MINI-Me

You both are doing awesome on your journey. Congratulations!

I am with pumpkin on the lemonade. Loved Crystal Light before surgery and now I could care less if I see it again. I'm sort of like that with pizza. But, I think it's more because I know I will be so full after 1 slice of thin - I was used to 3-4 pieces prior to surgery. Just doesn't seem worth it for one slice. Otherwise, I have added most other foods back. I remember days at the beginning that I didn't really like something, but a month or two later, it tasted good again. But, with being able to eat so little, I insist that it taste good if I'm going to take the time to eat it.

Awesome news! I agree with the other posters - you will definitely have a different insight to P.E. (I too was the fat kid that was picked last & had no coordination!)

A W E S O M E !!!!!! So proud of the work you've done. People say this is "the easy way" but we all know it is hard work - physically and mentally. You should be soooooo proud of yourself!

ok ... Here goes. Please no flames about my menu. I've been doing this for a while & I was losing even with the diet soda and beer. Total Calories - 979 Carbs - 38 Protein - 90 Early Morning - 2 String cheese 160 cal, 0 carbs, 14 protein Early Morning - Diet Pepsi - 12 ounce Breakfast - 3 Turkey Sausage Links 120 calories, 1 carb, 13 protein Breakfast - 1/2 Thomas Thin Bagel 55 calories, 12 carbs, 3 protein lunch - 3 oz chicken Breast 120 calories, 0 carbs, 27 protein Lunch - Dole NSA Peaches - 25 calories, 6 carbs, 0 protein Snack - Pepperoni Beef Stick - 110 calories, 1 carb, 11 protein dinner - Yield from .25lb Hamburger Patty - 195 calories, 0 carb, 20 protein Dinner - 4 Steak Fries - 120 calories, 16 carbs, 2 protein Dinner - Diet Pepsi (fountain drink) - 12 ounces Snack - MGD 64 - 64 calories, 2 carbs, 0 protein Snack - Jell-O Cup - 10 calories, o carbs, o protein

I can sooooo relate. Here's a post I made last month http://verticalsleevetalk.com/general-vsg-support/7193-why-cant-they-just-say-congratulations.html Just try to stay focused on the hard work you are doing for yourself. It hurts like crazy when you aren't supported by the ones who love you the most. Just know that while we are virtual strangers, we do support you and think you are doing awesome!

Came in at 1046 calories today ... ran up and down the stairs a few times so I'm sure I burned off the "extra" 46. Good day to be back on track!

I've found that I do quite well as steady losing if I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day and keep my carbs below 50. So? What's the problem? I have found myself getting lax as I am approaching goal. Not necessarily eating things that are "bad" for me, but taking in a bit more calories than I should in the losing stage. An extra drink here, a bite of this there. Almost to the point of grazing which I don't want to start as a habit!!!! I'm not gaining and some days I lose, but overall, weightloss is flat. Now, pre-sleeve, I would never have believed that I would chatise myself for 1500 calories. But, I want to get off these final pounds. (My ticker says 6 pounds to goal, but I may go for 125 - depends on how I look/feel when I get to 135). So, I'm going to use this thread to be accountable to all my buddies. Each day, I'm going to post my total calories for the prior day. If I have to be honest and tell YOU what I did, maybe that will keep me accountable to myself! So, yesterday (8/15), I was at 1500 calories :ohmy:. Today, I am targeting 1000. More to come tomorrow ... Feel free to post your own personal struggles, thoughts, comments, suggestions on here as well. Thanks guys - you rock!

Good for you. Can't wait to hear how things go for you. You will ROCK IT!

Stacey - I know it is soooo much easier to say than to be living through, but you are doing well. You are right in the middle of the 5-10 pounds per month average weight loss. I've had months where it wasn't hitting those numbers every month , but I am averaging in there. So ... hang in there. It will get better. Can you NOT get on the scale for a whole month? Take your measurements today & then on September 13th take your measurements and weight? I KNOW you will see a difference. Take the challenge!!!!

I found that I could not tolerate much, if any, of the Protein supplements, shakes, ready-made or not. I was a bit panicky, but finally found 2 that got me through. I rarely, if ever use now. Just one note - don't let your Water (milk, etc) get above 105 degrees or the Protein powder will clump. Believe me - if you have a hard time getting down well-mixed protein, you don't want to try clumped protein. YUCK!!!! Any whey from Amazon - [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Instantized-Protein-2-7-Pound/dp/B000GIUQOG]Amazon.com: 100% Any Whey Protein: Health & Personal Care[/ame] I add this to yogurt, oatmeal, hot cocoa, etc Serving size: 1 scoopAmount Per ServingCalories70Calories from Fat0Calories from Saturated Fat Amount Per Serving and/or % Daily Value*Total Fat0g (0%)Saturated Fat0g (0%)Polyunsaturated Fat Monounsaturated Fat Trans Fat Cholesterol0mg (0%)Sodium30mg (1%)Potassium Total Carbohydrate1g (0%)Dietary Fiber0g (0%)Soluble Fiber Insoluble Fiber Sugars0g (0%)Sugar Alcohol Other Carbohydrate Protein17 (34%)Amount Per Serving and/or % Daily Value*Vitamin A0 (0%)Percent of Vitamin A present as beta-carotene Vitamin C0 (0%)Calcium0 (8%)Iron0 (0%)Flavor0 (0%) powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup - https://www.unjury.com/store/protein/reg/chicken_soup_flavored_protein.shtml

Prayers are going up. Let us know when you are post-op.

