Eli Alexander

Once those pounds drop off and the muscle go on, a whole bunch of activities are going to open up to us. So how are you going to put your weightloss to use? I'm going to learn to scuba dive. Always wanted to, and now I'm going to make that happen. I have some friends who go hunting every year, deep into the northwest wood. I've never hunted before but I'm going to join then next winter. (Imagine how long the venison will last me now that I'm sleeved). Better sex. Give it my all like I did 20 years ago, when I didn't have limitations. What are you planning for?

I'm stuck right before hitting onederland. I've been bouncing between 206 and 202 for ages and can't seem to get over that hump. All in all I'm still happy, I've lost a bunch and I know I'll be going down again soon, it's just frustrating cause I lost so easily before and that just came to a screeching halt. HW: 310 DOS: 283 CW: 202 GW: 180 I love reading about you all, keeps me feeling like I'm in a community and not stuck on an island as the only one going through this. Next post will be a onederland post I hope. Cheers!

I'm just under 6 months post surgery and recently moved to a new town, new job, new profession, going back to school, and don't know a single person in my town. So, although I was very transparent in my last location, I just decided I would start life here as a normal sized person, not having to go into the explanation. I have told one person and that was because they were also fat, and I wanted them to have the information. But the other students in my courses, or fellow employees at work, they don't need to know. I was at a pub with a few of them after class one day (iced tea and salad) and they saw my ID when I opened up my wallet. Picture of me, not even close to my heaviest, but about 60lbs heavier then today. And they were all amazed how much I'd lost. I just told them exercise and eating right, then joked " do you think I really want to eat this salad?". That was it, conversation turned to something else and I'm just one of them.

I actually totally agree. I have treats frequently, but just in small amounts. It makes life so much more fun to have thing you enjoy. For me, since I'm going into the wine industry and studying enology and viticulture, wine has become the thing I splurge on most often. It's slowed down my losses, but I'm still losing and having a good life as the ounces (instead of pounds) come off. I still watch my diet most of the time, always watch my amounts, and exercise almost every day. But having some chocolate, wine or pasta on occasion are part of how I live my life. I've managed to still lose over 100 pounds and I will reach my goal one day. Just maybe not tomorrow. You have to hold your head high and be proud of the weight you worked so had to lose, regardless if that's 25lbs or 250lbs. It's a process, a long process, and starving oneself of all pleasure is not the way to enjoy the one life we live. You mentioned moderation. That's the key. I have one glass of wine or a couple bites of dark chocolate. The rest of the day I follow the rules. Moderation will still get you there, but when you arrive you'll have a smile.

I'm new in Walla Walla, about 5.5 months post op. I've lost a total of 105lbs and have 25lbs to go to get to my goal.

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've checked in. Life is pretty good right now. I moved, started a new job, started a new school to lead to a new career and all of that's been exciting and wonderful. I've been out here (Walla Walla Washington) for one month now and my weight has been going down, but slower. I mostly blame myself, my new career has to do with wine, so I've been going wine tasting almost every day. Still exercising, but I need to eat a little better. During my month here I've lost about 5 pounds and have now lost a total of 105 lbs. my goal is only about 25lbs away, although I'm stating to realize I'll likely adjust that goal downward when I get there. I'm currently 6 lbs away from onederland, so that's my closer goal, what I need to concentrate on to feel like I'm achieving things. I bought a some new clothes yesterday, my waist is down to a 36 inch from a 48-50 at my heaviest, and I bought a shirt that fits great and is size L, down from XXXXL. Just typing that makes me proud. Hope everyone else is doing great, keep it up!

Hi everyone, I love checking in and hearing about all the progress. I have some good news, yesterday I got on the scale and including the 27lbs I lost pre-surgery, I have now lost 100lbs. Down from 310 at my heaviest (11/26/2014) to 283 at my surgery (1/20/2015) to 210lbs now. I am thrilled and so proud of myself. I'm tearing up just typing this. Anyway, keep up the great effort, we all go at a different pace but it seems like everyone here is making progress. 30lbs to go till my goal ???? My heaviest Yesterday

I. In a stall too. But I'm happy, healthy and doing my best to get past it. Soon the pounds will drop again. I was at a party a couple nights ago and yesterday saw some of the pictures, and I had this weird realization, I'm now a normal sized person. I still want to lose 35 pounds, but basically I look normal, but with a few extra pounds, instead of a fat man.

