coops

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Sorry to hear you're down, Coops! I hope you feel better soon and whatever is dragging you down at work is resolved soon!
Kim, I have never tried the pouch test. I always think I would gain whatever I lost as soon as I stopped it. I've just been trying to eat low carb and do Protein Drinks for Breakfast and lunch.< /p>
Sar, I am so sorry to hear you're still having problems from your accident. I can't remember who was at fault. If it was not you, I hope you have gotten a lawyer.
My new man is home for a few days. Owen came back from out at sea fishing. I am so excited I finally found a man that likes to dance. We are going dancing tonight. He will be home a little longer bc he had to take his boat out of the Water for repairs. So I will have him around a little longer.
I'm trying to eat low carb and I am hanging at 142 and I want to be under 140. I don't think it will happen without me starving myself. I still can't work out. I hope this physical therapy actually helps me learn how to help my back. I can't take this pain down my leg. It's weird how my leg can hurt so much from something going out in my back.

Sue, I feel for you. I've been going through the same thing. Sorry you're having a rough time.
Since my accident in December it feels like things keep going downhill. I'm trying to remember that I am making progress. Im still having problems with dizziness so that's keeping me from doing the normal things and keeping me from working out on a regular basis. I can't stand it. I feel like I'm turning to mush. My muscle tone is deteriorating.
I'm nervous about this trip out west that we are taking in a few weeks. We will be spending a lot of time driving. Driving makes me dizzy.
Kim, what's the pouch test that you are doing? I haven't been on the boards much so I didn't see anything.
Sheryl, how is the hip? Any better?

Sheryl, how are things going with the boyfriend?
You asked about the depression. It's gotten bad enough that I have been in bed all day some days. There have been times that I have also skipped social events because I just didn't want to be around anyone. So it hasn't been good.
I do feel a little better. Lately I've been having more good days rather than bad days so that is encouraging.
I'm so used to working out to deal with my stress and when that was taken away after the accident, it made things worse.

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Cathy - no appetite, I get so caught up in my painting that I would rather paint than eat and food is just a hassle anyway. For example, I bought a whole roast chicken the other day and dinner has consisted of gnawing off a couple bites here and there whenever I get up to stretch from painting, lolol.
Speaking of which, I have my first show this Saturday and if any of our peeps in the Seattle area were interested, I would be thrilled to have you there . It is a pair of watercolors and a bronze sculpture of my Father's (posthumous). I discovered oils and canvas for the first time in my life yesterday and .... there are no words. The best I can describe it is like, a perfect summer day, with Bob Marley playing in the background, you've got money in your pocket, and you're in love. I am so thrilled by them that I want to torch all my watercolor crap and only show off my oils
My pieces are for sale, and I take commissions for portraits and other personalized works. I work in watercolors and oils, on vellum, canvas and wood, up to 18x24 (before matting/framing).

Hi everyone. I've been around reading but not posting.
I'm also not getting any notifications when people post so i usually try to pop in every couple days and see what's going on.
I'm still recovering from my accident.
I've had some serious depression over this. I still get headaches and dizziness. I am also having memory and concentration issues still. I can't workout like I normally do bc it makes me sick and dizzy and I end up with a Migraine. The doctors keep saying it takes time and that I will get better. In the last couple weeks I have had some slight improvement so this is promising to me. I started physical therapy and I am doing a lot of work with my balance and trying to eliminate my dizziness.
That's basically what's been going on with me...not much!
I'm doing good with my weight but I have lost so much muscle! I hate it but I know it'll come back when I get back to my regular workouts again.
I have to watch my food intake a lot closer since I haven't been working out. If I eat junk I can eat a lot of it. If I stick with the basic sleeve diet...dense Protein and veggies...my sleeve still works fine.

Yep! Missus, I think you're probably right! I have to be super vigilant not to gain cos I can graze all day - Christmas taught me that. I have become a food snob though... delish food yes! Junk processed food NO!
To be honest, this time last year I really was at peace with myself... I like the way I looked and felt. However, more recently I have become hard on myself again - finding lots of faults (don't we all?) and just not as contended... the only difference is that now I am feeling lazy about it all. When I look in the mirror now, I don't see a woman who has lost a lot of weight... I see a woman who needs to lose more. I feel I look 'boxy' not curvy.
Probably all in my head.
I too get a lot of compliments, especially from my hubby who every day calls me 'beautiful'. I also get male attention when I go out - although I mainly ignore it. But to be brutally honest, I am not doing this for anyone else. I am doing this for me - for good health, longevity of life at a good quality and frankly looking good is a pure bonus and one I never considered at the start of all this.
This analogy is how I look at my situation now:
5 years ago weighing 17 stone I had a huge mountain to climb to get to 10 stone... I started the walk up that mountain when I had my sleeve... nearly five years later I still haven't reached the summit but for 2-3 of those years (yes it is that long) I have been sat near the top of the mountain looking at the view. I quite like the view from here... it is refreshing. I can see lots of things. But, there is this wall that stops me reaching the top and although to many it isn't such a big wall, to me it is massive! The wall seems impossible to climb over, despite many different attempts. So, I started to think: will the view on the top of the mountain be better than the one I have now? Will the blood, sweat and toil be worth getting to the summit? Or do I stay here admiring the view and comes to terms with the fact that I will never climb the wall?
Is that elusive goal weight worth it - in my head it is, which is why I still try to lose weight; which is why I still yearn to get into a size UK 10 (remember I am only 5 2); which is why I still want a 'normal' bmi!
Does that make any sense?

