Lila21

FeedYourEye, that was so brilliantly said! I think you are sooo right. I find that when I don't lose, I get discouraged and then my behavior gets inconsistent. I need to just focus on the habits and believe that the pounds will follow! And enjoy all the little changes....

Coops, I'm sorry to hear you are struggling. I'd say you could also try swimming for exercise. I am considering running in the water because my knee is bugging me (grrrr.....). I am going to try to stay focused even when the scale is not cooperating because I feel like the little binges I do when the scale isn't moving ultimately hurts me. Also, maybe considering lifting more weights so that even if you aren't doing as much cardio you are still building strength. You can do it! I believe in you!

Coops, today I was looking for something in an old drawer, and I came across a pair of "pre-surgery" jeans. For the heck of it, I tried them on, and it was so amazing to realize how HUGE I was before. My goal literally represents the weight of a person (and not even a skinny person). Getting to goal means I will have lost 150 lbs. Crazy, huh? I have lost approx. 110 lbs so far (a supermodel!). Crazy to think about....

Wow, so many of you are so close to goal! I still have a ways to go, but right now I am focusing on my healthy habits! I've done pretty well with getting the Christmas sweets out of the house, I ran another 3.5 miles yesterday, and I am setting up my schedule to ensure I get good workouts and healthy meals next week! Go US!!! Also, I am officially in the 180s now, so that's a relief. Now, let's hope I don't stay in them too long! Good luck to us all! Doing great!

Coops, congrats on your boxing NSV! I think that's awesome! And congrats, Thin, on getting back to the gym. Escape, you are soooo close, that's really exciting! I did OK today. I'm trying to figure out the balance of getting back into the gym. I am still sore from my run on Sunday, so I think I overdid it. I've done pretty well with the food, but I find that my carbs are still a bit high. I feel good that i am re-focusing however. Day by day, getting better and healthier.

p.s. Coops, good on ya for going to your boxing gym, and doing well on your carbs and protein! STAY POSITIVE (and i will too :-))))

Hey there, everyone! For some reason, I can no longer get emails when people update :-(. I guess I'll just have to try to check often! I am working on a few things right now. 1) Back to basics: upping Protein, cutting out sweets, and making sure I do more of my own cooking. I am also really working on my fitness. On New Year's day I ran 4 miles, woot! My plan is to get into the following schedule: RUNNING 2 X PER WEEK KICKBOX 2 X PER WEEK STRENGTH TRAIN 2-3 X PER WEEK, and hopefully getting stronger in each area as each week progresses. I have to say, I am really sore from my new year's day run.... but I am happy that I got started. Tomorrow, I am trying a strength training class, and Thursday, I'll start my kickboxing class. Wish me luck!

I have really slacked the last couple of months. Life events got in the way, and I got off track. I know that if I focus again, I can start to make progress again! So, I am excited to do this! Let's kick some butt, guys!!! SW: 190 GW: 180 CW: 190

Hey guys, I have been *super* slacker in the last couple of months. I am stuck with about 40 lbs to lose, and I want to lose it this year. I am really happy with the results I've had, and I think the sleeve has done wonders for me, but I need to dig a little deeper and work harder to get to goal. Let's do it in 2012!!!

OMG, Tiff, Congratulations!!!! I haven't checked in for a bit, and was soooooo happy to see this!!! Wonderful news!!!!!

Hi Coops! I'm sorry you are dealing with this! For the exercise, do you know about using intervals to up your burn? I'm going to try it and see if it helps, since my weight loss has slowed down a lot, as well. Basically, you go at a normal pace and then you up the intensity for about 1-3 minutes. It should be less intense than a sprint, but it should be challenging. Regarding the ice, I think if you bring an insulated stainless steel thermos, it will keep the ice pretty well for much of the day. I am on a board called "Fly Lady" which is all about organization, but she sells these stainless steel water bottles that people rave about. Might be worth checking out something like this: http://shop.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_swb16.asp. I read a "testimonial" about this thermos last night, and it made me think of your dilemma. Hope that helps!

4 more lbs. I may actually make this goal! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21.............199..................194................190...............4

I've been sick and not working out, so i've been stalling... I am revising my goal, and fingers crossed that I make it!! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21.............199..................197................190...............7

I watched it, too. I found it actually quite comforting because the procedure I watched seemed fairly simple. I think that's something for each person to decide, and I worried that watching it might freak me out, too, so I'm glad it didn't!!

Wow, Diva! You look so great! I was scared to do my boobs before, but you look so great I think I might add to my list of post-op goals!!!

Mina, you look GORGEOUS! Your sister better make room on that model pedestal because here comes Mina!!!! Great job!

LOL, MsC, I love your post! When keepin' it real goes wrong! Hahahaha. I definitely agree that fat people are the last bastion of prejudice in this country. I think people who don't suffer with obesity don't have any idea of how hard we work and how much we struggle to get our bodies to do what other people's bodies do naturally. One of my good friends is a tiny asian lady, and she readily admits that she eats at least twice as much as I do, and she doesn't work out (and this was BEFORE WLS). I think most people who are disdainful of WLS have no idea how much work most obese people already do to try to get and STAY thin. Because they have never dealt with it, they think that we must shovel down 3 pizzas for lunch every day in order to be at such an unhealthy weight. So, they rationalize that we just need to cut down to only one pizza a day to get to a healthy weight. Anyway, thanks for "keepin' it real" and best of luck in your surgery next week! I know you'll do great!

You look wonderful! I would NEVER in a million years have guessed your age, you look so young! Great result, congratulations!

Wow, you look amazing! You lost it so fast, too!!! You are such an inspiration that you did that in 6 months-- wowowwowowow!!! Keep up the wonderful work, and thanks for sharing!

Awww, Coops, you are just the best! Thank you for your positivity! I totally agree that it's hard to feel that you've lost weight sometimes, but I can tell from your picture that you are looking GREAT! Also, I wanted to echo the other folks who said, "DON'T HOLD BACK!" I love your posts and your humor, and just your lovely spirit! many hugs to you, lovely lady! xoxo

I have to say, I think M2G makes a great point. I often see people noticing I've lost weight (like they'll do a double-take), and then I can see that they struggle about what to say. And often, they will say nothing at all. I think it is definitely a case of them trying to be polite and not comment on my weight, and I think for men it is less of an issue. I definitely recommend that you share this insight with your wife because it is something that I think is pretty common. As to jealousy, I understand that one, too. My boyfriend was always rail thin no matter what he ate, and I have definitely experienced some jealousy over his fast metabolism when my own weight loss was slow. Now that I am sleeved, I don't feel jealous :-). But, I can understand the frustration, for sure! Just remember that it's a personal issue for her, and that even though it's hard for her, she is still really proud of you. She just has her own issues to work through as well!

OK, I am on this train!!! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21.............199..................199................180...............19

Wow, five times? Congratulations on your persistence, this must be so frustrating! I wish I had an answer for you on the insurance, but I only know Blue Cross. I hope it works out for you this time!!!

Coops, I am sooooo happy for you!!! I can't tell you the number of times I've gained patience and insight through your sharing your journey! Things have slowed down a lot for me, and my surgeon has NOT been very encouraging. He seems to think that if I don't lose all my weight by the 9th month, then it just won't happen. You are proof that he is wrong, and I take so much inspiration from your great attitude!!! I send you the biggest cyber hugs across the pond for helping us slower folks to feel encouraged! Slow and steady wins the race! xoxoxoxoxo