April 30th!

[MichelleInCA 22]

Hey there, wow, you're doing great! I've lost 23 lbs, so it's going pretty slowly, maybe 2.5 lbs/week. Saw the doc today and she said I need to bump up the exercise, and that my age means it'll go slower than when I was 30 (long ago!). I've been getting hungry in the afternoon, so she encouraged me to eat more solid food that will stay in there longer.

I have to admit I don't like exercise any more than I did before surgery! But I did restart working out with my trainer this week. He'll keep me on a good path, but yeah, it's a struggle because I'm still tired and it's just will power getting me to the gym. It'll get better as I get lighter, I know.

[kpay10 95]

Sounds like you both are doing great! So glad to hear it! I've been following my diet to the letter, but weight loss has been slow. I'm down 14 lbs since surgery. I'm not quite sure why? I'm wondering if I'm not getting enough calories and maybe my body is in starvation mode? I only average about 500 per day. Exercise was going great until my plantar fasciatis (sp?) flared up. It's been really painful and when I exercise, I can hardly walk after. I'm on my feet at work all day, so I have to be able to walk! I'm starting a aqua aerobic class in late June, so I'm hoping that will help get me going. Also still having a terrible time with Constipation, which could be slowing my weight loss, too.

I have a Dr's appt on Monday and I'm embarrassed for them to see how little I've lost

Sorry to sound like such a downer! I'm just feeling discouraged right now.

[MichelleInCA 22]

kpay10 Of my 23 lbs lost, 7 were from before surgery, so I'm not much ahead of you! Also since you lost so much before surgery, maybe the 'shock' aspect has already worn off? I would say 500 cals is quite low -- I'm at 700-800, and I could eat more! Do you feel hungry, eating so little?

If you're on your feet all day, I can see why you can't risk more injury! I bet Water aerobics will be great for you.

I hope your doctor has some good suggestions for you!

[kpay10 95]

Michelle, I feel hungry on occasion, but when I eat I can only get in about 1/3 cup of soft or 2 1/2 ounces of fish, etc. per meal. It averages to about 100 calories per meal, since it's all Protein and a tiny bit of veg. The other 220 calories are from my Protein shake. It's insane that now I am worrying about getting enough calories in comparison to spending my whole life trying to cut calories. LOL! I can't wait to see the NUT tomorrow to hear her suggestions!

I feel better today after talking to my son yesterday (he's away at college). He called at the wrong time and I ended up crying my eyes out to him. Poor guy! He's so supportive, though, and told me how proud he is of me. It made all the difference in the world.

[Sunnybaby 95]

My 40 pounds were with 20 before surgery and 20 after. I too am eating between 700-800 calories and I could definitely eat more. I think though that between 700-800 is the magical number at least for me. This week I was disappointed because I only went down .8 pounds. Then there are other weeks where I will have lost 3 pounds.

I HATE exercising but since I have been getting into it more and actually doing it I am starting to like it. I have been going to the Y and using their gym. This week I am going to start alternating swimming and gym. I used to love to swim in HS (a LOOOOONG time ago) and I finally got back in the pool on Friday. Oh how I've missed it! I have to say swimming is def my favorite exercise. Plus it's a whole body work out.

Do either of you use MFP?

[kpay10 95]

I don't use MFP, but was thinking a about giving it a try. I love to swim, too, and am anxious to get back in the pool once the school year is over in 1 1/2 days! I had my follow up today. I was advanced to the regular food stage. I also found out my surgery weight was 2 lbs higher than I thought it was, so as of today I've lost 17 lbs since surgery and 68 total! I was told to increase exercise to 45 minutes a day, so I've got to get on that. Hope my heel will allow it! I'm thinking about looking for an exercise bike on Craig's List.

[MichelleInCA 22]

I use MFP -- it's really great. I used to have it connected to my FitBit until I washed the little guy, and now it's not working right. So MFP isn't showing my exercise but the calorie/protein/carb tracking is great. I admit I don't fill it out every day though.

I have a nice exercise bike but I find it doesn't get my heart rate going fast enough. The various cardio machines at the gym work far better. It's just so darn boring! Once I'm in better shape I'd like to try some classes.

[Sunnybaby 95]

I have a hard time with the exercise bike. For some reason the pedals are always so small and one of my feet goes completely numb after riding it for a bit. I think I have a slight nerve issue in that foot.

When I am at the gym I am on the treadmill. I get a bit down though sometimes when there are other people around me that are walking like I am but they are going at a 3.7 pace or what have you. I can only get to a 2.8 pace and I am really speed walking at that point. I may just have a smaller stride, who knows.

Michelle how do/did you like your fit bit? I was thinking about getting one sometime soon but I haven't really read any reviews on them. What is your name on MFP? I'd love to add you as a friend!

Kpay - 68 pounds is fantastic! That is so awesome. 2 pounds or not that is still just great! If you start swimming again I am sure you will be able to do 45 mins of exercise with no problems to your feet.

Kaiser just scheduled my 3 month appointment for July 3rd. Apparently that day is going to be a long day for me in SSF because there is a class I have to go to and I am assuming some blood work and who knows what else.

[MichelleInCA 22]

That's funny, when I do treadmill I have the same experience -- I'm doing 2.8 mph and breathing hard. I look down and my legs are going so slowly compared to the person next to me. Even walking makes my knees sore, so I prefer this Precor step/elliptical combo thing that feels like running on foam. It doesn't hurt and really gets my heart going.

I liked my FitBit until I washed it!. It works great for counting steps on the ground or on a treadmill, and it's good at knowing if you're climbing stairs. It doesn't pick up low-impact things very well -- like elliptical. It needs a 'jolt' to sense you've taken a step. It doesn't pick up biking at all, although if you put it in your sock it will sense some steps. I wish it could sense all types of exercise. I will probably get a new one anyway. It showed me how little I sometimes walked before surgery.

My MFP name is mmeshow. I don't really know how the friend thing works but feel free to add me! What's your name so I know who to look for?

[Sunnybaby 95]

My name on MFP is chabooda. I will add you. It should pop up when you open it saying you have a friend request. I just sent it to you.

[MichelleInCA 22]

I accepted your request on MFP. Hopefully you can see my diaries, let me know if not. Great to have a pal on there, it will encourage me to log every day

[kpay10 95]

I'm on MFP. My user name is SleevedLife2014. I LOVE that you can scan almost any food and it's on there!

[kpay10 95]

Not sure how to add friends by user name, though, so can you send e a friend request?

[MichelleInCA 22]

Yeah, finding friends is not obvious, is it? I Just did it and sent a friend request to you.

[katesuccess 990]

That's funny, when I do treadmill I have the same experience -- I'm doing 2.8 mph and breathing hard. I look down and my legs are going so slowly compared to the person next to me. Even walking makes my knees sore, so I prefer this Precor step/elliptical combo thing that feels like running on foam. It doesn't hurt and really gets my heart going. I liked my FitBit until I washed it!. It works great for counting steps on the ground or on a treadmill, and it's good at knowing if you're climbing stairs. It doesn't pick up low-impact things very well -- like elliptical. It needs a 'jolt' to sense you've taken a step. It doesn't pick up biking at all, although if you put it in your sock it will sense some steps. I wish it could sense all types of exercise. I will probably get a new one anyway. It showed me how little I sometimes walked before surgery. My MFP name is mmeshow. I don't really know how the friend thing works but feel free to add me! What's your name so I know who to look for?

Just a reminder if you have a Fitbit One, you can go online and log your activity so it shows up anyway. Tell it how many minutes or miles you spent bicycling and what the intensity was and it will add it and even if it doesn't count it while you're doing it.