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Oh my gosh Jim, you look SO GOOD!! The change is astounding!! You actually look younger even!!!
Very very handsome!

Thank you!! Missy you're so sweet :-)

Oh my gosh Jim, you look SO GOOD!! The change is astounding!! You actually look younger even!!!
Very very handsome!

You talk like 60 pounds isn't a lot of weight! Let me put this in perspective for you: My 10 year old son weighs 67 pounds. You lost almost the equivalent of a 10 year old boy. That is no small feat!! That's A LOT of weight!!
Don't ever compare yourself to others. No one is doing "better" than you are. Your journey is uniquely yours and you're doing beautifully at it.
Don't be so hard on yourself

I agree with both of you about the carbs! I just didn't realize I was restricting them. I was eating my protein first, like a good girl , and just didn't really think about carbs. I have absolutely no desire to eat bread at this point and would kind of like to keep it that way. I added black beans to my dinner last night and the yogurt I'm eating this morning has some carbs too. I guess I just need to pay more attention! Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to break out the quinoa and brown rice tonight.

Granted this is strictly my opinion based on the advice of my own nutritionist, but some people's metabolism do need carbs. Carbs are energy. I just try to eat "good" carbs- like whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and potatoes. I try to stay away from carbs that are white (except potatoes) or anything with the words "bleached" or "enriched" on the label. For me, it works.

You talk like 60 pounds isn't a lot of weight! Let me put this in perspective for you: My 10 year old son weighs 67 pounds. You lost almost the equivalent of a 10 year old boy. That is no small feat!! That's A LOT of weight!!
Don't ever compare yourself to others. No one is doing "better" than you are. Your journey is uniquely yours and you're doing beautifully at it.
Don't be so hard on yourself

You talk like 60 pounds isn't a lot of weight! Let me put this in perspective for you: My 10 year old son weighs 67 pounds. You lost almost the equivalent of a 10 year old boy. That is no small feat!! That's A LOT of weight!!
Don't ever compare yourself to others. No one is doing "better" than you are. Your journey is uniquely yours and you're doing beautifully at it.
Don't be so hard on yourself

Yea....what CG said!
This is your life....not some race to see how fast you can get to some magic number. (although I'm guilty too!) Hell, I'm coming up on four YEARS and not at that scale goal yet.
Some days I eat MUCH more than others...and I'm fairly "tight". But thats life with the band for me....and its working that way.
Be proud where you've come so far.... Try going and carrying around a 60# bag of concrete/whatever for a while..

You sound like me except I am down around 74-79 pounds depending on the day. i know if I was 100% I would be down more. I am very happy, it's not a weight gain like the many many years in the past.
For dinner tonight I am having my 1oz of pasta with my chicken and salad. I know I can not do without everything. Last night I had a wonderful salad and salmon but ate a big ass warm crunchie roll, the insides dug out.
Be happy with what you have done, lost weight!!

you really should stop downing yourself by saying (you only lost 60 pounds)..that is an incredible feat... be proud of that

How did you eat food so soon after surgery? Didn't your doctor/dietitian give you a diet to follow? I know for many weeks it was liquids only. I didn't have real food for 5-6 weeks after the band. You have to let your stomach heal properly. I lived on shakes and Popsicles after the band. I sipped water, a small amount at a time. I never once did anything that was not on my food list.
Be very careful please, so you don't get hurt.

agree with eye candy, seems very soon to eat after surgery....but if your dr okay's it, then so be it.....to help with hunger, eat more protein...i do not see that...per what you wrote.....

These are extremely wise, honest words.
When I finally get to my goal weight I plan on giving myself the same 5 pound threshold. I think that's the mistake a lot of people make- they hit goal then get too relaxed. "oh it's only a 7 pound gain, no biggie" and "I'm still only 11 pounds from goal". Before they know it, they're now 40 pounds above goal and are going "I don't get it, I didn't change anything, how did I gain?!"
I hope others read this blog post. It's excellent!

These are extremely wise, honest words.
When I finally get to my goal weight I plan on giving myself the same 5 pound threshold. I think that's the mistake a lot of people make- they hit goal then get too relaxed. "oh it's only a 7 pound gain, no biggie" and "I'm still only 11 pounds from goal". Before they know it, they're now 40 pounds above goal and are going "I don't get it, I didn't change anything, how did I gain?!"
I hope others read this blog post. It's excellent!

You will definitely get there!!
I've never been a fan of exercise, either. In fact I historically avoid it like the plague lol. Like you, I much prefer to actually "do" something. For instance, mowing the lawn is my job and I actually (oddly) enjoy it. The cool part is, according to my pedometer, I walk almost 2 miles when I mow it, too. I also do all the weeding, hedge trimming, etc.
I think that's why my main form of exercise has always been walking. I actually enjoy walking. I live in a really awesome spot for it too so that helps a lot. There's a lot of wooded paths and beautiful scenery. Because I enjoy it it's never a chore and I never feel like "ugh, I have to go walk a couple miles now". I look forward to my daily 2+ mile walks and get bummed when I can't for some reason.
Perhaps that's what you need to find- something you truly enjoy doing?

