lsereno

Congrats! You look awesome-esp. those beautiful collarbones. I can't wait to see mine again!! And thank you for the info about "feeling normal." At nearly 3 months out, I'm tracking to stay focused on getting enough Protein, calories, and Water, but I am so looking forward to letting the sleeve do some of the work if I just eat protein first and avoid snacking. Lynda

Hi all, Hubby had popcorn after dinner tonight and I ate some. Right now, I can eat so little, I never eat enough Snacks to make much of a difference, but I am worried about down the road. And when I don't worry abut that, I worry about my hunger returning. For the most part, I am never hungry now. I eat to meet my Protein and calorie goals. I feel a little hungry before meals sometimes, but it is really minor compared to pre-op. I never get that "I have to eat NOW" feeling. August 11, Thursday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C.OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 calories Lunch: low fat cheesestick, 1 oz. low fat salami: 15 gramsprotein, 130 calories Dinner2 oz. ground beef, ¼ ear corn, 2 T. onions : 14 gramsprotein, 170 calories After dinner Snack: ½ C. popcorn with butter: 100 calories Late Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard WheyProtein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27grams protein, 155 calories Protein, 71 grams, Calories: 670, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Missed my lunchtime calcium. Exercise: Rode bike 1 mile, worked garage sale 4 hours

Today after lunch I took a nap. Woke up feeling full and didn't really want dinner or my protein drink, but I had them anyway to meet my protein goals. Might have to do with the fact I let myself get a little "backed up," but with the help of some colace, that has been getting straightened out all day. Pooped out on my planned evening activity. I'm stronger, but not back to pre-op levels. Can't wait to begin reaping the energy benefits of being at a lower weight! Today at the gym I did some crunches on the incline bench and I noticed how much easier they are without so much body weight to huff uphill with. August 10, Wednesday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 calories Lunch: low fat cheesestick, 1 oz. low fat salami: 15 grams protein, 5 whole wheat crackers, 2 T. avocado 200 calories Dinner: 1 cup Anderson Split Pea Soup : 9 grams protein, 130 calories Late Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Protein, 66 grams, Calories: 610, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Took my lunchtime calcium - go me!! Exercise: 25 minutes with the trainer. I was 5 minutes late.

Haha! My driver's license says 180. I still have a few pounds to go to match that weight. I think I weighed around 190 when my pic was taken and the license was made more than 10 years ago I think. Here in California you can renew by mail for quite a few years. Lynda

Family and friends - it's tough! I know it will come off soon, but it's scary seeing how fast it can come back. Tiffykins has a good handle on having a good time and maintaining her weight. I hope I am able to emulate her when I am at goal. I'm rootin' for you rootman- I bet you might be back at merely overweight within a day or two! Lynda

Hi all, I was busy with the grandson all day monday and didn't get a chance to check in. My energy is coming back because I made it till 9 pm last nite before I conked out like a log. Here's my info for today and yesterday: August 9, Tuesday: Went to the park with grandson and fed squirrels and me some peanuts Breakfast: Yogurt smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams Protein, 115 calories Lunch: 8 peanuts and 1 cheesestick: 8 grams protein, 180 calories Dinner: 2 oz. Tortilla crusted tilapia, 1/4 corn on the cob : 10 grams protein, 170 calories Planned Late Snack: 1 scoop French vanilla Gold Standard whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Protein, 60 grams, Calories: 630, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Forgot my lunchtime Calcium. I am gonna go put some in my purse right now! Exercise: 45 minutes fast walk, rode bike about 3 miles August 8, Monday: Had the grandson all day. We made Cookies and he decorated one for me. I ate it all but one bite. Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 calories Lunch: 3/8 C. Homemade chili: 8 grams protein, 120 caloriesSnack: small cookie: 100 calories (guestimate) Dinner: 3/4 of the filling from Taco Bell Combo Burrito : 15 grams protein, 250 calories Late Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Protein, 65 grams, Calories: 740, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Took my lunchtime calcium and got in an Iron pill before bedtime Exercise: 30 minutes with trainer, 15 minutes stretching, 15 minute fast walk with grandson

We went to visit the kids today and they made dinner for us. I had a bite of each of my favorites, but it added up! Brought the grandson home for a visit for a couple of days and stopped and the store to get him and grandpa Snacks. I had a bite of grandpa's donut and then a couple of whole wheat crackers because I really wanted more chips and I'd like to eat more junk RIGHT NOW at 10:30 at night. I would love something salty and then something sweet. But I am going to take my nighttime pills, wash my makeup off, put my PJs on and call it a day. I know the scale will thank me tomorrow but right now I DO NOT FEEL LIKE BEING GOOD. August 7, Sunday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams Protein, 115 calories Lunch: 1 oz. 98% fat free lunch meat, baby bel lite cheese, 5 whole wheat crackers, 2 T. avocado: 11 grams protein, 160 calories Snack: 2 potato chips with ranch dip, 1 tortilla chip with guacamole, Peanut Butter pretzel bite: 100 calories (guestimate) Dinner: 2 oz. tri-tip, 1/4 C. watermelon,2 bites garlic bread, 1 bite potato salad: 14 grams protein, 225 calories Late Snack: 2 whole wheat crackers, 2 bites of donut, 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein with1 C. plain soy milk and cinnamon: 31 grams protein, 335 calories Protein, 71 grams, Calories: 995, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Missed my lunchtime calcium today Exercise: Day off!

