in the morning. It is an old-fashioned remedy but it has helped. I now take the nexium only at night. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

I'm in! Chelenka is my psuedo-Rissian stage name (my apologies to anyone who is actually Russian). My first name is Helen. Nice to meet ya'll. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Walked a little shorty-walk yesterday of 1.4 and today I walked on a park path that I thought was 5 miles but turned out to be 4.9 miles according to the Map My Ride app. No matter that put me at 100.7 miles total so I DID IT!!!!!! Many thanks and kudos to all who have participated and inspired me to push myself past my comfort-zone, but especially to Butterthebean for starting this thread and challenge. I will keep you in my prayers tomorrow that your surgery is uncomplicated and your recovery quick and easy. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Just be sure to sync your phone first. The problem was really my own fault cuz I forgot my own passcode and locked the phone. Something about the different visual display just boggled my poor, pathetic, middle-aged brain. I had to do a hard reset on the phone and restore it. ???? pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Soooo I've been conspicuously absent for the past few days. I've had a slight set back as my sciatica flared up after my last ride which was very bumpy and probably not too smart after having just had a massage and chiropractic adjustment the day before. I also totally f-d up my phone when I downloaded the new IOS and lost some of my data. Had lots of work stuff too and although I felt good enough to exercise yesterday, between work and a Dr. Apt I had no time. Today I woke up after after a good night's sleep feeling that old lethargy and low-grade state of depression that is how I always used to feel pre-surgery. If it weren't for this challenge I think I would have puttered around the house and maybe done some shopping. But I got my butt on my bike and rode 16.4 miles for at total of 94.4. I can do it! Thanks Butter and everyone for continuing to inspire me to push myself a little further each time and continue changing my life! You are all AMAZING!!!! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

I have an occasional glass of wine. I've had beer too but it is very filling, like eating something. The feeling passed quickly though. The only foods I have trouble with are Pasta, rice, beef and some breads. I also find that high-sugar foods make me feel queasy and strangely the Quest bars do that to me too. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Congrats Butterbean!!! You look awesome! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Amazing, beautiful day here in the Philly area. Took a 13.8 mile trail ride bringing my total to 78.4 so far. My challenge today was riding a small section of trail that I've never ridden before. It runs next to an old canal and is what is left of the tow path. It's flat but very narrow, only 4-6" in some spots, thus making balance important so as not to take an unintentional swim in the canal. Also I startled a flock of mallards, don't know who was more startled, the ducks or me. That was almost a fall into the murky canal water! Yuck! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

A much-needed massage and chiropractic visit today so no miles to add. I am so impressed with everyone's totals! Back at it tomorrow! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

My pre-op diet was 3-5 shakes a day plus green veggies but no butter and only no-fat salad dressing. I was a total basket case until day 6 and suddenly it got easier. Hang in there, you can do it! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

Happy Birthday Phillynurse! And congratulations on your new life! Wishing you lots of continuing good health and joy! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

I soooooo did not want to do anything today after my crazy work-day yesterday but I got my butt into the gym and rode 6 miles on the stationary bike, 1 mile on the elliptical and did 40 minutes of strength training bringing my milage to 64.6. I think if it weren't for this challenge I wouldn't have pushed myself. Thanks Butter! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

Today I worked my two jobs for the first time so it was a wash as far as getting any exercise other than all the crazed running around like a headless chicken! Too bad I didn't use the Map my ride app and track it. Back at it tomorrow! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

I think almost everyone's rate of weight loss starts slowing around 6 months post-op. Our metabolism has adjusted to the lower calorie intake and thus slowed to a crawl. Weight lifting which builds muscle and also perhaps having a mixture of high-calorie and low-calorie days like the 5-2 diet may help from what I have read on the forum and elsewhere. Stepping up my activity level has helped me but I still have a long way to go. I find it interesting how impatient we all seem to become with the process when our weight loss slows or stops. And yet this is the most weight I have ever lost and the fastest I've ever lost it. I would never have achieved this without the sleeve and now I have to work a bit harder to keep going and reach my goal. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race. Hang in there every body! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

Fiddleman: relax dude, you look great! Don't let an old lady who probably has no filter and can't tell you apart from your brother affect how you feel about yourself. The only person whose opinion you should be concerned about is your own and your wife's. I think people who are used to seeing us a certain way are threatened by the change. Change scares people and we have chosen to drastically and rapidly change ourselves. Hell, I am freaked out by myself all the time! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

10 mile trail ride this morning with the hubs. Total now 57.6 so far. This is fun! Everybody is doing great! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

Totally understand your frustration. Hang in there! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2