Kris

I came close ... 12 lbs. over my lowest post-op weight before I slapped myself upside the head and stopped the stupidity of eating junk and grazing. You can definitely "eat around" and "drink around" your sleeve if you want to. A sleeve is NOT foolproof. But fortunately, if you start eating right again, and exercising, the weight will come off easier than pre-sleeve, due to the restriction you get. Take advice from someone who tested the limits of her sleeve and is now paying the price (dieting again) ... don't buy/eat junk food (and junk drinks, like booze/milkshakes/frappucinos) and don't graze. Just following those two rules will definitely help you avoid weight re-gain.

I saw this article and it kind of blew my mind! http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974-1,00.html I really didn't exercise the first several months after getting sleeved (at that time I was losing weight effortlessly each month, and my energy was still low because of the ultra-low calories I was consuming). When my weight loss started slowing down at about the 5-6 month mark, I started exercising about 3-4 days a week (mostly walking with a little jogging). I continued to lose weight, but at a slower pace. I also started eating more calories as my sleeve capacity grew. Starting around the 9 month mark, I started exercising much more vigorously, 5-6 days a week. In the past 2 months my weight loss has pretty much leveled out and I'm eating more than ever (at full sleeve capacity). Unfortunately, I am still about 12 lbs. overweight. The good thing (for me) about exercising frequently is I can definitely see some toning happening, which I really need considering all the loose skin I've got, and there's no question my cardio-vascular health is vastly improved. But now I am wondering if the exercising has been either non-helpful, or possibly harmful, to my weight loss, since I *do* eat more than I did before I started exercising. I really have to think about this! This article really flies in the face of conventional wisdom regarding the role of exercise and weight loss. I am not sure I want to cut back on the exercise but maybe I need to re-think how often/how hard I exercise and how much I'm eating.

Hey there Ourobourous, is there any chance it could be your mattress causing the aches and pains? If it's over 5 years old (and especially if it's the same mattress you had before beingsleeved) it might be the culprit ... your body may be doing weird contortions in the night due to the mattress. Just a thought.

Hey Gman, remember your body just went through major trauma a few weeks ago, you just got through dealing with a cold/flu, and you are literally on a starvation-level diet right now. Each week you'll be able to do more/harder exercise. It took me several months to build up stamina after my surgery and I think that is pretty common. You are doing great!

I'm a bit over a year out (like Foxbins, who BTW has done an AMAZING job with her sleeve!!!). I can eat about 1 cup of food per meal now -- each meal is usally a mix of Protein and carbs. I don't think I could eat an entire 8-10 oz. of dense protein at one sitting (I've never tried), but I probably could eat more than 10 oz of carbs if they are slider foods that chew down to tiny bits, like Cereal. Which brings me to cautionary tale that the thing you really need to worry about more than your sleeve stretching is watching what you put into it. I started snacking/grazing again on carby "healthy" (LOL) Snacks (like rice chips or pretzel crisps) several months ago, and that has really kept me from getting to goal, so I'm trying to cut it out completely. You can easily eat several hundred calories a day of slider foods if you don't watch out -- rice chips, pretzel crisps, or chex mix chew down to almost nothing, and it is frightening how much you can eat if you don't watch yourself. Ask me how I know this.

I found through unpleasant experience that when I eat and drink at the same time, I get very nauseous. So, I avoid it at all costs. I thought it would be difficult to not drink when I eat, but it's really not. You will adapt quickly. Try practicing it before you get sleeved so it won't weird you out so much once you're through your surgery.

There's a very interesting article in today's Washington Post regarding black women's body images compared to white women's body images. I think the article makes some great points and I really enjoyed it. Speaking from my own experience and friendships with black and white women, I think it captures the big differences between how black women think of their bodies compared to white women. What do you think? http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/black-women-heavier-and-happier-with-their-bodies-than-white-women-poll-finds/2012/02/22/gIQAPmcHeR_story.html?hpid=z5

Thanks you guys ... I have a feeling this is the "new me" unless I get surgery (though I've heard surgery on the legs and arms leaves horrible scarring, so that's really not something I'd probably pursue). I can live with the arms being a little flabby (kettlebell workouts are really helping to tone my arms), and of course I have a flabby tummy and saggy breasts, but the legs are the worst IMO because they are the most visible outside the face and arms, and are in so much worse shape than I would've imagined. I do tons of squats, lunges, and kettlebell swings so I know my legs are getting as hard a workout as my arms -- they just aren't responding as well as my arms. I do plan to have some plastic surgery within the next year -- a neck lift to remove my wattle, and a breast lift/tummy tuck procedure to firm up the midsection. I have a dear friend who is also about my age and she is considering weight loss surgery, but she sees the loose skin on me and is turned off by it. I just keep telling her it's worth it to me to be so much lighter and healthier now than I was (not to mention happier and more self-confident). I have a friend who is a trainer and that's a good idea to consult with her. Maybe I need to spend more energy on toning my legs than I have been.