Hi all, Had a great time at the Art Car Fest yesterday, but I didn't take my Iron yesterday and didn't make it up today. It's hard to get everything finished 2 hours before bed so I can take the iron one hour after eating and then be up one hour after. Yesterday, I had a bite of a cake pop and a bite of dark chocolate. Not perfect, but both were small bites. August 6, Saturday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams Protein, 115 calories Lunch: 3/8 C. Homemade chili: 8 grams protein, 120 calories Dinner: 3 oz. Seabass, 4 spinach leaves, fortune cookie, small bite of chocolate cake: 21 grams protein, 225 calories Late Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Protein: 71 grams, Calories: 615, Water: Drinking cup 8 after I finish my Protein Drink that I'm working on now. Vitamins: Took my lunchtime calcium today - Go me!! Exercise: Cleaned the kitchen for an hour

Me too. Also if I eat too fast or if my tummy just doesn't like what I had. My stomach actually bunches up and I have to put on something looser or undo my pants till it passes. Twice, I have also spit up a large quantity of foamy stuff and once I threw up- which was actually quite a relief because I immediately felt better. Lynda

Irene, I can't believe how different everyone's bodys are! If I was rocking size 4 pants, I would take it easy too!!! Our weight is close, but our size is so different. At 183.6 and 5'6" tall, I am comfortably in large or extra large tops and size 16 pants. And I workout with a trainer 3 times a week and do a fast walk for several miles twice a week, so it's not like I'm all flab!! I don't think I'll ever see size 4. I'm hoping to see size 6 women's and size 11 juniors when I get to 135. This is based on that I wore size 9 at 120 about 30 years ago . Thanks for checking in on us and for starting up this great challenge. It's really helped me stay focused on what I need to do to be healthy. Anyhow, here's my info for today and yesterday: I didn't eat dinner last night after I made myself sick at lunch, so actuals for Thursday were Protein, 56 grams, Calories: 47. August 3, Friday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 calories Lunch: 1/2 oz. lowfat salami, 1 lowfat string cheese, 3 whole wheat crackers: 12 grams protein, 125 calories Dinner: 1/2 C. Homemade chili: 10 grams protein, 150 calories Planned Late Snack: 1 scoop French vanilla Gold Standard whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Protein, 64 grams, Planned Calories: 545, Water: On cup 7! Vitamins: Took my lunchtime calcium today - Go me!! Need to take my Iron tonight so I have to get my shake in by around 8 so I can wait an hour, then take iron and wait 1 hour before laying down. Exercise: Workout with trainer for 30 minutes, stretch for 15 minutes, plan to ride my bike about 5 miles this evening and walk around the art cars: http://www.artcarfest.com/

I was really super tired the first two weeks. Then I could feel myself slowly getting stronger. Everyone is different, but take it easy as you can and let your body heal. Sorry hubby is annoyed. Did you expect to heal faster? If there is a support group near you, perhaps you could get hubby to attend one with you? There he will meet other people who've had the surgery and now have more energy than ever before. And they can say how long it took them to get back to full-time normal life. If that's not an option, then maybe just a sit down where you explain you simply can't do it all right now and you guys work out what you can do that would be most helpful. Like maybe he really hates changing diapers, but is OK making dinner? Only you know your situation at home. If he's just being Jerky, then maybe you need to push back. One thing to keep telling yourself is that is does get better, and in a fairly rapid time frame! Lynda

Tiffykins, Thanks so much for all you've shared. I'm well past the age of having babies, so I love reading about your happy pregnancy progress. Your baby bump is adorable on you! Can't wait to see pics of little Tatum when she joins us outside :-) Lynda

I had my goal weight at 130, but today I changed it to 135. That will put me at 21.8 BMI and I figure that I can bounce between 135 and 140. I too have shrunk over the years. I was 5'6 and 3/4", but now at 54 years old I am 5'6" even. As a teen and in my 20s, I weighed 120. I felt great at that weight. During my 30s, weight went up to 185, then I dropped back to 145. At 145, I still felt a little large. After that, I piled it on to 200, then 220, then a couple of stints in the low 250s. Once when I started prozac and once to qualify for the operation.

