Christinamo7

*big hugs* I do consider you a success already but - it sounds like you are ready to pick up the exercise and get moving again! and that is a good thing. this is quite a journey we're all on.

I had been using half splenda half sugar, and cut back to 2 tsp. However, have been playing around with stevia, but it seems too sweet right now.

absolutely! that attitude will take you a long way. I had a *year* long detour due to a high WBC and resulting tests/problems - but I used that time to watch forums and learn as much as I could to be prepared.

I aim for 10000 a day. some days I get there, some I don't. I use mapmywalk and enter in other kinds of work outs, gardening if it is heavy work treadmill, swimming to get some idea if I am getting in enough calories. I think a lot more people use myfitnesspal. I would change, because I would like to have friends on that app, but I already have so much info at mapmywalk, that I don't want to move over. This way I know distance, calorie estimate, number of workouts, etc more than just steps taken.

my face has had the most changes so far - I was surprised to see my mother in the mirror one day. :-) I think I look like a pretty good mixture of my parents, but as the weight comes off there seems to be more mom in there. not a bad thing, just not what I expected.

if it is interfering to that point in your daily activities I would call and see about talking to your NUT to get some ideas and strategies to make sure you have enough calories.

seems to be a hot button topic around here. I just told anyone who cared to know. I'd rather hear it and move on with my life, but I am not easily influenced by others. At work when a couple of nosy peeps asked, once I told them, and told them it wasn't a secret I knew everyone would know with very little trouble to me. I had a coworker who had the procedure a year and a few months before me, so it was no new big deal to anyone, and I had an uncle who had the sleeve 2 years ago so it was not a big deal in my family either. I encountered a lot of misinformation, but I don't mind educating people so it doesn't bother me. if it bothers you to tell people when they ask about your weight loss (especially if they are truly concerned for you) just ell them, yes, it's good. I am healthy - I am loosing weight on purpose, and a doctor is watching out for me. They don't need to know any details. it's just a personal choice how open you care to be, neither way is right or wrong.

that's a pretty new look for you! I haven't changed my hair at all really, except that I am more likely to wear it down since I feel cold more often than not now.

does it feel this way from the beginning of the meal or towards the end? I usually stop a couple of times during my meal to see if there is room for more or if I am done. some days I can eat my normal measured servings and other days that is too much.

The thing I love about having the sleeve is that no one can ever take it away from me! so. you look great BTW, and I already consider you a success! but - if you recognize things that you need to work on or change - then you can do so. by changing up your exercise and getting rid of foods that are not helpful you can continue to make progress. no guilt. We are all just getting better a little at a time. let us know how you are doing! :-)

it does get better as the swelling goes down. I promise. hang in there.

what sort of exercise do you do?

congrats! I am super impressed!

I do not know if it is normal or not, but there was a whole thread (the absolutely fabulous KindaFamiliar started it) about signals your body gives to tell you you're getting too full. perhaps that thread could help you find a signal to stop before that one bite too many?

has it been this way all along or is this a new thing?

wonderful!

they all have such different programs. can you tell us what stage 1, 2 and 4 are?

what a wonderful change! I know you must feel so much better!

Sam Elliot's voice, and those legs Dub? not fair, not fair.

with grilled chicken. with lima Beans. with peaches. with apple slices. with ham. with ranch dressing mix. with raw veg. I LOVE cottage cheese. but, some brands are better than others. so if one is just kinda eh - try a different brand. my favorite is the 365 at whole foods, low fat but Kroger is an acceptable alternative when I can't get over to the whole foods store.

I will say I have worse scars from skinning my knee than from this surgery. I wouldn't let that worry you.

when the weather is bad, there are few things better than getting sucked into a long marathon of netflix or movies. In February I was binge watching Ruth Goodman programs on youtube. I wish she'd hurry up and make more. I am just going to have to watch them all over again.

at 4 weeks I was cleared to eat whatever sits well with my tummy. Protein first, veg, fruits. I have had part of an orange without any problems at all. There's not much room left when I get to the fruit part