Queen of Crop

I get it from my naturopath. I can give you her info; she ships if you're interested. She's a firm believer that not all supplements are good and she only orders high quality stuff. The name of it is Nordic Naturals ProEPA xtra It's says it's Ultra Concentrated Superior Triglyceride Form Pharmaceuticla Grade Molecularly Distilled Omega-3 Fish Oil Hope that helps!

I had a really really hard time taking Vitamins for the first few months, but once I could start swallowing them, this is my daily cocktail (I worked with a naturopathic doctor to come up with this:) Multi Vitamin Fish oil Biotin (for hair) Vitamin D Glucosamine (I have knee and hip joint issues) Calcium (very important!) B12 tablet I take the Calcium at night; the rest in the morning. Hope that helps....BTW, I hated the chewables...yuck.

I was out laying by the pool today (in my small strapless swim suit) and there were some very young kids in the pool, maybe 3 and 5 years old. A few other people around too. A guy comes out and he's watching the kids and says to me; "your kids sure are cute...." I quickly looked around to see if he was talking to someone else.....he was talking to me....I'm almost 59 years old!!!! That was a sweet one!

I have 11 Pretzel Thins every day (110 calories) and I love love love them. Can't live without them. Moving to Amsterdam in a month and I'm taking a supply and anyone who comes to visit will not be let in the door unless they bring me a bag. They are not just good, for me, they make my tummy happy. Somehow, my stomach feels settled if I have a pretzel thin or saltine cracker. Lucky for me, I don't over indulge in them, but happy to grab a few several times a day.

Thanks for the site and all the suggestions; I think I might forgo the tattoo one! Don't get me wrong, I like tats, just not droopy ones!

This may have been posted somewhere in this section, but now that I am almost at goal, and faithfully doing my weight training every other day, I'm coming to the realization that nothing will tighten my upper underarm skin but surgery. Does anyone know what this is called and if it's a major procedure? Thanks for any info!

Oh! Please take photos now!!! You don't need to show them to anyone and if you really hate having them around, then throw them out next year. But seriously, it's a true moment when you can look back 6 months from now and really see how far you will have come. You can never go back and really, haven't we all wanted to compare a great AFTER photo with a terrible BEFORE photo? Trust me on this one. If you can figure out how to do the automatic timer then you can do it yourself. I'm sorry I didn't take a photo every Sunday so at the end of the year, I could go back and see each one, week after week. Too late now.

@ Mimismom: the sleepiness does pass....honest. But it took a few months. I now look back on those days and just laugh about it; because it always caught me off guard.....I would look suspiciously at my husband and say slowly....I....HAVE....TO....GO.....LAY......DOWWWNNNNN.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ But at some point, it stopped happening and got replaced with some good energy!

223 at my highest 204 at surgery October 2010 145 today Only 4 lbs from my goal weight, but it's tough getting this last 10 off!!!!!

First of all, great replies! It just goes to show that this book and sex in general is a hot topic for all people, women, men, strong (sorry I spelled it wrong in the title....geez!) and those who are not strong in terms of feeling good about themselves. I posted it on my Sunday blog and here for three reasons: One: to show that I see people write on the forum growing in so many ways, reading about the exciting changes not just to their body but their self confidence; that the weight loss journey impacts our sense of self in so many positive ways. Two: to show that our sexual preferences have a million different aspects and whatever they are; conventional, different, extreme, making babies or pulling out the whip, as long as they are completely consensual between adults, then go for it! (I especially liked ouroborous' post). Three: It is just a book, but I have to admit, it has gotten people thinking and talking, and hey, maybe opening up some erotic side that has been dormant in some and for that, OK. It's still poorly written and I wish Anastasia's character was more dynamic and interesting. Thanks everyone for all the great posts!!!

@ DebbieDeb....wow, eating 1000 calories a day and working out 5-6 days a week....and you're stuck on a plateau.....that's discouraging....I've been at 145 for 7 weeks and I think I'm getting 1500-1700 calories in and I should be at 1200-1400.....I've been grazing too much so I really need to concentrate as I feel I'm slipping into some bad habits and denial. So this week I am really going to work on tracking my food intake. I'm 5 lbs from goal but 10 lbs from where I want to be; surely I can do this. And you can too.....maybe increase your water intake? I'm also going to increase my workout by 15 minutes and see if that helps. Let's check in again next Monday.

