MzB

9 hours!!! Wow, that is awesome. I wish I could find that sort of time.

I use my Apple Watch so I can't be part of your fit bit group ????. I did get in 5 days of workouts for a total of 3.75 hours ????

This may seem like a small thing, but I just bought a full length mirror! I didn't realize how much I avoided them in the past. Now I am buying new clothes but had no idea how I looked finally dressed each morning so a full length mirror was needed. Now I just have to get used to seeing myself in it. Sometimes I think "wow, so thin!" other times "wow, I am still so fat". It's kinda weird actually. I didn't think I would have body dis-morphia but maybe I do after all...

165.5

Hey @@Rebeccaabrooks86 How is it going this week? I have upped my workout times but missed a day so I only got in 3.75 hours this week. I am just curious how many of us are still doing this challenge? I like having the accountability of needing to report my workouts each week, but I get that it might not be the biggest motivation for everyone.

Ugh...unexpected gain. 169.5

I have sisters so I can sort of relate.... I would suggest that you remind her that you both have told each other fairly private things over the years (at least I am assuming you have) and regardless about how she feels about the actual decision, being a trusted confidant is more important than her desire to be "honest" with people. (for example) How would she feel if she had told you in confidence that she had a hysterectomy and someone ask you about how she was doing and you just blurted out "oh, she had a hysterectomy done but she is doing great now." If her comeback is that she doesn't want to lie tell her to just agree that you are looking fabulous and that they should ask you directly about how you are doing it! Then the answer is back to you and she doesn't have to do anything. BTW, I haven't made a secret of how I lost the weight. I answer this the same way I would answer anyone who has ask for any other diet I have been on. They would ask me how I was losing weight and I would say "Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, HCG, SlimFast...etc" You name it I have tried it. (haven't we all...) Now I just say "I had weight lost surgery". If they don't like it or have a different thought they usually keep it to themselves. I honestly don't care if they don't like it, they don't have to live with the decision, only I do! If they just comment on how great I look and how much weight I have lost, I just say "Thanks, its been my project for this year!" and that is usually the end of the discussion.

167.5

I would up the Protein and see if that helps any. Your body may just need more protein now that you are upping the exercise. Other than that I would just watch it carefully and if you still feel concerned talk to your PA or surgeon's office.

G'morning I got 5.25 hours in this last week!

A lot of times on in various different postings I see where people say they ate like crap for a day or a couple of days. I get that this is obviously not following the program. But I am curious what people actually considered to be eating like crap? Does this mean you OD on Doritos? Do you have donuts? Is it eating hamburgers and pizza? Is it just starting to eat the bread with your meals? Or are you someone who has lots of skinny pop and things that are not "as naughty" but you snack all through the day? I realize we're all different and we have different triggers, but I think will be interesting to see the answers. Personally I feel like I am eating like crap if I have chips at all. I also feel like it if I snack through the day.

I would like this posting multiple times if I could!!!!! Way to go!

It does help push me, especially at 5 AM when I don't want to get up. I love having an exercise challenge. ????

Welcome to the dark side.... Just kidding. I am thrilled to hear that you now have more options for having something sweet. Not sure if you do this, but you might also try some of the SF syrups in your coffee. I love hazelnut and found a great one for peppermint mocha (got me through the holidays in style!)

Wow, these are all great answers! I really appreciate the honesty from everyone. I know that we are all different but as I was reading several of these posts, I was thinking "EXACTLY!" That is totally me. I am so glad to hear how others go "off the reservation" and then get back on the right path. I have learned that chocolate chip Cookies are just too much of a trigger for me. Those have to leave the house FAST or I will totally have an eating like crap day! Obviously the important thing is not that we have an off day, but that we recognize it and get back on to our standard program/schedule. We are human after all. That doesn't (and shouldn't) give us the mental right to do it everyday or let's face it, we would be back where we started. However, I keep reminding myself this isn't a sprint, it is a marathon so I need to work on pacing myself. If I choose to eat something that is bad for me I make sure I do it knowingly and more importantly I log it! (something I totally hate doing...)

3 hours this week.

168.5

This would be a problem since I can't drink before I eat. One of the first times I went out to dinner I ordered a Water and went to town on it thinking I was getting ahead for the day. food came out and I was like rut ro. My pouch was full of water. Live and learn... @@Ronjohn Sorry to hear that you have to be careful about drinking before eating. I am one of those that can usually drink up until I eat something. The Fluid seems to move through my sleeve quickly. Now I can't guzzle a 20 oz. drink and then also eat, my guzzling days are apparently over.... However, I can sit and enjoy 1/2 to almost a full glass of water before our food arrives. Hopefully this will be something you can do in the future (if you want to). I especially like it if I am out and can do a low cal mixed drink or wine before my meal arrives. The funny thing is soup.. It fills me up super quick and the mix of liquid and solid stuff can be problematic if I don't go slowly. I have seen posts on this before I and I have always wondered how the "no drinking" rule applies to a broth based Soups... Doesn't soup inherently violate the "no drinking while eating" rule?

@@Inner Surfer Girl Do you just get the meatballs with no Pasta? I always seem to struggle to get them to just give me meat. If they do give me the pasta it is a struggle to leave it on the plate.... (weak I know, *shrug*)

My husband is a huge fan of eating out. Since we don't have kids at home it is easier to select where to go that fits with my more limited options. Granted, I am 8 months out now so I am not as strick as I was at first. Here are some of the things I have found work for me. (I am located in Texas so some of these options may be regional....) 1. Wendy's small chili (I can finish about 2/3 of it now, but less when we first started getting them) 2. Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets or salad options 3. Mexican - chicken tortilla Soup (hold the tortillas/chips). Hubby orders fajitas and I just eat the chicken and peppers without anything else. 4. Chinese - Egg Drop Soup. Beef broccoli or Pepper Beef. Tip: Order hot green tea to start. You can sip this until the entre comes out. keeps you busy and gets fluids in! 5. Jimmy John's sandwiches: get the unwich version and finish what you can 6. BBQ place - Get the chicken or turkey option and skip the sides. Don't be afraid to walk in someplace and just order the meat. 7. Italian - (this is a hard one for me) I usually just stick to a soup or side salad. sometimes they have just shrimp appetizers or I have ordered the mozzarella sticks and just pulled off the breading part and eaten the cheese. 8. Wings places (Buffalo Wild Wings or similar). Order the grilled wings or just live a little and get the regular wings. I can only eat 3-4 so make sure you order the snack size... 9. Steak places - Hubby orders 8 oz. filet and I get 2-3 oz of it and a side of green Beans. 10. pizza - again a hard one. I just eat the toppings off of the pizza and leave the crust. I am sure there are other things I am forgetting but those cover our usual eat out spots.

Fantastic pictures! way to go on maintenance.

For me it depends on if I want to sleep or not. If I want to sleep I get the window, if I am going to be up the whole time, I do the isle. The nice thing is that as you shrink, all the seats fit better and you no longer agonize about where you are sitting! Good luck on your choice.

Sorry, forgot to check in yesterday. I did 3.5 hours last week.

Weight this week: 168.4

@@RNYDawn It is pretty secure. Not sure about if a small child pulled on it. It might move then, no kids have tried it yet so not really sure. But I can comb it without any issues. It doesn't move and I Hardly notice I am wearing it most of the time. I thought it might feel weird, but after the first week I quit thinking about it. I think You can sew extra tension clips in on the top to make it even more secure but I don't think it really needs it.