hrhlaurie

116 today so only lost 2 pounds this week. I feel like I'm fighting off a stall.

I didn't mean to only eat protein but since I can only eat about 1/4 cup of food per meal, I can't eat anything after I eat my meat and some cheese. My snacks are 1 Tbsp almond or peanut butter or a few almonds or parmesan crispies so I decided just to run with the protein-centric diet. I'm older, slower metabolism and there was a post about a honeymoon period of 6 - 12 months where weight loss is easier and then losing gets harder so I decided to give it my all for the first 6 - 12 months and then worry about maintaining after that. I'll need to learn how to eat regular food eventually but for now, I'm pretty happy and healthy and taking vitamins and getting in my protein and liquids so... I can't ever plan a meal around bad, white carbs again but I'll find other good food to eat instead. I lose so slowly, one pound every other day or so, and feels like forever but better than I've ever done before so shut up, Laurie, you are getting there and succeed at this.

Ate too much for dinner. We got baby back ribs to go and they were so good I just kept poking in pieces of meat. I don't eat bread or fries or anything except protein right now but I'm so full, like the meat is expanding. 2 months after surgery, when will I learn not to eat too much or too fast...

I bought an assortment of 8 different flavors of quest bars from gnc since they are having a sale on them. Last night I had the chocolate peanut butter bar for dinner and it was pretty good. I might try strawberry cheesecake today for lunch!

You guys look great! Can you believe that only two months after surgery we're at the before and after phase?!

Totally agree. I don't mind who knows about my surgery and a girl at work is now looking into it for herself which could be life-changing for her too and not quite the same as telling her about my period. I don't tell her all of my personal details but she can see that it works and can investigate it for herself. This is an amazing tool and chance to get healthy and feel good and I feel like any criticism will bounce right off of me. Hard to argue with results. Now, in all honesty, I didn't talk about it a lot before surgery because in spite of everything I knew, having this surgery was a little scary, like stepping of into black space. Hard to talk about something you don't know. Now, 52 pounds down, I'm singing from the rooftops, "it works!" I also look with serious scepticism at anyone who loses a lot of weight and credits it to just exercise and diet. Overall, I guess threads like this are good for us all to share our views and differences without judgement.

I bought some power crunch bars with 13 grams of protein, 9 grams net carbs and 5 grams sugar. They are pretty handy if I'm out and will miss a meal.

I've told several people who are friends because I don't mind if they ask questions. I don't really tell casual acquaintances because we don't share things at that level. This especially applies to social media where I have mix of family, friends, and people I've never met who just have a common interest. So I posted a photo of our family and a friend remarked how good I looked after surgery. I just commented not to tell me yet because I'm only half way to goal but I was thinking, now it's out there and everyone knows but no one asked or cared so it was kind of a non event.

For some reason I'm afraid to trust this calculation. I know it works but I hate buying things with huge amounts of carbs.

Checking in and 218 today.

I'm the same, just 7 weeks out but I love mixing my protein shakes with different flavors of injury protein powder, sugar free flavored syrup and either 1% milk out almond coconut milk. I love the variety and can get in a lot of protein first thing in the morning. I stick with protein all day, no bad carbs or sweets.

The food part is fairly easy but I'm really lagging in the exercise piece. I walk every day and swim sone days but not really inspired to get out there and sweat. What do you guys do to get motivated to burn calories?

I get hiccups and maybe burp when I'm done but 7 weeks out, I know how much I can eat so I stop and then wait for the hiccups and a burp or as things settle.

I'll pick some up. I went to buy prune juice last night and it had 29 grams of carbs so can't have that. I do drink a juice called Bai5 that is healthy and low carb but I need to add the stool softener I think.

I had the same thing, between weeks 3 and 4, same weight for 6 days. It definitely counts as a stall and I know it will happen again at some point.

Thanks for the tip, same problem here and I don't want to live on laxatives.

Lost 20 pounds pre-surgery diet, was 250 day of surgery on May 29 and tomorrow is 7 weeks since surgery and am down 28 pounds to 222.

