livvsmum

From your signature I can see that you've done a great job so far.... You are headed in the right direction :-). I would recommend (if you haven't already) starting with a couch to 5k app. I literally did not run at all, ever, in my life and within 5 months was able to start training for marathon running. It's not for everyone and the important thing is to find SOMETHING you enjoy whether it's running or something else. It gives me something to focus on other than the scale and as someone with a proclivity towards eating-disordered thinking, focusing on non-scale goals is HUGE. And keep in mind, I don't always love running while I'm doing it.....lol.. There are some days my legs still feel like bricks for sure. And pretty much everyone hates the first 2 miles.... haha

Well, I actually can tell you that! I went back to my blog to see the date I started running and then checked my weight logs since I've weighed myself every single day (lol). I lost 75.2 before starting to run (at 4 months post op) then another 61.2 after starting to run util today for a total of 136.4.

Ugh...no. I wish!!! I am hoping for a tummy tuck soon now that I've reached goal! I have tried core strengthening, planking and such helps some, but for me it's a lot of just....well....extra skin and no amount of toning is helping that.

I've been to 2 meetings since surgery. I also live about 45 minutes away and it's hard to get there after working, etc. all day. I try to hit them when the topic is relevant but I miss more than I make.

It's a small world!!! 93 pounds is great! Congrats! Do you go to the support group through their office?

Haha it's funny you say that. That's one of the first things I said when I saw the pic... About my thighs not touching. I attribute that to lots and lots of running

It's been hard to wrap my brain around!! In a lot if ways I'm still adjusting & my mind hasn't caught up to my body yet. I've documented my journey from the beginning in my blog (linked in my signature). Maybe take a peek there :-)

Thanks everyone!! If I can do it anyone can!! But I will say it has been a year of hard work literally every single day

No skin surgery yet, but I'm working on getting it approved for under my arms & stomach

I didn't have anything scheduled like you do (PS I think that's a great idea!!!), but I have rewarded myself with a few things along the way..... New running shoes when I completed my first 5k, etc. My big reward for reaching goal is plastics, and I'm still working on that one :-) Also, my hubby and I are going away to St. Lucia to Celebrate the awesome successes that this past year has brought.

Insurance companies have all kinds of different requirements IF they cover it at all. I had just resigned myself to the fact that I would have to save and save and pay out of pocket. But then I ask my PCP about it at an appointment and he was AMAZING and started the process of documenting problems for me so that I have a better chance of getting it approved as a "medical necessity" rather than cosmetic. I have 2 insurance plans (one through my husband's work and one through mine) so I'm really hopeful that one of them will approve with all the medical documentation. My PCP said 8 times of 10 when he documents things as a medical necessity it gets approved. Fingers crossed!

Starting challenge weight:145.4 Challenge goal weight:135 I will also hit one year post op during the challenge, so it would be awesome to lose these last 10 pounds!

Mine is a pretty simple equation and whatever foods fit within that equation work for me. :-) 75g of protein (minimum) 30-40g carbs (maximum) 100 oz of water (minimum) When I stick to this, all goes well. :-)

Just 3??? That is tough!!!! 1. Realizing I am WAY stronger than I thought I was. 2. Discovering running which has gotten me through the rough times and given me a goal to focus on that is not scale-related 3. Re-engaged me in "life". As a busy, working mom of 4 active kiddos, I'm sorry but there is just way more you can DO physically in life as a size 4 than as a size 22. I've discovered this.

I guess I'm almost a vet at nearly a year post op. :-) I promise you will pretty much be "able" to eat anything you want. Doesn't mean you should...for sure! There are days now that I wish I could go back to that feeling of thinking I wouldn't eat again because now I feel like I could eat anything. lol. I know that it is a very real struggle that you are having though and I remember distinctly feeling that way. I promise that you will have lots of choices again...it all comes down not necessarily to "being able to" eat anything, but "choosing to" eat only the good things.

You should check out my blog (linked in my signature). I started it after my first pre-op doctor's appointment in Jan 2013, and update it a couple of times a week. I am going to be 1 year post op next week. I try to include as much there as possible, good, bad, and ugly. :-)

I would say for me it ended completely around 8 months, and now at 1 year post op next week I definitely have regrowth coming in around my hairline and all over. It's more noticable around the hairline because I have these little sproutlets that can be kind of hard to control. :-)

You all are sweet! Thank you for your encouragement!

So I was debating where to post this, and it seems like a success, so I decided on the success stories board. :-) I was looking through some old pictures today and came across one taken 3 years ago of me and my husband and it just kind of struck me how sad I look. And this picture was not even taken at my highest weight! So I put it side by side with a picture taken a couple weeks ago of us together, and I was amazed. Not only does my body look completely different, but I look genuinely happy. I think a picture can tell a lot about a person.... And younger! Happier and younger is a pretty good combination for 3 years later!

Congratulations on your success so far! That is awesome! I am 2 weeks away from being 1 year post-op. I would say that around 9 months post op I went through a little of what you are. I had pretty much reached my goal weight and began to let things slip.....snacking more, adding more empty carbs, etc. For me I had to continuing logging things religiously in myfitnesspal.com, but I had to become a "re-born" sleever. By that I mean, I went back to basics. I did a 3-day reset, going back to the pre-op liquid diet for 3 days. Then from there I stuck to my numbers as much as humanly possible (70g Protein, 35g carbs, 100 oz water). When I do this, I lose..... even if it's just .2 of a pound, I lose. It's not fun, but the longer you go without the sugar and empty carbs, the less you crave it and better you feel. Also, are you exercising? I run, and that has completely changed me as a person. Also, it gives me a goal to focus on that is not scale-related. And in all honesty, it is probably what kept me from gaining any weight back during that period of a few weeks when I was really slipping. Good luck! You can do this!

Yes! The emotional part of it was something I was not prepared for. None of the surgery education classes my insurance required prepared me to grieve the loss of my main coping mechanism - stress eating! Hang in there though. If you are willing to do the emotional work that is involved with overcoming eating issues, I promise it will be so worth it in the end. You are not alone! :-)

Lol. It's ok. I didn't find your post harsh! Maybe it is because I have carried a lot of weight in my arms that I feel so insecure about them. If you look at the pics in my profile there are clearer shots of my pre-op arms. I actually met with my PCP today to start the process of documenting skin issues so that I can get approved for skin removal under my arms and lower stomach. I think when that is done I will feel like the "transformation" will be complete.

That is actually SO funny that you say that. My only hesitancy in posting this pic is that I think my arms look terrible. Lol. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. As far as what I've done for arms specifically......nothing really other than I am on a running schedule training for a marathon and I do core strengthening like yoga, planks, etc.