katesuccess

I agree about different temps. I liked some hot that weren't so good cold. Also there's a good chicken soup one you can order. Finally, I mix mine with non-fat Greek yogurt (Fage) and add a squirt of that coffee flavoring - either coffee flavor itself or things like SF caramel, etc. Good luck - keep at it until you find something works.

Night eating is still hard for me to let go of some days - and one nibble SO easily turns into a whole lot more. Now I literally say it out loud to myself as I finish eating for the day; "I'm enjoying my last bite of food tonight, and now I'm not eating anything else!" Sometimes I have to repeat it if I need to go back into the kitchen to make my lunch, lol! Also, I miss the pleasure of having a good single malt scotch on a weekly basis - used to be a really nice pleasure. Now I have it maybe quarterly if that. It's not like I miss the booze really (and it gives me no ill affects in small doses) but I know if I have it more often one will turn into two, and with two my well-thought-out eating plan seems to float out the window. sigh.

Get to a support group if you possibly can! It is great to be with people who completely understand and want to talk about it (in detail, lol) as much as you do. I use this site as a support, but also have a good friend and an outside support group through the HMO that did my surgery. They also have a nutritionist and a therapist who help lead, so no one runs amok and we can ask lots of questions. Good luck - you're not alone in this as long as you have the smarts to reach out like you did. Well done!

Think of your mom as ice cream; you can have small amounts but not so good to keep it in the house all the time. Honestly @@Sharon1964 - great job on dealing with a difficult situation in an emotionally healthy way!

I use Inner Armour Peak BCAA powder (Pink lemonade flaver) in my workout Water bottle. I lift mainly, plus cardio 3 times a week. It has caffeine but not enough to jitter me, and I like the flavor much better than the fruity-sweet ones personally. I get it at Vitamin Shoppe, and it's on sale right now. It's not a pre-workout though, it's a BCAA, and for me it works well taking the place of both. Pre-workout (and post) I use my food to set me up for the workout and then to feed muscles afterwards, and it's been working really well. There is a pre-workout they sell at costco here in the Northwest (Cookies and cream flavor) and it's really good. I'll occasionally use that one too. Hope you find something you like! Let us know?

I loved finding some good consignment stores. I love shopping them knowing it's less money and good brands, and they are thrilled to receive plus sized clothing for their stock. Since I lost fairly quickly those middle sizes didn't get much wear either.

I get that - not a big fan of belts myself, so I take my pants in a bit as they get roomy. If you don't use a sewing machine, barter with someone who does, or know that dry cleaners are good about doing this, and you can just say "2 inches" instead of having them fit you. It's usually pretty cheap, and worth it when you're down to just a couple pair you can wear. You will be buying hot new pants and shrinking - her attitude and personality that caused the comment, she's likely stuck with forever!

@goplay94123 that is SO funny! I saw that episode when it aired and didn't even notice. That's wold--creepy, and wild. What shirt would we buy today? (Not that I would - too tacky for words!) I'm thinking nice soft cashmere the shade of my fave protein drink, or maybe one with pictures of barbells and dumbbells on it.

That's great! And enjoyed a walk along with the restoration of MVPP (Most Valuable Party Person)!

That's wretched @jenn1! And no rush to be a grownup until you've got it sorted out in your own way. Love the benefits of Race for Cure too - way to go! What about throwing a (way better!) party yourself? It'd be interesting to see who opts in or out... I'm also thinking your new figure and looks are maybe annoying some of the neighborhood party-throwing women. Just a thought.

Great rant topic @her1981! I don't tell many people, but I've had three non-fam people seriously ask how I've done this loss, because their lives are in danger from obesity: I told my 60 year old brother in law who is over 450 lbs (about 5'7") and can no longer visit his father etc. His response? "It's just too extreme for me! It changes your body and your life even." Um yes, for the better. And too extreme? Like 450 isn't? I told my friend who is mid forties and around 390 he says, (also around 5'9") and he said it was "Too drastic! I might consider it if nothing else worked--but that's just way too drastic a thing to do." I can't count how many joys he's given up because he cannot physically do them now. Drastic indeed. I also told a woman friend in her mid-60s when she looked like she was miserable and about to drop in her tracks at our gym. She looked like I'd given her the winning lottery ticket! Now 9-10 months later she went self-pay she was so sure of it, and is already at goal! Yes, she's smaller than me, and i'm thrilled for her. Lets just call me "extreme" and "drastic" in my completely changed joyful life!

