Baker_gurl

I started doing this too! I mixed strawberry crystal light powder into my plain yogurt. Have y'all tried making your own yogurt? I found a tutorial online that just uses a crockpot. It is very simple and all it requires is milk, plain yogurt (as a starter), a crockpot, fine mesh strainer(if you want to make Greek yogurt), cheese cloth (or coffee filters) and time. It makes a half gallon of plain yogurt for less than $5. Here's the link: http://amandathevirtuouswife.blogspot.com/2011/08/homemade-yogurt-with-crock-pot.html

If you have a YMCA in your area, they offer an open door policy. The policy where I'm at is if you make under $60,000 a year, they will base the membership in your income. You get a full membership to all the classes, facilities etc. Here you just have to bring in your tax papers and 2 pay stubs.

I hear ya! One summer back in 2005, I was working as a cashier in between college terms and this little old lady asked me when I was due. I was so humiliated! I had no idea what to say to her!

I can definitely relate to this! I have had one pedicure, on my wedding day. I have always felt so self conscious about this. I guess I always felt like I was unworthy and I felt like the technician was disgusted with me. I've had a few manicures and the technicians have been really rude and wouldn't really talk to me and would talk in a foreign language to their co workers. What I'm looking forward to: The option to have children and be a good example if I do A better/healthier relationship with my husband Becoming a runner and completing a marathon Fitting comfortably into an airplane seat (I've avoided flying due to this) Shopping with my sister in the normal sizes (We've NEVER been able to do this together!) Enjoying amusement park rides again! Shopping at VS for the first time ever and not having to go straight to the beauty/makeup dept because nothing fits! Not being the fat invisible/overlooked friend Not worrying about weight restrictions Kayaking Not feeling so miserable during this Memphis heat!

I am the same way. I have found what works for me, however. I really like group exercise classes. Zumba has been my favorite class! I am having so much fun that I forget that I'm exercising. I'm able to smile and laugh the entire time. I also love to swim. I'm hoping to join the YMCA soon, so I can get more involved in exercise classes on a regular basis.

I honestly don't even remember being below a plus size. I would like to be a size 10. I'm tall, and I think that would be a good size for my body frame.I can't wait to be able to shop in normal stores! Plus size clothes are too expensive for this chica!

Congratulations!! That is fantastic to hear!

My boss is having her WLS today too! Hope you're recovering nicely!

Mine were usually at the end of the month, but the insurance lady at the Dr.'s office said it didn't matter as long as they were once a month.

My Insurance just started covering the service this year. I'm thankful because before this year, it was $300! How crazy is that!?!

I had to pay $100. I paid my $20 co-pay and then there was a bogus $80 test processing fee. My insurance covered the balance. He read the first 15 questions to me to make sure I understood the format and then sent me off to an unoccupied office. The test was just true/false questions. Some of the questions were pretty off the wall like "I feel like I'm demon possessed" or "I sometimes feel like cursing". I kinda feel like the test was a waste of time, but I did enjoy talking the the Dr. One thing I didn't like was that he mentioned a lot of his conversations that he had with other anonymous clients. I just didn't want to become part of his conversation with another WLS client.

When I went in for my Psych Eval, he asked me about my life and weight loss history. We talked for about an hour and then I had to take this 300 question test.

Hi, My dietitian has highly encouraged using Mio Sweet Tea flavor as a replacement for the real thing. Has anyone here tried that flavor? Just looking for recommendations before I buy it. Thanks!

I feel the same way. I'm desperately trying to get healthy and am hoping to have surgery soon (finishing up appointments this month and then submitting for insurance). My husband says that he wants to lose weight, but yet still demands I get him fast food (even though we have real, home cooked meals at the house) and will not work out with me. I understand that it's really hard to change your lifestyle and lose weight, but I feel like he's just given up on life. He has become so stubborn, and unambitious. I'm just at my wit's end and don't know what to do.

Congratulations! I'm hoping for a similar loss! I'm 28 and hopeful that I will reach my goal weight after I have surgery!

My dietitian said that we were supposed to try to get in 75-100grams of protein each day. That seems pretty steep, but I am going to try my best once I have surgery!

I have used the bag of Morningstar Soy crumbles for things like burritos, tacos etc. It is very tasty and my picky husband had no idea that it wasn't ground beef. I think the bag was around $3.50.

Just saw this post, but I am praying for healing and peace in your body in Jesus name!

Hey everyone, I'm hoping to have the surgery this Fall. My husband and I are both overweight. I'm hoping that my new healthy eating habits will rub off on him. Does anyone have any healthy recipes that your spouse/family really enjoy? I want us both to start eating better so we can become a healthier family. He's really picky about veggies, unfortunately. Sometimes I can slip them in if I puree them, lol. :ph34r:

Panda, I can so relate to being the fat sister! My sister is the polar opposite of me. She's short and petite. I feel like she has used that against me my entire life! I'm interested to see what our relationship will be like after I have surgery. I'm hoping it will bring us closer together!

I have always been overweight and bigger than people my age. I guess when I really noticed a definite weight gain was after I got married. I gained about 50 pounds. Some traumatic things happened in my life and I just gave up caring. I cannot wait until I have my surgery and hit my goal weight! I don't ever remember being at a healthy weight. I just want to know what that feels like, lol!

I'm afraid that this situation is going to come up in my life. My best friend and I are both very much overweight. I've talked with her about the surgery and she seems supportive, but I think that once I have surgery and lose weight, she is going to start acting differently. She's a really sensitive person and we've had problems before with her feeling bad or jealous if I hang out with other people (due to her being busy or not coming to an event). I am really hoping this doesn't affect our friendship. I don't want her to feel like I've left her in the dust. Has anyone else experienced this and how did you handle it?

I really like Vitacost! They have a referral program too. If someone refers you, you get a $10 off code and when you make a purchase, the person who refers you gets one too! Vitacost has great bargains! I love the quality of their products and the savings! Here is a link: http://www.vitacost.com/Referee?wlsrc=rsReferral&ReferralCode=90206257

I was wondering about this same topic today. I love to cook/bake and of course, eat. I'm always looking for new recipes, reading food cooking magazines. Over these last few months, I'm realizing that my focus on food has been more of an obsession. Instead of finding an active hobby, my hobby was cooking. When I have the surgery, I'm going to have to find something else to focus on. I'm excited to shift my focus to something that is healthy. For those of you who loved to cook before surgery/find recipes/etc, what hobbies have you replaced food with? I am hoping to do some more geocaching, hiking, swimming and crafting.

Thank you! I will have to go find one. It seems like I'm always on the go, so this would help! I think I'll pick up some protein powder since I'm passing by target tonight. I looked at the capella drops site and was amazed at the flavor selection! Thank you everyone for the tips!