NewSetOfCurves

When I started the process I was at 248 and standing at 5'6". I went into surgery at 228, and I am currently at 153. I'm wearing a 6/8 top (small or medium), size 8/10 bottom (medium; depends on leg room, I have thick thighs and the waist is usually huge due to the fact that I can't go smaller--but I'm not complaining!). My initial goal was 150, then I changed that to 145. From my starting weight, I've lost 95 pounds. From all the posts I've read on this site this past year, I'm not a fast or slow loser. Somewhere in the middle. As I've approached goal, it's gotten slower and slower. Everyone is different though (for example, my aunt was sleeved 1 month ahead of me and has dropped 160 pounds!). I incorporated a lot of cardio and weight training into my program. Now that I'm 8 pounds from goal and happy with my size, I've backed off of the cardio (3 days a week vs. 6 days a week) and I've upped the weight lifting sessions. I want to fill in the loose skin in my arm and thigh areas. They are not really bad at all and nothing a little muscle can't improve. I hope that helped! Best of luck to you!!!

You know, I was racked with guilt and the feeling that I could have invested this money into my home, my family...my children. Finally, I came to the conclusion that my health--both physical and mental--is an investment into my home, family, and children. As mothers, we tend to be the center of the family: we manage the home; the kids schedules, events, extra curricular activities; we help with homework, advice, and every little drama that might occur in between. When we, as mothers or as a significant other, suffer from our physical health or mental health, we deprive our children and spouses of a healthy relationship. We are confined to the restraints of limitations: limitations in movements, endurance, range of motion, activities; limited by our depression, lack of self esteem, embarrassment to be seen... The list can go on-and-on. It is the best thing I ever did for my family and kids. It is the best thing I ever did for myself. I am no longer consumed by guilt. I love the new me and so does my family. Good luck to you!!!

In the exercise forum, someone started a thread about exercise and gaining weight. Pdxman gave a really good response. The response was to running, but it applied to cardio, period. He said: "I doubt you are adding a lot of muscle mass at this point. Running doesn't really bulk you up ... at all. What it does do, though, is help store glycogen more efficiently in your muscles. Glycogen is mainly stored in your liver, but when your body sees it needs more resources, due to additional exercise, it will begin to also store glycogen in muscles. One of the differences, though, is when it is stored in muscles, it must also bond with Water in a 4 to 1 ratio. So, if you are storing an additional pound of glycogen, you also have to store an additional 4 pounds of water. This equates to 5 additional pounds! So then you think, "Woa! I'm giving up all exercise, then!" Well, as you mention, your clothes are fitting better. I'm also guessing you have great energy and have a better overall feeling of wellness. Not even to mention the heightened metabolism. I know when I was running regularly, my body was a furnace and my weight loss was incredible. Don't worry about the scale or your doctors if you decide to stay committed to this. They will understand what exercise is doing for you. And ditch the scale. It measures weight, not fat. What are you looking to lose?" I couldn't share the link for the thread from my phone, but I hope this helps!!!

@@MichiganChic, you look absolutely FABULOUS!!! You must be tall, because despite the 10lb difference in our weight, we wear the same size! I too have constantly battled with the questions: Am I still a little too big? Should I push for those last eight pounds? My upper body size is fine, but can I lose a bit more from my thighs? But then I run into people who say, "you're getting too skinny" or "don't lose any more weight" or "you looke great, but just stay where you are." I usually respond, "Calm down people, I'm a size 10, not a size 2!" But it makes me think that they are seeing what my mind refuses to see. I think many of us suffer from image issues. We are never satisfied with our image and we are constantly looking for flaws, instead of accepting what is beautiful. We have to work on these "fat heads" of ours. Now that our bodies are healthy, we need to make sure that we make our minds are healthy as well. So, to answer your question: NO, you are NOT FAT!!! You look HOTT! Caliente!!! Congratulations on your awesome success!

You look flawless to me! You look really freak'n great! Wow! Wow! Wow! Congrats on weight loss success!!!!

Thank you QueenA and Danaevett!!! Proudgrammy: 1) Buying a mirror is on my agenda for this afternoon! 2) I just made an appointment with my eye doctor! 3) I finished that laundry this past weekend, so it's all cleaned up!!! Lol No, but seriously, THANK YOU!!!

How awesome for you! I can't wait until I get mine!

You're going to do great! Good luck!