Im 4 months out and down 95lbs, and have had both beer and pizza. Day to day I'm great on my diet, but I'll plan special nights out with friends and I just eat and drink a lot less. Pizza wasn't worth it anymore. I had a half slice twice, but I'll skip it next time unless it's an amazing thin crust brick oven pizza. Beer I drink very slowly and both times had only about half a pint over an hour or mor of drinking. It was wonderful, especially because both times was my favorite local brewery IPA. Warning, this is information I have learned, but some people say I'm wrong. Ask you doctor: The carbonation issue seems to different depending on the surgery you had. If you have the band, don't drink carbonation. If you were sleeved, carbonation may hurt, especially if you have a lot, or drink quickly, but it will not expand the stomach over time because the portion of the stomach that was removed was the part that can be stretched out. The remaining portion was the part with significant muscle attached which does not allow it to stretch out over time. However, if you overeat, you can still reset the amount your brain considers to be too full, so you can still end up eating more than you should. But it's not from stretching that won't rebound. I don't drink carbonation often. No soda which removes 99% of the things that have carbonation. But an occasional beer, slowly, is fine. But count those calories, count those carbs.

Sorry bewell, the vomiting sounds like a real hassle. It hasn't been a problem for me, but I have heard others say that it took 6 to 8 months for their similar situations to settle down. I've only vomited once, when friends took me out for a celebratory meal and I ate and drank too much (still a quarter of what I would have eaten before). Here are the steps that I can think of to help with digestion. 1) stop drinking at least 30 minutes before the meal. 2) portion control and Protein first. 3) moist protein (yogurt sauces work great for me) 4) cut all meats into very small pieces so the stomach doesn't need to work so hard 5) take a bite, put the fork down and wait a couple minutes before the next bite. Repeat. 6) chew, chew, chew before you swallow. 7) portion control on the non-protein because this is what fills the stomach. 8) no drinking for at least a half hour after you drink too. 9) a small meal should take a half hour to eat correctly if you space your bites out and chew properly. You can also look at adding some digestion enzymes to the process, talk to your nutritionist. Papaya extract for example,

All you folk who are getting ready, it's awesome a few months out. Stick with it, I'm so glad I did it. My highest weight last thanksgiving was 310, I dieted down to my surgery weight of 283 on January 20th 2015. Now, May 18th I'm down to 215lbs and moving towards my goal of 180. It's so weird to go from worrying about every ounce to feeling confident that one day in the next year I'll actually be at my goal. My health has improved to near perfect levels according to all the blood tests and I can exercise and enjoy it. Yesterday I biked up Mt. Tabor three times and was barely winded. I can shop anywhere and restaurant booths and airplane seats aren't uncomfortable anymore. Keep it up, jump through all the hoops the doctors put in front of you, it's totally worth the reward.

The last few weeks have been tough in many ways, traveling, moving and uprooting my life. I ate too much and at one point actually gained almost three pounds. But a couple days ago went back on my diet and exercise program 100% and lost those extra pounds plus. I've had a big goal for a couple months to lose a certain amount by my birthday, last day of May. I have 5.4lbs to lose to make my goal, I don't think I'll make it, but as long as I'm back moving in the right direction it will be a good birthday. However, 5.4lbs is possible in 13 days, so fingers crossed to drop 100 total by my birthday.

