mngreeneyes

You look great! Congrats on your loss. pam

Congrats. You look great! pam

Congrats! Way to Go! Keep it up! pam

By the first day of summer my goals are to: 1. RUN two 5ks (I already am scheduled, but as of this moment I still can't run long enough to run the full 5k.) 2. Start training for my super sprint Triathlon that will be in August. 3. Get into Onederland! I have just over 19 lbs. to go. pam

We have similar goals. I am in the 4th week of the couch to 5k program and I just recently bought a road bike so I can do a triathlon late this summer. I highly recommend the couch to 5k app, very cool. It coaches you thru the whole process. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App Ryan, That's awesome. I am in week 5. I love the C25K app. It is so much better than when I used to have to run on the treadmill so I could watch the time! As soon as I finish the C25K I will do the C210K alternating days with swimming and start my Triathlon Training Memorial Day. I am so pumped. Keep me posted on how you are doing. pam

@Kaite-grimmo93 - I was an active, but not consistent exerciser before my surgery. I think I am becoming a bit crazy now. Since my surgery I have lost almost 65 pounds and exercising is so much easier. I have tried during previous attempts to lose weight to complete the Couch to 5K training program, but always quit or was injured. I am now more than halfway through and still going strong. I am even approaching my high school (very slow) mile time! But since that was 26 years ago, I am doing a little jig about that. As others have said, find something you like to do. I used to think I needed to take classes to be motivated because I am rather social, but I am finding that I love putting on my headphones and running or jumping in the pool for a solo swim. As it is, as a kid I loved swimming and biking and now I like running so with that knowledge, I will soon start training for a super sprint (very short) triathlon in August. I find that having a training plan also keeps me more motivated. @A New KK - I love the tea bag thing! I'm going to borrow that one. pam

I have lost mostly all over, but my belly is still really big. I can tell it is smaller than it was, but I carried most of my weight in my abdomen and so it is coming off slower. I have been weight lifting lately as well as swimming and running and I can see definition in my shoulders/arms and legs that I have never had before, but I need to build a better foundation under the flab on my stomach. That is about the only thing you can do. No exercise is going to spot reduce, but you can prep it to look better when the flab finally lets go! I am hoping that because my stomach is going away slower the skin, of which I have LOTS, will also shrink better than it has on my arms where it shrunk fast. I also have some crazy side book under my arms that could go away any time, but I suspect that may be slow also. Keep on keeping on and eventually it will shrink more. pam

Congrats on taking a great step. I had weight lifting on Tuesday and must have done too many/much squats and dead lifts because my butt hurts. Let me tell you that's a great feeling! We have some very similar goals. I have my first 5k on April 9th and will be doing a super sprint triathlon in August. Good luck with your training. Its amazing how one's attitude changes after surgery. For me, its the one area where I think they did brain surgery on me while they were doing my bypass! Keep us posted on your training! pam

I also had an easy recovery. I was able to eat the full amount allowed from the moment it was allowed. I am now just over 4 months out and on solid food, and the restriction is kicking in. I had times I felt full on soft foods and occasionally things that did NOT like me, but that has been worse as I have added in "real" food. I can eat steak, but not roast beef. I can eat fancy lettuce, but not iceberg. I can eat tuna, but not crab. I am still eating less than 1 cup of food each meal, but it has definitely increased. I still drink a Protein drink a day and am able to get all my Water and protein. At this point, I would just relax and enjoy the ride. Your pouch is likely fine. Just stick to your instructions from your NUT. pam

They used to always say for "normal" people that you should drink 8 ounces of Water 30 minutes before a meal so you feel full faster. That worked, I suppose, if you actually had the feeling of being full. It never seemed to make much difference to me. The 30/30 rule was important to practice before surgery. I frequently found myself unconsciously drinking water when out at a restaurant. I didn't realize how ingrained that was. The more conscious I was of doing it, the more I could fight it. Keep trying. Its worth the effort. Coincidentally, my NUT, psych, and surgeon all told me that not following the 30/30 rule was the #1 reason that people gained their weight back after surgery. I don't have any hard stats on that, but they all said it. pam

