CraftyChristie

I don't think there's any way to know for sure because everyone's body is different shapes at different weights, even if they are the same height. Maybe instead of trying to base it on your goal weight, choose a dress size that means something to you. For me, it was a size 12 because I've never been that dress size. Even though realistically I will be smaller than a 12 when I'm done, that size is still looking very small to me and I'll be thrilled when I fit into it. I have been a 14 before - but only on TOP, was still a 20 on the bottom, so size 12 DRESS will be way way smaller for me.

Hope this helps

YES sweetie I feel exactly the same as you do. Since I started at 310 lbs, and my surgeon's goal weight for me is 160, I felt like the weight should be FALLING off. The first few weeks it did and I was at -37lbs in the first month. I know that pace doesn't continue forever, but in the 2nd month I "only" lost 13 more. Yes that is -50 in 2 months and I know that's awesome but I'm like... -13 in 5 weeks is roughly 2.5 lbs a week.... that's SURGERY loss??? I could do 2.5/week on my own, ya know? But I have to realize my body is going through so much. And that it will KEEP going whereas without surgery, I would probably have given up by now. But because of surgery, there is no giving up and I just keep on plugging.

I feel maybe even more frustrated than you because not only do I eat right, stay in my calories, etc, but I **do** work out "like I should", 5-6 days a week for 30-60 mins. I have never worked this hard from both angles (food and exercise) this consistently in my life and I feel like I should be getting crazy Biggest-Loser style results LOL like 5-7 lbs a week would be nice. Oh well.

The big picture is 50 lbs in 2 months and I've never done that before... just have to keep remembering that! We just need to hang in there. I think everybody's body is different. I have heard that the longer you have had the weight, the slower it comes off.... and I've had the weight my entire life so maybe that's why. I dunno.

Chin up babe, we will get there

Thank you everybody! I did hit -50 at 2 months, so happy! Looking forward to next weigh-in to see where I'm at. I feel like my tummy is getting flatter so hopefully that means something

kalew.... I totally understand, been there.... good luck and you can do this!!

What a celebration!!! I would cry too. That is so amazing. Be so very proud.

Kathy - the password is right above the video in the blog post :001_smile: I do it that way because I share my video account with my more public blogs and I don't want others who read my other blogs to see these particular videos

Check out my new blog post for current pictures, measurements, what's new etc... including a new VIDEO update! :crying:

Health and Happiness: Two Month Update

I was 310 at my highest and I flew at that weight - I know it will be much different for you but just wanted to give my 2 cents. You have to do your very best to have a thick skin for the flight. I am VERY sensitive emotionally. I am the type that tries so hard not to inconvenience anyone, etc... but no matter what, it seems people will not like us on their plane, will not want us anywhere near them (even if not inconveniencing them), etc. For me that has just been a fact. Try to keep your chin up and exude confidence, yet politeness. If you put your head down and avoid contact with everyone, that shows them they have a right to look down on you and that YOU feel they are better than you too. Be yourself, talk to your hubby. Perhaps see if you can arrange with the airline to let you on first along with people in wheelchairs etc, in a way it is a medical necessity. Especially on the way back, you will have just had surgery. Maybe you can even get away with telling them that on the way there. This will help because you can already be seated & situated without feeling as though everyone is watching you struggle to make your way there, or worrying about rubbing up against people as you get to your seat. And of course, just wait and be the last one to get off the plane for the same reason. For me it is just easier than dealing with people!!!

Most of all know, you are taking the step so that you won't have to feel like this anymore.

Wishing you ALL the best in this journey (both literally and figuratively.)

Mine are on Vimeo, not YouTube, but I do have some. They are on my blog at Health and Happiness ... check the videos category. Soon I will be making a page and putting them all on there (like a tab at the top of the blog).

Thanks for sharing your story. Glad to hear every day is getting better. Wish you all the best!

Were you taking any ibuprofen or things like that prior to surgery for any reason? All I can think is if you have stopped you may be feeling pains you didn't know were there before. The joint pain could easily be from your new activity level but I don't know about the numbness. Definitely ask your doctor.

