enjoythetime

LOL....TMF, at first I thought you were going to tell me I looked like shrek in my before pic, which I would completely agree with only I perfer Fiona:-). You're so sweet! You're one of those people I mentioned who have been a huge inspiration and source of encourangement for me along my journey!!!!! Thanks!

Sorry but this made me laugh because I thought the same thing, however, have you tried some of the 1/2 shirts with a tank underneath? I actually bought one they're really cute on. I had the same thought and then I said why not try it:-)

I started my journey at 33 years old, weighing 289lbs on a 5'1" frame, and looked like I had no neck or eyes:-) My blood pressure was 180/98. This surgery was my ONLY hope because without it I knew I was only going to get bigger and the healthy issues more severe. So, One year ago today I remember checking into the surgerical center and waiting to be called back for my surgery; I was nervous as hell and wondering if I was making the right decision. Well today, 1 year later, I'm confident I made the right decision and would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!! This has truly been a life changing experience for me on so many different levels. I'm definitely not the same person I was a year ago, I'm healthy, happy and just thankful to have my life back! I didn't realize how much of life I was missing out on until I was given the opportunity to live again! I feel like I can do anthing now with no restrictions! Has this been a cake walk?? Well, honestly, for ME I never really thought about it, i just did what I knew I had to do and with every passing month I was less of a person than I was the month before:-) Several people have asked, how did you do it, how did you lose all that weight in a years time, even the nurse at my doctor's office asked me this and the honest answer is, I'm nothing special, I chose to follow my doctors instructions to the T, I chose to believe in myself, I chose to have a positive attitude. Going into this I told myself failure wasn't an option, I knew there were certain things I was going to chose to give up forever, I accepted that, moved on and never looked back. The best piece of advice I can give to anyone starting out on this journey or is needing a restart is believe in yourself, if you put in 100% you'll get 100% back, don't set and dwell on the things you can't have, think of all the things you can have because you made the choice to kick some unhealthy habits out of your life. The reward will be so much sweeter than anything you can imagine!! We all started this journey out with similar worries and fears, always keep that in your mind and remember that one person(s) that encouraged you through the tough times, pay it forward!!! One of the greatest joys for me is being able to help someone else who is where I was. That's why this site is so great! So if you find yourself stuck in a rut one of the greatest ways out is by helping someone else. May 14, 2013- Before Pre-op Diet- 289 May 30, 2013- Day of Surgery- 273 May 30, 2014- 147ish (I haven't weighed, go for my check up next week) Total weight lose- 142lbs I started out wearing a size 20-22W in pants A size 3X Shirt (24-26) TODAY, I'm in a size 5 pants, and med/small shirts! My blood pressure is 128/78, my cholestorol is NORMAL, my liver is NORMAL I've almost lost more than I actually weigh now:-) I'm just thrilled! I HAVE A NECK NOW AND 2 EYES THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE!! I MAKE IT A POINT TO MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH EVERYONE I MEET NOW INSTEAD OF WALKING WITH MY HEAD DOWN. Just know if you stay the course you will achieve your goal!!

You've done an amazing job! You look fantastic!!

@@gowalking yes you nailed it. It's definitely a control thing for me! When I feel I'm not in control I'm just totally uncomfortable! I almost wish they made food scales small enough that I could stick them in my purse when I go out to eat. I'm just a by the book kind of person, which isn't a bad thing but some times I'm over the top BUT the control is what eases my fear, the fear of going back to a place I NEVER WANT TO BE AGAIN! Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

That's awesome! Congrats on 100# down!!

I'm sorry you experienced this! When I read this the only thing I could think was man this lady is a fighter, she's strong and she's going to bounce back greater than ever! I could actually hear that coming through what you typed. You have what it takes and you will get passed and beyond this! Thanks so much for sharing your story!

Thanks for sharing! This sounds like a great tool! This is very similar to what I'll do occasionally. http://coloradobariatric.com/2012/04/5-day-pouch-test/

How soon do you go to bed after eating?

"believe in yourself to give yourself credit..you know if you eat too much of the not so great food chioices out there dont say the WLS did not stop you..you stop you.....YOU can control yourself..(you wont step out in front of a train would you??) All truth! Congrats on your upcoming 2 years! Thanks for sharing your awesomeness with us!!!

I'm much like you and healthynewme I CAN'T eat when I'm upset I lose all interest in food and if I try to eat I often find myself sick. I find I eat when I'm happy or bored? So again like healthynewme I HAVE to constantly stay busy which for me really isn't a problem I have two kiddos and a husband and I'm also very social so I find I often over-extend myself alot in an effort just to keep busy:-) My happiness and joy comes from doing things for others, there's always a reason to Celebrate. I'm usually organizing events which of course includes food and fun and this is when I feel like I eat more , I get caught up in the moment and the fun of it all and that's when I start grazing and picking at everything. So this is the happy feeling (or maybe it's stress because I took on too much and then when everything turns out fine I relax???. I'm not sure which it is:-) Yes, I feel you and think it's super important to figure these emotions out so that we can control them. Great post.

@@lisacaron I love your attitude and outlook on this subject! This is just what I needed to hear! Thank you! I need to reminded every now and then that food is no longer the enemy and that nothing in moderation is prohibitied with this new way of life. This is why I got my band and this is why I love my band, to no longer be a capative to food but to enjoy it and not be afraid of it but sometimes I forget and go back to the years of failed diet attempts and being told that certain foods are prohibited. I've been beating myself up since Sunday, about eating a very small amount of things that won't hurt me if enjoyed on occasion and I know that but man it's hard to break out of that cycle some times!!! This is exactly what I needed to GET OVER IT AND ON WITH IT ALREADY!!!:-) Thanks for the reminder and the support!!!

