Hagengirl3

I only walked and did Water aerobics for the first 9 months. Then I started doing classes at the gym and got a trainer. Once I started working out more, I definitely saw an increase in my appetite. So, I do eat more because I exercise a lot now (6 days a week) but I have put on a lot of muscle.

Don't bother with ab machines. Stick with crunches and planks. There are some great plank apps available too that help you to gradually increase the amount of time.

Not sure if this has been posted before or not, but this is probably the best article that I have read since having surgery. http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/03/why-everything-in-moderation-is-bariatric-baloney/?utm_campaign=Everything_In_Moderation_Support&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=3-10-16 Prior to surgery, I thought that I would be able to be an "Everything in Moderation" kind of person, but knew right away that that would never work for me.

Chose bypass because I did not want to risk having Acid reflux. Only had it when pregnant but knew I never wanted to have to deal with that again. I am super happy with my choice. I have never had any dumping or other issues although I have never actually tried anything with sugar yet. Haven't had bread, pasta or rice either but assume they would not bother me. I just don't feel a need to have them.

Great exercise clothes motivate me. Lulumon makes amazing leggings that really fit great and are super slimming. Unfortunately I do not have as much luck with shirts since I am battling saggy upper arm skin which is a shame because there is a lot of muscle there too.

I struggle as well and had RNY at about the same time as you. I have definitely started to go back to some of my bad habits that led me to gain the weight in the first place. Right now I exercise a lot, so that is keeping me from gaining the weight back, but it is a constant struggle. I tend to eat out of boredom or when tired. When I start to feel out of control, I usually try to narrow in on one habit that I can improve on and only worry about that for a few days until it has become a habit, then move onto something else. Recently it has been to drink more Water. Before that it was to cut out Protein bars (I was up to eating 3-4 a day). I find that if I make just one small change at a time, I see success and that motivates me. Otherwise I get overwhelmed.

When I look in the mirror, I still see parts of me that I think are "Fat", but in reality it is mostly skin. I have not really accepted the fact that I am at goal due to the imperfections that still glare at me in the mirror, but I know realistically I do not want to lose anymore weight. I don't aspire to be "skinny". To me that is just not healthy looking. I like the "strong" look better so I focus on continuing to build lean muscle. I am looking into skin removal surgery, but not sure yet if that will happen. In the meantime, I like how I look with clothes on!

I eat about 2000 calories a day which does include 2 shakes and 1 or 2 protein bars each day.

As a 52 year old female, I currently have more muscle mass then ever before in my life. I work with a trainer twice a week and do HITT 4 times a week. I know that the increased muscle is due to the amount of protein I eat which is between 120-150 grams a day.

What tracker are you using?

Spanx actually makes workout pants. They are high waisted with lots of compression. I also buy high waisted workout pants from Lulumon. They are my favorite now.

I started at the same weight as you and compared my weight at approximately the same amount of time out and had lost the same amount. I am now 14 months post op and weigh 136. Give it time. It makes no sense to get angry or disappointed. Enjoy the process.

Had RNY surgery in March 2015 when I was 51 years old. Have lost 125 pounds. Best thing I ever did.

Yes. I ordered a variety box from Amazon. They were pretty horrible. Extremely sweet and did not really taste anything like the flavor on the package . Also the texture was very odd. I will stick with Quest and Combat bars.

My doctor set my goal at 180, but to be honest, I never thought about it. I actually just set mini goals and never looked further ahead then that. First mini goal was to be under 200. Then it was just every 10 pounds. When I was in the 190's my only goal was to see the 180's. Once in the 180's, the goal was to see the 170's. This made everything more manageable for me. I recently got into the 130's which was absolutely amazing since I don't ever remember being in the 130's. I have no desire to get to the 120's so am now just figuring out how to lose the last couple pounds and maintain.

I really like the Quest protein powder. Salted caramel and cookies and Creme are my favorites. You can get them from GNC or order from Amazon.

I love the protein powder that Quest makes. My favorites are Salted Caramel and Cookies and Creme. I blend mine in a nutribullet with sugarfree almond milk and ice. It is better than a milkshake!

I make sugarfree protein fudgesicles. I mix 2 cups sugarfree almond milk with 2 scoops Unjury chocolate protein powder. Blend that for 10 second then add a pkg. of sugarfree instant pudding and blend for 30 seconds. Then I pour then into Popsicle molds. They are 50 calories and 5 grams of protein. They have been a lifesaver for me and my sweet tooth.

I can totally relate. Have been at the same weight for over a month now. I keep asking myself if maybe this is the weight I am meant to be. If so then something miraculous has happened. I am maintaining my weight. Something I have NEVER been able to do in the past. Looking at this as a huge milestone. I am trying to pay close attention to what I am doing so that I can really learn what maintenance looks like. Keeping 120 pounds off is more important to me right now than losing 10 more.

I am trying to eat more "real" food and less Protein shakes/bars. For Breakfast I force myself to eat an egg and turkey sausage, but really hate it. Does anyone have any good breakfast suggestions? I am trying hard to stay away from anything that is "sweet" since that tends to set me off to wanting other sweet items (ie shakes and bars).

Finally had the courage to hire a personal trainer at the gym.

I wanted to share a funny story. I had RNY almost 10 months ago and am still getting used to this smaller body. I was standing, holding my phone and needed to use my hands to do something else. I did not have pockets and there was no where to put my phone, so I just put it between my legs (thighs) so I could use my hands. Problem was that it kept falling to the floor. I honestly could not figure out what the issue was until it dawned on me that I did not have enough fat to hold the phone in place. Now that was a first!

This may sound weird, but I like to put some splenda or truvia, cinnamon and fiber one cereal on cottage cheese.

If you have NutriBullet or a blender, try making your Protein shake in there. I use almond milk (unsweetened vanilla), ice and protein powder (usually Quest or Unjury). It makes the Protein Shake taste like a milk shake. I have one every morning for Breakfast.

I have had the BBQ flavor and did not think they were bad. Definitely satisfied the need to crunch. I was never a big chip eater so maybe that is why I like them more than other people.