LilMissDiva Irene

lol... I'm doing all those too every day. Thanks tho! I do elliptical, not too interested in stair climbing. That said, I do intend to start running up the stairs at work since I work on the 15th floor.

Ms. Machine, that's me! Here is Insanity! Check it out!!

Hello Mstx I'm praying all goes smoothly with your surgery!!! Your new life is about to begin, and I will enjoy watching your progress. Best!!

I'll tell you what.. I'm a far greater fan of losing inches than pounds. I weigh 170 Lbs but I dare anyone to guess that without knowing it first!! It's so much fun shopping and buying such tiny clothes, putting on a Small top rather than a 3-4X which is what I was wearing at my heaviest, or 28W pants that actually fit tight! My pants sizes are all over the place depending on how they're made or who makes them (Levi's tend to run small those jerks!!). I have a big booty, so if the pants don't allow for that I have to buy bigger sizes... but oh well. Tell me, I never EVER thought I'd put on a pair of pants with a ZERO on the tag. Ha!! :wub: Of course I can only wear that one pair in zero but so what (NYDJ)? It's still a 0... I'm healthier today than I have ever been in my entire life as well. Which for me is the most important thing. BTW: I was sleeved on 9/15/10 so that makes me nearly 19 months post op.

Just keep smiling my dear... it makes them wonder what you're really thinking. If they only knew. These women are miserable and probably feeling very self conscious being around you, as well they should. Just keep doing you!

Hello Crystal, welcome to VST!! I'm also a revision from band to sleeve as of 9/15/10. IMPO, my sleeve surgery was far more successful for me than my band ever was. I'm hoping all goes smooth with your surgeries/insurance issues. Keep us updated on how you're doing! Read up here and there, especially the revision forums. All the best and many blessings!!

During my hardcore weight loss months, I was getting around what you are right now. I personally don't see anything wrong with your intake, are you losing? If so, I say if it's not broke, don't fix it. However, how much Water are you drinking too? That makes a major difference.

Getting ready!! The fun begins Monday afternoon. Here's my workout routine for the full 60 Days of Insanity! Challenge: SUNDAY: NO WORKOUTS… (boo!) MONDAY: AM: 30 Stationary Bike / 30 Elliptical / Walk @ Work PM: Insanity! TUESDAY: AM: 20 Stationary Bike / 40 Treadmill PM: Insanity! / Kettle bell DVD WEDNESDAY: AM: 30 Stationary Bike / 30 Elliptical / Walk @ Work PM: Insanity! / Pilates THURSDAY: AM: 20 Stationary Bike / 40 Treadmill PM: Insanity! FRIDAY: AM: 30 Stationary Bike / 30 Elliptical / Walk @ Work PM: Insanity! / Kettle bell DVD SATURDAY: AM: 20 Stationary Bike / 40 Treadmill PM: Insanity! / Pilates Once the 60 days is complete, I will then judge the results to see if I want to do another round or not. Source: My Insanity! Journey... Shaun T Would Be So Proud.

Getting ready!! The fun begins Monday afternoon. Here's my workout routine for the full 60 Days of Insanity! Challenge: SUNDAY: NO WORKOUTS… (boo!) MONDAY: AM: 30 Stationary Bike / 30 Elliptical / Walk @ Work PM: Insanity! TUESDAY: AM: 20 Stationary Bike / 40 Treadmill PM: Insanity! / Kettle bell DVD WEDNESDAY: AM: 30 Stationary Bike / 30 Elliptical / Walk @ Work PM: Insanity! / Pilates THURSDAY: AM: 20 Stationary Bike / 40 Treadmill PM: Insanity! FRIDAY: AM: 30 Stationary Bike / 30 Elliptical / Walk @ Work PM: Insanity! / Kettle bell DVD SATURDAY: AM: 20 Stationary Bike / 40 Treadmill PM: Insanity! / Pilates Once the 60 days is complete, I will then judge the results to see if I want to do another round or not.

Awee!! *blush* And you will, just keep strong. If you ever need to talk, I'm always close by.

Thanks ladies! Thats right, I'm down 24 hours now.

Hello Casey! Welcome to VST! I'm always glad to see new faces and stories. Check in often to let us know how you're doing.

Hi Aoa, It is so easy to fall back into very bad habits once we hit goal. The trick is to not over do them. AND if you can't control your portions with them, then sadly it's best to not eat them at all. Triggers is something I'm going to have to learn to live without!! Dorrie is so right, and that 60 Minutes hit on Sugar Toxicity is true. I've always known this and I'm very addicted to it. I'm working to break my habit as we speak. I haven't eaten a solid meal since 5 PM last night. I won't again until 8 AM Friday morning. I'm doing all liquids in between. I'm doing unjury chicken Soup 3x per day, Atkins Advantage 3x per day and some G2 to help with the sugar crashing. I space out 8 Oz servings 4x per day throughout. It helps a lot. You didn't mention exactly how much you've gained. I haven't gained weight per se, but I have noticed I'm gaining inches in areas I'm not wanting! I'm also going to start the Insanity! Challenge on Monday so I want to be in a good place come that day. Fact is you're just going to have to dig deep and stop the gaining in it's tracks. Do a few days of super low carbs to break the Sugar Demon then get back to sleever basics which is Protein first and whatever room you have left eat healthy carbs. Veggies, Fruits, whole grains, legumes... whatever. As for which workouts are best, I personally prefer cardio. I don't do a lot of weight training and I really don't want to. I gain muscular physique naturally and the muscles I do have I feel are adequate. I like the leaner (perhaps borderline skinny if you will), more toned look myself. So, it just depends what look you're going after, as long as its healthy. Good luck to you!!

