sophie'sChoice

Chapstick! good luck!

I don't use the fitbit, I use the Jawbone. Although it is Water resistant I don't use it in the water. Honestly, I'm not sure you would find a good one that would be able to withstand being submerged in water consistently. That being said, I am able to log my activity into the jawbone, which activity, the duration, and the intensity. From there it will estimate caloric burn. I'm sure the fitbit would do something similar. Personally, the estimated caloric burn and knowing I'm doing good things for my body and health have been enough. I will be interested to see what others have to say! Good luck to you! I get a new knee in December so I'll be back in the water again!

I'm so sorry for your loss. And for the loss of your coping mechanism. Even this far out I still miss my coping mechanism and find myself wanting food. I still sometimes eat when under incredible stress. But....I don't eat processed sugar. It takes me FOREVER to make the cravings go away again after I do that. So, as an example this is what I did the last time I really wanted to eat, I ended up eating cherry tomatoes and raw slices of mushrooms. I wasn't able to eat much before I was full. I was still sad, but there was no more room in my little tummy for me to put any food so I had to face my emotions without any more food. I'm hoping that eventually I won't need food at all but for now I'm just happy I don't eat a bunch of junk. Hang in there

It's been a while since I was sleeved so I can't remember specifically, but my surgeon had me wait a specific period of time before I could work out again. It was like 4 weeks? or maybe a little longer? I don't remember but your surgeons office will most likely have their own guidelines. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing! You look awesome!

LMAO @ "mudflaps".....

I wish you much luck. I've decided to venture out into the dating world again. It's scary especially when you aren't a spring chicken anymore! My first date is tomorrow night. It's a blind date. EEEEK. I tried the online thing and didn't meet with much success so now I'm doing a matchmaker thing. Just take it slow and don't "settle"!

Horizontal stripes! On what planet do horizontal stripes look good on a plus sized person?

Yay you for reaching goal! congratulations! Don't panic! You can do this! Personally, my advice would be to knock out the processed sugar. For me processed sugar is like crack. If I have any at all I just want more...I crave it...it makes me hungry...and thus fall the dominoes. Spring is upon us and there will be so many new things for the healthier you to do ! have fun!

Lipstick Lady I always look forward to your posts and comments however you said something in which I am in total disagreement. Hershey kisses, in my opinion, are NOT real chocolate. Now Dove dark is most certainly real chocolate! And I often join you in the evening by indulging.....there is nothing better! :-)

Unfortunatley it is in the hands of the insurance company like the others have said. You can tell by my stats that my BMI was WAY over 50 and I still had to do the 6 month supervised diet before we could submit for approval. Good luck to you!

I'm almost giddy with excitement that my weight starts with a "2". It has been longer than I can remember since I have been here and I'm so psyched. I received a jawbone 24 for Christmas and I think this will really help me continue my journey. Does anyone else have one? Its one of those things you wear on your wrist that tracks your steps, calories burned, reminds you to get up and move if you have been idle too long, tracks your goals, monitors your sleep patterns, all kinds of things! Anyway....I wanted to share. I have perma-grin today. Onward!!! and happy new year!

I LOVE the premiere protein drinks and buy several cases at a time at Sam's. The chocolate is my favorite. It's the only way I can get my 80 grams of protein in! Hope you like it!

Way to go Heynowkc! You are doing awesome!!!!

Yep.....he and his staff are great! He was my surgeon of choice. When you get to the required nutritionist appt. (they had a choice of 2 and I can't remember which one I went to) she was all gloom and doom but don't worry about her....Jayme will give you all the information you need in terms of nutrition etc.You will get stuff in writing, and a website for you and your family/friends to watch videos showing each procedure. They also have monthly support groups for pre-surgery and post-surgery people. I could go on and on...but if you have any specific questions hit me up.

Welcome aboard and good luck to you! you will find a lot of support here!

Way to go Texashoosier! That is an amazing accomplishment! You have really dedicated yourself to your workout schedule and that's awesome you can make the time to do that especially at this time of the year...kudos!

Mandymel.....it seems you have lost 24 pounds in 2 weeks!? I can't imagine you are doing anything wrong...keep up the good work.

I made wassail using the no sugar added apple juice. I put it in a pot and added a few cinnamon sticks, some whole cloves, and thinly sliced oranges. I brought it to a boil and then simmered. It was awesome!

I have let the holiday stress get to me and I'm really disappointed in myself. Work is stressful and all the extra activities in the evenings has me so busy I'm not organized anymore and very fatigued. I always have nuts as my snack in the evening and now I have realized that I'm consuming way too many. I'm grazing!! YIKES! I'm eating on the run almost every day because of necessity. And we won't even go into all the extra food at all the events (I've been doing well in that regard). The buck stops here. I have no nuts in the house as of today. If I can't control them I can't have them. Getting rid of the ones at work as well. I brought hummus today for my snack. I'm hoping that when the holidays are over and things go back to a "normal busy" I won't struggle as much with wanting to graze. I want to go back to a few months ago when I had to remind myself to eat. Mindful eating is what I'm going to practice. Just wanted to get this out there. I know what to do, I just have to be mindful and DO IT! (I wish it were as easy as it sounds). Oh....and I bought myself an elliptical...it gets delivered next friday. Merry Christmas to me!!! I'm very psyched about this! You would all have gotten a chuckle if you could have seen me at Sears. They had about a dozen ellipticals on the floor. This 300 pounder was on every one! Then I narrowed it down to 3 and got back on each of them a couple of times. By the time I had made my decision I was WORN OUT! LOL But I'm excited. I consider it an investment in my health and my future. Take home message...NO MORE NUTS! NO MORE GRAZING!

YAY you!! doing the happy dance for you!

Nikki9....how goes the boredom eating? Hang in there!

WOW!! thanks for sharing! You look fantastic!

Hi RJ, you are still my hero and I do not say that in jest. When I first came here and saw your stats (even with your complications) that told me that hey....maybe I really can do this. Since then you have been so supportive of me and so many others. I'm sorry your friend doesn't "get it". But you are an icon here and you best not go anywhere! We will find you! LOL (((HUGS))). In terms of the doctor I think he might be looking at it from a statistical viewpoint. With your complications you are not the poster child for success that they want to show the world but that does not mean you are not a success! Look at what you have done!! When you see the dietitian I doubt they want to see you gain weight and I know you will let him/her know how important this is to you. I want you to be happy and healthy. I believe in you!

That was hilarious! That's probably why people are warned to not text when they drink. Thanks for the chuckle and so glad you are "done" and doing well!