There are a bunch of decent Protein bars, but just check that they aren't high in sugar or fat. The Think Thin ones are pretty tasty. But remember these bars are usually pretty high in calories. They are better calories than Cheetos, but still can stall your weight loss if you go overboard. I eat the bars only during or after significant workouts, or if I'm very low on my protein for the day and just need assistance. My personal trick when I'm feeling hungry is Light N Fit Greek Yogurt. It's only 80 calories and even flavored kinds have 12g protein. They have tons of dessert favors like chocolate raspberry or strawberry cheesecake and they fill me up. I eat at least one every day and am currently down 93lbs total. But yesterday was a bad day for me, I cheated with a pineapple upside-down cake and gained a pound. Nothing wrong with eating exactly what you want from time to time, but today I'll be perfect in both diet and exercise.

Congrats on the first 5k! Hey, those are the days you can see weight go in the wrong direction and still smile. When you exercise so much more than normal, your body demands exactly what it needs. Sure, you could have found better ways to eat, and hopefully next time you will, but just doing that activity is a huge accomplishment. You may take an extra week to lose the weight gain, but your body will be better for it. Stronger, more muscular and better apt to lose in the future. My brother is a bike racer and told me that all the cyclists agree you never lose weight during the race season. It's just too hard contending with what your body requires. But it's during e offseason that the racers get so thin they can fit into toddler clothing. What I take from that for my exercising is I don't expect to lose much on my most vigorous workout days. But it's exactly those vigorous days that set my body up for big losses on the more normal workout days. Two weeks ago I went on a monster ride, over 60 miles with a mountain. I burned almost 5000 calories, but only lost 0.2lbs that day cause of all the food, salts, power bars and shot blocks I consumed, not to mention a glass of wine that night. But in the two weeks since that ride I've lost 9lbs. Sure, I exercise daily, but 500-1200 calories usually. And I've been good on my food intake. But I personally think that huge workout day jump started my body to burn more calories and that's why the last two weeks have been so prosperous. I'm planning another huge days soon. Anyway, my point was, congrats on the 5K and don't let the immediate weight response mean more than it should.

Thanks swampdoggie. I'm in a different situation in that I don't have any dependents to worry about. There is good and bad with that. A perk is I can be more self-indulgent and greedy in my choices. But you get other perks like seeing your kid go off to school, graduate and marry. What I'm doing is much easier knowing I'm not risking anyone's future but my own.

Thanks bewell and winter. Age is a funny thing, a lot of it is just perspective. Some days I feel like I'm crazy to quit my career and go back to school cause I've used up all my second chances. Other days, I feel great, like I've got an eternity grow and explore. I try to focus on that second type of thinking cause the first just leads to boredom and grey skies. I started packing today. I haven't moved for a decade, so I'm realizing just how much stuff one can accumulate over time. I've already been donating all my old clothing that I've grown too small for. For the most part, that's a happy time, but giving away my tailored suits hurts a little. But now that I'm packing I'm realizing I can furnish an entire Salvation Army. It will feel good after I move to have some new clothes and furnishings to pair with my new, skinny, school-boy life.

I just got accepted into a two year enology and viticulture program (winemaking and related stuff) and will be beginning that whole new part of my life in September. I'm currently 3 months post op, I've lost a total of 85lbs and have 45 more to reach my goal. During my schooling I'll be tasting 1500+ wines in class as well as whatever else I drink in the course of life as a wine student. I'll spit out many of the tastes, and try to limit calories that way, and keep from getting too drunk as well since my tolerance has plummeted. I expect that by the time school begins I'll be at, or close to my goal weight, so I'll mainly be in maintenance mode. But I must admit, I'm nervous about so much of my life rotating around something that can impact my weight so easily. Right now I feel very confident in my weight loss and I'm biking a couple hundred miles a week to keep me healthy and happy. Anyway, I welcome any thoughts on the subject.

Congrats on losing while traveling bewell. It's been three months since the surgery for me, and my stress isn't really from the dieting or surgery. But no matter what the stress, I don't have good ol food to fall back on. That's fine, I'm learning as I go. And the weight loss has been fantastic. Also, I just got back from my 3 month follow up and was so pleased to see every test they did turn out perfect except for being a little low on iron. My blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol and everything else has returned from borderline dead to healthy as an ox. My birthday is at the end of May and I'm on track to lose 100lbs total (26 pre surgery) by my birthday. What an amazing gift I can give myself.