I'm finding I love my high end consignment stores and being able to buy clothes I love (instead of what hides me or is merely passable) and yup, my closet is getting a bit full. So of course I bought another really cute Calvin dress the other day! Hey, she said my back looked great in it - which I've been working like crazy at the gym...need I say more? Surely I'm justifying a bit here, but: this isn't like spending/buying at full price, and I turn things back in for credit regularly. (Other people get to look fab in it now!) It's a non-food treat! I'm still spending less than I once did on increasing sizes plus all the food I was eating. I'm not seeing a therapist, (though when needed, yes) and these little excursions definitely feel positively therapeutic. Even when I don't buy anything, it's still a rush to try something on and NOT buy it because it isn't right for me, not because I'm too fat to get my thighs/ass/bosom into it! Would a hobby like golf or sailing cost any less? You can do this all winter too. Recycling. Supporting local small businesses. Looking fabulous. Need I go on?

Good going @2babuttefly for getting back on track, and also you @@s_suther for good ideas! I also like a half cup of halo top ice cream or half a quest bar. Sometimes I add a half tablespoon of Justin's PB on it.

I will warn you that the first two or three weeks on this plan I didn't lose, I guess because my body was needing to stabilize. My trainer said to think of it as the body trusting there would be enough food coming every day consistently to start burning fuel better, instead of hanging on to everything. Seems like she was right thankfully. Good luck - don't give up!

Sorry not to answer you sooner @Sajijoma - I've been swamped with work lately, and a family event too. So today I knew I had a lunch meeting, so I previewed the menu and called to ask how much meat was on the steak salad (3oz) so I started logging with that, and then added foods to get to my targets. - Breakfast I had 1/3 of an ounce of "Just Strawberries" (crunchy dried ones with no junk added, and 1/3 ounce is quite a bit really) and a "peppermint mocha" version of my Protein drink; 1 scoop Isopure low carb chocolate flavor made hot with a cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk and two shots of espresso and peppermint extract . - Morning snack was 4 ounces lean Board's Head sliced deli chicken and 3/4 of an ounce of home-roasted cashews I make (less fat/salt/sugar) and half an ounce of aged Gouda. - Lunch at the restaurant was lettuce, a few grape tomatoes, a few toasted pecans and the rare steak - and light on the dressing! - Afternoon snack is 3 ounces non-fat Fage yogurt mixed with another scoop of isopure Protein powder (Combat is good too!), 1/3 ounce dried Just Peaches, and a Mediterranean chicken breast skewer from costco. Also 2 tablespoons cream in my iced coffee with some stevia - yum! - dinner will be 4 ounces scrambled egg-whites , one slice of bacon, 3 more ounces of nonfat Fage yogurt topped with a bit of SF Torani vanilla syrup and 2 ounces of frozen blueberries. - My evening snack (which I finally realized helps me avoid late night foraging!) is half a chocolate chunk Quest bar with half a tablespoon of Justin's Peanut Butter on it. This is fairly typical, though I don't usually have that much fruit. a couple times a week I get my carbs from mug cakes or other things like Halo Top ice cream, maybe skim milk in a small Cappuccino, or Combat protein powder has 5 carbs to a scoop, but 25 grams of protein! My Isopure I get at the Vitamin Shoppe has no carbs or fat, but also 25 grams of protein. It's a LOT of food, and not right for everyone, but after a terminally long stall I finally accepted that it could be my body was needing me to eat more and be really stable in my intakes so it could stabilize enough to begin losing again. I lift weights at the gym four days a week (two upper body days, two lower body) for about 25 minutes including stretching, and do some form of cardio on three of those days for about 20 minutes -- HIIT on the treadmill usually or by swimming laps the same way. Some days I use the torture machine (i.e. stairclimber!) but only rarely. I've consistently lost 2 pounds per week, this week 2.5 (yay!) and I can finally say I'm never hungry or deprived feeling. I have bread or a treat if I want to factor it in, and if it's REALLY good, but decided there's no point in eating mediocre stuff. Hope this is helpful. I aim for 60 ounces of Water each day too. Kate Wow - sorry for such a long answer just now!

