jhansen71

Thanks. I hope others will join me with their pictures. I'm half way to goal and can not imagine what those NSV pictures will look like.

Okay, so I thought it would be fun to post pictures of NSV's. Pictures motivate me so I thought it would be fun to post all kinds of them showing an NSV. I have posted 5 examples, but they can be anything, like a seatbelt that is too big, extra room in a seat, 2 people in your old pants, etc. Funny or serious, no feat too small pictures can help us through our stalls (hey, that rhymed). We can use these pictures to reflect back on the progress by SEEING our NSVs. Surgery Date: 3/13/12 SW: 243.6 CW: 193.6 5'5" 1st picture: my watch was tight when I went in for surgery 2nd picture: my feet shrunk and now my shoes are too big 3rd picture: my size 18w can be pulled down without unbuttoning 4th picture: I can't wear my wedding rings-they fall off 5th picture: I can cross my legs Please post yours!!!!

Little bits- welcome to the losers bench! I hope you have a speedy recovery and tons of weight loss!!!!

I had lost a lot of weight a few years back and went through some pretty rough personal things and gained it all back and then some. The smallest I got was a size 12 and I was very fit. However, I remember feeling like people were staring at me while I was shopping because I didn't belong in a regular size department. I know it was in my head, but never the less, I never felt small until I gained my weight back. It was probably a good experience to go through since now I am back down to a 14 and they are getting loose. This time around I seem to care less what others think and I'm just focused on me. I think we all have some type of body dismorphia having been obese and it will take time to work through it. Good luck to you and please know you are not alone in how you feel. Congrats on all your success!

Can I join you all? My user name is jhansen71

Wow! I've had stalls (3 to be exact) and have never lost 7 lbs in 1 week. I'm so envious! Congratulations!

Okay so I have done something crazy... I added up the total number of people participating in this challenge. There are 46 people in this challenge. We set some big goals of 678.9 lbs lost by July 4th. So far we have lost 120.8 lbs, but this only includes 18 people who have weighed in so far. So we have 3 weeks left and many more people to weigh in at some point by July 4th. We might actually make it considering close to a 3rd of us weighed in at only 2 weeks into the challenge and lost a whopping 120.8 lbs! We have 3 weeks left July 4th losers. Let's meet this goal of 678.9. We can do it!!!

You are in a stall, yuck! I was in one for 3 weeks prior to this last week and the difference for me is logging on and recording my food on myfitnesspal.com as well as drinking alll my water and working out 3-4 times. I think stalls happen regardless, but maybe a little more diligence will help. Good luck!!!

My goals for last week: 1. Get to 197.8 or less 2. Work out 3 times 3. Track all my food in myfitnesspal 4. Finish week 2 and start week 3 of Couch to 5k and use my brand new FitBit every day. Here is what I did: 1. Got to 196.2-now I officially feel like I'm in Onederland! 3.6 lbs lost 2. Worked out 4 times 3. Tracked all my food in myfitnesspal 4. Started week 3 of Couch to 5k and did not quite use my fit bit everyday (stayed by water in a swimsuit for 3 days so couldn't) 6.2 lbs to go for this challenge with 3 weeks left to go... Next week's goal: 1. Get to 193.6- this would take me to 50 lbs lost since pre-op and half way to goal 2. Work out at least 4 times 3. Track all my food in myfitnesspal 4. Finish week 3 and start week 5 of Couch to 5k 5. Use my FitBit every day Good luck everyone!!!!

WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Awesome achievement, you should be so proud of yourself. Congrats!

I tell everyone if they ask. I find that it has helped me tremendously in many situations. For example, we stayed at a beach house this weekend and I was asked 6 different times what I wanted to drink with my meals. The people I was with kept forgetting that I can't eat and drink together. One of them even laughed and said "I forget all the rules". I was also offered vodka and tonic, but my friend soon remembered that tonic had carbonation and she offered me something else. I don't have to lie or make up stories, I can just be me with all my new little eating quirks and I find people are more than supportive and proud of me in my quest to a healthier life. I had lap band prior and had to lie to people about why I was choking on food or throwing up. I hated it and decided to be honest this time around. To each their own, but I'm so much happier with my decision to share.

I am a band to sleeve revision and I would be happy to speak with you or your mother about my experience with both. You can go to all the seminars in the world, but nothing can compare to people with real experiences. I encourage you to reach out to several band to sleevers and see why they made the decision to switch. BTW, my mother was the same way and I was 37 during my band procedure and 40 for my sleeve. She had the same feelings the second time around, but ultimately it was my decision. Being a mother myself I understand why mom's are the way they are. We never stop being their babies, even at 20, 30, 40 and so on. Good luck with your decision and send me a message if you want more information on why I chose a sleeve revision.

I was still so weak 3 weeks post op and did not really start exercising until about 5-6 weeks. I think you are doing great, but listen to your body. Remember if you have a c-section you are not released for exercise until 6 weeks and this surgery is more invasive so if you can't really ramp up your exercise until 6 weeks post op this is normal and understandable. Your body is still in shock and in recovery from surgery. Your weight loss will come soon enough, but take care of you first.

A few things... I was stalled 9 days post op for 3 weeks. You talk about disappointed, but the 4th week I dropped 4 lbs and had consistent weight loss until the next stall (I am 12 weeks post op and on my 3rd stall). I've lost 44 lbs so it will happen for you too. You just need to prepare yourself mentally that stalls ARE going to happen and be ready to ride them out. The other thing I wanted to share (and I consider this my 3rd stall) is that my body has wanted to hang on to the 200 mark. 5 weeks ago I weighed 204.6 and like you I have been working out, eating Protein and even drinking a ton of Water and I finally got under the 200 mark yesterday (barely at 199.8). I would lose a few ounces, then gain a pound, lose a few ounces and gain back some ounces, etc. for 5 weeks this was happening. I still may go back over 200, but at least I know it won't got to 204.6 as I have slowly been losing ounces. We all go through stalls at different times and for different lengths, but hopefully hearing other people's stories it will show you how similar our journeys can be and seeing someone further out than you will give you hope and understanding that this is all normal. Good luck to you and the rest of us losers!!!

At 10 weeks I had lost 41 lbs. Now 12 weeks and have lost almost 44 lbs. I started at 243.6 lbs. I hit Onederland today, but barely at 199.8. I'm not going to celebrate too much until the scale reads 198 or 197. I could breath in air at this point and teeter right back over the 200 lb mark. it might also help to know heights, I'm 5'5". Keep losin' everyone.

So you lost over 5 lbs??? AWESOME!!!! Great success, looks like you'll make goal. 4 more weeks...

Great job BrandiMarie! I'm glad to see you set a new goal and I can't wait to Celebrate your victory when you blow the doors off this one too! Woo Hoo!!!

WOW!!!! You rock! Congrats!!!