juliarh

I try to keep my carbs under 30 grams, but some days, like iegal, I do go over -- not frequently, but on occasion. I don't know if I could go lower than 30 because I think that getting in fruits and veggies is important (for example, a granny smith apple is 22 grams alone!) -- but that said, I've lost pretty consistently because I think I keep my carbs low. Like iegal, I am carb sensitive and I'm still in my losing phase, so if I were to increase my carbs, I don't think I'd lose as fast . . .

When I was obese, I NEVER stepped on the scale because I didn't want the reality check. So, I weigh myself once at night to see how my behavior was during the day and then right when I get up. I'm usually 1.5 pounds heavier in the evening than I am in the morning -- and I can tell when I've gotten enough to drink. If I've done everything right and the scale is up, no biggie, because I KNOW my behavior is on target and we all have weight fluctuations. But if my behavior has been so so, and the scale is up, then it's a wake up call. So, for me the scale is a tool to make sure I'm in line. It does not determine how I feel about myself!

I had a really bad reaction to the anesthesia -- so, I know that I'm in the minority. I was really sick, I was really dehydrated, had severe headaches, body aches, etc. BUT it was from the anesthesia. After about 3 days I felt fine. It was NOT an easy recovery for me. My other surgeries had been fine (have had 2 others), but for some reason, this time was hard, really hard. But I know my experience was in the minority.

Hey Janine -- I'm 8 mos. out today -- My weight loss has slowed down, but not drastically -- instead of 15-12 lbs a month, I lose about 8 - 10 lbs a month. Not horrible. I do exercise (about 3 hours worth a week) and I drink 96 oz. of water a day. I find when I don't drink, I don't lose as much. As far as food, I'm still keeping my carbs below 30 (some days I might get to 40) and I eat around 800 cal. a day. And I'll keep doing that until I get to goal and then modify slowly from there. Hope that helps!

Agree with Blackberry -- I'm pear-shaped and wear bikini bottoms because my legs are heavy -- shorts/knickers just make 'em look bigger (sigh). I'm trying to get to a place where I can accept the flab/melting skin -- ohhhhmmmmmm! (keep repeating) But seriously -- I'd go with bikini bottoms . . .

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Juliarh............187................182.8..............165...........17.8 going good so far -- I can't believe that I'm nearing the single digits for my goal! crazy!

Well, this post isn't going to help much -- I weight myself at night because I'm usually 1.4 - 1.6 lbs. heavier than I am in the morning. And then I weigh myself every morning. EVERY MORNING. I don't think it's a bad idea to weigh as long as you keep in mind that the scale does NOT define your journey

I pulled from our savings -- money market fund -- so like iegal, I didn't have to finance anything. BUT, if I did, (and I would knowing what I know now) -- I would do it any way I could do it, of course doing it with least overall financial pain . . .

Wow!!! You have done a fabulous job!! CONGRATULATIONS!! Doing the happy dance

Huge congratulations!! I wish you and your family nothing but happiness!

my stomach is too flabby and gross and my legs, sigh, they're melting (in the wicked witch's voice) -- seriously, they look like they're melting (not a pretty sight) -- so, I have a tankini -- and that's fine by me -- I got a decent (read inexpensive one) from Old Navy because I know that I'm still losing and what's the point of buying something I won't wear very long? Coops, I say if you can wear a bikini, go for it!

Regular books: A Dog's Purpose (a tearjerker) by W. Bruce Cameron; Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford; The Help by Kathryn Stockett These were all really good reads!

Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton Ph.D. (about WLS in general) and Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes -- both excellent books Hope that helps!

Hey, I'm gonna jump in here -- I'm 8 months out in a couple of days -- I'm about 20 lbs from the top end of my goal -- and I'm low carbing till I reach the top end of my goal and then I'm gonna start adding in some carbs -- I gain weight in an instant with carbs, so I have to take it slowly and carefully -- but that said, everyone is different -- Hope that helps!

I think you put her in her place! Well done!

Hi Myrori -- I am in the same boat -- today I have officially lost 120 pounds. Yay! However, my boobs look like tube socks with rocks in them, my stomach is a blobby skin mass, and my thighs literally look like they're melting. sigh. BUT! I have more energy, I feel more attractive (at least in clothes), and I am more confident than I have been in over 2 decades. I wouldn't undo this for the world. Will I have plastic surgery, probably. At least on my stomach, if not the boobs too. But even if I didn't I'd still be thrilled that I can do things that I had almost resigned myself to never doing again! And, I've heard the last 20 or so pounds gets hard -- I'm really pushing myself to get to my goal weight, but I'm sure when I get in the vicinity, it will be MUCH harder.

Hooray Coops!! Just jogging gives me a feeling of being super strong and healthy -- I know how wonderful it made you feel. I'm so happy the scale is now your slave!!

Yep, totally agree -- I was pretty flabbergasted when I learned just last month -- seriously, just last month. I have had fertility issues and been obese ALLLL my adult life and NO ONE bothered to say, "Hey, you shouldn't eat carbs." Pissed me off royally.

Hey Coops -- first off, BIG HUGS!! I know you've been struggling and you've done so well and you have been positive!! You've been so patient and steady -- you're my inspiration!! I just watched this video and when I read your post, I thought it might be helpful. Just some background on her: Rosemary is a gastric bypass patient who is 7 years post op -- she is incredibly inspiring and positive -- she is a slow loser too -- she still has not made her goal. But she is soo supportive of EVERYONE. Her sister, Connie, just had surgery as well. Here's the link: Hope that helps! Hugs!

I have PCOS and I am losing well. I do have to say that I did have surgery on my ovaries and had them scraped after having an ectopic pregnancy. So maybe that helped, I don't know. But I do have PCOS. One thing I have learned that NO DOCTOR ever told me is that eating a lot of carbs is really bad for PCOS patients -- leads to increased estrogen levels which lead to creation of more cysts, which leads to increased estrogen levels, etc. So I eat a low carb diet -- it's worked out really well for me. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Real quick input -- I too am Catholic, but my husband and I use condoms (TMI, I know). After my ectopic pregnancy in which I hemorrhaged and nearly died, we think condoms are safer. Plus, the church now states you can use condoms to prevent AIDS -- I figure if I KNOW that my life will be threatened by a pregnancy, we can use condoms too.

You look absolutely GORGEOUS!!! No kidding!!! Really gorgeous -- can hardly wait for you to get to ONEDERLAND!! Hooray!!

That is soooo awesome!!! Can hardly wait until you get there! Keep us posted!

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Juliarh............187................187..............165............22 Wow, if I can do this, I will have reached my ultimate goal -- I cannot fathom, imagine, even contemplate this!!! But, off to the races I go!!

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal juliarh.........211.2..................187...........186.2........ .6 I actually made my goal on Saturday night, but had people over and ate more than I should have and gained -- sigh. But onto the next goal, right??