December 2018 Sleevers!

[Psyched 91]

Hey Everyone!! So glad to see such great progress and happiness from everyone! Congrats to everyone on all of the awesome work.

I am in a GREAT place as well. I am very satisfied with my weight loss thus far. I don't weigh daily or even weekly sometimes. I don't want to turn psycho (and if you knew me you'd know that I analyze everything). I just want to continue to allow my body to do her thing. I have graduated from walking, to speed walking, to jogging 🤯! I am working to tone the flabbies of my triceps (that'll be a long road, so I am patient). Working with this stomach (I see a waistline coming through). I've purchased a few things for my home "gym" rope, medicine ball, etc. Days that I don't make it to the gym, I workout here at home. I am down from a size 16/18 to a size 10 in pants. I am down from a 16/18 in shirts to a medium. I am down as of right now a total 67 pounds. I figure I'll lose another 30-40 or so. Really happy with where I am and how I look.

On a personal side note... early on I was asked what is one simple thing that I am really looking forward to doing when I lose weight. Something that is just kind of taken for granted almost. Mine was crossing my legs without it feeling uncomfortable or even like I have to work hard to force them to stay crossed or crossing my ankles because crossing my legs was to uncomfortable. I am here to tell you all these legs stay on crossed!!! In the car my legs are what??? CROSSED! So easy, so carefree, so natural, so crossed! Lol!! It was really difficult in the beginning and I still have my moments even now with "hey I need a few more calories, hey I need to eat something, hey I haven't had enough liquid today etc.", but I would without a doubt, hesitation, or second thought make this same decision again. It is amazing.

[Lolo 2020 236]

My biggest concern is that despite working out I have absolutely lost strength . So much so that I can’t lift my roller suitcase into the overhead anymore . That’s really odd since I was always very strong . So working on that - upper body is really lean but like most women I would like thinner legs and hips, think that will just take time and working out . Congrats in any case , u look awesome !!

[SteveT74 359]

22 hours ago, Lolo 2020 said:

My biggest concern is that despite working out I have absolutely lost strength . So much so that I can’t lift my roller suitcase into the overhead anymore . That’s really odd since I was always very strong . So working on that - upper body is really lean but like most women I would like thinner legs and hips, think that will just take time and working out . Congrats in any case , u look awesome !!

Lolo, I know I am preaching to the converted, but you know when you loose a lot of weight quickly you inevitably loose muscle along with the fat. The only way to counter that is strength training. I know you have been working out a lot, but if you're finding that you're really losing a lot of upper body strength you may need to reallocate your gym time to strength training even if it means less time on cardio--although when strength training is done right, it's a cardio workout too.

[Lolo 2020 236]

Yup ur right . I started. Doing some dead lifts with a 30lb barbell and liftesnitnover my head for the last few days and now I can morenor less get my suitcase up ! Am adding upper body every day now and some different core such that I can do life’s tasks . So odd , but then again I haven’t been 180lbs since I graduated from high school and losing 60lbs in 3 months is quick

[SteveT74 359]

19 hours ago, Lolo 2020 said:

Yup ur right . I started. Doing some dead lifts with a 30lb barbell and liftesnitnover my head for the last few days and now I can morenor less get my suitcase up ! Am adding upper body every day now and some different core such that I can do life’s tasks . So odd , but then again I haven’t been 180lbs since I graduated from high school and losing 60lbs in 3 months is quick

Wow, you're down to 180???? That's amazing!!!! Good for you!!!! I know how you feel about the changes happening so fast. I am in the same position, although the scale is stuck around 191-194 for me--and has been for a while. I still want to drop at least 10 more pounds, but it's not going to be easy at this point. I have significantly improved my physical conditioning---cardio and strength in the past three months. Fortunately, my strength and conditioning continues to improve while the scale stays the same.

[Lolo 2020 236]

I think I lost alot of muscle in the last 30 lbs , my arms are much thinner than they ever have been and so as my calves and thighs . I like to be strong for my riding competitions so now I am going to really try to fet some muscle back , irregardless of the scale . I can’t even lift a 50lb bag of dog food and that just isn’t me !

[SteveT74 359]

1 minute ago, Lolo 2020 said:

I think I lost alot of muscle in the last 30 lbs , my arms are much thinner than they ever have been and so as my calves and thighs . I like to be strong for my riding competitions so now I am going to really try to fet some muscle back , irregardless of the scale . I can’t even lift a 50lb bag of dog food and that just isn’t me !

Fortunately, we have muscle memory, so the strength will come back quickly. Even if strength stalls your weight loss as far as the scale is concerned (there's a good chance it can), the results will be worth it. Losing weight is great, but being and feeling strong, fit and healthy is even better!

[Deblearn 30]

Was sleeved 12/4/2018 and hit a 70 lb loss on Tuesday! Am trying to hit 75 lbs by My April 12th doctor appointment. I don’t see a big difference, but I feel it! Looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me.

