Cecilia

Have any of you tried this? Best pureed thing I've had so far. Delicious, full of veggies, and I can put it in my purse and eat it a little at a time when I'm out running errands. (Otherwise I was getting off schedule)

Gotta love that good German stock. My mom always jokes that we have "square peasant hands"... even thin, I still had to buy my gloves in the men's section. Honestly! Your mom sounds like an inspiration, though. I hope she gets the kidney soon!

Do you have My Fitness Pal? We could at least support each other that way... I'm trying to walk every day! I'm cecilialibra on MFP

Yes! Love the pictures!!! LOL!

You know where I notice it? When I lay down to sleep. It feels like my belly is sagging in a way it didn't before. I wonder what it will feel to have a ton of loose skin just hanging there... <cringe!>

Wow! What a difference! You look fabulous!!! I should go look in the bathroom mirror. I took some "last pix" the day before surgery. My kids say they can see it, but I'm still blind to it. Funny how looking at a picture makes it easier to see... And to answer your other question, I'm taking a weekly shot of my face, just because I'm up there in age (pushin' the big 5-0) and I'm curious as to whether the weight loss will make me look younger or older...

Depends on your modesty. And on the weather. In the cooler months I wore them under my sweats. In the summer, I wore them solo. (see my photo gallery)

I think I shall become known as "the Queen of the Plateaus." Good grief. Two weeks into this and already losing weight in fits and starts. I don't care, however. What I notice is the change in my face already. And my daughter said my butt looks smaller. LOLOLOL! (I'm adding new pictures to my album weekly.)

How interesting. Thanks for sharing!

Is white wine a clear liquid? I wish I'd had one last glass of wine before surgery... Best of luck to you!!! Congratulations and welcome back!!! Wishing you the very best!!! I've had a few surgeries before, and there's loads of admission paperwork, changing into a gown, getting your IV started, and waiting for the OR to be available and cleaned from the previous patient. I was told I could go in even later if the surgery ahead of me ran long due to complications, or if an emergency came in and the OR was needed for them first. Does this help to reassure you? Chin up! All will be well!

Best wishes to both of you!!!

Is anyone already noticing dry skin? Every time I look at my hands/arms I cringe. My skin looks papery and wrinkled like a person decades older! (Talking hands and arms -- not face... yet?)

They had me get in two walks on the day of surgery!

Walked around the lake again, 1.85 miles. Beat yesterday's time by 4 minutes, but that was easy because I didn't need to sit down and rest half way through, LOL! I think I'm going to sign up for a 5K walk/run in April to aim for.

One thing I learned when I was even heavier: Compression shorts. Not only do they stop others from seeing the jiggles, but they also feel good. You don't feel like your fat is pulling on you every time you take a step, they don't ride up no matter what, and they prevent chafing. Cannot recommend them enough. Here's an example.

Thank you all! I've added you!

Hey, I'm looking for friends on My Fitness pal. I'm cecilialibra. Thank you!

My thoughts are with you! I hope to hear from you in a few days on "the other side"!

Same here! What is a ketosis plan? Can you explain it? I used to do Atkins (lost 80 pounds with it! Then got pregnant and gained it all back and then some. Anyway, it was my understanding that any time you're burning fat for fuel you're automatically in ketosis. I've been peeing on my old ketostix during my stall to make me feel better... Yaaaay for the cruise! It will be my first one. Have you been on them before?

OMG! That sounds so delicious! Why can't I think of stuff like this?!

I hear ya! I've had to turn the channel when the TV show I happen to be watching is all about the food, LOL!

That's crazy! You are awesome and an inspiration! (she says going to put her tennies on)

Wow, I never thought of that. I haven't been to a restaurant yet, but it should be interesting... Yummm!!!! That sounds so delicious! I have to wait until month 4 to be able to eat that way. Waaaah! Actually, it's delicious! It has a really good "tomato-ey" taste, not so much emphasis on the sweet/sour. According to my kids I have mastered the technique for cooking chicken (and pork chops). As another person said, I sear them on both sides, about 5 minutes. In a little oil, lots of salt and pepper, until they have a thin brown "skin" on them. Then I turn down the heat and let them cook slowwwwly. Slice into the thickest part now and then to see if there's any pink. JUST as soon as the pink is gone, get them off the heat. That's my trick for keeping them juicy and tender. Then you can add a little water to the pan crusties (just a teeny bit) and make an "au jus" sort of thing (reduce if too watery). Drizzle over chicken. This is how I make chicken to mix into the kids' Fettucini Alfredo, or to slice and layer on top of a salad. It's tender, juicy, and so delish!

I know, right? Even with my natural gray showing, people still tell me I look like I'm a young 40! Wait till I'm back to my fighting weight and I'm a hottie-tot! LOL! Let's celebrate together! Do you have anything special planned? I didn't intend to have a "coming out" event, so to speak, but a girlfriend just invited me to go on a cruise in January! Every new stage seems so exciting... until you've been doing it for a week, LOL! Just kidding. As we speak, I'm trying to eat half an egg, scrambled. You have no idea how awful it feels. It's like I'm eating little rocks or something judging by the way my tummy feels. Who knew I could get full on a fork-full of eggs!