I just want to say that I don't think you need to justify why you are stalled and not losing more. It is good that you evaluate and continue to improve your habits, but you are doing great. I was told today that on average a sleeve patient loses 65% their excess weight in the first year. Based on your ticker I did a quick calculation and for you that would be 107 lbs... so you have beat that!! You are above average. The good thing is that so far, sleevers have better results at 2 &3 years out that lap banders do so just keep plugging and you will get there :confused1: You've made so many positive changes. Just think what working out 6 days a week is doing for your health!!! WHooo hooo!!!!

I'm at 8 weeks tomorrow. I went with my hubby to his appointment today for 6 weeks, so I got weighed too. I have lost 48 pounds :-D Hubby at 6 weeks has lost 37. We're both feeling great!

My BMI has gone down 7 full points in 8 weeks.

My official 2 months is still a week away so with any luck I'll drop those 2 lbs to make a nice even 50 lb loss for my first 2 months :confused1: I will have official update photos and measurements at that time!

Also ~ someone wants to do a news story about us! I guess they do stories on my surgeon's patients from time to time and they inquired about us since we are a couple who did this together, and got the sleeve which is still so rare. We agreed and I gave my phone number so hopefully I will hear soon about the details. We might get a little TV spot!

Most importantly, everyone there today was very receptive to all of our opinions about how the program can be improved for sleevers. The director of the hospital program, and the nutritionist teaching the class today both spend time with us taking notes because they are going through a huge revision process right now since they are starting to get more sleeve patients and they know the program needs to be improved. Hopefully our suggestions will help those who come after us.

That is wonderful! I don't know you, but I'm very proud of you :-D Congrats.

Pete, I think you probably got a different kind of Isopure than what was intended. The kind usually taken before surgery and after while on Clear Liquids, it looks more like a koolaid or gatorade. It comes in bottles and you don't "make" anything :001_tt2: That brand also makes powders so that's probably what you got. Here is a link to what you should probably try to find:

Isopure RTD Variety 6-Pack - NATURES BEST - GNC

some typical meals for me are....

- cinnamon start Protein Cereal by Archer Farms (Target) with skim milk

- scrambled eggs (egg beaters) with cheese, onions, peppers, sometimes ham added

- Morningstar Farms sausage patty (vegetarian) with egg beaters and cheese on top of it

- tuna salad or chicken salad, about 2 ounces piled high on one Wheat Thins Flatbread Cracker

- 1 cracker, same type as above, spread with cream cheese, and put 1/2 slice of American cheese on it and then 1-2 ounces of turkey breast (this is so yum!)

- chili or Hormel White chicken Chili (yuuummmm) with some shredded 2% milk cheese

- pizza made on 1/2 a Flat-Out Fold-it - either with Marinara, turkey pepperoni and 2% Italian cheese blend.... or made with light alfredo, chicken breast, and the same cheese. I use a toaster oven to cook them. 22ish grams of Protein depending which pizza. I think the alfredo comes out at 26 grams.

- grilled shrimp skewers

- grilled beef skewers

- chicken breast tenders (not breaded or anything, just plain chicken but they are the tenders size instead of whole breast) made in the crock pot with some kind of campbells Soup. Stays very moist.

- Turkey meatballs - italian style - made in crock pot with mushroom soup

- Turkey meatballs with a little marinara and parmesan cheese on top of them

- light 2% string cheese and a slice of turkey breast

- light string cheese and a handful of nuts

- 3 tyson chicken nuggets with a tiny bit of light ranch dressing for dipping

- a Friday's slider burger (freezer section) with top half of bun removed

- shrimp cocktail!!! high protein and low everything else. About 6 shrimp, served chilled with a little cocktail sauce.

- 1/2 a MINI sized cinnamon bagel with either cream cheese or Peanut Butter on it

- 1/2 a banana, cut into slices, with Peanut Butter on each slice

This is all I can think of right now. I frequently post about my foods on my blog: Health & Happiness

Yeah, that 6-8 week stall was a killer for me, but just have a little faith in the process, and your body will start burning the fat again.

Oh and don't forget to drink lots of Water, eat enough Protein, exercise, and get lots of rest (as if you didn't have anything ELSE to worry about

Thanks! :thumbup1: I am hanging in there. I get all of those things except for probably enough rest. I know my body likes 9 hours of sleep and I have been getting 6-7 lately... so I will focus on getting better at that and just hanging in there!

