Essence46

@mavsfan3521 You are so welcome. I am in Washington, DC.

If I am being truly honest, I have to admit that I have been there and I do understand how you are feeling. Even though you may not see it, you have done very well. I am 15 months out and have only lost 60 pounds. I still have 25 to 30 more to go to be at my goal weight. I work out 5 days a week, at least 3 of those days are running days where I run at least 3 miles. I too thought by now I would have been at goal but I’m not so I do feel your pain. However, when I look in the mirror, when I put on my pair of size 12 slacks (some 10’s) as opposed to the size 20’s I used to wear, when I no longer take the 6 meds I was on every day, when I realize I have only had three mini-seizures in the last 15 months instead of the 15 I was having in a week… I realize that I am not a failure. Take a look at the way things have changed for you over the last year... how you feel… how you look and appreciate what you have done so far. There is no time limit on this. You will get there just like I will. You may just have to work a little harder at all. Every time you start to feel like a failure, grab an old pic of yourself then look in the mirror at your new self and smile.

Oh no!! Don't give up. Why do you feel that way?

44F to 38DDD. Can wear a 38DD depending on the style. The twins are holding on for their life!! I am so disappointed. LOL! Would love to get down to a 36C.

I just need to vent. So... my nail lady went to her country for two months for vacation. She comes back with a gift for me as she always does. She is a sweetie and is always doing nice stuff like this for me. Well... she brings me a T-shirt. It's very nice. The only thing is.. .it's a size XXX. She said she wanted to "make sure it fit". I thanked her graciously for it. When I got home... her comment really bothered me. I am 14 months out and have only loss about 60 pounds but I think there is a big difference in where I have come from. I am still 25 pounds from goal. Then the devil got on my shoulder. Now I am wondering... if I have failed? Am I not working hard enough? Not eating enough of the right stuff? Did the doctor make the right decision making my tummy a little bigger than most? Does everyone still see me as the big person... to the point where I look like I wear a XXX? I have been having these thoughts all weekend to the point where I worked out like a mad woman this morning. Ugh!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I am 14 months post op and still not at goal. I have 25 more pounds to go. At this rate, don't see me reaching it anytime soon. If this helps any: We started at the same place and you already weigh 10 pounds less than me at only 10 months. I would say you are doing pretty good so don't worry. I will go somewhere and sulk now.

Welcome!!

Going to Ashley Stewart to buy their smallest size pair of jeans (12) and they are a little too big. I still haven't come to the realization that I don't have to shop there anymore...

Yes!!!!!!!

I'm just asking.

So.... why do some people, the same height and starting weight as me, have lost sooo much more weight than me. I am at 14 months out and have lost 60 pounds while others have lost 100 pounds. WTH! I work out like a warrior. I drink Water and get in my Proteins. Ugh!!!!!!! I know.. I know... you can't compare yourselves to others. I feel great. I think I look great but geesh damnit!! Ugh. Ok.... pity party over.

WOW!! I don't even know what else to say!

I am always cold now except for when I am having hot flashes. I have a heater on my desk which I keep on all day. During, my hot flashes, I cut it off and cut on the fan by my foot for about 5 minutes. It's crazy!

Congratulations!!!

I am running 3 to 4 days a week. The bad news is... my knees are killing me. My good bad knee even hurts now. This knee struggle is real!! Ugh!! And the scale is broken (Yes broken LOL) because it's not moving!! *sigh*

I may have to start doing this. I usually try to stay outside in the summer and inside in the winter. Will have to make the change earlier.

Since I vowed to try and give my CPAP machine a fair chance this time, I am back on it. (The first time I had it, I never used it. I just couldn't get it together. It stressed me out so i didn't use it) Now... my pressure has been lowered from 16 to 12. This pressure is a lot better than it was but I still can't seem to adjust. I am a light sleeper. Have always been so i don't sleep hard or sleep long. The CPAP machine just makes it worse. I can fall asleep with it on but if I wake up in the middle of the night, it keeps me awake. Plus it fills me up with gas. WTH!! Everyone I know that has the machine, loves it and swears by it. What am I doing wrong? Is anyone else having a hard time adjusting to their machine? Any tips or suggestions?

@@sleevenv I truly feel your pain. I didn't sleep all the great before the CPAP but it was better than I am sleeping now. I took it off three times last night. I just couldn't do it. I finally feel asleep good at about 4:45 but woke up again at 6:15. I missed the gym. I'm exhausted.

An adult beverage every once in a while! Not giving it up... just not going to do it. I eat pretty good 95% of the time and workout like a mad woman just so I can enjoy an adult beverage every once in a while. LOL! I pretty much each anything I want though in moderation.

My favorite person here. You are beautiful inside and outside. Congrats to you on stepping up and doing what makes you happy. You being happy makes me happy.

Congrats to you! Weight: 202 pounds Height: 5'9.5" Pants size: 10 My goal is to be able to buy a size 8 and have it fit perfectly.

My Dr. and NUT goal for me is 170. My personal goal is 175 - 180 but I won't be mad at 165 - 170. I have been stalled for a long time. At my last appointment, the doctor said that I would have to fight hard to get these last 20 pounds off. He was so right. I am fighting hard for every pound I lose these days though. Ugh!!!

Welcome and congratulations on taking the first step! This is a great place to be. Look forward to following your journey

This worse part of the whole process (surgery included) was the constipation. Gas wasn't too bad but the constipation was awful. It took days for me to finally have a bowel movement. It only happened then because I took something to make me go. I would suggest taking stool softeners before you surgery so that will already be in your system.

I have eaten more food this last week than I have since my surgery in June 2014 and I loss a few pounds. I have been stalled for months. I know the problem has been me working out 5/6 days a week but yet not eating enough food to fuel my body. I have been afraid to eat more then a few ounces of anything. I pretty much live off Protein bars/shakes, tuna, salads, yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese, nuts, eggs, etc. This week I made it a point to eat... not just eat but eat real food and the scale finally moved. Thank Goodness!!!