coops

I too, can relate to this topic. I am 19mths out now and still haven't got the courage to go swimming! This time last year, I wanted to go to my son's boxing gym... they do a ladies hour which is the same routine as the men's training but with less circuits. I had this image of really fit and beautiful ladies going... you know, Lara Croft and co! I talked about it for many, many weeks; asked friends if they would come with me etc. Anyway, long story short is that my hubby went to the men's training and he saw the ladies waiting to go it. When he came home he described them to me.... they were just like me! Some smaller, some the same size. Not Lara Croft for sure- and I mean that in the nicest way! I suppose what I am trying to say is that anyone who uses the gym or fitness suite of any kind is just like you and me. Normal! Ok, so it took me weeks to pluck up the courage and last March I went for my first session... a friend, who is a lot smaller than me, came with me. I got through the hour, modified some of the exercises to my level of fitness and felt great; not only because I had completed an amazing work out but the fact that I conquered my fear and got in there. On our way home, my skinny friend admitted that she was shi**ing herself before we went! We both had the same fear! And I kid you not, this lady is a UK8!! See... we are all the same, regardless of size and weight. The only thing I can say is that I still go boxing and she doesn't! I will go on my own now too. Sometimes the 'thought' is worse than the action... all I have to do now is apply this to swimming, which I love! (it is the costume more than the action...lol.. bearing all in public scare me to death!) Good luck in finding the courage to get in there... you can do it and I promise you, you will feel soooo proud of yourself!

Well, I have to say that I agree with all of the above. Yes we are all different... and what might be good enough for one is not for another. I refuse to stop until I am comfortable in my own skin... and for now, what I am using for motivation is my surgeon's goal. WHEN I get there - and I feel that is gonna take some time - I will re-evaluate. I too, didn't pay a lot of money to get half a job done. I don't care what people say about the honeymoon period etc, for me this is a life style choice and I NEED to be comfortable in my skin, healthy and fit. This is a long term project. I have mixed feelings on the lady you spoke with; part of me understands why she is complacent and has stopped trying - I have not lost a pound since the end of Oct! The the opposite side of me thinks... hang on... get a grip and finish the job!! Like I said, we are all different! That is what I love about the human race...lol!

Lynda, Congrats on an amazing journey... wow! Just 5lbs to go! Goodness me you'll get there pretty soon, I'm sure! You speak such sense and it is sooooo true that the sleeve is a tool! And a powerful one at that. I am pretty lucky with head hunger and I find that when it does strike, I drink Water to get rid of it! I agree with the exercise thing, it is vital to find something that you enjoy and will stick to and get the results you want. Looking forward to you're goal thread! =]

Oh Feedyoureye, You are one stylish lady, before - after and during! You really have been a great source of motivation, comfort and good sense to me! I am soooo proud of you! You are beautiful inside and out. Congrats on an amazing year, and yes, 2012 you will see goal! Looking forward to the goal thread with even more gawjus pictures... hugs from across the pond my sleeve friend! =]

Meg, what can I say that hasn't been said? Congrats to you ... and just 6lb to goal and a pound to normal BMI....*goes a tad green...lol* You'll be there in no time! Looking forward to your goal thread! Well Done! =]

Go with the boots.... sassy as hell! And at 31 you're a pup and you can wear what the hell you like...lol! Yea, things are certainly slow for me... and I know you are right, time is not important. But I have to say, I am getting really impatient now ...lol! I can't believe that your size is a plus size... just goes to show how different cultures really are different! What plastics are you considering? I would simply love to get a TT and lift... but it is sooooo expensive over here! And we need a family holiday first, so it is going to be a good while before I can get it done. Let us know what you decide... and Oh, we need photographic evidence of how fantastic you look! =]

Hey you! How's life at goal? Are you doing any exercises... I find squats great for the thigh area. Also jogging/fast walking helps tone up too. Not sure about the clothes dept though...

Yey... good for you! I have been waiting mths to be just overweight. I hate being obese!! Keep up the good work! =]

Hiya DoOver, Last year I was put on HRT Patches at the 'tender' age of 39.... my blood results showed early menopause but because I was still have irregular perionds, they said I was peri menopausal! I only had the patches on for about 6 weeks and I was hit with a severe migraine. I was taken off them immediately. We now know (something I have suspected all my life) that my migraines and bad headaches are indeed, hormone related. Around Oct time I started getting severe flushes that would cover my whole body in sweat, disturbed sleep, moodiness that was vile even for me, cravings and a weightloss stall from hell that I am still in! ( I havent lost a pound since 29th Oct). I went back to my doc who sent me for more bloods and then back to the menopause clinic. In the mean time the doc perscribed me with Clodine to stop the sweats and flushes. This has worked like a dream... I get, perhaps one a week? But it is done in seconds and no one else can tell. The menopause doc has put me back on HRT because I am so young and I don't want problems in the future, weak bones etc... I am hoping that the migraines won't return as Clodine is also perscribed as a preventative measure for migraine suffers... perhaps it will cancel out the migraines cause by the hormones? I have been on the HRT patches for about 3 weeks now and so far so good. On to the subject of weight loss... I completely relate to you. I am close to my surgeon's goal of 154lb and fearful that the HRT will impede my already slow weight loss. It is hard to stay focused and positive but I am giving it all that I have got. My menopause doc wants me to get as close to a normal BMI as possible and that is about 30lbs away! I really don't know the answers, I just wanted you to know that you aren't alone in this hormone battle...Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

I think that people write about stalls through frustration! Simples! =]

Well done Weightbegone... so tell me, how does it FEEL!!!

