Susan-031314

Time of month could play up to three lbs in variance for me..... back when I I had those issues. Even now after a hysterectomy, I can vary a lb over a weekend. Since surgery, I've had one week when I didn't think the scale reflected my real result. Sure enough the scale was down the next day. This was after a long visit with my toilet that was a little overdue. I agree too that when the scale pauses, I can find clothes in my closet that fit much better. This is all about ELIM, if you are Eating Less and Increasing Movement, you are rocking this program!!

Sounds pretty awesome to me!!! I figure that I lost that easy water weight pre-surgery so after surgery was true fat loss. It's more noticeable when you get into clothes that you couldn't fit into pre-surgery, but if you are like me, you were wearing clothes that were really too small to begin with. If you need a reminder of what you've accomplished in only 30 days, fill a backpack with 18 lbs of groceries and haul it around for a half an hour. I guarantee you will soon realize what you've accomplish, and think, you are only just starting. Keep up the good work!!

Way to go!!! What a year indeed. I bet you feel like a different person at this point.

Smash, I keep crystal lite packets in my pursue. I also have snack-packs of 16 almonds in my purse, car and office. I haven't worried too much about being out and about, as I do much better when I'm out and active. If i eat, I am brutally honest with my logging on my fitness pal. I'm working to keep calories at 800, but focusing more on protein.

Large applesauce-no sugar, Greek yogurt,flavor is OK, but no fruit chunks, prune juice, children's Tylenol melts, healthy choice tortilla soup. Other clear fruit juices, no sugar, but don't go overboard. Dessert size plates, I got disposable seasonal ones that cheer me up.

Thanks for heading this up. I've done the survey and am ready to join. I'm in Plano, so Irving is doable if the time is right. Thanks again!!!

222.0. Down two and change. Gonna have to step it up to hit goal. Hard week ahead, crunch time at the office so they feed us, and you know it's not the right stuff????????????

I agree with the Sues, be sure to measure 2 oz of soup. Keep the quantity small, even if it goes down well. Like you said, that may differ with your healthcare team.

I'm just over 3 months myself. I am losing better if I get just over 800 calories than less. I totally agree on the Protein drink most days, if not for Breakfast I have a Medifast brand Cappuccino or. shake as an afternoon snack. I like cottage cheese with a touch of fruit or Greek yogurt. On the go, I like Oscar Mayer P3 Snacks, handy and tasty. Lots of my breakfasts have been cheese stick rolled up in deli meat. I know you don't like rocks, but I like almonds as a snack. I've counted 16 into snack bags and keep them everywhere, car, office and purse. They are my goto when tempted with other goodies. It's strange but I really like eating from small plates and bowls. I can't eat much, but I'm happier when I have a full small plate than an empty large plate. It's hard to waste food, but that's just part of life on the road. Good luck, and I know it will get better!!!

Fingers crossed, my hair is hanging in there. I keep a short bob and I wonder if that may cause less stress on the follicles. I've always taken biotin and I keep getting my 60 grams of protein. I've got a little hair to spare, but I still keep an eye on the bottom of my shower.....

Wow! Yours is not the usual story. My Daddy is a 15+ year bladder cancer survivor, stage 3. He had his bladder removal long before your potential procedure was created. Best of wishes to you and your journey. You can do this!!!!! Welcome to the community.

Smooth yogurts just after surgery. Greek if you can find and eat it. Blend it if you need to, but no fruit lumps to get caught in staple line just after surgery. I would get the cherry type and spit our the cherry chunks after sucking out the flavor. (TMI?) I would measure out my 2 oz serving in the 1st couple of weeks, but bottom line, a one serving container could be 2 meals. I love my Greek yogurt, now.

224.2. Can she make goal?!?! Only the elliptical knows for sure.....

Carbonation, bubbles are supposed to stretch your stomach. I paid dearly for my teeny tiny tummy. I want to keep it small!!!

I chose the sleeve. I considered the band, but didn't like the idea of an implanted item in my body that would be there for life and require tying myself to a Dr for fills and maintenance. I knew either would help me lose weight, and I've done that numerous times in the past. I look at my sleeve as a tool to help me succeed where I've failed in the past which is weight maintenance. To that end, I will work it to the best of my ability to not stretch it and let it help me with my long-term goal.

Just over three months, this week my college besty came to town. On two days I had a glass of wine. It went down well but did hit me a little more heavily than in days past. I feel more guilty from the calories than the alcohol. Just not worth it at this point of my journey. I'll enjoy my glass of Jamison's in the future, but I want to hit a few more mini-goals before I repeat my drinking experiments.

My Dr's documentation says NO GUM....

226.8 for me this morning. Amazing to me at this point how little additional physical activity I have to add to make a big difference in the scales. Here's hoping the 220's keep melting off. Thanks again Bea!!!

Danni, that has you down half your high. Way to go!!!

229.2 Finally the 230's are gone!!! FOR GOOD!!!

Awesome changes!!

At 53, even the 45 lbs that I'm down in 12 weeks have worked wonders on my right knee and ankle and left hip. With weather changes I still feel a bit of pain, but nothing like before. My Dr required I go off of my anti-inflammatory a week before my sleeve, and stay off forever. I was really worried as it made a big difference in my comfort level, but I don't miss it at all now. Take care, Susan

Amasd, self body image is such a strange thing. At the most drastic, you might want to talk to a counselor, but sometimes our image of ourselves will catch up to the reality. This has been the case for me in the past, but then when I've dieted in the past I would gain back to the fat girl I had in my minds eye. I've not lost enough weight in my journey for this to be a real issue this time. My "problem" has been quite the opposite. Pre-op I would run into corners or be to big to slide past an object in my path. Now, apparently my hips are the size my mind thinks they are as I do not have these problems anymore. I've also gained much better balance. One-legged tasks are much easier of late.

Love my coffee!! My Drs criteria says that I can have one caffeinated beverage a day. I agree on the cool mix of protein then add hot liquid. I agree too that the thermometer is the best way to be sure. At the office, I spent one day with the thermometer checking the temp of various waters, tap, filter, then coffee pot so I know how hot each one is. I even tested the office microwave to see how much hotter liquid gets in the microwave. I now know how to mix, and it know that if it's not hot enough, 10-12 seconds in the microwave brings my cup of coffee to the level of warm that I like. Just remember to error on the side of too cool as you can always warm up, but once that protein is cooked, it's nasty.... One day of nerdy testing and now I know....

Twelve weeks this coming Thursday and I'm over 45 lbs down. I was so excited that the first weight that I lost was my upper body weight. Smaller bras, on smaller fastener setting, now a deep breath feels great, not like I need to catch my breath or my chest is too full. My linebacker shoulders are significantly smaller. People tell me you can really see the difference in my neck and face. My lower body is smaller too just not so drastically. I'm in smaller slacks and with Lycra, in my jeans yesterday, I could stick both arms into my jeans. All this said, the next 45 lbs need to be more about working and burning it off, as well as working the eating program. Time to really start working the saddlebags. This journey has been SO worth it so far!!