gowalking

Just as an aside...methotrexate did nothing for me and I went off them. Am taking low dose steroids now and honestly, they are not working. I see my rheumatologist next week and will discuss upping the dose, or going off them. I know that I have been indulging more than I should with some food items I need to eat less often, but I also find that even when I eat clean, I can't seem to get those ten pounds off either...so I'm wondering if the meds are making it more difficult for me to get back to that 120-125 range that I'd prefer to be at.

It's an odd feeling...no longer 'belonging' to a plus sized store or department. I was just in Avenue with my sister a couple of weeks ago and looking around as she was. I've been out of plus sizes for about three years now so the knee jerk reaction to shop there has gone. But I still looked anyway...and absolutely felt out of place while there. Sorta like feeling out of place in a regular store for all those years I couldn't shop there. Luckily, this feeling was met with relief rather than dread.

Keep dancing Debbie!

My brother is a marathon runner and I know the dedication and discipline it takes to do this. I am in awe of you because not only did you lose the weight, but that you went on to take up this challenge of running a marathon...again, amazing. I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy...

The best!!

My dear girl...haven't you had enough of her bullsh*t already? The hardest thing to do sometimes is move on. You know that's what you need to do. Please don't take this the wrong way, but I have several friends who are lesbians and I've seen this type of behavior with many of them in that they seem to not be able to end a relationship when that is the logical step. It's always 'let's stay in touch' and I don't get that. This woman was a huge part of your life...you loved her and likely still do. Doesn't mean you should be involved with her though. Think seriously of cutting all contact. In my opinion, that is the step you need to take before being able to move forward. Wishing you all the best...

Welcome friend! See...you just made one.

There are two types of bariatric patients. Those who are chomping at the bit to get the surgery and get going, and those who have fear, cold feet, buyers remorse... however you want to put it. All I can say being on the other side for coming up to four years banded in January, is.....do it man! All the nonsense with timing, appointments, family stuff, personal stuff, whatever...is just that. Nonsense. Don't procrastinate my friend. Jump into the deep end. Believe me...you will be in such a better place a year from now. Why delay that? And so you know...I went into this kicking and screaming. I would have done anything to avoid it but my back was against the wall as I was heading towards a wheelchair full time. This is me just over a year ago and the before pic was easily 50 lbs. less than I was day of surgery. So..not only no wheelchair in that picture, but here I was riding a friggin' bike in preparation for a trip to London...which included a ton of walking. So believe me when I say that the grin you see is 'gen-you-wine' happiness. Time for you to have your happiness too. Good luck!!

You do know my dear, that you've already hit your goal, right? That picture of the smiling woman wearing regular sized clothes is the epitome of success. Congrats once more.

Well...I don't know that I should be grateful and/or proud, but it's still my best ever someone noticing my weight loss story. Here goes: I was out of work for about three months due to several health issues surrounding my bi-lateral hip replacement back in October 2013. When I was back in the office, I was taking cabs to and from the train station to work as I was still on a cane and still getting my strength and mobility back. The majority of the cabbies are from India and other Asian countries and as such, English is not their first language and the nuances are often lost on them. With that in mind, I could only say thank you when a cabbie who knew me well, commented on my weight loss by loudly and happily saying 'You not fat anymore!'

Apologizing in advance for the length of this post but here goes my 'deleting my online profile' story: So...I met a guy on Zoosk in the spring of 2015. No attraction on my part, and every time we went out, I said to myself that I would end it. Problem was...I really enjoyed spending time with him. Eventually we did become a couple and I hid my profile rather than delete it. Glad I did because after nine months of dating, he blindsided me and dumped me. We were not in love and I'm fairly certain in time, the relationship would have limped along till one of us made the move to end it. But because I wasn't prepared, it hit me like a ton of bricks and brought up all kinds of rejection issues for me and well.....you ladies know how this part goes...what did I do wrong?, why was I not good enough?, yada yada yada. What I did know when the relationship was over, was that I wanted to be with someone so crying hysterically, I resubscribed back onto Zoosk and JDate, which I had also shut down but not deleted my profile from. To my complete surprise, I met a man on JDate in June and we have been having a great time together. This relationship is nothing like with the other guy. This new one and I have so much in common and we enjoy talking about all kinds of things and doing so many of the same things. I wrote on another thread that he might be the lid to my pot and so far, it's going gangbusters. I know he deleted his profile from both Match and JDate a few weeks ago and knew that I had not. It wasn't that I was dating anyone else...I just wasn't ready to shut it down again. Last night I went onto Zoosk because I was getting email notifications from them and on a whim, went onto the site. Just for the heck of it, I looked up former boyfriend's profile...which he had not reactivated when I first went back onto Zoosk..and sure enough, he popped up this time. I looked at his profile..his new profile by the way...and the updated pictures on it. And that's when I knew...time to shut down my profile. It's not that I don't hope he finds someone...I'm not that petty. I just know more than ever now, that he's my past, and it's time to focus on my future..and with this new man in particular. Now...if I could just figure out how I managed to send old boyfriend a friggin' friend request on FB, it would be great. I swear I have no idea how I did that, but I did. I can't unfriend him now...not after sending that request...even by accident. Oh..and why he accepted that request is beyond me. But if I'm lucky, he'll see the pictures of me and the new guy, and delete me from his feed...

...and this is how grownups resolve misunderstandings. Thank you.