I should have said that this is definitely not a DVD for beginners (unless you really want to torture yourself). She says throughout that she has 300 or 400 lb. people on The Biggest Loser doing the exercises, but I just can't imagine I'd be able to do even the Week 1 workout w/o already having been moderately fit. For beginners I really like the Leslie Sansone or Shapely Girl workout DVDs, which are low impact and not as stressful on the body.

OK, you guys, I need some help. I am 13 months out from surgery and am close to my end goal. But I am so, so disappointed in my thighs... they are hideous. I am 44 and have seen better looking legs on 70 year old grandmothers. It's not only loose skin, but cellulite. And some of my loose skin is kind of drooping over my knees, so there is no way I am going to wear knee-length skirts or dresses or shorts. I am very grateful to live in a cool-ish climate where jackets and long pants are the norm 9 months of the year, which helps me pretend like my legs aren't as bad as they are. I have some batwing action going on in my arms, but overall my arms are shaping up much better than my legs. I exercise 5 days a week (and have been for many months) and my thighs get plenty of work during my workouts. I think it's just a matter of too much loose skin with nowhere to go. Can anyone who is further out tell me if this will get better over time? Or is it something I'm just going to have to get used to?

I belonged to Curves a few years ago (pre-op). I liked it but it does have its limitations. The various machines work different parts of your body, and you are constantly moving from one station to another. Our Curves used to change the machines around every few weeks so it would disrupt the routine and make it feel a little different (even though it was the same machines). One thing I really liked about Curves was the music selection they used. There was always some good fast-beat workout music that kept things going at a good clip. It made the time pass quickly. I also had a fairly steady routine and got to know several of the other women who were regulars. We'd chat while working out. As I was very heavy and very self-conscious about my weight, I liked that it was a small gym and only women (several of whom were also overweight, so I didn't feel so out of place). It was a nice convivial environment. I stuck with it for 6 or 7 months and lost some weight, but then got distracted and stopped going, and a few months later the Curves closed down w/o much advance notice. About a year later a new fitness center opened up in the same shopping center, and it was a full-service fitness center with tons of machines and classes and trainers, etc., for the same price as Curves had been -- which made me think that Curves was really over-priced for what you get. Also, I believe Curves does allow a trial period before you join. You should definitely ask for that before you sign a contract. If you have a choice in fitness centers, before you join Curves you should check out the alternatives. You'll probably find a better deal elsewhere, and, like others have said, I think Curves have a tendency to disappear in the dark of night, which could be a nasty surprise if you pre-paid your membership.

Let me tell you about the video that is helping me have an awesome pulse rate (51 -- woot?!). My girl Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame has a bunch of fitness workout DVDs out, but this is the first one of hers I've ever purchased or used (note: the title of the DVD is actually Ripped in 30, not 30 Day Shred). I picked it up at costco in early January for the low low price of $7.99 or something like that. I have definitely gotten my money's worth from the video, as I've used it at least 15 times the past couple of months. So, now that I've gotten through all the workouts, I thought I would tell you about it. The DVD contains a 4-week workout program with a different 30 minute workout each week. Each workout starts with a warmup, ends with a cool-down/stretch, and has 20 minutes or so of full body workout, with a "3/2/1" system -- 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs -- there are 3 circuits of the 3/2/1 system. Each week gets progressively harder, and of course, each week there is a different colored ensemble for Jillian and her crew (which, maybe it is a girl thing, but this really matters to me. I like workout fashion, apparently!). You can advance at your own pace, so if you are really fit you will probably not spend that much time on the Week 1 workout and might skip to weeks 2, 3, or 4. I consider myself to be moderately fit and I stayed with the Week 1 workout for over a month because I found it quite challenging. I've done the Week 2 workout several times, absolutely hated the Week 3 workout, and just got through the 4th week workout last week, which makes me still cringe a little when I think about, because it was so hard. I mean really, really hard. The kind of hard that, when you are trying to do the last set of abs, you are making noises you didn't think your body was capable of making. Moan-groans. Like oooghhhdrshhgoooocslllldsss. Like that. To do any of the 4 workouts you will need a couple of sets of hand weights (probably a 3 lb. set and a 5 lb. set), and a yoga mat, and a bit of floor space to do the exercises. Jillian has two cast members with her; one does the modified version of the exercises and one does the "badass" version of the exercises. I tried to do the "badass" version as much as possible but there were some moves that honestly I just couldn't do the full badass version on. Mostly the pushups, which I find to be very hard (even though the strength training with the weights was the easiest part of the workouts to me ... go figure). Both of Jillian's crew are women with amazing hard bodies. They definitely help motivate you to stick with the program in the faint hope of getting a body like theirs (of course, in reality, I am sure these women spend at least a couple of hours each day in the gym, and probably eat one of those insanely spartan low-Protein bodybuilder diets -- I am sure that Oreos and potato chips never pass their lips). Speaking of bodies -- you know, I never really thought much about Jillian's sexual orientation until I saw this video. One of the cast members, Shelly, has a really perfectly sculpted body, and big boobs too (meow! Yes, I am being catty! It's pure jealousy, I assure you -- I am not ashamed to admit it). Anyway, I think Jillian really had the hots for Shelly, and a couple of points in the Week 2 workout I was a bit creeped out by the attention she was giving Shelly -- slapping her butt and making little comments like "Ooh, I want to bite it!" (Shelly's butt, that is). It was kind of icky. I am very much live & let live as far as relationships goes, but if I am watching a workout video I don't like to see the trainer hitting on the crew. Maybe it's me, but I got the vibe that Shelly was a bit icked out, too. It was only in the Week 2 workout, though. She also seemed to like the other gal in the week 2 workout (Natalie, I think), who also had this amazing hard body and was also attractive. But weeks 1, 3, and 4 were fine -- I didn't have an ick factor in those workouts. If you've used this video please share your comments and correct me if you think I am off-base about this. Maybe I am more of a prude than I thought I was! So, to summarize, if you want a tough full body workout in only 30 minutes, this is a great DVD. I usually do the workouts 2 or 3 times a week and do other videos or my own routines the other days. I have definitely noticed progress in my strength and endurance since starting to use this video and will keep using it for another month or two at least. Until the next Jillian killer DVD comes out, probably!

