Essence46

Instead of getting on the scale every day, I would suggest picking a weigh-in day one day a week. I was driving myself crazy getting on it every day so, for my sanity, I switched to once a week. It has really helped me calm down and not stress out so much.

Sounds like you had a great time!! Glad you enjoyed yourself. Keeping enjoying and living life!

We are told any kind of carbonation is the devil! LOL!! I get that way sometimes for a Pepsi. When I do, I will buy one, take two swallows out it (Just enough to get the taste) and throw the rest away. I didn't do it until I was about 6 or 7 months though.

Congratulations!!! Keep up the good work!

I feel great. Took this pic photo this morning. It makes me smile.

Hi everyone. I am back from vacation feeling fresh and new. I had a great time. Yes... I drank and eat some good food. (Not much of each though but enough to enjoy). I don't miss eating lots of food like I thought I would. I have learned that a mouthful of a variety is just as good. For the first time in years, I looked decent on the beach in my bathing suit. I work so hard trying to eat right and work out. It makes me smile to see the results. The fun is over now so I am back on the grind. How is everyone?

My Favorite Person here. @proudgrammy.

How long did it take you to reach your goal weight? I need to lose a total of 83 pounds to reach my goal. In 9 months, I have lost 59 pounds. I feel like I should have lost a lot more by now but it has been slow going. I work out 5 days a week, get in most of my Water and Protein every day. I am working on increasing my calorie intake because I know I am not eating enough. I just wanted to see if anyone else is struggling like this. Thank you.

June 18 will be a year that I had my surgery. I have lost around 60 pounds and have 25 more to go to reach my goal. I will be honest and admit that I have been very frustrated many times with my slow weight loss. I figured I would have been at goal by now especially with me working out like a mad woman. But I have realized something…so what it takes me a little longer to get to my goal than it does others. What's the hurry? This is a lifetime thing. I am happy and I feel great, like a completely new person so I will keep trucking along and doing what I'm doing. I will get there.

I sit here in tears thinking about how far I have come... how my life has changed for the better... how I have struggled emotionally to adjust... how I have had to learn to love me (good, bad and ugly)... how hard I have worked and continue to work in the gym 5 days a week... how good I feel... how good I look... I saved my life and I am so glad for the second chance. I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and I smiled and cried.

@@Michelle920 Welcome Michelle!! The group/site has been a big help to me over the last year. It really has. Good luck to you. I've been lurking for the last couple days and this is my first post. So glad I found this thread!! My surgery was on June 8th. I started at around 245, give or take, and haven't gotten a goal weight from my doctor but I'd like to weigh 170. I'm 5'10. My first post-op appointment is on Friday. I never had a pre-op diet and probably gained five pounds in the two weeks before surgery. I didn't go on last meal binges but I ate what I wanted most of the time. My surgery was scheduled fast. My consultation was on April 15th. I feel pretty good but I'm still learning how much I can eat and drink at a time, and how fast. Anyway, I need to stick close to these groups because my head was always a much bigger enemy than my stomach!!

Some people think having WLS is the easy way out. That is such bullcrap. I have never worked so hard at something (eating right, eating enough, making myself eat, drinking water, working out, etc). It is no walk in the park. Certainly not the easy way out but so worth it. I really appreciate the second change at life.

Thank you all so much. I appreciate the kind words. I really do.

I hate the scale. I really do. I have to step away from it sometimes to keep from driving myself insane. Just hang in there.

I eat bananas, strawberries, rasberries, watermelon, pineapples and blueberries. Don't really care for apples and oranges that much any more. I will use them in smoothies.

Yes like a pencil eraser. My largest one is not as big as a quarter. Maybe a nickle but longer. That was the only one that took a little longer to heal than the rest of them. Fortunately, I didn't have any real pain at the incision points. I didn't need to take any of the pain meds that gave me. are they small like a pencil eraser? And on larger one like with of a quarter?

Here are 3 of my scars. I have 5 in all.

Thank you!!! No you are definitely not alone. LOL! Keep moving, working out and pushing forward.

Thank you!! Good for you! "Forever changed and improved". That is what it is all about. Keep up the good work.

Dr. said I am going to have to really work to get off these last 25 pounds. He was telling the truth. Ugh!!!

Sending hugs and prayers your way.

@@Babbs Yes we have to keep truckin'. We will get there.

@@AlanaRN 107 pounds in 8 months. That is awesome!!

It's been a while since I have been on. Just stopping by to see how everyone is doing. How are things?

Welcome! This is a good place to be. Good luck on your journey.