Hi Babbs! Glad to see you posting. BTW...per this thread, I know bananas are not the best choice, but every once in a while with my Cereal...bananas are good.

Just another before and after pic to inspire my bariatric pals wherever they may be on their journey. I don't like to dwell on what was but I can't help but think what my granddaughter and I missed out on because of how my size interfered. I try to make up for it with my grandson by staying healthy and doing as much as possible with him.

Great idea...to have a regain forum. At my lowest, I was 113 lbs. I'm now at 133. I didn't ever expect to stay at 113 but I do want to be between 120-125. So I'm approximately 10 lbs. more than I'd like. My clothes still fit but some are tight. I don't want to wear tight clothes unless they are tight in the right areas. I REFUSE to buy larger sizes. I just won't go there again and have my closet look like a clothing store...with items in every size. So, each and every day, I vow to eat clean. Some days I do...and some I don't. I don't consider myself a bad person if I gained...but I adjust if I have seen the scale go in the wrong direction. Most important, is I remember that I'm mobile and normal sized and can do pretty much anything I want. That was not always the case. I remember that I can catch up to my toddler grandson as he runs around, and can also hang with my teenaged granddaughter while she plays softball and volleyball. Was a time I was unable to fly to see her because of the weight. Point is...I live my life and it's not based on the number on the scale. If I can't get it to go down..I head back to the doctor for an additional fill. I also reign in what I know are bad choices and start anew. Sorry for not focusing more on the specifics of weight gain....but I also wanted to note where the focus should be..or at least where I think the focus should be.

Yeah, yeah!! I read this article yesterday and also wanted to post it. I had a feeling someone would. So insightful of how the fashion industry hates fat women. We all know it...but to hear it out loud (so to speak) gives credit to what we've been dealing with for so long. The designers would rather lose a potentially huge money making market than have their clothes worn by larger sized women. They are OK with less than perfect sized women..as long as they are not fat women. BTW..ever seen a model up close? I have. I live in Manhattan and see these models out and about all the time...especially during Fashion Week. They are horrible thin..and taller than the majority of women. Yes..they stand out...but not in a good way. This is the standard by which the fashion industry judges women's bodies. No wonder we hate ourselves.

Sweetie...here's what I did to lose the weight. I kept track of every single thing that went in my mouth via the myfitnesspal app...and I followed a basic WW type of plan...3 oz Protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. That and some exercise...not tons, but enough to keep me moving. Hope that helps some.

Sent you a PM.

I also suffer from DJD which includes an 'unstable' spine. My vertebrae move all over the place and I suffer from multiple issues due to that. My doctor(s) have said that surgery is not an option...that the 'cure' is worse than my disease. I've been told the best thing is to work the core muscles so they can take up the slack for the unstable vertebrae. So....personal training..here I come.

I'm surprised, but I kinda like the boots with the heels. Regardless, you look like a million bucks and I expect you'll knock their socks off!

I went shopping today because I desperately needed pants that fit. I wasn't sure what would fit so I tried on 16's and they were too big. Then I tried on 14's and they were kinda loose. I thought just for jiggles I'd try on some 12's and they fit! I was so shocked I actually broke down crying in the changing room. I have always been good at keeping my emotions locked down tight, but in there at that moment, I totally lost it and started bawling and LOUD. The changing room attendant knocked on the door and asked if I was ok. It took me awhile, but I managed to get the words out that I was ok and that I had found out I was a smaller size than I thought I was. I'M sure she thought I had lost my ever loving mind, but for me, this is a monumental thing. I had been an overweight kid and an obese adult, my entire life! The size I put on and zipped up, I NEVER had been that size. The closest I had to being that size was a size 11 juniors in 4th grade, so here I am, over 30yrs later and I am finally smaller than I was in 4th grade. It was monumental. I also discovered why it's important to check the price tag before falling in love with a pair of pants because $115 for a pair of pants I probably won't get more than a couple months wear out of was just too much, so I had to put them back. Broke my heart, but I did go on to find other 12's and some 14's that worked and I am officially not plus sized anymore. I can shop in the regular section with all the cute clothes!❤️ From 32/34 and some 36 down to a size 12 in less than a year...all I can say is wow! Thanks RNY for giving me a life I didn't know was attainable! How much do I love this post? More than I can say. I've been following your posts and weight loss journey and this makes me happy beyond happy. I feel like I was there with you as I went through the same thing. We all have our moments when something happens that lets us know we are just normal people again...or sometimes for the first time. Again, let me say as my signature notes.......nothing..and I mean NOTHING...tastes as good as being normal sized feels.

I just reconnected on FB with one of the vets and she will start to post again, but yes...while looking up older posts, I see how many of the people who helped and supported me, gone gone gone. I can only hope they are doing well, and be grateful that when I was a newbie, they were here for me. This site, and the people on it, were integral in my success and I'll never forget them.

Everyone's 'sweet spot' is different Kathleen. I lost 150 lbs. with no fills. I'm maintaining with about 4 cc's but others have their bands filled with more Fluid or less depending on what works for them. Sounds to me like you need more fills if you are back at your pre-surgical weight. If you think you are being over charged, look around for other doctors...and see what they charge.

I'm in Manhattan @Ianey but will support you however I can. Good luck and text if you have any questions and I'll try to help answer them for you.

Congrats! Follow your surgeon's instructions and you'll do fine.