pink dahlia

i like watching the food channel too, i like grocery shopping and i collect a few cookbooks and cooking mags too, but for some reason i dont like to cook ! I didnt have withdrawls because i didnt have to give up anything ! I still eat 99 % of what i ate before, just smaller amounts. Because i know im only going to be able to eat small amounts im pretty careful to get my protein in as much as possible, and i try to include a bit of fruit or veggies daily. i also have a small treat everyday. For example, this AM i had a handful of raw nuts with my am tea, 10 am a Boost protein drink before i went swimming, noon - a cup of Wendys chili and a small DQ blizzard, dinner will be a small piece of chicken and some brown rice and fruit. Ive lost 37 lbs since Dec 13th, so far this works for me ! Good luck to you !

ooooooh ! i love the Nike one that starts with 'Because it may suck not being etc ....how true, how true !!! !! Okay if i borrow that ? My way to motivate myself was to find an exercise that i could stick with and i didnt hate. So for me its water fitness classes and outdoor walking. ( hope someday to be a runner !) So far ,so good ! Down 35 lbs since mid December, exercise made all the difference. Seeing my clothes get looser and looser is also a huge motivator !!!

you will be sooooooo glad you did it ! Congrats and we'll see you on the other side !

i was in and out so fast im lucky i had time to breathe ! My doc said not to bring my cpap machine as it wasnt needed. he was right, i did just fine . Good luck !

OUCH !! sorry you had to deal with a bitchy SIL, but hey, its not your fault she has issues ! I agree with all the other post's, she's the one with the problem, not you. You look great , by the way and you've put alot of hard work, time and effort into getting yourself healthy Way to go !! Congratulations !!! .I think she's insecure because all of a sudden YOU were the center of attention, not HER !!!! Some people cant deal with it when they are'nt constantly being acknowledged or noticed ALL. THE. TIME. ( Sigh....................I work with one of them.................)

WOW ! Congrats ! This must be a huge change for you in only 10 months ! So whats your secret for losing 122 lbs in 10 months ?? Please share !!

I love my weight watchers scale. it shows weight in small increments like 191.4 instead of just 191. For me thats a big help as i keep track of my weight in a daily log.If the scale goes up 2 lbs or more i start reassesing what diet and exercise has been like for the last 2 days. It really keeps me accountable very quickley !! And oh, its fun to watch that # go down !!!!

im 5'3 and my high goal is 140, low goal is 125. i used to be 125 growing up, but may find 140 is a good weight for me now. Im 53 , i 've had a child and im going thru pre menopause , so my body has changed since my early 20's. As long as im happy and healthy ill settle for 140 lbs.

i can relate because sometimes im impatient too, i want everything yesterday ! but i also understood that this was a daily journey to get to my goal, and like any journey sometimes i was going to go forwards, backwards, or not move at all. but thats all a learning experiance that wont show up on your scale, but is important nonetheless. You WILL get to your goal if you follow your Drs orders about exercise, food choices , etc. it just takes TIME............................ so be patient and when you finally get restriction you be happier, but in the meantime just stick with the rules and try not to measure your sucesses by the scale. sometimes sucesses can come in many different forms, like too tight pants that suddenly fit, not getting winded as much, being able to paint your own toenails( my tummy is shrinking !) etc...........good luck !

fnicole, please tell me how vit e liquid tablets put on your scalp helps with thinning hair? my thin hair has actually gotten thicker since i was banded, i think its all the healthy protein im eating, but i'm interested in your idea ! Advice please !!!

i had lost only 12 lbs when someone commented on my weight loss (thankyouverymuch) but when i had lost 17 lbs and someone i had'nt seen in quite awhile comented " have you lost weight ? your face looks thinner !" Made my day !!! now im down 34 lbs and its really noticeable . today i wore pants and a jacket that i couldnt fit into a month ago and got a "skinny butt" comment from my hubby. Um, thanks honey , but i still weigh 190 lbs, so no "skinny butt", yet !! maybe later !

you should be so proud of yourself ! you are probably looking like" one hot mama !!!" great job ! what are your secrets ? please share ! CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!

im not a medical person either, but i dont think you hurt anything either. i know i cheated at 21/2 weeks too. I couldnt stand another liquid so i ate a little tuna mashed up with a little mayo. heaven !!!!! if you had a big meal i might be concerned but i doubt if a bite of pb is going to hurt that much.

kariew28, what kind of pain are you in ? do you mean the shoulder pains or something worse ? depending on what and how bad your pains are you might want to speak to your Dr. if the pain is worse than your hysterectomy pain you might be having some sort of issue that needs to be addressed. just sayin'. let us know, were here to help ! hope you feel better soon !

