KristenVSG2014

Almost 70% of Americans are overweight. It's to the point it doesn't matter where you live. If you aren't overweight you are in the vast minority.

Actually, I was in soccer and weightlifting in high school so I have experience with weightlifting. However, I also have PCOS and insulin resistance. Because of these conditions I steadily gained weight from a young age. The year I did soccer I weighed 200 lbs when I started, worked out 5 days a week, leg pressed over 400 lbs and I gained 10 lbs that year. When I joined weightlifting I weighed 230. By the time I graduated I weighed 240. It didn't matter how much I lifted and dieted. My parents took me to multiple specialists. By the time I was 23 years old I weighed 290 and was diagnosed with diabetes (despite continuing to exercise). I met with my PCP last week and he said even though my PCOS is in remission, because I was insulin resistant for so long my body will always be insulin resistant and now I'm dealing with occasional hypoglycemic episodes. So I will always have to be very careful to avoid sugar and certain types of carbs. I've actually been working out, including weights, but I've still been losing and I don't feel deprived at all at 1,200 calories a day. I guess my point is some people spent their lives dieting and exercising but because of genetic hormone conditions were never successful losing weight. WLS was the hormone "reset" I needed to lose weight. But I'll still always have the genetic predisposition to have a crappy metabolism.

I had to dig around through old pics for a comparison but here you go. (I'm 161.6 now so the "after pic" is a few months old). My feet look the same, just bonier.

No I never thought my feet held much fat but I went from a 10 to an 8-8.5.

I have this magnet on my refrigerator: coffee has always made me "go" even before surgery. With or without creamer. Since it just started for you after surgery, it's most likely the creamer. Try a non-dairy creamer. If that doesn't help, try decaf coffee for a while. Then you'll know what the issue is.

I just started drinking the matcha tea a week ago. I know it has 10x the antioxidants of regular green tea. I've been on my second round of Whole30 and couldn't handle black coffee anymore. I decided I hate plain black coffee. Yuck. So I looked for an alternative and found matcha. Since I don't use added sweeteners I think it tastes awesome as a smoothie with a bit of frozen fruit. I've noticed it gives me the caffeine boost but not much more yet. But I haven't been using it very long either. I'll let you know in a few more weeks!

I actually thought you were talking about BMR because I have a FitBit that calculates it that way as well. Now that that's cleared up, I have seen something similar happen if I drink a bit of wine but I've always attributed it to dehydration because the same thing happens the day after I've had diarrhea. You most likely are losing normally because you are in a normal deficit. Some people can eat or drink anything the first year and lose. It's after that honeymoon period you have to start watching calories, which you're already doing. While I don't think there is anything wrong with having a glass of wine now or then I've noticed it burns my stomach and the alcohol hits me really fast so I tend to avoid it. Also, most aren't advised to have it until closer to goal weight. There's also a higher risk for bariatric patients to have transfer addiction from food to alcohol so doctors advise you wait to consume. Not saying you have this, but that's why you'll get some negative responses. We've been warned and conditioned to avoid alcohol because of surgery.

My breakfast this morning ????

I was sore and had a lot of pressure in my chest from the gas. The pressure would build up and I would walk around the hallways until I felt tired. Then I would sleep, wake up to more pressure and repeat.

Yes! I've been doing C25K. I've been stuck on week 5 for over two weeks because I messed my back up. I got it adjusted last week but it still isn't right so I've just been walking for now. However, I'm signed up for a 5k and 15k in March so I've got something to look forward to. P.S. I workout on a treadmill at the gym. Once I've built up some endurance I'll try to move one run a week outside to prepare for the official runs. Even though I live in North Florida it gets freezing here and it's so humid the cold goes deep in your bones. I hate cold weather but I prefer running in cold rather than hot.

I got a brochure in the mail for a university hospital-run rural county weight loss program (I live in a very rural, poor county which is the perfect environment to become morbidly obese. We are one of the fattest counties in the State) . It's free, offers weekly meetings and nutritional counseling. I was so excited. We've needed something like this for a long time! Then they had a chart inside for the minimum and maximum weights by height in order to be eligible to participate. The minimum weight for my height was 191 and I'm 162. I was actually sad because I wanted to go to the weekly meetings. My two coworkers are signing up. I keep forgetting I have very little left to lose. I'm still in "weight loss mode" too so I'm in the mindset of focus on eating and exercising to reach goal.