10 months post-op update! 95 pounds down, 3 lbs to go to get to original goal, 8 pounds to get to new goal. I know it's not a great pic, but I seriously need to invest in a full length mirror (now that I don't hate looking at myself--ha!). Oh, and excuse my mess!!!

Oh my gosh! Great pictorial documentation!!! What a GREAT transformation!!!!! Congrats!!!!!! You look FABULOUS!!!!!!!

Tiny town in between San Antonio and Laredo.

Fiddle, I understand and completely relate to the type of guilt that you are feeling. However, you have to shift your perspective. Don't think of it as quitting, rather closing a door and opening another; a door that will take you further along this fitness journey. Crossfit, in this past year, has helped you find new purpose and opened you up to the realm of ultimate fitness; but it has run it's course and it's no longer satisfying the goals you have set for yourself. It's doing the opposite now...regressing...slowing you down...creating unnecessary injuries, discomfort, and limiting your mobility as you try to recover. You'll find something else that works for you. You're resilient. Determined. And when you find it and it runs it's course, another door of fitness opportunity will be open for you to step through. Don't feel guilty. Be proud of your humble fitness beginnings and where crossfit has brought you, and will eventually lead you. Proud of you Fiddle!

I am 5' 6" and on the day of surgery I weighed 228. I am 7 months post-op and I now weigh 158. I am in my mid thirties and I have had 4 kids. My stomach is saggy because of it. I too accepted that from the beginning, but my arms and legs are not really saggy at all. Nothing a little bit of added muscle can't handle. I can wear sleeveless shirts, shorter dresses and shorts without fear or embarrassment.

He made me cry too! What can I say, he is a keeper!!! Our relationship has improved so much since this surgery, but I attribute it to my mental health. I am finally allowing myself to love who I am, and give value to my self worth. It's weird, I always thought I was confidant, and I didn't realize how miserable I was until I did a lot of soul searching through this whole process. In doing so, I have closed a lot of old wounds and changed my outlook. He was totally against this surgery. He told me I was fine the way I was, but now he says that it was the best thing I could have done; not because of how I look, but because I have changed internally and exude a happier, more confidant, and active me. So to the original poster, I am glad you are willing to open up the door for discussion with your husband. He might have more perspective than you realize, and together you can explore those issues and deal with them.

I too have a husband that is fit. Always has been. He doesn't have protruding abs (he carries his excess weight in his midsection, but his pectoral muscles, arms and legs are very muscular and defined. I too refused to believe or admit how big I was. I rarely took pictures, I never owned a full length mirror, and I refused to see myself as I really was. He never told me anything, he never made me feel insecure, and--similar to you--he rarely complimented me--but his love for me was undeniable. Now that I have lost all the weight and am close to goal, I have definitely noticed my husband's physical reaction to me. I confronted him about it. This is what he basically said: "When we first met, I was drawn to you because I was attracted to you [i was skinny before]. Then I got to know you--the you that is inside--and I was a goner. The you inside is what I love. Not the outside. When you started gaining weight, it didn't matter--other than you health--because I married you for you, not your body. However, I cannot deny that what drew me to when we first met--that basic animal, physical attraction--has re-emerged. But, no matter what happens; not matter what you look like, I will ALWAYS love you." Point is, talk to him. He loves you. He has been by your side. He will love you no matter what. Good luck to you!

That is awesome! Congrats!!!

Wow!!!! You look so much younger!!!! Beautiful! Congrats!

I too am a mother. I have 4 children, ranging from 10-2. I had the same thoughts about being selfish, but I justified by telling myself I had to be healthy for my kids so that I could run and play with them, be there for them for the long term. I didn't want them to be embarrassed of having a big mother. Here I am 8 months post-op, 89 pounds down, wearing a size 8/10 (American sizes) and I now realize that, although all those reasons were justifiable, doing it for MYSELF was justifiable too. I am happier, more confident, physically able to do so many more things, and I am no longer spiraling down into those pity party's about being fat. I realized that i was worth it, and in realizing my self worth, my kids benefited a greater quality of life because they had a mother that was mentally and emotionally stable. It is WORTH every penny!

I'll be honest...I was definitely able to, but I would HUNT for wide set shoes that had stretchy material, or special order. The heels never exceeded two inches, and I could manage that way. I just LOVE heels!

Belladonna, our starting weight and goal weight are very similar. I am 8 month post-op and I wear heels everyday to work! You can and you will; and you will feel fabulous when you do!