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I personally love the lime refresher, a grande is only 50 calories. In the cool weather I will occasionally order a sugarfree mocha-a tall is 120 calories and one can always order tea and put in your own sugar and milk if desired. I don't worry much about caffiene as I am able to drink a ton of water but if getting water is difficult for you avoid caffiene until it gets better. It won't be a forever thing.

No problems with watermelon, but too much banana makes my stomach hurt. We are all so different!

Beginning weight 5/29 253 today 211 total of 42!!! A little slow but steady.

Online there are some shots that are whey protein and have a multitude of flavors, come in a smaller liquid size, and aren't half bad if you mix with water and some flavors. I used them my first month after surgery when the other shots were so nasty. Look on Amazon and read labels to see what kind of protein --I can't remember the name but I think whey was in the name. They had a lemon lime flavor that mixed really well with other crystal light lemonade and helped me a lot in the beginning weeks to get enough protein. Look for a smaller size and whey as the protein and I think only online.

Atkins products (on line) has a baking, pancake mix that is designed for their low carb diet. It makes decent pancakes and you could use it tocoat fish and chicken, make baked items etc it's kind of pricey for the amount you get but if you are craving something baked???

I really don't worry about low fat except when I'm watching calories. Low carb is the direction I usually go but if Im wanting something to eat and pretty much have used my daily calories I will look for something low fat--maybe a small cheese stick etc. I'm about 8 weeks out.

I believe only half of our battle is weight loss, food portions and exercise the other half is in our heads. We have used food to celebrate, relax, comfort and love ourself. Most of this comes from lack and pain suffered in our lives and food filled the empty hole. You need to remind yourself everyday that you are worth more than cake, chips, pizza, candy etc. your health is worth fighting for and guilt, depression and self-loathing never has and never will solve this issue. Isn't this the cycle of the past that got you to the point of surgery? So it starts with little choices, today instead of feeling guilty over vacation eating when that old voice rises up to condemn say to that voice-- out loud if you need to I am going to fight for my health, I am starting over today. Then make a good choice for the food in front of you at that moment. If that oldvoice keeps rising up distract it. Turn on music, take a walk, read a book, visit a friend. Rejoice immediatly when you do well, don't anticipate failure by not planning ahead--plan your meals ahead and find something to do to not get bored. You've gotten 7 months into this and have undoubtedly been successful at losing!!! Rejoice over your success, maybe you have to regroup at this point thats not failure, it's just refining the process for success. You will succeed and we are here to support you with love! Thanks for being so honest with your feelings.

24 hour fitness in my area, Seattle, sells this brand in their gyms in their front desk stores. Right now they are 1/2 off. I'm not sure if they have unflavored, and I also believe you could just walk in and buy even if not a member.

Well biting and sucking reminds me of those days at 61 pregnancy is no longer a concern

It is like those tubes bikers use on backpacks with a lid that has a thick rubbery tube you bite and suck at the same time. It is hard when you are moving fast to tip a bottle up and pourinto your mouth this kind you just bite and suck in an upright position.

I use one of those camel back bottles. Not quite a straw but close. It has worked great since day 1 with no problems.

You are not alone. I have always had a difficult time finding bras even at 250 lbs that were a B cup. I don't know whats going to happen now that I am losing weight. I'm in some stretchy thing but not forever. Maybe I can go braless one of these days??

Isn't it amazing when you realize that your body is changing? You go along for days and weeks sometimes feeling the same and you have an ah-ha moment that brings you to reality and makes every sacrifice worthwhile. Good for you you've done well!! Great pants story to tell your kids or friends someday.

Today down a little, seems awfully slow for just over 2 months, but going in the right direction. Start weight 252--today-214.6 a total of 38.

I work out at a gym which is. Good place to start because you can usually get some free training when you start. Weight machines and free weights tone the underlying muscles beneath your skin as long as you do them at least 3-4 times weekly and with enough repetitions and sets of exercise. As you build tone in your muscles it helps increase your metabolism eventually because muscle burns more calories than fat. Loose skin can be helped somewhat as you tone but how much depends on how large you are to begin with, how old you are and how much you exercise. If you are very large you will have more loose skin and toning will not rid you of all of it especially on the abdomen. Your most promising bet is being younger as skin is more resilent and toning and building muscle will show more. You should join a gym even the YMCA and get someone to walk around and show you how to use weights and machines and if you can afford some training even for a couple of sessions that will give you more confidence.

I had for dinner last night. If you drain and rinse them thoroughly and mix with spices and stir fry with soy sauce and meat or veggies they will take on the flavors you mix them with. They are pure tofu and for someone who loves pasta they are an adaquate replacement at 20 calories a serving. They are very filling but don't think of them as pasta but clearly a substitute. They sell them in places like Whole Foods and Trader Joes. I've never been huge on pasta so they were satisfying to me mixed with broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms and soy sauce. Sometimes I save the seasoning packets from top ramen when my family leaves them and mix with an egg.

I have to say that I have similar experiences. I can only eat a limited amount of dense proteins like meat, but eggs often dont fill me up. I can eat a cup of chopped vegetables but again an apple will stuff me after a few well chewed bites. I am about 2 months out and it is always been like this even when eating pureed foods. I have to be careful not to overeat at times. Wierd huh????

I've been able to drink without sipping from the beginning. I don't gulp but I can drink a normal sip without issues. I would try and see if you could take a full sip. I'm two months out.

Yes it has some caffeine but nothing like acup of coffee. My nutritionist said as long as i was drinking enough water a cup of coffee once a day was no huge problem. I stopped pretty much because I like mine in a latte which adds calories I don't need right now, so for half the calories I get a refresher and I think it is very refreshing in the lime flavor.

Yes it has some caffeine but nothing like a cup of coffee. It tastes very refreshing to me.

I have to say that i sometimes wish for your issues. I have the opposite lots of gas and tummy noises but very little activity. Can go for 3 days feeling bloated and full and no movement until using enema or suppository. Have tried multiple forms of fiber, teas that promise relief and stool softeners + suppositories, enemas etc. now eating a cup of raw vegetables daily with limited results. Called doctor's office but still no real answers that last. I drink plenty of water and workout for an hour 5-6 days a week so I have no idea what the problem is?????

Start 5/29 252, last week 218.4 this week 216.4! It really helps to keep this record going because I forget what I weighed just last week and sometimes feel stalled when I'm not!

The new lime refresher drinks that just came out this summer , if you order the lime as a grande it is 50 calories. There is some sugar but so far has not bothered me. If I want something hot I have tea and put in my own splenda.

Congratulations on your success! I believe your youth has worked in your favor with the exercise. I work out daily and have done so before having surgery but was only able to lose and keep off about 20 extra pounds for the years prior to surgery. I've worked with trainers several times and developed a rigorous exercise regimen and it has kept me firm and relatively fit for several years but the surgery and subsequent reduction in calories has helped me begin to lose weight. I am 61 years old and even with a 1 hour daily workout and RNY the weight loss is somewhat slow and I believe I will be successful at reaching my goal but my age works against me in terms of rapid weight loss such as yours. We all need to develop the discipline of regular exercise whether we like it or not, thanks for your story and encouragement.