I don't have any experience with your situation, but I feel for you. I'm sure it will get worked out. Soon all this will be just a blip on the journey to your new life! pam

What an inspirational story! Thank you for sharing. pam

Congrats! So excited for you! Keep us posted on how you are doing. pam

Good luck on your appeal. I hope it all works out. pam

Congrats! Its a wonderful feeling, huh? Keep going! pam

I also have an office job. I took two weeks off to recuperate. My surgery was a week before Thanksgiving so I had a few free days in there. I had a pretty easy recovery overall, no complications or anything like that. For about my first week back, I would hit a wall in the afternoon. The first day it was noon. it got later throughout the week. When I hit the wall, I went home so I knew I was still safe to drive. I would take a nap and be ready for the next day. Tiredness really was my biggest factor through most of my recovery. Just take it easy and don't push too hard and as you hear frequently on here, make sure you are getting your Protein and Water and you should be good. pam

There are always things we can do with makeup etc to bring out our best features and hide/minimize the ones we don't like, but unless we can actually see ourselves as we truly are, all the makeup and spanx in the world won't help. I was never told that I had a pretty face either, but I was told I had a great smile and amazing eyes. So those are the things I try to bring out, but I am also a pretty low maintenance person so I don't care enough to spend hours on hair and makeup. I go for simple. I am appreciating the comments I've been getting lately about how great I look and I can see my progress, especially as I get into smaller and smaller clothes. But pretty has never been my goal. Would I love someone to see me as beautiful? Yes, but that, for me, is the cherry on top of getting healthy. I am afraid if your only goal from surgery is pretty or healthy, you may never find that. Its too subjective and our brains will fight that and continue to find fault. My suggestion is to find something tangible to be your goal. i.e. train and run/walk a 5k, 10k, marathon, or triathlon; train for and hike a mountain or trail that you've always dreamed of; train for and go on a bike/walk vacation; train for and take a running cruise; etc. Pick something you've seen others do and thought looked fun but out of your reach because of your size and work towards that goal. You will learn so much about yourself along the way. Pretty is fleeting no matter your size or age, but an accomplishment you never thought possible can't be taken away. The memories are yours forever. And along the way, you might find that people see your confidence and enthusiasm as the beautiful you were looking for. pam

Congrats!! Way to keep on keeping on in spite of you injury. That's the sign of being committed. I am running my first 5k on April 9th. I have walked several, but this one will be the final workout of my C25K plan! I am thinking I should be able to run at least 80% of that distance. I am really slow so 30 minutes of running isn't going to quite get me to the finish line. Congrats again and keep it up! Pam

HOpe you are feeling better soon. I'm sure you'll be back on your feet in no time! pam

You are such an inspiration! Thank you for being you and sharing you with all of us. Congrats on your losses and gains. pam

Congratulations!

WOW! Thank you for the inspiration. I am to the point where my weight loss is slowing down and its scaring me. I am just about 4 months post op and you have given me ideas on what I need to do to kick it back up again! Thanks, pam

Sorry to hear you have an ulcer. Glad to hear you are feeling better and the bleeding is controlled. Hopefully now you can get on the healing track and into your new life. HUGS pam

@Christinamo7 I am curious too for myself. I also am not leaving anything to chance. I have people helping me prep already eventhough I haven't sent in my resume yet. I have a friend lined up to coach me on interviewing. Another who is helping with my resume and cover letter. I feel like I am actually taking charge of my life. I've been pretty passive and nonchalant. That's done now. Good luck on your job search. Let me know if I can help in any way! I am pretty good at helping people with their resumes. Just not as good at my own. pam

So excited! I am wearing size 18 pants! NOT even 18W pants, just plain old 18s! Except that I have always been top heavy and generally one size bigger on top, my next shopping trip will be to the MISSES section, instead of plus! I have to say that regular size clothes fit my shape so much better. I have fairly skinny muscular legs and plus size pants tended to give me to much space in the butt and thighs. The jeans I am wearing today fit, excpet they are too long and I am walking on the hems. There was a time in my life when I thought I had average length legs. I was very wrong! I keep walking on my hems! pam