gowalking

Hang in there Bee...all you want will come your way soon enough. I take up alot less space these days. I fit anywhere...and I mean anywhere. Restaurant booths, theater seats, airplane seats, subway/bus seats....etc, etc. Last year on our family cruise, I couldn't get off the ship, I was so large and in so much joint pain. This year, my son and I are doing the sub and snorkle reef dive excursion. I may even do the zipline if I get up the nerve. I still can't believe it but yes, I know I can zipline and not worry about taking the whole thing down with me...or even worse, have them tell me I can't do it because I'm too heavy. I can't say it enough...I got my life back my friend, and so will you. Bless you and please keep us posted.

And I'm so happy for you. This post made me grin from ear to ear. Sending out a big ole hug to you. This is a great NSV!!

I won't lie to you. The pre-op and post-op diets suck big time. But you just have to do it. It's as simple as that. I doesn't last forever and you just have to put your big girl panties on and follow the rules. If you do...and continue to follow the rules, you will do well and be successful. I was so terrified of what my life would be like after being banded and now I can't imagine life without it. I had no life before. I was morbidly obese and quickly losing my mobility. Now I'm normal. I fit anywhere. My forum name is gowalking because that was my hope. Well guess what? I can walk again. It's a friggin' miracle to me. No more cane, no more having to struggle to walk one lousy block. I wore a size 26/28 pants. Today I'm a size 10. I love to shop again. It's fun instead of something to fear. I exercise...I talk to people again. I love my life and this band made it all possible. Do you think I care that I had to do liquids for a few weeks? I didn't. And neither will you in a year. Good luck honey...you will be fine...I promise. Oh...and I attached my before and after pic so you can see what the band did for me.

Every doctor seems to have his or her own protocol regarding alcohol, carbonation, and caffeine. I don't drink soda. I used to drink a ton of it and now I just don't. You get used to it. My doctor has no issue with alcohol and caffeine in moderation. I stay away from cocktails..too much sugar/calories. I drink a glass or two of white wine when I'm out to dinner. And yes..the smaller you are, the more you will feel the effects so be aware of that. I also drink coffee but again, in moderation. Two cups max. And I mean cups....not mugs. Here's the whole point of this my friend. Nothing...and I mean nothing tastes as good as thin or normal feels. I know you can see my ticker but take a look at my before and after pics. Amazing..huh? Yes...those are both pictures of me.

That article is me. I have lost half my body weight and I have always been honest on this forum. I see a therapist because I don't recognize myself in the mirror. I find I resent compliments at times. They just remind me of how big I was. I'm tired of hearing people say that that they didn't realize it was me. (I was out of the office for several weeks on medical leave). I know I have issues and I'm working on dealing with them so I don't become one of those folks who starts a topic saying they have 'fallen off the wagon.' I don't mind when I know I'm having a NSV but I'd just as soon people get used to what I look like now and leave it alone. Oh, and I also go to a physical therapist as well. Just like the article mentioned, I had very limited mobility and there is alot of damage even with all the weight off. I have no muscle strength and my balance is still poor. Just goes to show you that while my ticker says I've reached goal, that's just a number. I'm still very much on this journey.

Hey Princess (and you are), I've been very upfront on this forum about my struggles. I see a therapist to help me deal with the internal issues I'm going through. I've lost half my size and when I look in the mirror, I have no idea who's looking back. Just the other day, one of my doctors said I was half a Liz. It was meant as a compliment but I heard it differently. Like what was wrong with the whole Liz. And then I wondered what else was half of me. What else was less? Could it be my compassion? My strength? My reserve? See what I mean? This is so much more than a weight loss journey. It's a life changing journey in every sense of the word. Again...it's why I stay on this site and post. People need to be encouraged but they also need to know the challenges as well. Great to have you here and again, best of luck...I know you'll do great.

Great start mocca. That's alot of weight to drop in the beginning. I'm sure you've heard alot of it already...eat smart, eat slow, small bites, etc. Can I give you a little different advice? Because you've already lost a great deal of weight, try not to weigh yourself too often. It might feel like you are failing (which you are not) once the weight loss slows down. Find NSVs instead of checking your numbers. That's the best thing you can do because there are alot more of those even if the scale isn't moving. Good luck and keep us posted!

what a great thread and great responses. you are all kind and thoughful ladies and it reminds me why I am so glad I found this site back when I was pre-banded and scared to death of what my future held.

Look at you, rockin' them red heels. Good for you beautiful lady!