Positive attitudes reep positive results! So happy for you! Congratulations!

Thanks! Yeah, most days are fine but I do find myself constantly worrying. I know I shouldn't but I do. I'm hoping maybe it will ease with time??? Or atleast I hope so! I'm my own worst critic. My husband thinks I handled it great and so did my friends but I could just kick myself for eating that crap. It's days like today that I'm gald I'm not on a daily weighing regiment! Oh and BTW great job to you on being prepared! I think this is one of the biggest keys to successful weight loss and management!!

@@HealthyNewMe have a WONDERFUL time on your vacation! I just made a post every similar in regards to what I have to do to stay on course this summer, meaning modification and game plans. I wish I would've done what you just did and mapped it out BEFORE this weekend!!! I winged it and learned I just can't do that! Again, have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute of it!!

AAAH, Summer time my absolute favorite time of year!!! So with Memorial Day weekend being the official kick-off to summer my weekend was packed full of BBQ's, pool time and hanging with friends and family. I love everything about summer, the sun, water, bbq's and just the overall laid back feeling you get during this time of year. However, this will be the FIRST summer I've been healthy in like 11 years so I've been planning away and our schedule is looking pretty busy:-) I've learned some lessons this weekend in regards to needing modifications for my new life. During all the festivities of this past weekend and when looking at my upcoming calendar I realized some modifications have to be made for me to stay on track and be accountable. It comes down to the fact that I simply wasn't properly prepeared. When we have get togethers we go all out and by that I mean endless spreads of BBQ, buckets of potato and pasta salads, baked beans, chips & dips, and desserts galore. I found myself surrounded by wonderful food and friends which is great but I quickly realized that if I'm not careful and not properly prepared this could be a very difficult time for me. The lesson learned is that it's much easier to get distracted about what's on your plate when you're comfortable and when everyone is setting around the table talking you're not paying as much attention to how quickly you're eating or as concious of what you're putting on your plate. I knew all of this going into it I was the one planning the menu for goodness sake, and I thought oh no problem, I've been around all this before and did just fine, but I learned I can't wing it like that. I have to be better prepared. I planned it so that I saved a majority of my calories for the dinner. I had a yogurt for breakfast and a protein bar for lunch and then we had a late lunch/dinner. I had some BBQ meat, my recommeneded amount, a TLB of each of pasta salad and beans, which I think is all fine, BUT the thing that I think got me the most is that I found myself later that evening picking on things as I would walk by, not making a plate, but you know 4-5 chips here or there, a couple M&M's here and there and then later that eveing was dessert, so I made 4 different kinds of mini cheesecakes and think I handled it "responsibly" by taking 1/4 of each one on my plate to make a whole (these were the mini muffin sized cakes). Again, I think this is fine everything in moderation, HOWEVER, I can see that I need to be better prepared, I can't do this every weekend for the whole summer, that's NOT moderation. Today, I feel terrible, stressing out in fact even though I didn't eat nearly the fraction of what I would have without the band I know I could have made better choices. This isn't typical fo rme and I don't like the way it makes me feel. I've come too far!!! I don't want to have to worry about every little thing I put in my mouth but lets be honest we have to be accountable for every little thing we put in our mouths because if we don't before we know it, it sprials out of control. I'm not one who likes to be restricted by the band, meaning I don't want to be so tight that I'm getting sick to stop eating. I have very little fluid in because I want the band to give me that full signal but not the full restriction so I have to take full control of the situation now and start making a pre-game plan which means, Making some menu modifications now and then (at least for myself) by grilling leaner meats like chicken, turkey and shrimp vs. pulled pork and pork ribs, pork pork and more pork:-) Modifying my side dishes like coleslaw without the "typical" dressing more like an asian coleslaw that is a much lighter dressing, instead of potato salad maybe a veggie tray, or a tomato, cucumber salad, instead of crazy desserts how about some fresh strawberries or peaches with a dab of cool whip etc. Again I know it's about everything in moderation and I don't think I did terrible and I feel it's ok to treat yourself ONCE IN A WHILE but if I see this in my every weekend summer schedule then these changes have to be in place. Whewww ok now that that's out there, how did you kick-off the summer?

Lol. Me too, a mudslide;)

Lol....love this, point taken;)

@@Cat225 Yay girl, this is so awesome!!!! You're staying the course and you're getting the results you're working hard for! You've got this! I'm very happy for you!!

@@chasingadream your attitude is awesome! You rock!

Me too. Ice cream is my weakness so I'm soooo doing this, this weekend!! Thx!

So, I've been reading posts talking about carb intake and how we should be following a low carb lifestyle (which I agree with) but I'm just wondering how many carbs do you typically consume in a day, what's recommended? Is this something you track on a daily basis like you do your calories? I personally haven't counted or tracked this, I don't eat bread, rice, Pasta, etc.so I guess in my mind that was tracking it:-) Just wondering how closely everyone monitors this. Thanks for your input!

Great tip @@LilMissDiva Irene I never thought to do that but it makes sense!!

Is this the one that's suppose to taste like a Wendy's Frosty? I read this somewhere and thought no way can this be good, but you're vouching aey:-) I may have to check this out. I saw if on Pinterest I think, and I belive it had the calories calculated. I will check it out and compare it to yours. Thanks for the tip. I'm all about trying to find a way to get a shake, that's good for you!!! Sorry, operator error ! I dont know the calorie content of this, but wow , is it good and taste rich !! 1 frozen banana, cut into pieces, 2 tsp honey, 1 Tbls cocoa, milk of your choice, coconut, 1%, almond milk, whatever you like, use 2 Tbls milk for ice cream consistancy, or 1/2 cup milk for a thin milkshake. Blend all ingredients in a blender, pour into bowl or glass. Yuuuuummmmmmmm

Fantastic job!