Just posted my Week 42 of 52 (and have 5 lbs to lose for goal before my year is up). This week I talk about strong women and the newest best seller out there: Fifty Shades of Grey. I'll be interested to hear others thoughts on this popular book. Written from the island of Kauai this week......thanks for following my Sundayy posts and hope everyone has a good week.

Welcome to the world of happy sleevers! You are in for the time of your life! We're here for you and we have all had questions, big and small. We are excited for you. Just think how you will feel by Christmas! Congratulations on this exciting adventure!

I think the entire jackets would have to be remade; I have altered many many things, but these just aren't possible, the cost of tailoring them would over $100 each I think. But I might ask. Thanks.

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I can't alter them, and no consignment shop would take them here (it's Hawaii.....no one wears stuff like this). But I think mailing them to one of the women's organizations would be a great idea. Appreciate the support and good ideas.......I feel better already. Wonderful support here.

I know this is silly, but I am having a hard time giving away my two gorgeous Jones of New York jackets.....one a size 16 and one a 14. But they are way too big on me now and look silly. I have no one to give them to here because no one would wear them in Hawaii. I'd like to sell them because they cost me about $500 for both of them but maybe I'm being unrealistic. I feel for those who had super expensive really nice things; I didn't have that many living here in Hawaii. But these are from my working days. Any ideas are welcome. I don't think I can have them tailored which is too bad because we're moving to Amsterdam and I would wear them there.....oh well, just had to get this off my chest. It's stupid to be so sad about this.

Hi Traceann: I don't see your private message, if you want to send me an email you can send it to queen@queenofcrop.com QofC eenof

I suggest we end this topic right now. The thread has developed into a discussion (in an accusatory way) of personal beliefs and values that have nothing to do with supporting people with their weight loss challenges. If you agree with me, then let's make this the end of the thread, wish skym34 well with her challenges and take Rootman's good advice and not use this forum for dirty laundry.

I find the question a curious one; not because any of us know what the right answer is for you and your husband; only you know. But are you just now becoming more aware, or more outspoken because you've had the surgery and you've lost weight and are becoming more confident and more empowered?

Yes....walk! It's really really important; even small steps up and down the hall, but you must get up and walk. This is a really important step in your recovery. The weight gain is normal; in a week or two you will start losing regularly. If things don't improve in a few days call your doctor.

Thanks New Hope! Great suggestions; I'll try some pool aerobics and the bike in the gym tomorrow. Congrats on your success as well.....2 months and your 25% to your goal! Appreciate the support and kind words.

Thanks for the post and the good advice Mememee......I feel I am starting down the same road as SparklingSarah.....I am in my home stretch with less than 10 lbs to lose but I am not eating well at all. I am doing a good job exercising and even though I'm not eating a lot of calories still (about 1200 a day) they aren't good calories....I'll take your advice and try for a few good days.....it just feels weird to see me going for junk again after all this....I am 9 months post op.

I seem stuck at 145 lbs; can't seem to get below this for some reason. I feel good where I'm at right now but I sure would like to get to my goal weight of 138 just so I'm not in the official category of being overweight for once in my life. I so get such inspiration from this forum so will try to read as much as I can here in the next few weeks to get me to that last push. Thanks everyone!

OK, So this is too funny not to share. I went to the theater and saw an old client that I hadn't seen in a couple of years. This was the exchange: ME: Hi Cosette. it's Zoe. COSETTE: (Blank Stare back at me) ME: Zoe, Zoe Walsh.... COSETTE: (Blank Stare back at me) ME: (very slowly) Zoe Walsh from the vacation rental company... COSETTE: (Continuing to Stare back at me while cocking her head to the side) ME: (wondering if she's OK) you remember, we worked with your two beautiful properties.... COSETTE: (looking at me suspiciously) You're not Zoe....I know Zoe, you don't look anything like her. ME: (laughing) Well, I have lost a little weight.....then I managed to convince her it really was me! That was a first, actually I'm not sure it was a compliment (when things like that happen it's a reminder of how bad off I was before!) but it was pretty funny when it happened, she really didn't recognize me at all!

Put succinctly: It isn't easy, but it's effective and life-changing and the benefits FAR outweigh the inconveniences! I am 150% convinced that we are all wired differently and traditional diets are not the way for many of us to get where we need to be in our lives. Brian; my sincere condolences on the loss of your wife; and sending you a big congratulations for moving forward in such a positive way. You are a true role-model for those kids. Well done!