[VSGDavid 185]

Hi Folks! I haven't posted in a while, but thought I would drop this in. When I was browsing this forum before surgery, I would scour the pages for before and after pics of people that had similar starting stats to me. I'm going to share a few. In these pictures, I am at my heaviest ever weight on the left. 468lbs. In the pictures on the right, I am at 373. I had my surgery on December 4th 2018. I hope everyone finds the success they want, and lives the life they deserve to live.

Cheers!

[Psyched 91]

You are doing amazing @VSGDavid!! Keep up the awesome work.

[Psyched 91]

Just left the gym and wanted to check in. Tired, but pleased with my workout. In February I set a 20 pound weight loss goal for myself. The deadline was March 31st. I was trying to go from 199 to 179. I weighed in yesterday at 181. I really wanted to hit that 179, but I'll take 181 as I had about 3 weeks where the scale didn't move at all from 188. A little disappointed, but I know I am doing great. Today marks my last 20 pound goal today!! May 31st is the deadline. After May 31st I will have about two 10 pound goals or one 10 pound goal and one 5 pound goal. I am not sure yet. I am playing it by sight and how I feel. Anyone else start a new weight loss goal that we can check in with one another about?

[Lolo 2020 236]

I am on my last 20lb goal - scale has t moved in 2 weeks but I was on vacation and then traveling ! I started today and have recommitted myself to get this 20 off!

[Sophie7713 3,271]

On 3/22/2019 at 2:36 PM, NuMe2 said:

Onederland! Down 50lbs exactly from December 17, 2018 surgery date. Woohoo!

That is awesome NuMe2!!! I am three pounds away from that goal. Are you enjoying the many and new changes in clothing, movement and being satisfied with less food? Won't it be nice not to carry all the bulk this summer?!

So happy for you.

[Sophie7713 3,271]

It is wonderful to read all your success stories and the mounting rewards as December 2018 sleevers! Wow.

 My surgery was 12/17/2018 at NW Medical Center in Coral Springs, FL. I am currently three poundsaway from onederland!!! A total of 57 pounds from 258 start weight the first of December. Usually major consecutive holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas thru New Years in the past, meant a weight gain for me. I tried to use restraint, but all the rich, high calorie "specialty foods" of the season just continued the never ending weight battle + cycle resulting in feeling more discouraged and hopeless with each passing year. :[

BUT NOT THIS New Year of 2019! I love my sleeve and so glad to have begun a new, hopeful and promising track! Does anyone else feel the same? Refreshing, right? My blood pressure and blood tests all came back healthy - And, left injured, problematic knee is much improved. Bowels have stabilized andVitamin regime no longer causes nausea. I follow closely Dr. V and my nutritionist's recommendations for balanced nutrition with moderate exercise, at this 3 ½ month juncture.

Other aspects I am thrilled about is the ability to be satisfied with so much less volume of food. I really have not missed sugar, salt or fat laden recipes and Desserts. While I had made major changes in my diet losing 41 pounds (298 at highest point) before considering surgery last November, the sleeve just simplifies and propels me forward in getting to my healthy weight. I desire to drop another 40 pounds and feel the confidence I can now do so. Not to mention, keeping it off and maintaining a healthy weight via reduced stomach - Breaking the vicious cycle.

I have not seen the scale read under 200 pounds in over 23 years! That's a lot of baggage for this petite 5'0" frame and interior designer constantly on her feet. My clothes closet has been purged and taken to a quality consignment shoppe or Goodwill - Now shopping in regular departments for limited clothing in size large for tops and XL for slacks. Most of these sale items are quickly becoming too loose. So happyto no longer see 1X, 2X or 3X (at highest weight) on my clothing labels. Right? Excited for my size 10 and petite medium goal.

 Really proud of all of us! Let's keep on sharing our victories and "all the nuances" of becoming our best physically and emotionally. None can truly appreciate nor understand this journey we embark... except for us. That makes us a pretty fabulous group of comrades. Happy spring everyone! ;]

[NuMe2 8]

Yes, Sophie I am enjoying all of it! 3 lbs to go for you and you can do it! It's a wonderful feeling to be here. Went on a mini vacation last week & we went to a buffet.....too funny for words. Little baked chicken & green Beans and I was done. Thankfully the meal was a comp from the casino! Read a article recently that over 3/4 of donated clothing to thrift stores (goodwill, salvation army) end up in landfills or boxed off too 3rd world countries. Or sold to be cut up into rags and sold to manufacturing plants. Because of large volumes they receive. While I am ok for the 3rd world countries getting clothing, I am not on board for the other two. Making great effort to get my old clothes to others. Some to nail tech, some to ladies at work who "dress" for work, some to a couple who go to Mexico often. Makes me feel better doing so. Spent a lot of money on those clothes and ending up in a landfill makes me cringe! You should be very proud of yourself. This isn't easy, but the path we chosen to follow. I am with you, dont miss sugar or fats and when I do try a "taste" make my tummy hurt, not worth it! Happy Spring to you too and a lighter Summer.