I'm very stressed right now (good stuff) and miss the comfort of food. In the past, I could always calm down by eating my stress away (no wonder I got fat) but now I'm in the biggest life transition I've been in for decades and need to find other coping mechanisms. I've been exercising which helps to some degree, but I also just have to be ok with higher stress in the short term. I got accepted into a school so at 40 I'm going back to school, changing my career completely, moving to a town I don't know anyone, and dealing with all the stresses of looking for new jobs, internships, housing, scholarships and all the other issues that go along with a decision like this. I'm also basically making the decision to be poor for the next two years which sucks. But on the bright side, I'll be setting myself up for a life I'm excited to live.

Welcome Mila. So what's your story? Are you getting ready to have surgery or have you already done it? Although I post in the Portland thread, I'll be moving shortly to Walla Walla to go back to school. So this thread can be for anyone with any connection to Portland.

I started really buckling down and losing weight about two months before surgery and I think it was a very important component to my loss so far. I lost 26lbs in those 2 months leading up, and once I had the surgery my body was ready to keep that progress moving in the right direction. Also, it included a lot of walking and whatever exercise I could do back then, and building up ones muscles now helps both hasten weight loss and lessen side effects or drawbacks from the surgery. There is another person on this site who always preaches looking at weight loss as a job. It needs to be that serious. You clock in first thing in the morning and everything you do the whole day has to coincide with these goals. And then, once you start losing a bit, something fun happens, you start enjoying the losses so much that the chores of the "job" start becoming more fun or entertaining.

The truth is, I remember the first time I really felt fat I was only 190lbs. Now, that's just ten lbs above my goal weight. So there is a huge mental component we need to work on. I keep a few pictures on my phone from when I was my largest (310lbs) and when I'm having one of those doubtful moments, one of those fat days, I take a selfie and look at the pictures of before and during side by side. It really puts things in perspective for me. Good luck.

Thanks for all the input. I'm real excited about this program and will find a way to make my two dreams work together. For the past 7 years I've worked in a research laboratory which had its moments, but you end up so separated both physically and mentally from everyone else. In winemaking, I'll be by myself often, but I won't have barriers up keeping me at bay. In a way, it's a parallel to weightloss. When I was at my largest I felt separate and physically apart from others. But as I lose weight, those barriers vanish and I'm turning into a more social creature. I need to make sure in school and as a winemaker I cherish connectivity but don't use that as a reason to over-indulge. I've timed the program to begin once I should be at or near my goal weight, so at that point I'll have to adjust being a moderate drinker and stay thin. It's most likely going to mean great adherence to the Protein first rule and to maintain all the exercising I've grown accustomed too.

You are doing great. Don't worry about others, the day will come when your own jaw drops at how far you've come. I just got back from 3 month checkup about 30 minutes ago. During the visit we started discussing all the little benefits and wonderful moments I've had during this process. I realized, there have been a bunch. But most came after about the first 50 lbs came off. Then, everyone started commenting, I got to fly without a seatbelt extender, my blood pressure dropped from borderline high to just about perfect, 104/68. But most important for me, I just started feeling happier, more fulfilled and proud of my accomplishments both weight related and unrelated. Just keep it up, those great moments are coming. High weight 310 Surgery weight 283 3 month weight 225 Goal weight 180

Each person is different. For me, I had about three days of bad pain, another week where my pain was going down but I was much more able to tolerate it and actually stop taking the pain killers. After about ten days to 1 month my leftover muscle aches and moments of brief pain lessened till after about one month I was feeling great. A couple recommendations that I think greatly helped me are 1) no matter how much it sucks, force yourself to drink your minimum 64oz daily and eat 60oz Protein, and 2) start walking and exercising as soon as you can tolerate it. Treat recovery like a job. I'm just under 3 months now and I've gone from a 50inch waist to 38's. My blood pressure because of the weight loss and extensive exercise has gone from borderline high to 96/64. This process is amazing in so many ways, but you just need to get through the pain and put in the effort. Good luck!