I'm really glad you finally made it to -50 :svengo: I am striding for that too! I'm at 7 1/2 weeks and haven't hit that mark yet. It seems the past few weeks almost nothing is happening. I need to just hang in there, keep doing the right things and wait for it, like you said :confused1:

You are BEAUTIFUL!!!! And you have accomplished so much!

I too was given the 600-800cal a day guideline. As long as you meet your Protein requirements, your body is not feeding on muscle. I also work out a lot and build muscle... so I'm pretty sure I haven't just lost 41 lbs of muscle over here

I was just posting about this on Facebook recently, looking for some new stuff :thumbup:

Some of my old standby artists for workouts are

Ashlee Simpson (mostly her second album)

Maroon 4 (mostly second album, more upbeat)

Kelly Clarkson

All-American Rejects

Fall Out Boy

Natasha Bedingfield

Black-Eyed Peas

Katy Perry

Britney Spears (newer stuff)

OK Go

KT Tunstall

Rhianna

The Veronicas

One Republic

Sara Barielles

RECENT ADDITIONS

Songs from GLEE!! You wouldn't think, but... a lot are fast paced! I find this really fun to work out to

Biggest Loser workout mixes - the songs are not by the original artists but very similar and more fast paced

Remixes of Colbie Caillat and Michael Buble (exposed to them on Pandora) nice to hear these familiar mellow songs but more upbeat

Owl City

Kylie Minogue

Christina Aguilera

Flo Rida (Right Round)

Gnarles Barkley (Crazy)

Hilary Duff - Dignity album

Jem (love her!)

Sean Kingston- Fire Burning

heygale - I feel your pain, I have been complaining about the same thing in several threads tonight. Frustrated with how slow things have been. The first month was great and now nothing is happening. Hopefully Tiffykins can help She is like the Sleeve Guru!!!

tiffy, when I was on mushies I was at about 30g carbs a day but now it's usually 40-50. How can I cut more out? I only get them from flatbread and crackers which I have about 1 cracker a day usually, and a flatbread maybe every other day. The rest come from the other foods that are also high Protein. What suggestions do you have to cut out more carbs but not feel like I am ONLY eating meat all day every day? I try to eat shrimp once per day because it is so high protein, low cal, low fat and has pretty much no carbs either. Also tuna usually every other day. I am just getting bored though with all the meats I feel like I can only eat chicken/beef so many ways. Help! You are so good at this stuff.

That is so great!! 150 is below my goal weight lol so that is just amazing. So happy for you. Being a lower starting weight, I don't think 30 lbs in 9 weeks is slow!!! I think it's awesome! I'm at 7 weeks and 41 lbs and I started weighing 310!! Lost a bunch fast in the first month and now just sitting here hoping it gets going again.

Your mom will probably cry when she sees you In a good way :001_tt1:

I am really interested to read your post because I am at 7 weeks and in a similar situation. I lost 37 lbs the first month, and now I'm 3 weeks into my 2nd month and have only lost 4 more. I too am eating 600-800 cals a day and exercising usually 5 days a week. Perhaps it's just not enough calories. I already feel like I'm eating more than I "should" not that there is really a should but just how I feel. Maybe I'm so used to depriving myself with dieting I think I will try to up my Protein intake and calories and see if it helps to get things going. I appreciate this insight. Also congrats on how well everything is going for you!

Tiffy, what a GREAT idea as a way to reuse your old shirt. I have one I love that I really don't want to get rid of so maybe I will save it and do the same thing. So smart.

You look great.... so wonderful for you!! I appreciate your sentiments at the end. I'm at 7 weeks and I have felt discouraged lately. The first month went so well (-37 lbs) and the 2nd month I've only lost 4 more (in 3 weeks) despite lots of exercise and good food choices. I am feeling that old familiar struggle that I have always felt. I hoped I wouldn't feel that way with surgery, but it feels the same... I work so hard and don't get anything. I know i may just be stalling but it has really gotten me down a little. I'm ready for things to get moving again. I'll try to take your words to heart and not give up hope.