NancyJerry

I am so happy. I just stepped on the scale and I weigh 151 lbs. I have increased my calories up to 1000-1200 and actually lost a pound! Wowwwwwww! I was so afraid I would actually gain. I was stuck on believing that I could only eat 900 calories! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! I will see my 140's.

Down a little more this week. Slow but still down and I had an awesome NSV this week. I was doing some much needed clothes shopping for an upcoming business trip and found a shirt I loved but no large. So, on a total whim, I tried on the medium... IT FIT!!
SW - 183.2
CW - 181.2
GW - 173.2

I understand. I don't know about you, but I have a long history of failure to compete with. Don't worry! We'll be fine!

I've been wondering about that. I'm still on very liquid-like foods so I haven't run into this type of problem yet. Good post.

Spirit Fire, (Love the name, btw!) Be careful with carrying pills in baggies. If you ever get stopped and searched by the police for any reason, they can legitimately arrest you for having pills outside their "approved" containers. I seriously doubt they would follow through with the arrest unless it's pain pills, but a friend of mine got hassled a lot by the police at the courthouse over this.

I think it is great you are reaching out. I figure it is never too late to get back on track!!!
A thought would be to start with doing the 5 day pouch test - google it for details.
This is supposed to help you feel like you have some restriction again.
I might also suggest that you start using a tool like myfitnesspal.com and journal EVERYTHING - no exceptions. Target for at least 60 g of Protein and less then 50-60G of carbs. That is not super restrictive but is low enough it will keep the sweets out. There are different ideas of how many calories you should have but it seems like most people are getting around 800 or so during the active weight loss phase. I work out alot, so do sometimes eat more, but 1000 is a pretty big day for me.
I suggest that you not belabor the past, since you can't change it, but each day think about what you will do this day, this week and look forward to much success!

Joni- I do the same thing. That's so funny!

You're gonna get in trouble! I know that Mrs. Dawg isn't gonna be happy to hear about all the girls flirting with you!

I have the same surgery date and I'm down 3-4 pounds more than that. I think we're doing GREAT! I don't remember any diet I've ever followed that's has resulted in this kind of weight loss, and I still feel great!

Look at it this way: you have a 1/2 to 1% chance of a "what if" with the surgery. You have almost a 100% chance of complications associated with your being obese. The cards are completely stacked against you right now. You will never be completely happy and healthy the way you are. You have been given an opportunity to take the reins of your health and take it in the direction you want it to go. If you let it get away, you will probably regret it the rest of your life. It's ok (and normal) to be nervous; but don't let an irrational fear of the unknown prevent you from achieving your dreams. You actually have a 3% chance in the US of dying while giving birth. Then you have about another 5% chance of something being wrong with your baby. I bet those statistics wouldn't stop you if you wanted a child, would they. If I had a 99% chance of winning the lottery, I would take it. I won mine 2/14/12 when I was sleeved.
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It's easy to get married. It's hard to stay married. I see that you have a lot of support her and through your health professionals; but I'd like to add my 2-cents. Please check out this link....http://www.jayandlaura.com/
Really look at their WebSite and even like them on Facebook. I know these people personally and they have a passion for MARRIAGE. If you can arrange it, Jay and Laura do a "Destination Event" on Mackinaw Island (Michigan) and it's 2 days of reconnecting with your spouse. They are bringing in an AMAZING guest speaker from Texas. They also travel all over the US, and even into Canada, for their "Ultimate Date Night" Seminars.
I pray you get the health, help and guidance to do what is best for you. In the meantime, I highly recommend getting a dog. Spend time training the little guy (get a smart one, like a golden retriever) and certify him/her to do therapy work. I did this when it became impossible for me to have children and I didn't know how to feel "fulfilled." The time I spend with my Charlie bringing happiness to others that are in nursing homes, hospitals, schools and libraries is very fulfilling!
Good luck to you!

Hoping and praying for you both - Jewels and Artsy!

@ NancyJerry, Thank you so much. I fell in love with my dress as soon as I saw it on the rack in the store. @Lissa, I am with you, if anyone had told me I would be walking (and wanting to walk) this much only 10 days out, I would have thought they were crazy. It's amazing how much a little bit of movement can really help. You sound like you're doing wonderful with your work outs!!! I can't afford the gym right now, but I am so excited for summer to get here so that I can get in the pool and do some low impact exercises. As for my husband, I should have explained it that a little better. He has only said something the first few days home from surgery....when I went from .25 miles to 3 miles in a day and a half. Once I told him I wouldn't do anything I couldn't, he backed off and has supported me through it all.

The first step in overcoming an issue is to realize there IS an issue! Get rid of the Cereal and concentrate on your Protein and Water goals. BTW, there is no "only" when it comes to weight loss. Next time you go to the store pick up 3 5 lb bags of flour and carry them around while you shop. It will make you realize how much weight you've already dropped and give you some perspective on how successful you've already been. Then it will motivate you to continue following your plan (70g of Protein, 64oz of water) so that you continue to lose those 5 pound bags of flour!
Every time I get frustrated about my weight loss, I think about how many bags of flour or sugar I've lost. I certainly don't want to carry around 18 bags of either one...and my knees, hips and ankles thank me for it daily!

Don't feel clueless and alone. You had surgery April 3, so you are 18 days out? Right? At 3 weeks is when I got to transition to soft mushy food (21 days). Your doctor should have given you a timeline to follow for Clear liquids, then full liquids, then mushy food, then regular food. If not, it's time for a phone call to someone in his office to give you some guidelines.
Search here for the what to eat threads. Many people have posted what they were eating at various stages and specific ideas for how they met that goal.
Good luck...and hang around. We don't bite..much.

during my shower i reached behind to wash my back. My arm went behind me, and extended way past normal. WooHoo, since theres less of me, i can now wash more. WooHoo
kathy

Yay!! Congrats on both successes!!

Thanks Nancy Jerry. That did the trick.

I stall regularly. I am pretty sure the scale won't move for another 2 weeks. Just keep following your plan and the weight will come off!

Friend me ---- njerry------ it's fun to have buddies!

The day when you go from closet to closet and remove all your size 24, 22, 20, 18 and find size 16 is big (today). This was a great day for a post like this for me. I realize there could be deeper meaningful things but, keeping it light here. I have been wearing baggies and decided today, I was done... it was okay to let the clothes go to others. Closet is light now but, that is A-ok.
I hope I can get to size 10, don't think I will make single digit - I am 5'10" but, if I did??
Happy Friday and thanks for the post!!

Happiness is tying my shoes and not being out of breath!

Happiness Is finally getting into a size 6 pants.

Welcome back! Newbies like me need seasoned losers like you to keep us inspired. Your pictures are amazing. Keep up the awesome work - You're beautiful!