Seriously true! Can I "double-Like" this post @VSGAnn2014 ?

Way to go!!! That is a fabulous goal, @GibbsGirl - and one I know you'll take great pleasure in all year long. Nice!

I know I hate it when people tell me this, though I'm coming to believe that our bodies go into starvation mode when they don't have enough balance in our diets or enough calories to run on. After stalling out on 800 cal a day for more than two months, I fell off the wagon and gained some weight. I thought about doing the stringent 800 cal and no carbs thing, until my trainer convinced me to go with a more sane and sustainable route. Now I'm consistently losing 2 pounds a week, but it took four weeks on my present eating plan for my body to trust I wasn't going to starve it again I think. I eat 1300-1400 calories a day of 60 gm carbs, 55 fat, 160 Protein -- and I'm loving how easy it is to stay on it for me. Gym four times a week but nothing insane there either. I hope you find what works for you @, and that you're back to the loser's bench quickly. I also happen to believe venting definitely helps, so vent away!

Great job getting and staying on track everyone! and WOW @@rockinrobin, what a terrific loss! I'm jealous. I'm still plugging away 1 to 2 pounds each week, and wishing like heck it would move faster. I got a Baker's Cyst in my knee, so that's put me off of any serious cardio for a while, though walking is still fine. I'm also making it to the gym the four times a week my goals call for, which is nothing short of miraculous for me. What is everyone's favorite 'legal' treat food? (Mine are Mug Cakes, Quest bars, and mixing my chocolate Protein powder into nonfat Greek Yogurt, and adding a tablespoon of peanut powder--YUM!) What is your best Go-To lunch food that you seem to eat often? (Mine would be Boar's Head golden classic chicken breast, sliced super thick in the deli, and then cut into sticks at home and I bag into 4 ounce portions. Super low in fat and high in Protein, and moist enough to taste good.)

Sure - just to make it faster I bag up the dry ingredients for about four pairs of mug cakes at a time, writing on the baggie what needs to be added, since I can forget in that moment! Pre-mixing thebaggies means I can whip one up in less than ten minutes too. Also I 'bake' them in the microwave in ramekins instead of mugs. It's my daughter/trainer's recipe: Mug Cakes - makes 2! Mix dry ingredients: 2 T Splenda for baking (or equivalent in sweetness if using packets or stevia). 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder (optional - you may want to do other flavors) 2 T golden flax meal 2 T almond flour 2 T Coconut flour pinch of salt - good sized mix together and add to dry: 2 egg whites (or 1 egg - I use bottled whites) 2 tspns melted coconut oil splash of vanilla 2-3 T almond milk (regular is fine too) I also top each cake with 1/2 packet (those 32 gm ones) of Justins chocolate Hazelnut butter, and so that IS figured into the macros below. Microwave separately on 80% - 100% power for 60 seconds or so and check. It shouldn't be wet/sticky on top any more. Servings 2.0 Amount Per Serving calories 264 % Daily Value * Total Fat 19 g 30 % Saturated Fat 7 g 34 % Monounsaturated Fat 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0 % Sodium 126 mg 5 % Potassium 170 mg 5 % Total Carbohydrate 17 g 6 % Dietary Fiber 9 g 36 % Sugars 4 g Protein 11 g 21 % Vitamin A 1 % Vitamin C 0 % Calcium 10 % Iron 14 % My daughter likes adding almond butter and swirling it just before microwaving, or Walden Farms Blueberry Jam, SF maple syrup or their Peanut Butter. You could also add in a few mini choc chips, coconut shreds, etc. Personally I also like a squirt of caramel flavor (those little tiny bottles you buy in the coffee aisle to squirt in coffee). Mix well, spray ramekin or mug with non-stick coating

When family or people who love you speak to you in care--and listen to your response--I get that, and even appreciate it. When coworkers or casual friends say (unsolicited) things like they did to you, @her1981, then it's a different story. "Thanks, I'm feeling great! But enough about me, lets talk about how much I think you should gain or lose!" "Gosh--how lucky to get free medical advice! And to think my doctor charges me for his professional care..." "Really? You liked that movie too?..." Okay, yes, catty responses. All ones I can say with a smile and a laugh, instead of telling the person to back off and keep it to themselves, no matter how well-intentioned.