Thank you SO much! I ordered the collagen powder. I've been looking for an alternative to whey that is also flavorless. I also have read about the benefits of gelatin/collagen but never did anything about it. My dairy intolerance was made much worse after surgery. I avoid it most of the time and when I decide to indulge I usually regret it. I've wanted something to add to my matcha smoothies and this should be perfect, especially since I have joint problems. Thanks again!

awesome advice, I'm on to the gym now, I thank you so much for your great advice , I never realized that about milk , I got my lab results and was Vitamin D deficient so in the last 3 days I've been drinking 8-12oz of milk, so I will lay off of it , thanks again I agree with @@CowgirlJane about cow's milk but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy almond or coconut milk as a substitute. Just make sure to get the unsweetened kind. Almond milk is only 30 calories per cup and makes really creamy, yummy Protein shakes. I have completely cut dairy out of my diet and it made a huge difference in my constipation. Try it for a few weeks and see how you feel.

I make a paleo mug cake occasionally if I need something warm and sweet. It honestly tastes like banana nut bread: 1 browning banana mashed 1 egg 1 tbsp almond butter (or any nut butter) 1 tbsp almond meal Mix, put plastic wrap over cup, poke a hole and microwave for 3 minutes. Delish. I've also made it the same way above but with Protein powder instead of almond meal and add a bit of almond milk, vanilla and baking powder. They are both really yummy.

I recently got a spiralizer and discovered spiralized rutabaga tastes fantastic as "pasta" with spaghetti sauce!! It's a pain in the butt to spiralize but it's worth it.

Have you ever tried matcha? It's ground green tea leaves. It has a very unique flavor. I LOVE to make smoothies out of it. I do 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, a teaspoon of matcha, a handful of frozen fruit and blend. Yum yum yum!

I was going through a particularly stressful time last year and my anxiety got so bad I was taking it out on my jaw at night. I developed excruciating nerve pains shooting across my face at random times and went to my doctor. He gave me a low dose of Xanax to relax more during sleep and break the grinding habit (in addition to a mouth guard). It took two months to get better. I've noticed now when I'm stressed I seem to tighten my neck or clench my jaw. So I keep my tongue between my teeth and relax my jaw as often as I can. When I reach a breaking/boiling point I immediately want food to cope with anxiety but I know I can't use that so then I try deep breathing, counting, walk away and go get something to drink, etc. but it's gotten to the point I'm going to extremes in my head like wanting to quit my job because I'm stressed. Or throat punch someone because they piss me off. Or burn my house down because it has gotten out of hand. Running to Linkin Park makes me feel better afterwards but I have a hard time dealing with things in the moment without jumping to extremes. Before surgery I would go get a cake/ice cream/French fries and stuff my face then sleep it off.

I saw my PCP today so he could order blood work. He walked in the room, gave me a piece of paper with my previous weights and a lovely graph where it skydives down. He's so proud of me. We discuss possible skin removal. He said I'm most definitely ready and can start thinking about it. He estimates I have about 10 extra lbs of skin. Best part of the appointment: he said I had a "tiny body". ???? MY DOCTOR SAID I'M TINY!

While I agree exercise has helped lessen the depression it didn't go away and I still go through rough bouts, especially now in the winter. What I didn't expect was to develop anxiety problems after weight loss surgery. No amount of exercise helps it. I'm hesitant to go on any medication because any and all medications make me gain weight. I've tried different coping skills but still struggling.

This made me lol. Soooo many stall posts recently! You won a trip to Hawaii??? I've won a pack of Oreos, two movie tickets, an Alanis Morrisette CD (not Jagged Little Pill), and a laptop bag (I didn't even have a laptop at the time).

I think it depends on why the person had depression to begin with. If they were depressed because they were overweight and now they aren't then that makes sense. But if someone has a chemical imbalance in their brain, the problem is still there even when they reach a normal weight.

That blows my mind. 4,000,000 posts...I've contributed such a small chunk of those! Love this site.

I can eat an entire hamburger patty without any bread (most days) but I don't have room for anything else. I'm not sure how many ounces that is.

The worst thing was my husband and in-laws leaving me in the hospital every meal to go eat burritos in Tijuana without me. Jerks. They know I love Mexican food... Oh yeah. Worst MEDICAL. Hmmmm. I think the worst thing was not seeing or meeting my surgeon face to face until I was already sitting in the OR having a full-blown anxiety attack. But he did a fantastic job. No complications, no nausea and very attentive staff. The best thing was the all-inclusive price and no fighting with the insurance company or jumping through hoops. ????????

8 long weeks. It was right around my one-year anniversary too. I stalled from October to December (my surgery was on 11/3/14). Edited to add: I love your picture. Also, I notice inches coming off or skin tightening up during my extended stalls.