LilMissDiva Irene

Oh ha! I see I did respond to this message. Whoops.

Hi Leah, I apologize I just now seen your question. I'm not on often, and the best way to get my attention is to either quote me or write on my profile feed. I did mean only three quarters of one cup. It all depends though, that's if I'm eating properly. Last night I ate maybe 3 Oz of spare ribs and a few bites of broccoli and I was satisfied. I could probably push a little more but I hate how I feel physically if I do, especially with eating dense meat such as pork. Now popcorn on the other hand... is another story entirely. I am always thankful for my sleeve though, it will always be there for me when I'm willing to use it wisely. Take care!

5 Hour Energy (or you can find a generic version at the Dollar Tree which does the same exact effect) will give you probably the same amount of energy the Zipp Fizz would. I've never tried Zipp Fizz so I'm not really sure what kind of effect that would give you, so I can't comment on it. I just wanted to tell you there are alternatives out there. Sleevers have a very difficult time absorbing B-12, and is especially true for me. I take in huge amounts yet my panels come back smack in the normal range always. It's bizarre, but it is what it is. I can imagine how they'd look if I never took any. Keep in mind everyone is different, so I'm not advising anyone to go out and do what I'm doing. The best thing to do especially if you are less than 6 months post op is to ask your surgeon or nutritionist what you should be eating as far as supplements. All the best!

Well here I am, and I'm one month shy of 2 years post op. I'm STILL enjoying life and I'm STILL having NSV's this far out. I'm on top of the world and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. Just a little history so anyone can realize how big a deal this is... I was kicked off a roller coaster when I was about 20 years old because I was too fat to get the lock to latch. I've always been a thrill ride seeker and there are only but a few I won't dare get on (one being the Ferris Wheel if you can believe it, but that's another story entirely haha!!) Anyhow, all this time I'd never tried to get on another. I don't know if any of you have ever felt the humiliation of being kicked off a ride because you can't fit in it. I have, and it ain't a good feeling!! It was a busy day too, and just thank goodness all my friends happened to get on the train just before mine so I didn't have the embarrassement of people I knew to watch that happen to me. I never wanted to feel that again so I avoided roller coasters for a LOOOONG time until I knew for absolute sure I'd fit on any which one I chose to get on. Well, yesterday Hubby and I went to Discovery Kingdom here in California. It was such a fantastic day!! I fitted on every single roller coaster and ride I got on with LOTS of room to spare. My hubby even became worried as he said I was flying all over the place in them. I said yeah because I had so much extra room in it, but I was fine... haha I loved it!! Well everyone, I'm just here to tell you, if you keep working the magic of the sleeve, it will keep working it's magic for you. Many blessings!!

To All, Please remain respectful of others writing styles at all times. As long as it does not contain offensive words or otherwise, it's just better left un said. Cursing and / or berating others will not be tolerated here. Any more in this thread and warnings will be issued individually. Thank all in advance for keeping this site the way it is meant to be, kind and supportive.

You are started and headed back in the right direction. I just want to point out one thing... instead of saying you will "try" commit to fullfilling that challenge. Say you "WILL" DO IT! Take care and always keep fighting.

You look beautiful, happy and truly fit! Great work lady

Looking really nice gentlemen!

There will always be someone on this Earth who will have nothing better to do than to give others grief and misery. Don't become her victim, leave that space to someone else. Keep focused on the positives in your life and that will be having your surgery AS WELL AS working out and eating right -- and losing all your excess weight. Forget her and the rock she crawled out from under.

Thats great ela! I'm glad to hear you're doing well. I hope you can post some updated photos soon!

If you're searching for someone or something to motivate you to get moving in the right direction, go take a look in the mirror. NO other person has the power to make your body move... to put the right foods in your body... to tell you that you're worth it... but YOU.

For me and my core it's always been good old calisthenics. If you're looking for a good DVD look up Shaun T. Anything by him will get your core looking flat and ripped!

"Honey, stop wishing your life away. Before you know it, you'll be praying to have all those days back when you're as old as I am." ~Random Wise Old Lady. I was having a conversation several years back with a stranger. I mentioned I couldn't wait for Friday because the week was dragging. Just one of those moments you never forget.