Great thread! I LOVE scallops! Yes, they're pricey, so sometimes I buy the frozen bag of larger sea scallops and they aren't as high as fresh ones. I like them seared in the pan with a bit of garlic and then deglaze with either dry sherry, Madeira or white balsamic vinegar. Soooo good.

Hi everyone! Sorry to be off so long, but this last two months is my crazy busy season work-wise. Things are a more sane pace now, and I'm feeling good about staying on my plan--though it sure took a while to see it starting to work! My trainer (also knows something about nutrition and much about WLS) put me on more calories after a long period of pup and down and giving into cravings and eating junk and gaining weight. I felt like such a failure! So three weeks on this new routine of 1300-1400 calories a day but staying wreally close to macros (only a 5 gm variance allowed) -- so 60 gm Carbs, 55 gm Fat, 160 gm Protein. And after three weeks, much to my surprise--on the fourth week I lost two pounds...and i've lost two pounds every single week since then! I get to the gym about 4 times a week, and am finding staying with this even amount of macros actually keeps me from having cravings most of the time, and if I spread out the macros pretty evenly throughout the day, I feel really great. I had been leaving more for a bigger, richer, dinner, but that seemed to work against me, so now I even them out. I"m so glad to finally feel like i'm making progress and like I can keep it up. Still hard to get to the gym sometimes, and hard to pass up certain foods when they're in front of me--but easier these days than before when I think I yoyo-ed on my nutrition too much. So good to hear about how you're all doing. Sorry to hear about death in your family and job stuff @@bacon , and the moving ups and downs folks are having. As for that baked treat craving, @s_suther that's a BIG weakness for me too! I started making mug cakes though (super low carb!) and having those 2-3 times a week at end of day absolutely saves me. They aren't for everyone, but I love them. Let me know if you want the recipe I use. I find most of the real downfall foods are ones that if I eat some, I'll keep eating and justifying until I've reversed my progress and gained. SO depressing! I'm working out substitutes that don't trigger that for me though, and that's working pretty well. Mug cakes, Halo Top ice cream, choc chunk or choc mint Quest bars are my sweet treats, and they really help. Good to see everyone back - I'll try to be more regular in checking in. Glad you restarted things @2babutterfly and hope things are going better for you. Check in even if not though--we've all been there!

Okay - I too really like Peanut Butter - I use Justin's now when I want a little bit, as real stuff tastes better to me. Biggest thrill that I've found this is that Jiff makes "Peanut Powder" and OMG is it ever amazing! Much better macros than PB2, and better flavor to my taste. One Tablespoon is only 23 calories, .7 g fat, 1.3 carbs and 2.7 protein! (based off their 3 T serving size stats). I stir a tablespoon of it into my Fage yogurt with a bit of chocolate Protein Powder and sometimes a bit of stevia, and I'm a very happy girl, and it's really satisfying. It's in the section with the regular Jiff peanut butters in my store.

Yes, undistracted eating helps some folks, and me sometimes. Other times it can make me rush through a meal, so for me it's most helpful to consciously make an effort to slow down. I was really turned off by the idea of using actual baby spoons--don't know why, maybe it felt unpleasantly regressive for me. I do essentially the same thing though, using those small sterling silver spoons you find in antique and junk shops (or tourist shops) that lots of people collect. Most were originally demitasse spoons for small cups of coffee or used for tea, and I've got several, and have now bought a few more that I really like. Not expensive, but such a nice way to slow down my eating and feel elegant too. It makes me smile to use one from my home state, or with a crown on the end, or the one my daughter brought me from a trip she took.