favoredone

Thanks!!! And I feel every one of them and every pound of weight I rowed and crunched last night!!! I'm kind of lazy when it comes to structured workouts.. Well, I'm very LAZY when it comes to that.. and I hate gyms.. just the thoughts of gallons of sweat and germs!! UGH!!!!!! But, I'm paying my money so... I have to do it..

That you're sleeved??!!!??? I just took a huge gulp of Water and I almost threw up in front of my students!!!... OMG!!! It was so uncomfortable!!! Have you had any instances where you had a memory lapse?? Please share... Thanks!!

LOL... I guess because I "feel" normal... not hungry, but just that I haven't had surgery... and I prepare a PRE Sleevina meal... and I sit down to eat.. then it hits me!!!!! Thanks for responding!!!

Awesome job.. You look beautiful!!! I love your hair!!!! I work for a natural hair care company (owned by my BFF)!!!

NOOOOO Lissa.. Not Cheetos!!!! LOL...

And I remember complaining in June about my ins requiring a 6-month supervised weight loss plan.. I have to honestly say that without these last few months of consults and dr visits, I would probably be nuts and still totally oblivious to several things. Basically, this is my manifesto of sorts.... I've learned not everyone who has been supportive in your addiction, delusion, destructive behavior (in my case overeating) will support any decision that will encroach on the benefits they are receiving I don't have to depend on another person's validation, support or acknowledgement of my decisions about my life, yes, nice to have, but It's MY LIFE and I want a better one!! This is my right and no one can stop, change or deny this (I can of course, but I won't!!) everything I thought about myself, my motives, passion and intentions have come into question, but the victory is this.... I still love myself for who I am and I love myself too much to stay the way I am physically I am a perfectionist is a way that can be detrimental to my success in life if I dwell on the past and what I can't control... I don't like making mistakes and I felt horrible that I know ALL about the human physiology, nutrition and exercise, thus, I have allowed myself to become morbidly obese... BUT... this same perfectionism will be my catalyst to making great strides with my tools, including the sleeve, an awesome therapist and my new mindset. I have nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to asking for help with my weight problem.. Alcoholics and drug addicts are scorned or called lazy because they go to AA or NA or rehab. I refuse to be ridiculed into submitting to a life of obesity-related illnesses because some people have nothing better to do than to try and analyze why I'm STILL obese after all these years and what I should try... people are afraid of change... and so, perhaps I won't be the same "whatever you need, I got it, whatever I have that you need, it's yours" friend, daughter, sister, aunt, associate...Or maybe I will, just a lot smaller physically.... Perhaps having "LESS FAT" will allow me to see clearly what some of these people actually think of me and their true motives behind our relationships and associations.. My weight issues have fueled issues in every other aspect of my life.. food had become the only trustworthy friend and also my worst enemy... I could rely on my Snacks to be there, but they also stood as a reminder that I was not in control!! Finally, I've learned to release myself from all guilt, condemnation, anger, resentment and bitterness that I've been harboring against ME!! I no longer look in the mirror and shake my head in disappointment because I feel stuck and unable to get out of this rut... I am no longer fearful of trying again.. at anything!! Though, I've tried and not succeeded in successfully losing weight, that will not stop me from giving my ALL this time and every time... I will not be overcome by disappointment any longer.. I am strong, I am beautiful, I am COURAGEOUS enough to believe that my life will change for the better. I am not the same person I was in June or in October even. It has little to do with actual physical weight loss (I've lost less than 10 pounds).. it's more so that weight of the mental and emotional torment I've subjected myself too for years and years... These months, this board and many of my new friends have all worked together in what I would like to call Divine Orchestration to help me pen the new song of my life, one the represents each step, heart beat and all the love I have inside.... I will sing my new song, I will BE my new song!!!

Hey Guys!!! It's been 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days since I was sleeved... I thought it was cool... the whole 333 thing.. anyway, I just wanted to share where I am right now.. I'm not losing tons of weight very quickly, however, I am losing inches, inhibitions and immature people's info!!! I'll make a different post about my NSVs to date and my trip home to Mississippi last week... This post is long enough.. But these are my stats so far.... Weight- HW: 382 DOS: 360 CW: 325ish and falling Clothing size- 30/32- 4X , size 11W shoe (pre-sleeve) 28/30 -3X/4X, size 11W shoe (day of surgery) 22/24-2X and falling, size 101/2 W (Currently) The Girls- 48DD (pre- sleeve) 46D (day of surgery) 44C (currently) Physical Ability- no stairs, little exercise, too painful (pre-sleeve) walking a mile w/ pain during the last .25 mile (near surgery day) 7 miles on recumbant bike, 2-mile walk, 3 flights of stairs w/ NO PAIN (currently!!!) Confidence Level- Party Participant, fun girl (pre-sleeve) LIFE OF THE PARTY!!! (currently) LOL.... I love SLEEVINA!!! She's helped me change my life and starting unearthing the REAL me... the me who was trapped by food and fat w/ seemingly no way out!! My sleeve has provided me w/ a very clear and well-defined road map to weight loss and a healthy life... I wouldn't change it for the WORLD... I am embracing and enjoying my journey!!!

You are doing a great job!!! I need to do my measurements... I guess I will this weekend...

Yep!! LOL... You look very young and beautiful!!

I've found that several people I called "friend" were NOT.. they only wanted to be around me because they felt superior because I am overweight.. Funny thing is, when we would go out, I would get most of the attention and perks (free drinks, meals, etc.)... When you make a positive change in your life, those not willing to change or afraid of change will reveal their true colors and/or operate in fear... I have a different take on this "attention" thing.. first, I have my preferences in men and short men shouldn't be upset because I don't find them attractive.. Neither do I get upset when men who prefer thin women don't find me attractive... I'm not talking about people who are rude and disgusting.. I'm referring specifically to people who have a physical preference... There's nothing wrong with that...

So glad things are going better for you.. You have done an AMAZING job!!!

I'm just perusing this post... cause I was nosy I guess.. but, goofycathy, what do you think was said that would be considered "bashing"???

I had a drain for 2 days as well... Felt weird coming out.. that was all.. Annoying to move around with when I was walking in the hospital..

Awesome job!!!.. yeah, I feel you on the shopping!!! OMG... I have it bad.. I've been doing pretty good so far...

Congrats!!! Excited for you!!!!!

Yeah!! Congrats!!! I got your spot ready!!!!

I haven't had my period at all!!.. I had a Mirena that was taken out 2 weeks before surgery per my surgeon's request. Making a GYN appt for next week... I hope she can just pop it back in and not make me have a cycle before.. fingers and legs crossed!!!

Thanks Ladies!!! I'm trying to stay positive... And I try to do it by celebrating small victories...

Awww Diva, thanks!! I really appreciate that and needed to hear it... Sometimes, I get a little down about not dropping huge numbers.. then I remember, this is not a race... I'm on a journey!!! It's not fair to compare myself with anyone else!!.. I'm learning to take things one day at a time... plan, but not over think!!!

I wish I could have foreseen the amount of mental and emotional energy that this lifestyle change requires!!! I really didn't know how much emotional engagement was necessary to navigate my journey! Other than that, I don't regret a thing!!

Awesome job!!! You look wonderful!!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!

Leederz, thanks so much.. and yep, Sleevina is my girl!!!! Benisa, Thanks!! So do you!!! You are doing great!!!

Yeah.. that's something... I sleep in a tee-shirt was used to fit me perfectly... now it looks like a dress!!! Thanks for the reminder!!