"This comes from the fat ass secret code book. (Don't tell anyone I let you in on it.)"
Seriously, I almost spit my water on my screen laughing.
Congratulations on your weight loss and NSV's!

"This comes from the fat ass secret code book. (Don't tell anyone I let you in on it.)"
Seriously, I almost spit my water on my screen laughing.
Congratulations on your weight loss and NSV's!

I'm not a big lover of exercise either. We have a treadmill in the house and I rarely get on it. But I do every now and again. I have osteo so I could only do water aerobics but since I have lost 80 pounds, I decided to try and ride the bicycle. Something I used to do a lot before gaining all that weight. To my surprise I can actually ride. Wow! What a feeling. I ride just about everyday. I guess what I'm trying to say is, maybe the elliptical is not for you. Try and figure out what other exercise you like and just do it. I'm an educator too so I understand what you mean regarding the stress of trying to get things up and running so that is why it is important to find something to help eleviate the stress. Good luck and just make up your mind and do it.

You will definitely get there!!
I've never been a fan of exercise, either. In fact I historically avoid it like the plague lol. Like you, I much prefer to actually "do" something. For instance, mowing the lawn is my job and I actually (oddly) enjoy it. The cool part is, according to my pedometer, I walk almost 2 miles when I mow it, too. I also do all the weeding, hedge trimming, etc.
I think that's why my main form of exercise has always been walking. I actually enjoy walking. I live in a really awesome spot for it too so that helps a lot. There's a lot of wooded paths and beautiful scenery. Because I enjoy it it's never a chore and I never feel like "ugh, I have to go walk a couple miles now". I look forward to my daily 2+ mile walks and get bummed when I can't for some reason.
Perhaps that's what you need to find- something you truly enjoy doing?

That was seriously an awesome blog. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exactly what you're feeling now. I see all these commercials and half are for food (because we need more junk food like we need a hole in the head) and the other half are for the diet I supposedly need to undo all the junk food damage. But wait...there's more! I can buy a nifty cami that will make me look 3 sizes slimmer, but then I *really* need the hair removal cream because I can't been seen looking like a bush woman. Oh and then? I should seriously invest some of those videos that will teach me to exercise and look like I'm a stripper doing a lap dance at the same time, because you know, there's a good chance my boyfriend will buy that beer that shows the woman that looks like a rejected porn star falling all over the guy because he's drinking *that* beer. I need to look like a rejected porn star apparently.
Seriously, really excellent blog post. I hope more read it because you totally nailed it.

That was seriously an awesome blog. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exactly what you're feeling now. I see all these commercials and half are for food (because we need more junk food like we need a hole in the head) and the other half are for the diet I supposedly need to undo all the junk food damage. But wait...there's more! I can buy a nifty cami that will make me look 3 sizes slimmer, but then I *really* need the hair removal cream because I can't been seen looking like a bush woman. Oh and then? I should seriously invest some of those videos that will teach me to exercise and look like I'm a stripper doing a lap dance at the same time, because you know, there's a good chance my boyfriend will buy that beer that shows the woman that looks like a rejected porn star falling all over the guy because he's drinking *that* beer. I need to look like a rejected porn star apparently.
Seriously, really excellent blog post. I hope more read it because you totally nailed it.

Honestly? I'm no doctor, and spinal taps aren't fun, but I'd insist on one. As you wisely stated, there are many other diseases and illnesses that can mimic MS. Lyme Disease is a common one and unlike MS, it's 100% curable.
I think the second opinion is a great idea, btw. I know this is hard but it's really good you're taking such a pro-active approach.

SO well written! A very sad commentary on our society indeed! It's no wonder why 12 year old girls dress like porn stars, and at 16, already looking to plastic surgery. Pathetic.......so unbelievably sick. And it just seems to get worse.

That was seriously an awesome blog. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exactly what you're feeling now. I see all these commercials and half are for food (because we need more junk food like we need a hole in the head) and the other half are for the diet I supposedly need to undo all the junk food damage. But wait...there's more! I can buy a nifty cami that will make me look 3 sizes slimmer, but then I *really* need the hair removal cream because I can't been seen looking like a bush woman. Oh and then? I should seriously invest some of those videos that will teach me to exercise and look like I'm a stripper doing a lap dance at the same time, because you know, there's a good chance my boyfriend will buy that beer that shows the woman that looks like a rejected porn star falling all over the guy because he's drinking *that* beer. I need to look like a rejected porn star apparently.
Seriously, really excellent blog post. I hope more read it because you totally nailed it.