BobBayCityMI

Hi all. I am now down roughly 60 pounds and seven weeks out from when I started my liquid pre-diet. Am also having some awesome NSV moments. Some are: No longer wearing 3x shirts. They are packed and ready to be taken to Goodwill. My size 48 (expandable) pants? Gone too. Can button my pants at my belly button. No more "slant pants." I wore a much smaller belt...and it was a new one! Went three days this past week without needing a mid day nap. Three days now without any slimes or throwing up. Joined a local health club to work out. Snoring is all but gone. No more BP meds at all (125/65 is normal now). And BMs much more normal and less stressful. Bought myself an I-touch. That was my 50 pound loss gift to myself. Any suggestions for the 100 plateau? That's a short list, but ones that come to mind. Please, share yours! Let's look at the fact that this journey is not just about the weight loss, but about all the wonderful things that continue to happen along the ride!

As time has gone on, I only weight once a week and I notice that weight loss comes in three and four pound chunks. Used to bother me, but now, as long as I am eating well and exercising, all is good! But, oh, how I know that WTF feeling when I stay level for two or three weeks. Wow. And then the loss hits and yippee! Now I am stable, so a bit of loss is a surprise. In fact, gaining a bit has become normal, but I know it is from the exercise, not the eating.

I have never had dumping syndrome. Now crapping little baby arms? Yup. My problem is the opposite. So for me, it has been increased water and flaxseed. Not sure which is worse...

Just wanted to say hello to all my previous friends and hello to new. I am now 15 months into my journey and down about 150 pounds. From a 48-50 pants, to a 38, and not even a snug 38. I am working out with a personal trainer and feeling good. Only problems I have is occasional acid reflux-type symptoms. I am off all meds except vitamins. Still have occasional energy issues, but this too is off and on. If anything, I do not eat enough. Too often I have 1200 cals a day or less, and this is not healthy. But I do keep my protein levels up and solid. If you want to shoot me a message, please do! Always happy to see others succeed!

It is odd, but I have become a fashion aware guy. I actually wear ties to work almost every day, and I do care about how I look. That said, goodness I love JC Penney and getting things at 70% off! I never, ever spend full price for anything, and yet I receive compliments about my appearance. For me it was tough to get used to looking nice, not buying XXXL things so big that they hung on me. I still have troubles thinking I need an XL long to go over my belly, and I do not. I have bought big stuff since I was a rotund tot and went to Sears with my mom to shop in the "Husky" section, as they used to call it. But no more. Even my feet are more narrow! A regular large fits me nicely. 16 necks for dress shirts are so much easier to find, and no longer do I have to settle for those damn one color shirts. I even wore a shirt with *gulp* horizontal stripes ! This is a part of the good that comes with weighing more what I should, and, dang it all, I am going to look good!

I am now 5 pounds under my original goal, and I will probably go further. It is not bad for me as it is a reasonable loss encouraged by a solid work out program. My only concern is that I usually average under 1200 calories per day simply because I am not hungry and do not find much food to be desirable. I agree about the PB as it is something that goes down easily and burps up nice. I continue to have some days of better eating than others, and my acid problem flares up on occasion. But, you know, compared to how miserable and disgusting I felt 150+ pounds ago, I will take this problem any day!

Well, when I look at it honestly, a best friend of mine "died": overeating, and eating to medicate. Today, as most days, I will average around 1200 calories. Yes, I miss food at times, but I find that is when I am not taking care of the other parts of me, mainly exercise and prayer. But, for me, it is also maintaining an attitude of gratitude that today I can make choices, see my shoes, actually look down and see my "junk" (sorry, but it's true), fit into regular seats, not sweat because I sneezed, and realize that today I can make food my friend, not an opponent. Realize that this is 15 months out and sometimes I have rough days and fall into pity parties that I cannot eat normally, even though I never really did! My portions are reasonable. And I eat SLOW (chew chew chew, swallow, wait). Sometimes I even take a small walk around the house mid meal. For breakfast I have something healthy and Fiber filled, such as oatmeal with a small (2 oz) piece of Protein. Mid morning is my snack, usually a protein shake made with soy milk as regular, even skim, milk does not sit well. lunch is 3-4 ounces of protein and a light carb topped off with a little bit of fruit. Mid afternoon is often a Greek yogurt. Pre-workout I have a banana. For dinner it varies, but usually a solid (yet varied, chicken, to beef, to fish) 2-4 ounces of protein, 1/3 cup of a carb, and a veggie of some kind. Evening I have a treat of 1/3 cup of ice cream, or maybe some Nilla wafers with a small glass of OJ. Suggestion: instead of looking and concentrating on what is not a part of your life and potentially falling into the "poor mes," look at what is, and what may be, and just what great things will happen if you keep on your chosen path of changing into a healthy lifestyle.

Basically I am not limited to anything food wise, but I chew chew chew and eat VERY slowly. I also go against the suggestion of not drinking while eating; I often have small sips of water. Now, that said, there are days when some things go down well, but the very next day they do not. I do not eat spicy foods often, usually just a small mouthful. Also, stringy veggies can be problematic. It is an ever on-going process, but so far my limits are simply amounts and not to eat too fast.

Susan, if this is inappropriate, please remove. But I do have a question that I am sure others may have experienced and/or dealt with. Without trying to sound like some horny toad guy that is having an ungodly amount of testosterone or Viagra running through his system, has anyone else noticed an increased libido with the loss of weight and a thinning of the body? I swear to goodness, I feel more like I did as teen the more weight I lose. I mean, things seem to work better and there is so much less getting in the way. I know that I felt so unsexy and unworthy of physical encounters, but as I lose weight it feels like I have a lot of lost time to make up and stuff to do. Once again, sorry if this is tacky, but it has been on my mind quite a bit lately.

Put pictures on my profile of my 9 month update. Not nearly as cute as Tiffy, but I am kind of happy with the results!

More and more I am learning that there is not really anything that is poisonous for me, as long as moderation is kept in mind. Chocolate and Chex-mix are my Siren's call. But a little bit is ok...it really is. I choose not to have many things, like soda, but that is becasue it now tastes awful to me. Moderation...a good mantra.

Gas is an awesome bi-product of Beans. OK...so I am a guy. Pull my finger and run. In all honesty. beans and me do not agree. And it is not the flatulence. I have trouble with the clumping in my belly after I eat them. Then I get the slimes and it is the skin that is causing the major problems. Last time I tried to have some beans I spent 30 minutes spitting into the sink until I cleared them all out. Now, for me, no problems with tortillas. I have to take very small bites, chew chew chew, swallow, and wait a bit for the next bite. Plus is do not subscribe to the "no Water during meals" mantra. I take very small sips and it helps to keep the slide greased. Good luck!

After 9 months of work and losing 130 pounds, I am down to a 36 BMI. But, for me, that is very much like being skinny. I doubt if I will go much lower.

Hi all. Hope you all are well. Between life getting in the way, exercising (yes, really!), and just not being online, I have not posted for quite a while. But I am doing quite good. I broke the 130-135 pound barrier. Last time I weighted myself I was 252. Wow. Whoda ever thunk it? And my energy is feeling much better. I have a 5K jog race goal for early June, and a 10K race goal for late August (at a Flint,MI, race called the Crim). Hope all are well!