Great news Coops!
I wish I could drop a few lbs. It's driving me nuts not to be working out. My daughter had a good idea today. She told me to have my nurse practitioner prescribe physical therapy. Maybe a physical therapist can tell me what to do so I can exercise again.
I right there with you Kim! At least you write your food down. I was never good at tracking. I can write down my meals but I forget about all the other cr@p I put in my mouth in between meals.
I still do not understand how right now it's 7 lbs above goal can cause me to go up 3 pants sizes. This is because of not weight training. I've lost all my muscle.

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Coops the news about your mum is brilliant, you have just got to build her up now. At work we use ensure which is calorific, the doctor can prescribe it. A small amount as a drink will give her lots of calories and so beef her up a bit.
Denise sorry to hear that the op has not sorted out your back trouble and landed you with bills from your insurance.

Hi everyone , been missing for a week taking care of my mum. Love her lots but couldn't live with her long time anymore. I managed to sort out 3 areas of her house with new flooring put down too and arrangements made for another floor to be done next week. Throwing out the crap (precious to her was hard). I'm shattered but feel I have done my best.
My op was done 3 years ago tomorrow and I have realised that I have done nothing with this gift for the last year, in fact my weight is up - I have got yo get to grips with this and take charge.
I don't know if I have shared my good news but my husband now has a job and we are getting to grips with the new routine. It's the first time ha has had a job while we have been in this new house and it is all so different for us. Good different, but different.
I wish everyone a Happy and Blessed EASTER. I know that Christianity is not everyone's bag, but it is mine and this time of the year is the most joyous to me and that is what I want for everyone JOY in their lives.XXX

Feeling a bit like crap/sad on and off, but thats to be expected. Craig is coming home after 5 weeks tomorrow night. I hope it is a good reunion. I have often thought our little dog kept us together at times. We will see how the new environment is for our marriage.
I am very happy for you Sheryl, Scott sounds like a keeper, and it sounds like he feels the same about you.
My old dog sitter/nanny gave me a dozen Gladiolas today... she called last night crying. What a softy, just like me. It was so sweet of her.
My art show has been going really well... sold a number of pieces and meeting lots of new people including a few collectors. I will be showing my animations next sunday followed by a pot luck at the gallery, that should be fun. Got a few goal/things done over the last 5 weeks, that makes me feel good... getting excited to work on some new paintings for a show in August. Seeing all my work up like this show reminds me of what I can and have accomplished in my life art wise... Its a good feeling.

Thank you all for your kind words. it means a lot to me.

Here in the UK it is Mothering Sunday today so I'm just off to have a lovely meal with my boys who are visiting. Coops and I are generous people so we will share the day with you so HAPPY MOTHERS DAY XXX

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Omg...today was like a perfect spring day. I spent the day with my best friend. She lives in the country. ..dogs, horses, glass of wine in the sun among the trees...heaven. absolute heaven

Don't forget how much bloat you probably have on board, what with all the medications, IV drips, etc etc etc. Once it is all flushed out of your system you will probably find that you haven't gained any weight at all.
I'm feeling better, about the job, mentally, emotionally. I have sat down with my neurogist and I have begun the self care, I even have a prescription for MASSAGE! and it is covered by INSURANCE!!! I went yesterday and the therapist worked on my shins, she commented that I had some of the strongest/toughest shin muscles she has ever worked on! She drove all her strength into smooshing those muscles and the euphoria it released into my body was as good as the drugs I had after my spinal tap went wrong, as good as an orgasm!
My big fat body still makes me sad but, through a combination of rising up the learning curve at work, new head meds and spring weather, I'm feeling better about a lot of things

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Cheers Cludgie... looking mighty fine yourself lady... can't believe you are sooo close to goal! What a brilliant transformation! =]

Coops...I am a spaz so wish I had a job where I wasn't literally tied to my computer. My headset is like a leash. I like to move around but really can't. (When I say spaz, I mean the kind of person who is physically more inclined to move around)
Years ago I had a wireless headset but it wasn't reliable.thinking I need to try that again as it would probably help me listen better during those long meetings. Back in the day when we used to meet in person, I was a doodler and note taker which helped me listen and remember. People knew I could recall details of meetings even months later my memory was very good but I had to learn how to use my other senses besides hearing to really absorb. It is much harder now that almost everything is over a computer line.

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

well at the end of my working day I did just over 6500 steps... that is what I would expect for my job as I rarely sit down... I am always up and around my classroom as I prefer to be an active rather than passive teacher.
I am gonna try and get to 10,000 by bed time, which might mean that I am walking on the spot tonight!