TexasBecky

You guys are so kind. Thank you for all the nice comments. I know weight loss can't solve all your problems, but my weight loss and new found fitness have changed my life. I was weighed down as much mentally by obesity as I was physically. The physical changes are obvious, but the mental changes are just as dramatic.

Thanks Jody. I never expected to lose it this fast. I am thrilled and I finally posted a before and during shot on our Crazy Ates pictures thread.

Ok, I think I've got this figured out. In honor of losing 100 pounds I'm posting a before and during photo. The during photo was from last month. I'm actually down another 10 pounds since then. WooHoo! Tummy Tuck here I come! Becky Before.bmp Becky During.bmp

Dave, I had to Google Trikke to see what you're talking about. How cool! It looks like so much fun. Did you just get it? Becky

One hour of cardio this morning. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 9/20 Cardio Sessions 3/8 Strength Training Sessions

Christine, its with Harlan. I wasn't sure which one you used, but after I told her about my weight loss and "knowing" you, she suggested Harlan. Was he your doc?

Candle, yes I worry about regaining because I have a history of doing just that - many times. I really feel different this time though. I've made up my mind that I'm getting too old to keep doing this again and again. That's why I took the drastic measure of being banded. I believe that with the help of my band and my new exercise habits I can maintain now. I've never had that confidence before. Getting my body fixed will just be more motivation to keep it fixed! Best of luck as you continue your journey. You have done a great job and you looked fantastic in the last picture you posted. We are all overly critical of ourselves.

Yes Christine, it was me. I have been so impressed with your results that I found your docs name on Makemeheal and called them today. My consult is next Friday. I hope you don't mind that I mentioned you. They asked how I heard about them so I told them I'd been watching your progress online. I really liked them over the phone. I'll let you know what I think after my consult.

Pizzi, just remember that if things don't work out with these jobs, its because there is something better just around the corner. I still hope San Diego comes through for you, but if its not meant to be then there must be something really wonderful in store for you.

I did an hour of cardio and an hour of gardening today. Oh my aching back! Thanks for the pic tip Salsa. I'll try it later. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 8/20 Cardio Sessions 3/8 Strength Training Sessions

Thanks for starting the thread Salsa. I was going to do it today, but glad you beat me to it. Those of us who are getting ready to begin this phase of our journey can obsess about it (Frangi) all we want right here. Regarding plastic surgery sooner rather than later, I think for many of us who have lost around 100 lbs. the skin is not going to be able to bounce back. This seems to be particularly true for those of us who have been obese for many years and have gone up and down the scale many times. My skin has permanently lost its elasticity so no amount of time is going to correct that. My first consult with the PS confirmed that for me. There seems to be no good reason to wait. Salsa, I think its great that you already know who is going to do your surgery. In many ways having limited choices makes the process easier. The important thing is that you have confidence in your doctor and his work and it sounds like you do. You must be so excited to already have a date! I live in an area with so many choices that it can quickly get very confusing and overwhelming. I've scheduled two more consults over the next couple of weeks. One is with the same doctor that Losingjusme used. (LJM, you are a star. Alot of us have been lurking around the PS thread and marveling at your success.) Frangi, I too was shocked by the price tag quoted at my first consult. I've been thinking about it alot and I know that quote was for an "extreme makeover". It included everything that I could dream of having done and would require three separate surgeries (have you seen JulieNYC's thread?). Part of this process for me is coming to terms with what I really want and expect. I am 50 years old and not looking to be a centerfold. I want to look fit and healthy and I want clothes to fit properly. I don't need to wear a bikini and I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard to chase after my youth. I want a highly skilled surgeon who can make me look a whole lot better than I do now, but at a reasonble price and with the least amount of surgery. Is that a reasonable expectation? What is everyone else thinking? Are you wanting/willing to do what near perfection would require? Enough rambling for now.

Oh so much to comment on! Everyone is really working it this month. Great job everybody and the results are showing up in the tickers! We are an awesome bunch. Yes, the weather here is fabulous, but my parents are staying at my house now while mom continues to recover from her broken hip. That's why I said I'd rather be anywhere but here. Love um, but dear god, they drive me crazy! Exercise is helping me cope. Frangi & Pizzi, thanks for your comments on yoga. I need it bad. The meditative aspect of it appeals to me a great deal (especially lately). I've really improved with the cardio and strength training, but now I need to get busy working specifically on flexibility. I checked the web site you referenced Pizzi, and I think I'll order that DVD for starters. I don't have time right now for another class, but maybe this will get me started. Ok, I'm gonna ramble a bit about plastic surgery, so stop reading if you're not interested. I'm so excited that several of us are starting to explore the possibilities! Yeah, Salsa & Frangi. I had my first consult yesterday with a very highly regarded PS in Dallas. Definately plenty of good ones to choose from here. The good news is that he thinks I could go forward with surgery anytime. In his opinion, most of my excess weight now is not fat! WooHoo! The bad news is that I didn't care for this guy too much. He was nice enough, but seemed in a bit of a hurry and was trying to leave the room while I was still asking questions. Since I was paying for the consult, I thought he should have planned on spending more time with me. He had a woman in the room the whole time taking notes so that she could work up the pricing for me. He thinks he could get good results with a tummy tuck, but I got quotes for a lower body lift, breast lift with augmentation, arms and inner thighs. He would do them in three separate surgeries! LBL first, breast and arms second, and thighs last. The grand total would be almost $50,000!! Gasp! I'm going to get at least two more opinions, before making a decision, but I'm already rethinking things. I don't want to have three surgeries. I want to have my stomach and breasts fixed for sure and I'd like to do it with one surgery, so I need to get more info and see more surgeons. I also need to come to terms with what I really want and expect. My butt and thighs aren't that bad, so I might be happy with just a tummy tuck and breast job. Like you said Frangi, this deserves a very thorough investigation so I still have a lot of work to do. Can't wait to hear about the consults that are coming up for ya'll. I have a "before and during" picture that I'd post if I could figure out how. (I don't look half bad with my clothes on, lol) I've pasted two pics side by side in a word document. Does anyone know how I could attach it or paste it into a post? I did weights today. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 7/20 Cardio Sessions 3/8 Strength Training Sessions