I'm down 38.4 lbs since surgery on May 17. I am now merely overweight, with less than 30 lbs to go till I'm at a normal BMI. I'm closing in on losing 10% of my body weight for the second time since surgery. The day before surgery I weighed 222. About one month out I had lost 10% of my total body weight and was at 200. I'm now at 183. 6. Just 3.6 lbs. shy of losing 10% of my body weight for the second time! I love you sleeve! Lynda

Hi all, I lost 2.7 lbs. this week and I hit my mini goal: I'm only Overweight!! I'm looking solid to get to 180 by August 17th. That means I will have lost 10% of my body weight in the first month following surgery and 10% more in months 2-3. Thank you sleeve!!! Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-183.6...............Labor Day goal-179 July 4: 197 July 8: 193.7 July 15: 191.6 July 22: 189.5 July 29: 186.3 August 5: 183.6 August 12: August 19: August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!:

I gained weight to qualify and I have no regrets. The fact is, my weight kept creeping up and I would have eventually got to the qualifying weight without trying, so why not just get it over with? I also agree with wearing some heavier clothes. I wore jeans, thick socks, and thick knit top. Do check to make sure your insurance company does not require a history at that weight though. My insurance (Kaiser Fremont) did not. I knew just diet and exercise was not going to work for me. I had spent years dieting and exercising and even hypnosis. The sleeve is tough, but I am so grateful to be only overweight, not obese and not morbidly obese. And I'm on my way to a normal BMI. I truly wish I could have controlled my eating, but I had to face reality- I couldn't. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

Congrats on the 6 lbs Raine! I continued to eat at lunchtime today after I felt full and I paid a terrible price for it. My stomach cramped for at least 1/2 hr. after I ate. I had heartburn late this afternoon so I took an omeprazole. My tummy still feels a little irritated. I really need to follow MexicaliVSG's advice and be a body listener, not a big mouth. I haven't eaten dinner or had my late night snack and I don't want to. But I will try to eat and meet my Protein goals for the day. August 4, Thursday:Breakfast: Yogurt smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 caloriesLunch: 1/2 C. Homemade chili: 10 grams protein, 150 caloriesPlanned Dinner: 3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt with Splenda: 15 grams protein 95 caloriesPlanned Late Snack:

Raine, I'm glad you are back on track! I love salty snacks too so I feel your pain. Lynda

I'm buying things in small quantities and only shopping in cheaper stores or big sales . For example, I bought two bras, two pairs of workout pants, one pair of jeans, and a few tank tops and one sweater. These clothes are taking me from 190 to 170 or so, By the time I hit 170, I will need smaller things again. I'm not spending much. I got the workout pants for about $15, the tops for $4, the sweater for $12, jeans for $15 and the bras were buy one get one free. I do pay more for bras because at 50+ I need support. If you have lost 50 lbs. no way those sport bras are still doing a good job. I'd buy a couple of new bras if I were you and enjoy them. Lynda

I like it stirred into tomato Soup. Chobani has a site full of recipes, but I haven't tried any of them: http://www.chobani.com/kitchen I drink a greek yogurt smoothie almost every day for breakfast: 3/4 cup . greek yogurt ( I started with 1/2 vup but I can eat more now) 1/8 cup orange juice 1/4 cup Water 2-3 tablespoons Splenda 2 strawberries Blend.

Hi all, I slipped up a bit today. I just can't face another meal or Protein drink tonight and my protein and calories are a bit light today. And I forgot my lunchtime calcium AGAIN. I drank my Protein Drink for lunch because I wanted to go somewhere and I didn't have 20-30 minutes to devote to eating solid protein. Then after dinner, I had a 1/2 graham cracker. And yesterday I had a cookie before I went to bed so actuals for Monday was 830 calories. I really need help remembering my calcium at lunchtime. I am still considering chews because I think if I enjoy it I will make more of an effort. August 3, Wednesday:Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 caloriesLunch: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 caloriesDinner: 1/2 C. Homemade chili: 10 grams protein, 150 caloriesLate Snack: 1/2 graham cracker: 30 calories Protein, 52 grams, Calories: 450, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Forgot my lunchtime calcium todayExercise: Worked out with the trainer for 20 minutes (was 10 minutes late for my 30 minute appt.)

I'm not Irene, but I'll answer anyway You don't have to post what you're eating as part of this challenge, you can simply follow the rules in Irene's first post in this thread and then let us know how you're doing. I'm posting mine to keep myself accountable and to help others see what I'm eating and doing at 2.5 months out. I was getting a cookie and snack habit-- something I need to nip in the bud. Having to write down what I eat helps me leave the Snacks behind. Lynda

I had a burning pain if I did not take my pain meds or if I moved to fast, even with the pain meds. I took meds the first 8 days and was really careful about how I moved. It will go away! Lynda

Congrats Pinkbabe! You rock that skinny girl look! You deserve to be happy, healthy, and fit. College will be a lot more fun now that you are thin enough to run around without pooping out. And skinny girl look will come in handy when meeting new guys Lynda

Congrats! Who know overweight could feel so good :-) Enjoy the gym! Lynda