madferitchick

This update feels very poignant. I started this thread in May last year laid on a sunbed at typhoon lagoon whilst on holiday in Florida. It was 9 days before I saw my consultant and 23 days before I had my sleeve surgery. Today, 10 months later, I am again laid on a sunbed in typhoon lagoon whilst on holiday in Florida - and life is incredibly different in many ways! I am fitter, healthier, happier, have more self confidence and self esteem, few if any aches or pains and notably the day I left for Florida I weighed in at 183lbs - 98lbs lighter than I was when I wrote my first post last year!!! I was really hoping to have hit the 100lb loss but you know what, I know I will so really it doesn't matter and I'm just celebrating the achievement This journey has been incredible and I am so very glad I took the decision and had surgery. I had to be brave, I had many fears and worries, but I needn't have had as I have been blessed with an uneventful experience with everything happening smoothly and text book. My weight loss has been slowish but steady and my approach to eating has been moderation rather than deprivation and I am happy with both my lifestyle and progress to date. Being in Florida almost 100lb light has been a real eye opener. The heat for starters seems so much less intense without all the extra fat! I have even had to wear a cardi a few times due to being cold and had the heating on at night rather than air conditioning! Yesterday was a real milestone and NSV in a big way. We spent the day at Busch gardens. Last year I avoided going there as I knew the harness for the rides wouldn't fit me and I was really sad as I love that park and was desperate to ride the new Falcons fury at the time. Well...yesterday I rode all the big rides, and in a standard seat with plenty of extra room And slack on the seat belts!!!! And it felt A-MAZ-ING!!!!! I have never ridden in a standard seat, always needed the one for bigger people. But yesterday I was just one of the crowd, blending in and unremarkable. That's felt sooooo good. And the Falcons fury...well the ride was good but the thrill was more in fitting in the standard seat Another thing about being in Florida is the food. I normally couldn't get enough and the huge portion sizes was always what I loved! This time I look at portion sizes and can't believe I ever ate all that! I wondered if I would feel deprived or like I am missing out but I really don't. I'm ordering what I like, whilst still being mindful of Protein and drinking Water, but as I said my approach is moderation so whilst on holiday I am having treats...but when I'm full that's it and I move on, no over stuffing myself to the point I can't hardly move! I still have a way to go. My stretch ultimate goal is 149lb but my realistic goal is 161lb. I have a lot of loose skin which I knew would be the case and I will likely have plastics which I will discuss with my surgeon at my 1 year check. Progress from here is slow going I know, but I'm ok with that, it's a lifestyle not a race and I know I will get there. I also know I have to remain ever vigilant. I am an emotional eater and that hasn't changed. Hunger is also making a return at times. So I have to keep on top of these things but I believe I can and will. Tomorrow is a day at magic kingdom for my daughter to meet all the princesses. Then Friday I will be shopping shopping shopping!!! I can't wait to shop in regular size stores and treat myself to all the things I have longed to buy in the past when in Florida but they didn't fit! This year there's no stopping me!!! Life is good ️

Wow! You look amazing! Huge congrats! You must be very close or already at goal!

3lb off this week, very pleased With that and to have got back on the horse straight after Xmas :-) I'm now in the 13 stone bracket too, whoop! Hope everyone is well and doing good too :-)

I'm in, thank you for doing this! Start weight 198 and goal 186 :-)

So probably the hardest week of the year in terms of food management and I have maintained :-) very very pleased with that and I have enjoyed the week, not felt at all deprived and have enjoyed the food I have had whilst maintaining control. Happy new year everyone and here's to a fabulous 2016. 2015 has definitely been a game changer :-)

83lb down since May 28th and finally in onederland! Another 48lbs to go to my ultimate stretch goal but 30 to my first goal.

Just found the below on the notes section of my phone. I'd forgotten about it but it's made me quite emotional. This year has been life changing and I'm reminded of all the reasons why I took the pretty drastic steps to get sleeved. I'm very proud also to have achieved two of my three goals, and today I'm 198 lbs so feel a bit more safely into onederland! As for the 5k run I'll start work on that in the new year. I'm so much fitter and healthier now due to my weight loss and all the work I'm doing with my personal trainer. Here's the list: (Matilda is my daughter btw) "Sleeve Tired of fighting, all my life Get control Be healthier, feel better To be here for longer for tilly To run and play Stop sweating Breathe easier sleep better Move easier Stop people laughing/pointing/making fun Feel more confident Affects every part of my life Is tillys probs due to my weight Work confidence Going out in eve/socially Aeroplane seat Theatre seat Will a chair break Will I fit through a gap in a crowd/between cars etc So tilly isn't teased at school cos of me Want to be a participator not spectator Wear my hair down without getting hot and sweaty Can't ever have another baby if stay this weight In and out of car door Toiletting For Matilda To play with her To run with her To carry her Stop ache pain in my Knee Feet Finger Back Pelvis General aches Short of breath Sweat Pins n needles back Goals Get into wedding dress Run a 5k Get to onederland" I wish you all a very merry Christmas and may 2016 bring us all a year of health love and happiness. Xxx

199 for me ????

