Raine

Thanks, Swizzly! I lucked out on that one! Arms, tummy, and thighs not so much! LOL But I consider those my battle scars until I can get them fixed!

Thanks! I'll tell you, Diva, I have always smiled Even when I was misreble I would give people a smile. It just seems to make people feel better and in turn makes me feel good.

Thanks, Tiff! I didn't get the neck thingie and my face skin has bounced back pretty good too. My eyes, the years get to you there and the crows feet are definately prominent sometimes. THANK GOODNESS for make up LOL.

Thanks, Coops! Love that I only have one chin now. @44 I feel better than I was at 34!

Coming from a hottie, well damnit, I'll take that!

Been a while since I checked in. But its been a while since my weight has moved too. I am close to the Halloween goal! Just 6 more to go, I am pretty sure I'll get there if I stay on the path. Its no joke that once you get within 20lbs of goal how much slower and harder it is for it to go away. But I'll get there just like all of you wonderful people here. 2 more down, 6 more to go! SN: Raine Starting Wt: 176 Current: 171 Goal: 165 Lbs to Goal: 6

I have a free session with my a trainer at my gym. I might just take them up on it.

Your Type is ESFJExtravertedSensingFeelingJudgingStrength of the preferences % 7815022 Interesting test.

Good read, Pasquini! Very true. I got "lost" a couple of times but then realized I am on the right track and will stay on no matter how hard or trying it is. Sexy is a mind set. I was sexy @ my hightest of 280+, when I was 240 and I am sexy at 171 and I will be sexy when I am 155 at goal. My confidence in myself has never wavered but my health did and this has changed that for the better. You may be single, but I don't think that will last for too long unless you personally want it too Oh BTW, thanks, now I can't get that damn song outta my head .... "Oh, Pasquini, your so fine, so fine you blow my mind ...." grrrrrrrrrrr lol

17 months out and still rocking it! Being someone in their 40's too, that is freaking amazing and inspirational and downright great!

Sometimes the bad has to happen in order for us to appreciate the good. Congratulations on your entire life turning around. You look amazing.

I watched it until I could have done the procedure myself LOL. I wanted to know every single detail about it and what was going on.

When I was in the hospital, I ate all my Jello and 2 sf ice pops on day 3. No problem, felt no restriction at all. Those are considered liquids though and since day 2 I have never had a problem with Water and like liquids. Protein shakes were a different story, when I got home it would take me 2 hours to drink an 11oz shake. By two weeks I was drinking them in an hour, by 3 weeks 1/2 hour after that maybe 15 minutes. I am 6 months out now and I eat like a "normal" person now.

ouroborous is absolutely correct. I read through my research too, that spot reduction is a myth. My stomach is my worst part, I do plank and crunches and feel the muscles tightening up underneath, but the fat won't go until my body says its ready to go. About three weeks ago I went and bought some new pants because I absolutely had no choice, they were a size 10 (yay me!) 3 weeks later and I need a belt. l only lost 2 pouhds in that time but I am sure if I went shopping again (which I wont for at least another month) I could probably get into an 8 comfortably (yay me again!). I guess my body said ok, we'll let some of that belly fat go now. Who the frig knows. I just keep at it and keep trying and 1 pound here 1 pound there and I am happy. Eventually my tummy will look like a deflated balloon LOL either way you just have to keep at it and keep going, no matter how frustratingly maddening it is .

I agree the stalls are horrible and play havoc on your brain. Stick with it and you will be ok!

I found that I appreciated and savored the taste of food now too. Isn't it amazing

Wow, amazing transformation!

You look absolutely wonderful!

Sarah, I can't tell you how happy I am for you!!! Ok, I can! I am sooooooo happy for you You and Jes were the first people I talked to on here and you guys were calling me a light weight hahha, well look who is the light weight now! Congratulations, you look wonderful.

My hair started falling out a little bit in month 4, a bit more month 5 and now in month 6 it feels like its coming out by the handful. Alot of it in the front. I posted pics and you can see how thin it is there. I exptect it to slow down soon which is good, but hair hair everywhere! I'll tell you, every night at dinner time I look at my plate and there is a damn hair sitting in my food! The saving grace is that its almost over with.

This is me today I love the Fall weather and the clothes that come with it! Loved, loved the outfit I wore today. 173lbs, 18 more to go to goal ....

THANKS!!! I am having so much fun with the new clothes I bought and the old ones that I had that I either never fit in or never looked just right. I think if I went shopping again I could probably fit into an 8 now because all the pants I bought just 2-3 weeks ago, I need a belt LOL. Not going to do it though for at least another month, so for the time being, belt it is and besides its fun to see how many notches I have to cinch it to. My out look on everything in my life right now is "right". I look forward to the future, I look forward to my continuing health, I look forward to my son growing up, I look forward to becoming a Nana some day (hopefully not for quite a few years yet!), I look forward to becoming old and gray sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair with my hubby holding hands, drinking tea, as corny as that sounds. The best part about it all is that I can look forward where as pre sleeve the here and now was killing me to the point that I didn't "see" a future. Thank you all for all the words of encouragement to me and to eachother. I can't tell you how many times I read something and thought, yup I'm going through that too and see the replies and get a new perspective on things.

You had a good day today didn't you, my friend? So did I. Always remember, we all did this for a better life for ourselves and our loved ones and with each inch and each pound we are that much closer!!!

Thanks, guys. I felt so good today, I made my co worker take a picture of me LOL.

hahaha yeah you made me look, and I didn't mind one bit! Can't wait to see pics of her when she arrives!