Mkak

Hey there! Yes, I love DIY'ing these! Some blogs I frequent for recipes are ohsheglows.com and heandsheeatclean.com I'm sure there are a zillion recipes on Pinterest, too!

I didn't do so hot. Had 3 Christmas dinners and a wedding in 5 days. I don't think I gained, but certainly didn't lose either! I'm back on the wagon today and going to do a little detox come Jan. 1. Anyone know any good, safe plans/programs?

Wow, wow, wow! You look amazing! Do share your exercise routine! I would love to have your "pre-flattened" tummy any day girlfriend!

I'm in! Thanks Bea girl!

Merry Christmas all! 211.6 today. At this point I'll just be happy to get under 210 by next week!

So I bit the bullet and invested in 6 weeks of personal training (2X per week). I'm going to use these next few weeks as a trial run to see if I should make a longer term commitment. Looking for tips from others who have been super successful with their trainer. What made your relationship great? What things went wrong that you would caution someone about (if applicable)? Any other insight you can provide? Definitely want to get as much out of this as I can and learn the right way to work out my body once and for all! Thank you all in advance!

Good morning everyone! Down to 212.2 this week. Also had 2 NSVs yesterday I have to share! First, was able to zip up a size 14 LINED Banana Republic suit skirt (could not believe it when it actually pulled up over my hips) and I officially can wrap a standard size bath towel around me with no gap! Woohoo! Took a picture yesterday because I got so excited! Before I was at 288. These challenges are so inspiring to me. Thanks everyone!

Hey Roo! I'm right there with ya with the sleeve of steel and carb addiction. While I still struggle on the weekends, I have nipped my weekday issues in the bud by exercising before work. Not sure if your schedule allows it, but I feel it gets my head in the game for the day and I find myself not wanting to "waste" a kick-ass AM workout session on (insert crappy carb of choice here) later on in the day. You definitely went through step 1 by identifying the issue and "coming clean" on here to yourself. Now go get it girl. Start the New Year off with a killer loss on January 1. No regrets!

Hey there! I was sleeved the same day! I think you are doing AWESOME! What is your goal weight? I found I like to focus on the percentage of excess weight lost instead of the scale these days. I was just talking with my doctor the other day about how I have no idea how moms, dads, wives, etc. do it all! I just have me to worry about and I swear this whole process feels like a full time job sometimes, so I am in awe of you for losing almost SIXTY pounds while still doing life. I do have the luxury of getting to the gym pretty frequently, but some days my work schedule just doesn't allow it. On those days I try to set an alarm every hour or half hour and do push ups against my desk, squats, calf raises, lunges, etc. It only takes a few minutes and it gets my mind back in the game (this journey has proven almost 95% mental for me so this is key for me). I have also started getting up super early and exercising before work. I'm sure you have to get your kiddos off to school, so that may not be an option but worth suggesting just in case. It was hard to get used to but now I wake up before my 5 AM alarm! I would love to be your workout buddy to keep each other motivated and such! Finally, I can definitely tell a difference in your pictures. Your entire midsection is a fraction of what it used to be! You also look like you shaved years off your face! I'm with you though, can never tell a difference. Just come on here and post and everyone will give you the truth about how your body is changing. Again, keep up the good work sleeve sister!

Thanks, Susan!

Good morning all! I hit a big milestone this morning! 17 weeks and 1 day post surgery I am down 75 pounds! 31 pounds away from my surgeon's goal and 48 away from my personal goal. I never thought I would be so excited to say I have 50 pounds to lose! Also, just wanted to thank you all for your encouraging words and wisdom. I know for certain I would not have been this successful if it weren't for this site and all of you! TGIF! SW: 288 CW: 213 GW: 165 5'10

215.1 today. Finally lost all my Thanksgiving pounds!

I think the same thing all the time. Do you weigh and measure? Unless I'm eating out or something I religiously weigh and measure. This way you know exactly what you're putting into your body and it may help you snap that stall you mentioned! Good luck!

GG, I'm just starting to get into EO and natural beauty products (I mean I'm obsessed with them now). What do you mix with your coconut oil? Love trying new things!

Carb crazy right here, so I definitely fall under this category. I usually stay within about 5-8% of those from day-to-day. I don't know why I'm so caught up with this fat %! It's good to know that 35-40% is OK. Thanks GG!

Thanks for the support Soph! I couldn't figure out why I felt like a bottomless out last week. Figured it out this morning haha. LOVE being female! I hear ya about seeing the scale go up. It's like paralyzingly! Crazy how our minds work. Have a good day!

Sent too soon. I know I gained over the weekend (food, beer, etc.), it's my TOM and I know my brain couldn't handle the scale today. Emotional hot mess? Ding, ding, ding! Great job everyone! I promise, I'll be back next week with a vengeance.

OK I'm fessing up and not weighing in today.

LOL YES! That's why I would not recommend dropping the banana! I get next to zero fiber in the rest of the day, so that's how I justify the flax even though it adds no taste whatsoever (at least to me it doesn't). Quick question GG, do you track your protein/fat/carb ratios at all? I'm trying to find the right ratio for me but haven't been able to correlation in my stats. I think my fat is too high (got into the habit of adding shredded cheese I ground beef and sometimes shredded chicken and need to knock that off)? Just curious

My software is saying 29.7, so it's pretty carb heavy. You can shave off 10 by omitting the PB2 and ground flax though.

Sophie and GG, I started adding a green shake to my morning routine. It ranges from 200-250 depending on what I put in it. I figure it's all those good nutrients I was missing out on for the first 3 months, so I don't mind these particular extra calories. Might be worth a shot to help you guys bump up your cals? 3/4 c. Unsweetened Almond Milk 1/2 scoop protein powder (I use "About Time" because I feel it's a lot cleaner than some options out there) 2 tbsp. ground flax seed 1/3 banana 2 tbsp. Powdered PB (I like Just Great Stuff) 2-3 frozen strawberries 1 scoop Amazing Grass Superfood powder Handful of baby spinach It makes a pretty big drink so takes me quite a while to finish it but always keeps me full for hours. I find the banana really overpowers everything, so it's not too bad.

Yes, yes, and yes to all consuming. From the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed something about food, weight, exercise, etc. is on my mind. Has been for as long as I can remember. Exhausting.

Hey GG! I am SO happy about the weight loss absolutely! I just want to try and nip some of these "food demons" in the bud. I'm lucky in that I can drop weight pretty quickly, but I am very susceptible to self sabotage and can undo 2 weeks worth of work in one weekend. Exhibit A: this weekend. I got on the scale this morning after a fun filled 4 days of food and booze. I am up 4 pounds since Thursday. Now, I usually only weigh weekly but I wanted to try and scare myself. It worked. Historically this has been my MO and trying to break this cycle is ultimately by goal from this whole journey.

This conversation makes me a little nervous. I feel like I can eat a lot more than you gals. I can eat about 3-4 oz. of shredded chicken, ground beef, etc. with no issues at all. I'm not overly-stuffed afterwards, but comfortable. I think I have one of those "sleeves of steel" I read about on here. I have tried pretty much everything and haven't had any issues so far. The good news is my hunger hasn't really returned yet, so I just measure out my 3 oz. and eat them throughout the day as scheduled. I use FatSecret to track, but may switch over to MFP so I can follow you guys and see what your intake is like. I worry I'm getting in too many calories throughout the day (range from 700-1,000 depending on what I eat and how hard I work out). I'm down about 70 pounds since surgery on 8/15. I do fall off the wagon here and there (the last 4 days being a prime example). Luckily they are far and few between, but would like to try and cut out these "episodes" entirely.

LV you look great!