Very quick post just to say WOOOHOOOO!!!!

So my wish was to be in onederland by Xmas day...and I've been hovering just above 200lbs for a few weeks. Today I am 200.8..... One more weigh day before Xmas....hoping this will keep me focused this week and keep the temptation of all the Xmas treats under control!! Just realised that means total loss so far of 81lb! Whoop!

Sitting at 202 now

Best wishes to you and your family xx

I am sat in the car park outside the hospital having just seen my surgeon for my 6 month check. I am down a total of 79lbs. Bmi is 34 instead of 48. Body fat has reduced by 14% and muscle has increased by 14%. All is well and I'm very pleased :-) hair loss has slowed and regrowth is coming in. Loose skin is on the increase, I was prepared for that and will address it once I am done losing! I hope in the next 6 months to lose another 3 stone. That will take me to a bmi within the overweight range. That isn't my ultimate goal but I am also not too hung up about being within a normal bmi as I am doing weights and that is affecting my loss on the scales but shows clearly in my clothes. Hope everyone else is well and doing ok :-)

I saw consultant 14 May for initial consultation. Sleeved on 28 May! So it can be quick if you want and your surgeon has space to book you in!

Brilliant idea, and congrats :-) and just think what an even more beautiful necklace it will become as you keep losing!

Weigh in 206 :-)

Well I certainly don't want to speak too soon, but I *think* and certainly hope that the hair loss is slowing down a bit! It is still coming out, but it's not quite so bad when I wash my hair and similarly when I brush it there's a bit less. I just really hope it continues to slow down and the regrowth speeds up! I'm down another 2lb this week so a total of 75lb now. I had a weird thing today, I was talking to my best friend and we were talking about weight, diets etc and I told her what I weigh and what I used to weigh Before surgery! I don't know what came over me, I have never shared that info with anyone! I said that too her, and she said I must feel ok sharing it with her as I have no intention of ever going back there!! Kinda made sense :-) I am loving the gym! I see my personal trainer twice a week and my general fitness and ability is coming on in huge steps which is fab! I generally feel so so much better :-) I have my six month blood tests and follow up with my consultant in a few weeks so that'll be interesting. I want to know what my body fat and muscle percentages are, I hope my muscle has increased due to my gym work and that my fat has seriously reduced!!

Starting weight for me is 208. Goal is 199. Thank you for this :-)

Brill count me in :-) Start weight 210. Goal weight 196. Omg to be in onederland by Christmas would be amazing! Thanks for organizing ????

Congratulations! You are an inspiration! ????????????????

I had a similar situation and the conversation in my head that I couldn't and shouldn't have any McDonald's was making me want more and putting me at risk of a binge. So I made a conscious decision to allow myself a single cheeseburger but to eat the burger only and leave the bun. I found this worked for me, I didn't feel deprived but also didn't beat myself up so much. Damage limitation I guess and maybe worth a thought if you find yourself in this situation again.

I totally relate to this. I do the same and only weigh weekly and hate having to do it elsewhere or at other times as it will nearly always disappoint me and that usually turns into an automatic response of wanting to eat! Oh the cruel irony! Ignore what the scale said today and just go with your usual weekly weigh tomo. Good luck!

I was five months out of surgery yesterday and as of this morning I have lost 71lb since pre op and 59 since surgery. My weight loss seems to have really slowed, half a stone a month for the last two months. But I'll take it, it's better than going in the other direction. The slower loss does aloe coincide with my starting with a personal trainer. I am doing a lot of strength training and so building muscle and a such I'm guessing that may be affecting the weight loss a bit. Importantly I feel well though and there is no denying how much better i look. The slower weight loss is frustrating and I have worried that what if this is it and I don't go any further. But this week I have lost 3lb again so I am pleased the scale has moved! I have had a few moments of frustration for want of a better word. Hard to explain but just felt kind of tired of not being able to throw caution to the wind and just eat! And what that tells me...,I still have to be ever vigilant and also the sleeve is working! It's at this point in the last I would have just fallen off the diet wagon and started working my way back up to the top of the scales. The fact this is a lifestyle rather than a diet means there is no wagon to fall off! And yesterday I had a lovely day out with my family, we ate out and I enjoyed what I had without feeling deprived. I see my surgeon in a month and he wanted me to lose 84lbs in the six months after surgery! I have lost 59lb and I know I won't lose anywhere near 25lb in the next month so I won't be hitting his target. I am annoyed he even set the target to be honest as I don't deal with my own failure well, and in the past it would result in me eating! Anyway, I am ignoring it! It's his target, not mine!

Hi everyone ???? I had my surgery 28th may. Starting weight 281 Day of surgery 269 Current weight 213 I've been in a stall for the most of this month - very frustrating :-( Send we are all losing at around the same rate though. Well done everyone!

Yes great idea!