You got that right Mini... we're defo on the same wave length! =]

Hey Downinsocal... You can defo do this... remember the sleeve is tool for LIFE! It might not be as easy as the first time around... but you can do it! Good luck with the carb monster. I did the 5 day pouch test this time last year, and it defo helped with cravings... a good start to get you back into the groove! Good luck and keep us posted in your progress...=]

Yep... me too, slow loser! But that doesn't stop me!!! I will get to goal; at least my surgeon's goal and any more will be a bonus! And once I am there, I need to work on my confidence and self image... that is when the REAL GOAL kicks in... I really don't want to look at this as a time dominating thing because the sleeve, for me, is a life long commitment to a long, healthy and fitter life! So, with that said if it takes me another year, so be it! Just as well I like the scenic route...lol Good luck to all you on your journeys... =]

Hey Victoria, I am a UK sleever too... in Wales. I had my surgery here in Wales and it certainly was the best thing that I have done. The previous posters are right, the first couple of weeks are the hardest. Follow your surgeon's recommendations to the T and you will be fine. As far as weight loss goes... I have lost 74 lb, 5 stone 4lbs and that is 10lb away from my surgeon's goal so way about the 70%. My ultimate goal is to be below 10 stone which means a loss of 100 lbs and that means I am at 74%, which isn't too shabby...lol I am 18mths out now and on the final stretch to goal where I am back to basics; 1000 cals, high Protein, low carb and plenty of exercise... I would love to get to my goal by the summer where I see my surgeon for my 2yr and final check up. I say this in all honestly, the sleeve has given me my life back.... goal or not! It is simply the best thing that I have ever done for myself and my family and I too, wish I could have had it done years ago! If you want any advise... give us a shout!

Unfortunately this has not happened to me... I have to be very mindful of what I eat and when I eat it. Since Around Feb/March of last year I have had to struggle with each and every pound lost... *goes a tad bit green with envy...lol* I ain't being negative, infact I am well proud of anyone who does well with the sleeve regardless of what they eat. It is a tool to stop indulgence! And it works! It is the ONLY way that I have every lost more than 7lbs! After 18mths of being post op and hanging around here for over a year, I really appreciate that everyone is very different. What works for you might not work for me and vice versa! That isn't to say that one way is right and the other is wrong 'cos we are all individuals wanting the same outcome! You gotta do what is right for YOU. Good luck on your (and everyone's) continuing success... =]

Great FGF Thread Diva... I love seeing these pics, they give me a lil smile on my face! Soooo inspirational! Well done to one and all! I will have to get a new pic soon... Oh, and Southern Sleever... YOU LOOK AMAZING... where are the final pounds gonna come from my friend ??? =]

This is a great question yecats. I have always enjoyed 'sport'; in school it was hockey, late teens early twenties it was swimming, squash, aerobis, step class etc... And I loved every second of it and trained from 5-7 times a week! As I started to gain weight it became harder... I couldn't work to where I thought I should and then my body hurt. When I was at my highest weight, even a little walk would make me sweat and feel uncomfortable. I would feel embarrassed and ashamed and deep down repulsed by myself, considering how fit I used to be. One of the reasons I had the sleeve was to get back to my old fit self. I wanted to lose enough weight where my body would actually cooperate. I started slow, worked my way up trying different thing until I found something that I knew I would do and enjoy. I now go to a boxing gym twice a week and can jog on the treadmill for 50mins. I am very near my personal fitness goal, just gotta keep working on my confidence now as I would love to do the 5k Race for Life. I have some great muscle definition now and am started to feel strong again ... I think if you are interested in getting some exercise, which I think you are as otherwise you wouldn't have posted this? Then try lots of different fun things until you find somethig that you know you will do regularly! Good luck and let us know what you try out =]

Kim, what can I say? WOW... you look absolutely amazing... there is NO WAY would I put you near 50! Goodness, me!! You must reveal 'how to stay young secrets'!! Congratulations on an amazing transformation and getting to goal. Simply inspirational! =]

Hey! What'cha looking for? I've got good ears... and and can kick ass if need be...lol! Would love to see you shed the last 25lbs! I've started a thread about getting to goal too... this has to be our year! =]

WOW... that is a brillaint NSV and something I would love to be able to do. Don't think I am strong enough yet, but who knows what is in the future...

I simply love before and after photos like yours... my goodness, you look like 'your' younger sister! You have really transformed yourself... I also love the confidence that you have! Long may it continue and congrats!

Absolutely fantastic... to reduce your weight and your BMI to such an extent is beyond the word congratulations! Well done on transforming yourself and your life!

Hey Cludige, I agree with circa. Let you clothes do the talking! As far as I can see, you have reached you 'weight goal'... now for me, if I was you, I would maintain that number and work on the toning. This part of you journey is ALL about YOU... not others. As you know, I struggle like hell with the numbers on my scales, and I am often told that there is 'no way' that I am as heavy as I look, and that I look smaller than the size clothes that I wear. That is fine, for them. However, I am NOT happy where I am, size or weight! So I continue to fight. Set yourself non number related goals based around fitness... watch you body change shape through exercise and get fit! Good luck and let me know how you get on x

Hey Sharon, I've just checked my weight on the link and it recommends that I should get to 134lb... that is 5lb of my ultimate personal goal... and would be a dream come true for me. My surgeon is happy for me to get to 154lb, so as you can see... a substantial difference. I really think that after his goal it will be personal choice; whether I can be bothered to fight for the extra and how I look and feel. I don't want to get too thin, where I put ten yrs on myself!!! (Hmm, I forgot for a moment that I am the queen of slow losers...lol)! Anyway, at 154lbs I will decide what I am to do! I would also love to get some plastics done. My 'problem' area is also the mid region... saggy belly and deflated boobs. i don't think I can afford to address either of these, certainly not this year as money is sooooo tight! Please let us know what the surgeon says and good luck.