jhclikesshopping@gmail.com

you can do it..... The hardest part is making the decision - that is done. No Regrets - only opportunities. Relax - have a glass of Water and take three deep breaths. You will do GREAT!!!

I get a little help with a touch of caffeine. Maybe a small cup of coffee or tea with caffeine. But check with your NUT too....

I still do not like the powder based drinks - I use the premade. My go to is Pure Protein - Cookies and Cream, banana and chocolate are my favorite (check on Amazon - best price I have found).

Also - check out the clothes. Some of their T-shirts are my favorite!!!

Have 1.5 pounds still to go.....

Good morning all !!! I hope everyone is doing good. I had a very positive experience (happy moment) today and it made me think of all the happy moments the last 5 months has brought to me. None of my pants fit... so I have purchased belts. Today, I went to the second ring loop on my belt (when I bought the belt it did not fit). YEAH! Happy Moment. anyone else want to share?

It took me a while, but I learned I have a trigger. After the first month of eating, I learned that as I get full, I start burping. When I eat too fast or my bites are too big, then my trigger does not really show up. But if I eat each bite and put my utensil down and wait, I soon notice that at some point I start getting gassy. At this point, I am full. If I eat more, then usually I run to the bathroom. My advice, really measure out 2 oz, then 1 oz and then another oz. Start with 2, see how you are feeling. Eat another ounce, and see how you are feeling. And so on and so on. Also - remember that some foods are more-dense so that makes a difference. Like I can eat 1 entire chicken sausage link but only 3/4 of a scrambled egg. Weird.....

Yes - all part of this journey. my first one was 2 weeks long and I bled ALOT!!!! AndI mean..... alot. Here is my advice, Remember - talk to your gyn just to be sure. Mine recommended an extra Iron tablet when I go over 3 days (my normal was 3 days pre-surgery). I also notice, I am no longer regular. One month is was 28 days and then next month was 56 days. good luck!

Wow - did not hear about the body shaper. I am using tight undershirts and leggings. I think this and my weight training is keeping my skin tight. But... I am still only 1/2 way to goal. Have more to lose

hi Molly - congrats on your surgery. Yes - I have IBS. Oh the fun of it.... I personally think whenever people cannot find a source for something being wrong in your stomach or "gut", they call it IBS. I often wonder if mine was too much acid, too little acid, food allergies or something else. I will say this, before surgery I never had a normal trip to the bathroom. Food would set me off...drinks would set me off.... time of the month...cheese was bad Tuesday...bread was bad on Thursday. I hope you get my point - never the same one day from the next on what would cause my issues. And yes, I had major stomach cramps and pain. Now after surgery - I am back to my normal life. Sure right after surgery I had issues with gas but I think that was part of the surgery part. Also, the liquid and soft phases were challenging. Now I am 5 months out, I am doing GREAT. No need for medication anymore and the "gut" pain I had from IBS is completely gone. If anything I am happy for the surgery and now my IBS is quiet.

Check out the world according to eggface. Michelle's blog is great. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

its normal... relax. Do not weight yourself daily... pick a day or two in the week and go from there. Follow your nutritionist. All is good I promise. Stalls happen all the time. Here is my chart from the last four months. See - stalls all over the place...

Here is mine. B - 1 scrambled egg, turkey roll up: 1 oz sliced turkey and 1 slice chedder cheese (one thin sliced ) 7 + 5 + 3 = 15 grams L - 2 oz grilled chicken and 1/2 pieces of zucchini 18 grams Snack - pure Protein shake 35 grams dinner 2 oz salmon, some veggie 11 g total 79~~ I still cannot do it without a Protein shake.

Mine was chicken skewer and edamame from Japanese restaurant. Perfect - one skewer and I was done...

When I have this feeling (and I am 4 months and I still get the feeling. I find walking around helps me. And nice slow deep breaths. I question whether this is something there or if it's just a feeling - but walking around helps.

Congrats on starting to look for help. This has been a GREAT group for me. I hope you look around - there are lots of good resources. I like what @@Inner Surfer Girl mentions above. I would definitely find a surgery local to you to talk to them and their nutritionist. There are also some "back on track" programs that might help you get started. Look at this company. Bariatric Support Centers International. Finally - I know my issue is grazing too. Pre-surgery I was really trying to stop. Try the schedule idea. Here is mine - and yes, I eat at the same time every day..... with 4 meals. Eat 7:30 am, 11:00 am, 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Try to start with scheduled eating time and if you find yourself hungry at other time, drink Water (or crystal light, or tea or... or....). See if this helps. Also remember - eat Protein first before anything else. I also say - find a buddy. It really helps when you have a friend who understand what you are going through and give you advice. Like a sponsor. I have a friend and when I need encouragement - we text. Helps me a lot. Good luck!!!

Now my bestie is very thin - and she is always cold. Maybe this is how thin people are???

Jerky is my savior.... turkey, pork, tuna, beef. I like all of them. Also - just got into smoked fish (smoked salmon or tuna). My favorite snack is a slice of extra thin low fat cheese (my favorite brand is extra sharp cheddar from Lucerne) with two slices of deli meat. Then roll them up and you have a Protein burrito (that is what we call them at my house). Two of these plus slices of cucumber and i am set for lunch!. Also - I get the precooked chicken breast from trader joes or safeway (my local grocery store). Here is a link to the one at Trader Joes - http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/1745.%C2'> These are in the deli section and I just slice them up with small pieces of fruit like a nectarine. Hope this helps.

I have learned that my body will sit for a few weeks and then start to lose again. My last stall was for 4 weeks (frustrating I know). After the 4 weeks, i lost 12 pounds the next week. I think you need to be patient. I am sure you are doing good but sometimes our body needs a "reset". Good luck!!!

I am taking a picture each week and send an annimated Gif to my friends who cannot see me every week. Its been fun... thanks to iphoto!!!!

So the good news - I have lost 90 pounds so far... and no loss in cup size (only in width). Started DD and still a DD (and I just got sized professionally thank you Nordstrom).

I like the gnc unflavored whey in my baked stuff and Unjury in yogurt and soup.

I had the same issue for about two weeks after surgery. I think it was from my carb withdrawal- or my loss of sodium.

Check out world according to eggface. She likes quest and makes cookies out of them.