BobBayCityMI

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...

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.

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!