Oh cool. I never met Dr. Fielding but Mrs. Dr. Fielding did my procedure. She looks good on TV...lol.

All I can do is add to the list of congratulations. You are doing so well and I too am so glad to have gotten to know you. I enjoy reading your posts and am enjoying following your progress.

Many of you know of my journey from very limited mobility, joint pain, and morbid obesity to a nearly normal life. Things are still new for me and I'm continuing to find amazement when I can do or participate in normal activities. I know alot of you run, do strenuous exercise, etc. I'm not there yet and I may never be. But I know that right now my version of a 5K is when I can step over the tub to get into the shower. When I can move comfortably in the small half bath in the kid's vacation home. When I can climb up onto the picnic table to take a picture with my son on Mother's Day. When I can get in and out of their Suburban. When I can simply walk and keep up in Walmart. When I can shop for clothes and change in and out without sweating like it was 100 degrees in the store. I'm not being dramatic here people. I'm telling the truth. I've been reborn. I've gotten my life back and I will be grateful for the rest of my life to have this tool I've been given. I can't believe how many years I wasted eating to excess and watching my world shrink as I got heavier and sicker. I try to justify it by saying I'd never appreciate what I have now if I didn't hit bottom first. Maybe...I don't know, all I see is how much time I wasted. Ugh. OK, on to a more positive thought process. I just wanted to say again that I'll always be grateful for the caring and support I get on this site. You've all been a part of my success and I thank you for that. Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Good for you my friend. Taking action is what it's all about. My niece is in Cincy as is one of my preferred vendors. Hoping to get there sooner or later to check out your fair city. Support is so important and it's good that you are going to a group and are here on this forum as well. I know for a fact that I wouldn't have been so successful without these good people on the site helping me out.

You're beautiful. You shine, you really do. Wonderful job. Congrats.

I also have a pretty swimsuit with a skirt and cannot wear it for Water exercise. So I put on a regular suit and just suck it up knowing my flabby tummy and thighs and scars from hip replacement surgery are out there for everyone to see. I just do my best to not think about it....

You can get a UTI from alot of things including not drinking enough Water, or even wearing synthetic underwear. You may have to bite the bullet and go to the doctor if it continues just to find out the root cause of these multiple events. Good luck dear. I hope you get some relief.

Hi Janey: I've always been a hairy beast...LOL! I started getting the facial hair waxed oh...about a year or so ago and I've noticed that it's much lighter than it used to be. So much so that I've stopped with the daily tweezing ritual. You might want to check out the cost and see if it's do-able for you.

great pics and I just love the dress you have on. The pic of you alone is so south florida..lol. I was whining earlier this week and I went down a size - wearing size 12 dress. : : Me & my mom today Happy Mother's Day!

Oh Alex...I've had two children and am down more than 120 lbs. It just has to look good on me. And I don't care about the size as long as I'm not in the women's (plus) section anymore...which I'm not.

Hooray for crawfish! I love it because it's alot of work for just a morsel of meat. Should keep you plenty occupied and no chance of overeating..LOL! Have a wonderful celebration and a great Mother's Day. Everything is good here in The Big Apple. Hope to see you on the cruise to lose next year!

Oh what an eye opening NSV just now. I'm here in my office today and the place is like a freezer. Cold as all get out. I have a long sleeve blouse on but I'm just frozen to the bone. My very slender colleague comes into my office to chat and I tell him how cold I am and he offers me his fleece jacket that the company gave out a couple of years ago. I got one of these fleeces also but quickly gave it to my son because even the extra large didn't fit. So when Claude offers me his fleece, I take him up on it hoping it isn't too small because I still think I'm fat damn it! Well...I'm sitting here typing and warm as can be....and zipped up to the neck. Not only does the thing fit but it's got extra room as well. This is what normal must feel like. To be offered an item of clothing and not realizing the person offering isn't wondering if it will fit....they know it will fit. I need to remember this NSV to help me to see what everyone else does....

Let us know what happens.

Wonderful post my friend. How are things in The Big Easy?

Wow. So sorry about the separation. I suspect you are eating purely based on emotion. If yes, you will just have to change it. Structure is what I suggest. Go on myfitnesspal and enter everything you are putting in your mouth. If you don't weigh out your food, start doing it. If you pre-plan and stay structured this way, it will probably be easier to say no to food you shouldn't eat, and the amounts as well. Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

well then sis...we're gonna have to meet up one of these days.