Shadow427

I definitely need to go shopping soon! Someone in my Support group gave me some pants about 2 months ago. Now they are falling off!!! My problem has been that I am PLUS and TALL. I can't just walk into any store and buy pants. But, I have gone from a 26-28 to, I think, an 18-20. We will find out this weekend. Happy Shopping everyone! Share what you find!

Gladiators: try Pure Protein bars. This week they are on sale at CVS. Buy one box, get one half price. I like them much better than Quest. I feel like I'm eating a real chocolate bar. They have a couple of different flavors. Protein is between 20-30... Depends on size and flavor.

Misstvb. Thanks for reminding us its not all about the scale. You look great. Cute dress! Where did you get it!

I am a shoe-whore! I used to say the only part of me that hasn't changed sizes in 30 years are my shoes. Well, that's not true any more... I haven't dropped a number size, but, I certainly dropped the W or the WW off of the size!

Glyndalin - great to hear your vitals are great. And, I think your sesame street friends need to take a hike! Layknee - we missed you.

Finally, after a 3.5 week stall, the scale moved significantly.... 5 pounds. I am now officially 80 pounds lighter than I was last July! Since surgery, 53 pounds.

Beni - you HAVE to get your Protein in. Force yourself, girl! Your body is fighting starvation. We need you here in this group! Please take care of you, for the rest of us!

Pink! Way to go! Keep the faith. It's a journey; not just a step on the scale!

The scale finally moved! 3 pounds. Yippee! The picture is from Easter. I am standing between my brother and my nephew. They are both 6 ft 6 in. They kept calling me "Tiny" the whole weekend. I love it! I hadn't seen them since Christmas, so, it has been quite awhile. I guess I look in the mirror every day and don't see any difference. LOL! Besides, we are our own worst critiques some times.

Hi Everyone! I was away for Easter visiting the family... I was reading all of your stories, news and other stuff. Sounds like everyone is doing well! Keep it up! I maintained my walking regime while at home. And, did very well on food choices. I had been wondering why everyone was loosing so much faster than I am.... then I realized that most of you had GBP versus sleeve. So, now I don't feel so bad. My process will be slower.

Hey hey hey! I walked over 25,000 steps today. My new record! According to Fitbit its over 10 miles! Yeah me!

I am at 5 months, too. I was at a steady and fairly rapid weight loss. But, it has now been 4 weeks of a stall. I have substantially increased my exercise, drank my Water, kept my calories and Proteins in tact. My doctor said a variety of things may be happening. I am building muscles which weigh more than fat. My body is adjusting to the 75 pound loss (30 before surgery, 45 after). But, I can tell you this IT IS FRUSTRATING!!!! Everyone says to stay the course and it will jump-start again soon.

@@Luna - I am at a 4 week stall, also. UGH! My brain tells me all the right things - - - you are working out so muscle weights more than fat, your body is adjusting, it's normal.... but every time I step on the scale and it does the one pound up, one pound down, two pounds up, two pounds down, I feel myself get a little depressed. I have come close to sabotaging my diet by eating, but, fortunately, the little angel on my shoulder talks louder than the devil does! @DC - LOVE LOVE LOVE THE HAIR! You look great. Everyone have a wonderful weekend! Stay the course!

@@Beni - Feel better gladiator! You may have just had a little bug, too. Sometimes I think every little "odd" thing is related to my sleeve. The reality is, sometimes it is just something else. @ the biker ladies (in this case, I mean bicycle)... I have wanted to rent a bike since moving to Philly. There are two cool places that I want to go. One is along the banks of the Schuykill River right in the heart of the city. The other is at Valley Forge Park. The bike rentals are fairly inexpensive - about $15 for the day. But, last year I just felt too fat. So, they are both on my "TO DO LIST" for the Spring. Oh what a difference a year makes.

Okay, two more before and after photos... We spend so much time looking up the mountain saying "I still have so much further to go". Every now and then we have to look back and say, "Geez! I've come a long way, baby!"