Forgiveness of the self and allowing MYSELF to just be myself. Mistakes will be made, I am but human. The only thing I really can do with those miss-steps is to get up the next day and with a positive beginning, make it better than yesterday. I always take yesterdays hard lessons and make it for a greater and more successful day today.

True Happiness, Beauty, Loveliness, Power, Graciousness, and Sexy is a state of mind, and a strong mind doesn't need validation. Take care of yourself, inside THEN out. Be good to yourself, and each other.

I will always walk in the direction of the Sun. When I look back I want the footprints I laid to be a testament to my journey toward the light.

Prayers sent! You will do great, just like everyone else. Take good care of yourself, get plenty of rest, sip as much as you can and get up and walk often. But the best rule to remember is to stay positive and if you have to look down the road one year. Your life will be completely different. Hugs!!

Hmmm well on the flipside, my brother is gay. He is also overweight. He never says anything about it one way or the other, and he's super confident and very energetic - and never without company.

This same thing happened to a dear friend of mine. She is just the sweetest lady I'll have the pleasure of knowing. She is very large however and one day during an emergency awareness powwow someone pointed her out and asked if they would have to carry her frame down the stairs or if there would be others who could assist. It was not said in a polite manner and was said in a way to absolutely humiliate her. Some laughed, most didn't. It was appalling to me anyone would laugh at that. She was so mortified and cried about it for the rest of the day. I wished I could take her pain from her and take it for my own because I've grown enough to be able to handle situations such as that. She did retort back and almost word for word what you said. I was at least glad she stuck up for herself.

You are just the sweetest lady... and yes getting moments like this out will help one step at a time. I've had some pretty embarrassing moments, but I don't think any quite like that. The only one I can really think of was one day my BFF and I were travelling to our favorite mall. We used to take the busses and lightrails to get there. It was always an all day thing and it was a moment to forget who were were and where we came from. We were both quite large. One day we were sitting at the bus stop on our way to go back. Some mean girls took some fake pearls and threw them at us. Called us "fat b*****s" and they drove off down the street. Broad daylight and very busy street, people all around... that was one very embarrassing moment. Another was at Great America at Santa Clara. We all went with our Church Youth Group. Well we all split up and really I'm so thankful for that because I got in line to ride one of the roller coasters. I sat in the seat but I couldn't get the safety bar to latch. The guide came by to see if he could do it but my stomach as just too large. I had to exit the ride. No one there who witnessed it knew who I was because the few friends I was with caught the train before mine, but I could hear everyone whispering and some girl said " Oh wow, I'm so embarrassed for her ". I wanted to die right then and there. Those are moments I will never forget. Those are moments I'll keep locked away in my memory bank to remind myself WHY I never want to get back to being the old me.

Vitamins can be very hard on the stomach. It's best to take them with something else. I usually take mine with my protein shakes. Good luck!

A true test of strength is the ability to recognize your weaknesses and apply them in such a way it will make you a better person. And just when you think you dont have the strength for one more moment of trial, GODs blessings are right next door. Always keep fighting. No matter what, because without great trials to make us who we are today, we will not be strong enough for tomorrows battles. Learn it, know it. LIVE it.

Hating what you can't change or can't control is like giving power to a brick wall. Instead spend your energy fixing and working on what you can: Yourself. Be better, every day.

I'm so glad that every time I read this thread the news gets better and better. GOD is so GOOD!!! I will continue to pray everything keeps working out smoothly for you. Keep staying strong! You're doing fabulous by the way and Thank You for sharing this story with us. I'm sure you're really encouraging so many others that no matter what is on your plate, we can all deal with it in a rational and positive manner. It would be interesting to see the photos the little pill takes! And yes CONGRATS on being able to still have your sleeve!! (((BIG HUGS))) and smiles too. :D

Just because it's the way it is doesn't make it right. That's all I really have to say on the subject... except maybe that if someone were to want to get to know me simply based on how I look then that is definitely not someone I'd really want to get to know back. Being beautiful from the inside out. That's how I want to live my life, and that's how I want to get to loving and respecting others.