I can only hope i get to say the same things at my 1 year bandaversary. Way to go !

To be comfortable in my own skin, to not be exhausted all the time, to not have to wear a sleep apnea mask to bed ( how romantic !)to be healthier and stronger, to not have old aquaintances looked shocked at how much weight ive gained, to look attractive and wear cute, stylish age appropiate clothes, not old lady cotton stretchy stuff that so nicely showed off my double chin and big tummy. Ummmmmmm, oh yeah, i also want to ride a horse, go running without gasping for air while i wear cute running outfits. I could go on but you get the picture.............

Im 4 months banded, have had no problems, can eat anything in small amounts and other that a "bad pulled muscle feeling" on my left side for 10 days i never had any pain . Im down 34 lbs and look and feel so much better ! The only thing i regret is i didnt do it sooner ! You'll be so glad you did this when your clothes start getting loose. Just follow your Dr.s orders and you'll be fine . Good luck !

yes there are times when ive glanced at myself and not reconized myself for all the wrong reasons (too much weight!) so Its nice lately to look in the mirror and like what I see. its a slow journey but will be oh-so-worth-it when i get to goal. Good luck to all !

we have 2-3 good 2nd hand shops nearby ,so i shop there for my clothes . ive gone from a size 18-1x to a size 16, down 32 lbs and im really loosing around the tummy and hip area, so im glad i shop 2nd hand. i like to look to look nice and stylish , and i hate looking sloppy, so when something becomes too loose its nice not to have spent alot. i get nice compliments on my outfits too ! I also pass my too big clothes onto a girl in my support group.She's happy !

congrats ! Great nsv ! i read your profile , it shows you were just banded but have lost 80 some lbs. Did i miss something ? By the way, you look great !!

judych, Ive been banded since Dec 13th, 2011 and im very lucky that i can eat almost anything. The only things that have bothered me was a chicken breast that was too dry, a certain thick potato chip (expands) and i had a bad reaction to a couple of sips of a strawberry margarita(cheap tequila). Nothing else has bothered me including different kinds of meat. I found the turkey jerky was fine as long as i chewed it well and it was'nt as tough or stringy like beef jerky is . turkey jerky is a little softer and not as salty. i eat very small amounts of fish , chicken, steak,pork chops, hamburger, turkey bacon and sausage etc. My hubby does most of the cooking but is diabetic so almost everything we cook is diabetic friendly. Hope this helps, good luck !

im not a big meat eater either, but i dont measure my protein either. i just make sure i eat my protein 1st and fill up on fruits and veggies next. i have found a few favorites. besides eggs, peanut butter and protein shakes i also love Bruce Aidells chicken teriyaki meatballs and Oberto's teriyaki turkey jerky. i get both at Costco but you can probably get them at your grocery store. because of all the protein im getting my hair has actually gotten thicker and healthier ! Bonus ! Good luck !

great question ! i joined the ymca about 6 weeks before being banded and found out i hated weights and the treadmill, but found out i loved the water fitness classes, and i cant wait to get to those 3-4 times a week. along with walking occasionaly those classes have helped me lose 32 lbs in 4 months and i look and feel so much better !! My energy is going up while my too loose pants are falling down ! Exercise has definetly helped with my weight loss. I just plain feel better and my body is toning up better too. good luck !

glad to hear everything went so smoothly. mine went fast and smooth too. the only pain i felt was on the left side for 10 days , felt like a badly pulled muscle. hope all goes well for you. im banded 4 months ago, best decision ever ! Good luck and let us know how you're doing. you've got lots of support here !

congrats ! way to go ! what are your diet and exercise secrets ? care to share ?