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Kelly, You look fabulous! Congrats on your speedy trip to goal! Lynda

Thanks to all for your kind words. Goal, here I come!

I generally order off the appetizer menu or share an entree. Sometimes I order an entree for myself and box the part I can't eat. Most of our hotels have a fridge and I carry a small cooler bag, so I can eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. Or sometimes hubby polishes them off later that evening. Lynda

Yahoo! About two weeks before my six month surgiversary I am NORMAL! I've gone from morbidly obese (254 at start of pre-op diet on Feb. 15) to merely obese (Was 222 on day of surgery and down to 216 two weeks after surgery), to merely overweight (185 at about 2.5 months out) to today: 51/2 months and I'm NORMAL! I am so stoked! Just one pound more and I'm in the Century Club. And only 20 lbs. to goal, which will put me at a BMI of 21.8., squarely in the middle of the normal range and will let me bounce up and down 5 lbs. and not be too thin or too fat for my taste. I can feel such a difference in my health and energy levels! I am off all blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I no longer snore (per hubby :-). My knees, feet, and ankles rarely bother me. I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that my gait has changed. There is more spring in my step with nearly 100 lbs. gone. Instead of plodding, I bounce a bit as I walk now. And my sinuses don't stuff up as much. I think the extra weight on my face pressed against them. As for the difference in my looks, people don't recognize me. My Mom had a hard time finding me in a store because she was looking for the bigger me. People react differently to me because I am thinner (rant on this later!). I enjoy squeezing in for a tight hug from hubby, trying on clothes, sitting in chairs with arms, tying my shoes, taking a bath in my newly roomy tub, and keeping up in exercise classes instead of paying a personal trainer. At the beginning of my journey, I wore size 22 jeans and a 3 X shirt. I now wear size 8 or 10 jeans and a small or medium top. My mind is still catching up with the new me. Although I often see the same me in the mirror, I know the change is astounding. When I write my weight, I have a tendency to forget I'm in the 150s. I still think of myself at 180 or 170. And my clothes look too tiny to fit me. I can eat small amounts of any food I have tried, except milk, cottage cheese, and ice cream. I'm still afraid to see if I can tolerate milk now almost six months out, but I think I will try soon. I am tracking my calories, Protein and fluids every day and taking all supplements recommended for my plan. I get at least 60 grams of protein, 64 oz. of Fluid per day and average between 700 and 900 calories per day. Greasy and overly sweet foods upset my tummy if I eat more than a few bites of them, so I generally only have a couple of bites of them when I eat them. For example, on Halloween, I had about a cup of popcorn popped in oil (no added butter), two and half fun-size candies, and a hotdog with chili, no bun. That was over the course of the evening and probably the biggest splurge I have had since the surgery. I didn't feel good later that evening and still felt a little off the next morning. I returned to having coffee after my three month checkup. But post-op I have a soy latte with two shots of espresso instead of my pre-op fav of a couple cups of french press or two shot of espresso straight up. I haven't started drinking alcohol again, but I plan to following my six month checkup. I plan to start with port. I am exercising 5-6 days per week. Two 45 minute walks at a fast pace, two 1-hour group workout classes, one 30 minute session with my trainer, and one other activity, such as a bike ride, walk, or yoga class. I do have days were I want to eat only bad stuff and I don't want to exercise. For the most part, I power through, but sometimes I don't. It's a journey and a struggle. I'm still terrified I won't be successful long term so I search out stories of people who have successfully kept the weight off for more than two years. They are out there! Thanks to all who have shared your journey for inspiring me to begin and continue the best thing I have ever done for my health and my looks. Edited: is my face red! I thought I was going to hit normal BMI at 155.5, but I now see when updating my ticker, I'm still overweight till I get to 154. So this post is 1 lbs. early. I will join the Century Club and hit normal BMI at the same time. The thoughts and sentiments are the same, just a little early. Oops!! Lynda

Hi, I told everyone I interact with on a regular basis. I didn't tell family or people I rarely see. Post-surgery, I mention it as it comes up. When someone who doesn't know compliments my weight loss, I tell them I had surgery. Also when the waitress asks why I didn't eat my meal (often they don't notice!). Pre-surgery, some people were concerned about the surgery, but I explained that it was best for my health and that satisfied them. Post -surgery, no one has said something negative about the surgery to me. Lynda

Raine, You look hot in that vest! Lucky you to have such a wonderful friend. I hope you spent lots of time admiring yourself in the mirror-you've worked hard to get here and you deserve to wallow in your success!

Congrats on exceeding your goal and getting the the Century Club! You look so much healthier at your new weight. Thank you for sharing your success with us- it is great to see it is possible. Our weights are pretty similar and I hope I can join your success during my eighth month post-surgery. I know my sleeve is working for me, but I still have a nagging fear in the back of my mind that I will never get to goad and seeing your success story soothes my fears. Lynda

Hey Kristy, Congrats on 6 months and a great weight loss!! I'm just a few weeks behind you and I know what you mean about struggling! I generally have a snack midmorning (soy milk latte) and sometimes a little something before I go to bed if I am hungry. I am keeping calories at around 800 a day. I am working out 5-6 days per week. I use a scratch pad to track my fluids and try to have in 4 cups by lunch and 6 cups by dinner time. If I don't hit it early in the day, it's too much to catch up with at night. Lynda

Congrats on joining the Century Club! Just try picking up something that weighs 100 lbs! Lynda

Tiffykins - Tatum is beautiful! Smell her head for me. I love that baby-head smell! Thanks for sharing your happy story with us. I am smiling now and filled with joy for you and yours. Best wishes to you and your family. Lynda