Pizzi, welcome back. I'm glad you had a good trip. Sounds like you've got a good chance at an offer. Best of luck. Please keep us posted.

Whosya, I need a trip to FL (or anywhere but here)! Glad you had a great time. Val, glad you're checking in. Enjoy your much deserved spring break. You are one busy lady. Hi Frangi, looks like you're kicking butt this month. Can you tell me about your yoga class? How long have you been doing it and had you done it before? I took a class years ago and loved it but the "beginner" dvd I bought is just too hard for me. Any ideas on how to start from the very beginning? I really need to practice the basics. I did an hour of cardio today. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 7/20 Cardio Sessions 2/8 Strength Training Sessions

Wow Jody, You definately didn't have a relaxing weekend, but active for sure. Way to go using exercise to work out your stress & anger! That is a real victory. I hope the coming week is calmer (weather and life).

I got my cardio and weight lifting done this morning. I hope everyone has a fun and active weekend. Get some relaxation in there too! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 6/20 Cardio Sessions 2/8 Strength Training Sessions

Candle, Fantastic news! Your hard work has paid off. I know you look and feel fabulous. Enjoy the new you!

One hour of cardio today. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 5/20 Cardio Sessions 1/8 Strength Training Sessions

Oh, I almost forgot, I enjoy your blog too. I try to check it regularly. Your neighbor woud make me lose more than just weight. I'd lose my mind!

Judi, this is exactly what I love so much about my band. I can eat almost anything in small quantities. I never feel deprived because I usually eat what everyone else is having or whatever I want - just in very small portions. Portion control has always been my issue and now it is not. Like everyone else, I was fearful and skeptical before being banded, but now I feel like I've finally found a permanent answer for my lifelong struggle with weight. Don't get me wrong, I still have to stay away from junk and exercise regularly. It is not a miracle, but it is a dream come true for me.

Name: Frangipani Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 87 lbs Name: Candle Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 95 lbs Name: Salsa Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 81 lbs Name: Pammycakes Weight loss from day of surgery: 84 lbs Total weight loss: 86 lbs Name: Ceradad Weight loss from day of surgery: 80.5 Total weight loss: 100.5 Name: KarenG. Weight loss from day of surgery: 74 Total weight loss: 74 Name: NanaRenan Weight loss from day of surgery: 45 Total weight loss: 65 Name: TexasBecky Weight loss from day of surgery: 88 Total weight loss: 98 Great idea Frangi! We've done such a great job.

I'm nervous about the PS consult but also excited. I dread having to be "inspected", but am anxious to find out what will be possible. My highest priority is the tummy and breasts. Arms and inner thighs would be nice too, but I probably won't go that far. I've learned quite a bit from lurking around on the PS threads and I'm sure arms and thighs would require a second surgery. If I could get everything done safely with one operation I'd probably go for it all. I'll let you all know what I find out next week. I'm not going to be posting about this outside the Crazy Ates threads. I feel comfortable with this intimate little group and you've all been so encouaging and supportive. Maybe I'll start a PS thread just for us August folks. It sounds like several of us are starting to consider the possibilities. So scary and so exciting!

How exciting that so many of us are getting close to goal. Ya'll have some great rewards planned and you deserve them all. My first PS consult is next week, so that is going to be my big reward. I don't know what they will recommend about how long I need to wait, but I hope its possible this summer. I have no hope of "things" returning to an acceptable level for me. Besides a lifetime of yo-yo dieting and now this weight loss, I've had two kids, (both breast fed) and I'm 50. Tummy tuck and breast lift here I come!

I got my cardio and weight training done this morning. Thanks for noticing my ticker jump. I hadn't weighed in about three weeks and I was pleasantly surprised too! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 4/20 Cardio Sessions 1/8 Strength Training Sessions

Another hour of cardio this morning. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 3/20 Cardio Sessions 0/8 Strength Training Sessions