You may need to add some snacks to get in the protein. Give us a few sample daily menus - maybe we can help out.

WOW! I am so proud of you. Feels great, doesn't it??? Just think ... those 18's will be falling off soon enough & you'll be looking at the 14's (and smaller)!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes people make comments like, "It's just melting off you - do you even have to work at it?" I do everything I can not to slap them! I want to say "Do you know how many mornings I've wanted to cry because the scale isn't moving?" And yes, I'm working very hard at it - making lifelong changes in my life and eating. So, looking back 62 pounds in 6.5 months may seem like it's falling off, but I remember the heartaches. And, these last 6 pounds are driving me insane - I too am playing the down a pound, up a pound, down 2 pounds "game". WE WILL SUCCEED!!!!!

Thanks for understanding where I am coming from.

I too went to Vegas 2 months out ... I was afraid to ask my doctor about drinking so I sent him an e-mail . He told me it was fine to have a glass or two of wine. So, I did. BOY! That first glass took a LONG time to go down. Ended up having to put ice in it because it got too warm. And, be warned it will hit you faster than you realize! I do have a nice glass of wine once or twice a week now - no issues at all. (But I do stop at one - more than that and I get VERY tipsy!) This is one of my little anticipated "treats" that I give myself now that I am within site of goal.

I can see where you are coming from and appreciate your feedback, but I really don't think so ... It's like people are finally noticing me now (weird since I now take up less space) where before I was just "there".

OK ... Maybe this is going to sound really small of me, but people are annoying me. 6 months ago, clerks were not friendly ... they took care of my purchases, etc and sent me on my way. Now, that I am a "normal" weight, I find people trying to strike up conversations, giving me an extra few minutes in line, etc. Take this morning for instance. My car needed gas, so I stopped by the Quik-Mart for gas. I decided to run in for a drink while the car was filling up. I walk in the door and get greeted with a "Good Morning. How are you today?" from the clerk. I respond and go over to pick out my drink. I try to check out (with 3 people behind me) and he starts chatting about the day. My total was $2.16 and I gave him a $5.00 bill. He made a big production of counting back my money, taking a penny out of the Penny Jar and giving me back $2.85 instead of $2.84. I don't remember a clerk EVER voluntarily taking a penny out for me before. What gives? Like I said, I know I seem small in this, but it's really bothering me ... Why should I be treated differently now? I'm still the same person - same thoughts, feelings, and day to day routine (minus all the meal time). Does a thin person deserve less pennies in their wallet than a fat person?!?!?!?!?!

Stacey - I am so sorry that you are struggling so much with this mentally. I know it must be hard to stay positive when you aren't seeing the results. Just try to stay on plan - your body is holding on to everything it has, but it can't continue this forever. The weight WILL come off. I can't remember - do you have a nutritionist that you can talk to?

Are there any tickers that sow % of weight lost? That would be a nice equalizer for us to use. Lightweights may appear to lose pounds slower, but really they are losing at the same percentage.

Lori - when have you ever lost an average of 13.75 pounds for 4 months straight. You are doing AWESOME!!!!!!

I agree ... time to find a new doctor that cares about you and your health.

The advice about is very good. It takes time. Many people slow down around week 3 as their bodies are adjusting to losing the weight. Did you take measurements pre-surgery? If so, take them again and compare. If not, do it right now. You will be amazed at the difference you'll see in a few weeks from now. Saying that we've all been there, did that doesn't help a lot right now ... but believe me, we've been EXACTLY where you are right now in some form or fashion. You will make your goals if you follow the plan your surgeon made for YOU! Best of luck!

There are days that I can work myself into a tizzy about all this stuff - should I eat this or that, is this "bad" ... we are all at a new point in our journey. Our bodies have healed and we are learning new eating patterns to last us a lifetime. We need to give ourselves a break and realize that we are learning. If we mess up one day - who cares? We have tomorrow. Thanks to our new tummies, we have a tool that won't allow us to go back to binging and "throwing" out the diet plan. Just because I failed a quiz in school didn't mean that I had to fail the whole class. Right? (OK - now remind me of this post when I have one of my freak-out days! :thumbup:)