I strongly recommend measuring and tracking your food and Fluid. Aim for more than 60 grams of Protein and 64 ounces of fluid per day. I keep a scale and a couple of measuring cups on the counter and use a magnetic whiteboard on the refrigerator to log calories, grams of protein, and fluid intake. Also agree with Norman about more exercise, but maybe not with your heart rate that high. There are online calculators to determine an ideal heart rate for exercise. It varies depending on your age and some other factors. Lynda

Raine, You look great! What a difference in just six months! And just 16 lbs. to go to goal is a great victory in six months. It always amazes me how unique everyone's journey is. Congrats on hanging in there and losing the pills and health problems. Lynda

Congrats Raine! It looks cute on you. Lynda

Hi all, Just another .4 down, but I'll take it! Onward and downward towards my Christmas Goal! I won't be updating my ticker till this Friday, when I have my first weigh in for the Christmas challenge. Lynda Halloween Goal: SW-177.............CW-157.9...............Halloween Goal-159 Sept 2: 175 Sept. 9: 173.1 Sept 16: 169.6 Sept 23: 168.8 Sept 30: 166 Oct 7: 164.4 Oct 14: 163.6 Oct 21: 159.2 Oct 28: 157.9 - GOAL! Halloween: 157.5

Cludgie, Congrats on becoming Normal and thanks for a thoughtful post and what is enough. I'm closing in on normal BMI with just 3 lbs. to go. I know it won't be enough for me. I have some fat pads I'm hoping to melt away by losing another 20 lbs. after I get to normal BMI. I think goal is different for everyone. Lynda

Congrats! Slow and steady wins the race. Lynda

I think they are OK with it. I found a Community Group for WW who have had bariatric surgery: http://community.weightwatchers.com/Groups/GroupPage.aspx?sid=4511475 I haven't read any of the posts, so no opinion yet. Lynbda

Sleeve of Steel, Did you tell them you had WLS? I was a member of WW for many years. I'm sure it's the only reason I wasn't heavier. I really like it and would love to have a lifetime membership. I am 23 lbs. from goal so I could join now and quickly get to lifetime. Lynda

Congrats! I can just imagine your face as you gazed at the scale. I haven't seen a 4 lb. loss in a single week since probably the first month after surgery! Way to rock that sleeve more than one year out! Lynda

Hi all, My goal for Christmas is based on losing another about 1.75 lbs. per week. I lost at the rate I expected over the Halloween Challenge, but I expect my weight loss to slow in the next two months. I will update my weight every Friday. I weight every day but I only log my weight on Fridays (except for the final challenge date) to keep myself sane. I haven't created a Christmas ticker yet. I will as soon as Halloween is over. My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 155 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 20 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 15. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-157.9...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: Nov. 11: Nov. 18: Nov. 25: Dec. 2: Dec. 9: Dec. 16: Dec. 23: Christmas:

Congrats! You look fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing your story complete with your issues and triumphs. It really helps me to read other's stories. Lynda

GOAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Hopped on the scale to see 157.9 today! I missed a couple of days exercise and ate a bit more than usual this week because we were on vacation, so I'm doubly grateful for the loss! Over the course of this challenge my weight loss has averaged 2.1 lbs per week. Fr the Christmas challenge, I will be aiming for 1.75 lbs. per week because I expect weight loss to slow as I get closer to my final goal weight- 135. I have 22.9 lbs to go. Lynda Halloween Goal: SW-177.............CW-157.9...............Halloween Goal-159 Sept 2: 175 Sept. 9: 173.1 Sept 16: 169.6 Sept 23: 168.8 Sept 30: 166 Oct 7: 164.4 Oct 14: 163.6 Oct 21: 159.2 Oct 28: 157.9 - GOAL! Halloween:

Fluids first, Protein next. My go to foods early out included greek yogurt, Protein powder and soymilk, lunchmeat, and turkey chili. Will your hotel room have a fridge and microwave? If so, you can buy soy or regular milk, greek yogurt, and lunchmeat and keep it in your room fridge. You could bring a couple of cans of turkey chili too if you have a microwave. Use these to have a little meal by the pool or at night if you didn't get enough protein during the day. One Protein Drink I like is 1/2 cup decaf or regular coffee, 1/2 cup soy milk, and a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Tastes like a chilled vanilla latte. I find it's easier to travel with the powder and a shaker than with pre-mixed Protein drinks. When eating out, I had crab and shrimp cocktail the first few times. It's small and yummy. I drank still Water (no bubbles) with a splash of fruit juice. The fruit juice adds a little color and flavor so I didn't feel deprived. For fruit, I tolerated melon the best early out. Less acid and it squishes down to almost nothing so you can have a little before you run out of room. Have a great time in Hawaii! Lynda

I agree with Tiffykins on the eating plan. Although I do eat a few carbs, if I feel hungry between meals, I eat Protein. I eat low fat version of things like cheese sticks, lunchmeat, and salami and no-fat greek yogurt to get more in with less calories. Also I use Splenda instead of sugar. If you are still losing well even though you get a few more calories in, maybe you are just so active at work that you need a few more calories? i haven't had the hunger issue, but I have seen others saying that upping or changing their PPI helped. Lynda

Thank you for sharing your pics and journey. One year out - it seems so far away now. It is so good to read your story and know I will get there! Your pics are fabulous. So nice to have the side by side comparisons to see how far you've come! And you look so beautiful, radiant, happy, and healthy! Lynda