I haven't made it a secret that I had surgery cause I did and it's legal and I'm pretty open I guess. Today I was glad because a co- worker asked me all about the surgery, sees how I am doing - well and happy and wants to look into it for herself. Its nice to be able to inspire others. We have an opportunity to be sleeve ambassadors.

My doctor said that because of my height, muscle, bone structure, etc, he doesn't think I'd like the way I'd look if I got lower than150. I thought the 140s seemed reasonable but now I'm not sure so I set new goals; visible hip bones, comfortable size 8 clothes, weight can be whatever suits those two goals.

I wish I could lose a pound a day but I'm averaging 1 pound every other day. I'm not eating carbs or sweets and feel great so will keep on until my Nut says I need to do something different.

There's no way around it, it sucks. You got the sleeve and your post-operative results were dismal. I'd be mad, sad and on my dieticians doorstep demanding help. Our little sleeve is an amazing tool but only you know what you're feeding it. I'm avoiding all carbs since my body will more readilyburn fat if it doesn't have carbs as fuel. Keep them as low as possible, substitute a Protein shake for one meal and eat mostly lean protein. Get back to basics and you'll kick-start your weight loss again. During my next stall I'm going to need very similar encouragement. Hard to see the forest for the trees when we are so invested in this process so objectivity goes right out the window! Hang in there and keep trying!

Eating out is easier than it sounds. Look at the sides and get a side of refried Beans, some baked chicken wings, a pork or chicken taco and eat just the inside, any baked chicken is good and I like tomato basil Soup too. Worse case, see if you can order just half a sandwhich and just eat the middle tuna salad, meat or whatever and toss the bread. Ask the server if you can order just a scoop of tuna or chicken salad or whatever. Most restaurants are accommodating. We eat out a lot and I can get a side of ham for Breakfast and have enough to share or if my husband gets a steak, sometimes they will have a side of grilled shrimp he can add on so I take a few and that's my dinner. Fast food, look for small grilled chicken wraps and eat just the chicken and cheese. I love Carls Jr grilled chicken and you can order it without sauce and bun so they will wrap the chicken in lettuce leaves. I just eat the chicken, cheese and grilled pepper and toss the rest and its enough for two meals. We are now officially really cheap dates!

I start each day with a Protein shake made with atkins chocolate shake, a scoop of unjury Protein powder, 1% milk, and ice. I also add some sugar free syrup (mocha, or hazlenut or coconut, etc.) It takes me about 90 minutes to 2 hours to drink it all but I get about 40 grams of protein and lots of liquid. 11:30 - noon I have lunch, which is about 4 Tbsp of lean, grilled chicken or pork with some low-fat cheese and maybe a few grilled peppers and onions. 4 hours later I have a snack of 1 Tbsp almond butter and a parmesan crispie (1 oz. Parm. Cheese baked with a bit of garlic and rosemarie seasoning to make a tasty, low-fat treat). dinner is same as lunch, more meat, some cheese and a little grilled veggies. I don't eat any other Snacks or carbs or sweets. I take Vitamins morning and night, a B12 every morning and 2 chocolate calcium chews mid day. No bread, Pasta, pizza crust, potatoes, rice, chips, crackers or other empty carbs. One day, once I am maintaining my goal weight, if I want a cracker, bite of pizza or bite of pasta, I'll decide if I really want it but I can't let those foods become part of my regular diet cause then I'll just eat them and go backwards. Those foods were my crack! I eat different types of meat and cheese, add in some hummus or a low-fat sauce or dip to mix it up and sometimes just have refried Beans with a little melted cheese and guacamole, especially when we go out for mexican. I ate a little pork out of the inside of a soft taco, but I like switching off and having beans instead of meat. My Peanut Butter and almond butter are in individual sized packets from whole foods for convenience and portion control. I just carry a few in my purse. When I'm not eating, I'm drinking Water and I've had a few bites of watermelon, strawberry and pineapple but not much due to natural sugar in fruit. My doc says I can have some almonds as a snack, chewed well, as long as my tummy does OK with them but I haven't been brave enough to try them yet.

Good luck with your new, tiny tummy!

Checking in, week 1: CW: 222 GW: 197 I think I started this challenge at 227.