Hello VST... So last night I was really getting down on myself because I knew it was time to challenge "me" with better eating. I've been going through a lot of emotional dramas lately and I've found that my eating habits have been downright stinking it up. Well, I'm tell you this! There's no way that can become a habit because quite literally I've gone through far too much to slip back into the old me. No way no how!! So last night I made a pact with myself... I have a 60 challenge coming up. It's called the Insanity! Challenge. I don't know if any of you know what this is, but here's a link if you'd like to check it out. Anyway, upon completion you send in your before and after photos to Beachbody and they will send you a prize T-Shirt with the Insanity! Logo on the front, and "I earned it" written across the back. Heck yeah!! Are you kidding me? I'm so going to wear this every chance I get this summer. I know I'm physically capable of doing it. It may be tough but I will DEFINITELY do it!! My motto has always been "Every day is a new chance to start over". I believe this with all my heart, and quite honestly is the sole reason I got to where I am today. My attitude always kept positive that I will get to my goal and I got here. Whatever that means... but now I'm wanting to work on my fitness level. I'm taking it to the next step now, and I'm excited about it. HOWEVER... I cannot do that if I keep eating junk! Last night I decided I needed to do the flush to get those sugar demons out of my body. I know some of you have heard of my Basics Bootcamp? Well, I've tried to start it a few times, but haven't really been able to grasp on. So, I needed to do something a little deeper, hardcore and unforgiving. That's right... the dreaded liquid diet. AUUGGHHHH!!! I've been avoiding this like the black death but you know what? If I don't do this I'll likely just waste more time getting back on track. So... Here I am nearly 21 hours into this. I'm doing 2 full days of liquids, which ultimately translates into a total of 62 hours without food. I'm drinking 64 Oz. per day of water, 4 - 8 Oz servings of G2, Unjury Chicken Soup 3x (which translates to my Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and for my 3 Snacks I'm doing an Atkins Advantage RTD. *Whew*!!! Once the two days are up, I plan to do 3 days of super clean eating which every meal will consist of lean protein and green veggies. After that I'll go back to my mindless sleever rules and stick to good healthy meals. Right around lunch time today I already began to miss food!! I felt a little panicky and I heard that voice in my head saying "Oh it's okay... you've done good today - think about what you're going to have for dinner..." So I decided to leave a status on Facebook to get it out of my mind! I must do this!! I need to detoxify my body and brain from sugar and I'd really love to drop some water retention if I can. If not, oh well - but I have to get over this sugar. Wow... I feel better already getting all my thoughts out. If you're still with me (because I know I can go on forever if I really wanted to) thank you for listening and reading.

I do believe lots of folks get good results with them. I'd say keep working them for at least a few weeks and see. If it does and it starts getting too easy it's time to either bump up the weight or walk faster. Good luck!

LOL :-) Well I'm glad everything turned out okay for Lyra.

...and it is a first step in the right direction! We all have to start somewhere, but the important thing is continuing on this journey and seeing it through. I do understand the guilt that goes along with leaving the guys as I'm in a similar situation at work. I'm heavily relied upon and I do feel bad if I take too much time off. Well, perhaps that or I just hate coming back to several hundred emails... ha! Anyhow, many blessings to you as you begin the first step to the rest of your life. I took that step a few years ago and I don't regret a single one along the way - even the missteps!! *hugs*

One week until your big day!! Wishing you well, and I do hope you're all stocked up with everything you will need for your first few weeks post op. Likely you won't be up to shopping. Remember to rest, sip, walk and keep repeating. Every day will get better and this time next year, you won't even recognize yourself in the mirrror!!!

What a great first week!! Congrats, you're well on your way! I'd like to give kudos too for not become a scale slave. I'm sure your journey will be a lot less stressful for it.

You're doing just fine, keep up the great work!!!

I'm so glad you've checked in to share with us all your successes and great news! I'm sure you were riding high wearing a slinky hot little black dress. I agree it is so much fun watching our families reactions, especially Hubby. Congrats!!!

It is unfortunate but number one, it is mostly genetics as to how your results will turn out. Second would be how much weight you need to lose and third will be the workout factor. Last but not least patience and time will help a lot too, as I've been noticing my batwings on my arms are slowly disappearing! I have really good skin and thankfully my arms came out pretty good. I am not a strength trainer at all. The only form of workout I do on my arms are with my elliptical, a little bit of Pilates type body resistance movements and using a 10 Lb Kettlebell. Yet my arms came out really nice.

If you are pondering wether or not to workout today, consider this: How many MORE calories will you get out of your body by doing it! Think of them in Oz... It takes 3,500 calories burnt to equal 1 Lb. ;o) Yeah, sounds good now doesn't it? If I burn an additional 500 calories today by workouts alone, then I've burned off an additional 1/7 of a Lb of fat that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Nicely done. Having a schedule has always been my best buddy in all of this. Without a plan there is no attack! And, thank you for bringing up the sleep - I don't think most of us get enough. I do my best to, but sometimes it doesn't always happen that way. It absolutely can adversely affect moods, weight loss and mental function!

Maintenance has taken its toll on me mentally, so I had to let that term go. Now I just live my life pretty much. I haven't lost nor gained any weight since August of 2011. I know I could if I really tried, but my concern at this time is just maintaining good health and working on my physical fitness. If that ends up resulting in more losses on the scale then I'm perfectly OK with that. If you are comfortable where you are then that's wonderful! Everyone's body is their own and I won't tell you where to go from here, the only time I ever show concern is if one is not healthy. If you're happy and healthy then do what you want! Just keep in mind that eating healthy meals and getting some form of physical activity should go on for the rest of your life. As for suggestions on how to stop weight loss, I really don't have any. I've left that up to my body, my mind just forages on with my new lifestyle.