LilMissDiva Irene

You ALL will experience every single one of these moments you look forward to. Keep them close because not every moment of this journey is going to be fantastic. There will be moments where you're feeling down. Use these lists as a guide to where you've been and where you want to be. Seeing these checked off will remind you, you're headed in the right direction!!! Right now, my next "wanna do" list is to have a tight stomach. So, that is what I'm working on now. My list is small... but so am I!!!

Always do what you feel is best for YOU and YOUR journey. No one has to fill your shoes but yourself. That said, if in the future you decided to start being more open about your surgery, then reserve the right to always change your mind. Having an open mind you will soon find out is the best way to get through these next several months. All the best to you!!! You're going to do just fine, but like I mentioned - concentrate on yourself for right now. Everyone else is going to have to take the back seat for awhile.

Wow Yecats, you're so gonna rock your sleeve!! I love to see threads like this... work it!!! And absolutely YES!!! Prayer works!!!

This is a great challenge! I've already committed to my kettlebells and medicine ball for this month, but wowza... about 100 sit ups a day - thats gonna get some results for sure.

You are smack in the middle of the 3rd week stall. 99% of sleevers will stall around this time. The only things you can do are stay with the plan and have patience. It will pass.

Thats awesome Julie!!! You've done AMAZING!!

That's right! I measure ME by my health and fitness. I fit all kinds of number sizes, it's all how they are cut. I'm a pear shape so not all jeans are going to fit equally. I have to either make time to shop by trying everything on, or like CLK mentioned - knowing before going. The Women's sizes are changing too. I think in that case they are just dropping the X at the end or something. Not sure, but of course they don't fit 1's... I mean c'mon. Let's get real!! That said I don't mind shopping anymore, so I have fun trying on clothes. Whatever size it is, I'm sure a LOT smaller than I was, and I can fit so many cute clothes and styles and that's all that matters.

Fabulous progress!!! And in such a short time... amazing! So, are you going to update your avatar?

Agree, I notice too that when I'm not taking my supplements like I should I also start feeling like I'm not "connecting" properly. It might be a good idea to get the panels checked. I make sure I get mine done regularly. That said I'm about a month overdue, but that's only because I've had to reschedule my appt. I'm up in a few weeks.

Awesome NSV!!! Get it miss lady!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Huge huge milestone, I"m soooo happy for you!!!

Well I'm about a year and a half out and here's how much of that I could *probably* eat, considering I'm having a loooong meal and talking with whomever I'm with. I could maybe eat 4 oz of steak, 2-3 broccoli crowns, one carrot slice, one or two onion rings and yes even a few to a few more spoonfuls of the chocolate mousse. That if and only if we are at the table for an hour or more. If it's 30 minutes or less cut that steak in half (2 oz).

Right on Sasi!!! You've done outstanding!!

That was very interesting thanks lady!

Heyyy Susan!! Girl, do NOT worry! I know you, and I know that you are one tough determined chick when the times right for you. I have done Weight Watchers many times as well and I've always been successful with it. I do like it very much and it is very easy to navigate. I do like My Fitness Pal, but hey, it's not for everyone. Anyhow, whatever the main reason is you prefer WW over anything else doesn't matter. What DOES matter is that it works for you, so sign up! I know they do specials around this time of year. I'm not sure if you might have missed the promo period or not but better find out before more time passes. Also I know for a fact continuing to come HERE for support means the world to me. There's always the awesome ones who continue to challenge and inspire and I really need that all the time. Just because I'm thin now does not mean I can stray away from the plan, I have to stay diligent to keep the weight off. So, having these great supporters around me daily helps keep me in check. Don't worry about the gain dear, if you start now, I bet you will have most of that gone by the end of February. Start flushing, get back to some type of workout routine and get off the carbs. BTW I'm starting my bootcamp Wednesday. If you'd like to join me... let's do it together! But you gotta check in. Here's where I'll be checking in here at VST: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/ and http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28952-gonna-get-to-goal-wanna-join-me/

Great analysis and you are absolutely right. I never do this for more than the 5 days. Also, once that 5 days is up I go back to the very easily and simply followed Sleever rules being, protein first, veggies second and a few bites of good complex carbs. I do drink a lot of water, but I do also workout a lot so my water always needs to be replaced. I think anyone should try to find out how much water one needs for each person individually. ETA: the Atkins and South Beach Diet references are very right on, I've been eating their style since 2008. I don't know what Paleo is...

Congrats on your weight loss, you're doing FABULOUS!! I'm sorry to hear you're feeling fatigue. But like everyone else has already mentioned a blood panel is a good way to figure out what's going on. Most likely you will find that D-3, B-12 and Iron are huge reasons why we feel tired. Try taking some b-12 sublingual, I find mine at Rite-Aid and Sam's Club. Good luck!!

Hey Glenda, I'm glad to hear all went well with the band removal! I pray your healing continues positively, and I also pray that your sleeve surgery happens soon and a very soon! Xox

Okay ladies, I propose this to all of you... I too have been snacking to my hearts content since the Holidays... Ack!!! Well there's NO WAY I'm going to get the belly flab to go away if I keep doing that. Carbs is the worst enemy when it comes to that so, I have made a deal with myself that for the entire month of February I am NOT going to snack on any carbs. It is NOT!!! going to be easy, but I think once I get through my 5 day plan it should be a lot easier to endure the rest of the month. Not only that, know that I only have to make it through the shortest month of the year, it will make me feel a little better. If any of you want to join in with me... let's do it!!! I've seen ALL you ladies in action and I *know* you got it in you to do it. What say you?? I could use a little extra motivation too, knowing that I gotta stay strong because others will be watching me. That's also why I've decided to finally join My Fitness Pal. I'm going to start logging again, and I will have my food diary open to anyone and everyone. My handle there is Lilmissdiva_Irene - in case anyone wants to follow along. Good luck to all! I also will share my one month success too regarding the kettlebells/medicine ball.

Atkins is good too, you will also find those at WalMart. Tons of variety and IMO not that expensive.

I tried many different brands of Natural or low sodium peanut butters and to me none satisfied what I really wanted. So it's either Skippy Super Chunk or nada. Not really a big deal to me anyway, one tablespoon satisfies the craving and it actually fills me good.

Actually in the beginning lots did change for me, but over time I've gotten all my taste buds back. I can say at this time the only notable difference is that pre-op I hated peanuts and peanut butter, and now? I LOVE THEM!!!

Sounds like you had a funnn time there coops!! Also, it really really does all come down to calories in / calories out. Not that it will show on the scale that instant but as long as you keep yourself in the negative side the fat will disappear and the weight will come off. Patience!! Something I need to work on... ha! Yeah so, I have heard GREAT things about the kettlebells and seen some proof elsewhere that it works the tummy area really good. That and the medicine ball. I start all this wednesday. I've gotten myself a lil headstart too, but as of Feb. 1 this girl is gonna get SUMMER READY!!! Thanks Lila & Coops for the welcome! Xox

CONGRATS DARLIN'!!!! Xox

Oh and last night I went out to Big 5 and bought some Kettlebells and a Medicine ball, equipped with some DVD's that came with. Fun!!! ) February is gonna be kick butt.