@@Beni - I actually feel 20 years younger! ! Thanks! @@amylynns - I find that I actually have more dates with the grocery store now then before. Three reasons for that: 1. I don't eat out as much or eat as much fast food. 2. If I do a "full-grocery shopping" I tend to have to throw food out. I live alone, so, things tend to go bad. 3. I enjoy cooking. But, when I spend the time making something healthy, it usually lasts a few days to finish it. It is a pain because I get bored. But, it certainly has reduced how much I spend on food and has forced me to really plan my grocery trips. (Spaghetti Squash is a life saver because I can make it several different ways!) I do make sure I always have yogurt, Almond Milk, string cheese or other cheese, Jiff-to-Go Reduced Calorie packs (a godsend - and they are the perfect amount to have when I need to eat a meal AND they are portion controlled!!!)

Okay, I am trying to attach pictures, but I am not sure it is working. But, I finally have a Before and After Photo. The first one is from August 2014... The second one is from February 2015. What a difference six months makes! Hopefully you can see the photos!

Amylyns - you don't have to drop your drawers to have a great story! I love it! There is nothing better than knowing you look good when the person who gives you angst doesn't! It is funny that our minds still think like the BIG person we used to be. I finally decided to go buy new bras... After all, they still need support!!! I was flabbergasted when I asked the sales person for a certain size and she said, "Honey, you are MUCH smaller than that!" She was right - 3 band sizes down. Last doctor visit I was down by the lack of movement on the scale. But, this weekend was my monthly measurements. Holy smokes there is a lot less of me! But, we all must be careful. It would be easy to be complacent now... Stay the course!

@@smiley! Way to go, hot stuff!

@Rogofulum - WELL SAID! Thanks!

To all of you- your posts are a godsend to me. It always seems like you know exactly what I need to hear! I've got a "clothes too big" story. I finally found tights long enough for me. So I wore them with a skirt that used to be too small. I was hurrying through the city to get to a meeting on time. As I was crossing the street, my skirt and tights literally dropped to my ankles! I sure stopped traffic.

@ Pinkpolka - Well it is a darned good thing you have all of us to let you know you are awesome!! I am really surprised at your doctor's nutritional advise. My NUT reminds me that food is fuel. And, you have to keep gas in your tank or you won't function. They encourage 3 meals and 2 Snacks a day. Of course, everything is measured and carefully calculated. In general my calorie count is between 700 - 1000 cals a day. Since I am tall, they say being closer to 1,000 is fine. I am fortunate I have an awesome doctor with a great personality. (And, he is super handsome, too...) And, the office staff, support group folks and NUT are all very encouraging. If someone slips a bit, they encourage them to get right back on track versus making them feel horrible. They are REAL though. They will tell it like it is and give you a bit of tough love when you need it. But, it is always stated in "what you did was not good; but that doesn't mean YOU aren't a good person." They focus on behaviors.

@Glyndalin: Yes, I know. And thanks for the support. I appreciate it. The head often knows the right things, but, sometimes the emotions get in the way. I feel much better today... especially since I wore a skirt I haven't worn in a long time because it was way too small.... And, as I was walking down the hallway, it started to fall off.... and my underwear didn't exactly match my outfit. I did get a chuckle from someone. Morale of the story: IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT THE SCALE! ! !

Goodcyn and Susan! Thank you so much for posting. I needed this today. I had my 4 month checkup today and for the first time felt "defeated". I had been averaging 10 pounds a month since I started the with the pre-surgery diet in August. But this month it was only 4 pounds. My doctor was pleased with my progress and said that in total I am where most people are at 6 months. He also reminded me that "muscles weighs more than fat." For the past two months I have been a workout/sports playing fanatic. Your post reminded me that as much as I have been very diligent, there are small things I must take refocus on: 1. Even if it is healthy food, don't graze all day long. 2. Don't drink with meals. 3. Measure my foods. 4. The scale isn't the only measure of success!!! (Heck, I can play 3 hours of tennis now, when 6 months ago walking from the parking lot to the office was like running a marathon). Best of luck to both of you! I appreciate the honesty. It helped me be honest with myself.

I'm a little bummed... I only lost 4 pounds this month at my official doctor's weigh in. (Okay, it really was only 3 weeks). But, I have averaged 14 pounds a month since surgery. The doctor told me that I am where others usually are at 6 months (I am at 4 months), so, my body is probably just adjusting. Also, I have been working out and playing sports a lot and "muscles weighs more than fat". Intellectually, I know it is okay. But, I have this overwhelming sense of defeat today. I just want to go to happy hour...