I fell short of my Christmas goal but still lost over 6 lbs. for the month of December, which I am very happy with considering how slow my weight loss has been the last several months. In 2012 I will definitely hit my final goal weight, and by Valentine's Day I should be within striking distance of that goal! I have to admit how amazed I am by these numbers that y'all have been putting up -- by comparison I am a slow loser (though I try not to focus on that and instead focus on how far I've come). Surgery weight: 224.5 (1/7/11) Current weight: 146.4 Valentines goal weight: 139 Final goal weight: 132

I am really into kettlebells now. I'm using a 15 lb. kettlebell to do my daily workouts (I alternate low impact aerobics w/kettlebell exercises -- 30 minutes altogether, 1/2 is aerobics and 1/2 is kettlebell which combines aerobics with strength training). By February I want to be able to comfortably use a 20 lb. kettlebell (I have one and have tried it a time or two, but it really is a bit too much for me to handle w/o tweaking my lower back). I started out with a 10 lb. kettlebell in November so I am definitely making progress, and this is an achievable goal for me!

Gosh, there have been some major positive changes in my life since being sleeved nearly a year ago. My health is so much better -- no more high blood pressure, no more worries about being borderline diabetic, no more horrible acid reflux problems. I had pretty bad (untreated) sleep apnea before surgery and was tired all the time. Now I don't snore at all, and I sleep through the night, and I wake up feeling rested and ready to tackle the day. I would avoid any kind of physical exertion before surgery ... my husband remarked how I would almost never walk up the stairs unless it was a dire situation, and now I run up the stairs lickety split without hesitation. I used to rarely exercise, now I exercise 6 days a week and love it -- really love it, not just saying that. I love to be active and move now, which is the complete opposite of how I used to be. Before surgery, I wouldn't try new activities because I was too self conscious about my weight. Since surgery I've gone swimming & snorkeling in the ocean, gone inner tubing down a river, and gone on a 7 mile hike up a mountain -- none of these things are things I would ever have considered seriously before surgery. Clothes shopping used to be a necessary evil -- I would certainly never go clothes shopping "for fun" before surgery -- now it is a lot of fun to shop for clothes, and not a depressing sight to see myself in the changing room mirror (with clothes on ... w/o clothes I'm still v. much a work in progress, LOL). Those are just some of the highlights. I feel so much happier and self confident now than I did, too. In every way I can think of, my life has improved since having surgery. Negatives -- there are a couple of negatives, but in my mind they are totally outweighed by the positives. My skin has not done well since surgery; I have lots of loose skin everywhere (from the chin down to the knees). I am still very appalled by how I look naked. I have an ugly turkey neck and will probably need a neck lift once I hit goal and am seriously thinking of getting a breast lift and tummy tuck too, once I hit goal and stabilize there for a year or so. Sometimes I do really miss not being able to eat more ... like when I am eating a fabulous meal out, and I hit my limit faster than I want ... but I have to admit, I really don't feel deprived. I used to be a major volume eater, so the transition from volume eater to sleeve capacity eater has been a big life change. Really those are the only negatives, and in the big scheme of things they aren't much to complain about! I love my sleeve and think that getting sleeved was one of the best things I ever did for myself in my life.