trystelle

Oh Juli- I am so with you. I find myself thinking about my skin all the time. After losing 120 its getting bad. I was worried about my belly, but it is my arms and thighs that are the worst. I really don't want to get PS and probably won't unless there is a health issue, but damn-now that I am looking good, I have the skin of an 80 year old. It really sucks!!!!

I have been following your progress and you have been very inspirational. CONGRATULATIONS:wink2:

Great idea!!

Are you getting any exercise? If you were more fit before, your body could literally be smaller at the same weight!

Down 7.5#--4.5 to go:wink2: name.............starting#......current#......goal#.....togo# Anitak33...........245............218..........199.......19 Anna2766____.......232............232..........220.......12 Cagstorm(txarcher).360............357..........345.......12 Candle.............218............213.5........207.......6.5 Cerrin.............350............350..........325.......25 chickatee..........188............184..........175.......9 Cookielover........202............202..........192.......10 cQQlgirl...........220............220..........210.......10 Faithmd............306............301.2........296.......5.2 georgiagirl........275............268..........260.......8 Hollyberries.......298............298..........285.......13 Hoppingto..........350............314..........294.......20 Irishmae11.........233.8..........234..........219.......15 Jennie1976.........290............251..........235.......16 jfran..............187............181..........177.......4 Jillrn.............176............176..........166.......10 Jsrico.............255............178..........165.......13 juliegeraci........220............220..........210.......8 KarenG.............207............197..........189.......8 keekahari..........220............217..........205.......12 kjl315.............237.5..........232..........220.......12 legster............223.5..........216..........199.......17 LessnLess..........172............172..........164.......8 liz_hager..........202............198..........190.......8 Manatee............188............179..........175.......4 Mandyjo............191............187..........180.......11 metawnny...........252............252..........240.......12 MJRouse84..........274............233..........218.......15 nip50..............250............243..........238.......5 Rainer.............264............255..........248.......7 Redtulips3.........248............234.5........226......8.5 RenewedHope........228............221..........210.......11 rharriet...........367............256..........248.......8 Sades..............229............199.7........189.......10.7 Skinny_Jill........195............190..........180.......10 Stacy73............230............225..........222.......3 SueMagoo...........230............224..........220.......4 Sunny112...........145............145..........140.......5 Susan4794..........240............240..........225.......15 Suzzzie............303............294..........290.......4 SWEETY.............180............174..........170.......4 Trystelle..........219............211.5........205.......6.5 Twilight...........206............197..........185.......21 uxbus5.............240............240..........230.......10 want2lose..........236............236..........225.......11 wombat712..........154.8..........151..........140.......11

Hi- Different docs say different things with regard to snacking. Talking to a nutritionist may help. I do 6 small -primarily Protein meals a day and take in about 1600 calories. I lose 2-3 lbs a week this way although it has slowed down since I hit -100. Everybody is different and so there are many good eating plans. As far as good restriction, I think good restriction is when you can lose 1-2 pounds per week without "white knuckling" it. JMHO

Regardless of our religious beliefs, faith brings strength. That's something all of us banders can use!

How about some protein shakes to up your protein and calories a bit?

I am right there with you Mary Jo! It seems so arbitrary to just pick a number. When I was size 26, I thought I would aim for a 14-but now that I am 16 I really don't know. I set up my ticker for 150, but that was just a random round number and the lowest I would be in 25 years. I feel like I am just guessing here. Any advice for Mary Jo and me?

I am getting a little preoccupied about clothes. I never seem to have any that fit me anymore. I am looking for good clothes deals. Can we talk about clothing ideas that are flattering for our deflated bodies? Can we share info on sales for online stores or national chains? What size are you wearing at what weight. How are certain brands of clothing sized? Ideas about tops that will cover bat wings in warm weather? Thanks for sharing!

How do these jeans fit? I looked at them but I was overwhelmed by the number of choices of style. Suggestions for an hourglass figure?

Went to Country Inn and Suites last weekend and among the usual choices they had low fat yogurt, cheese sticks and hard boiled eggs.

I know how you all feel-I feel like a stranger in my own body!! I have lost 100+ pounds in less than a year and it is starting to feel wierd. When I started this journey I set a goal of a size fourteen and I am now almost there, but weighing much more than I thought I would at this size. So I have to rethink my goal-perhaps get to a normal BMI? I didn't think this part would be so hard!

I did go out shopping for a little while today. I went to JCP and got a beautiful 3 piece Sag Harbor suit for $18. I also bought a short sleeve purple sweater and a pair of lounge pants which will double as exercise pants. I looked at winter coats but there were tons and I think they will go down to 90% off-We'll see. Then I went over to Old Navy. That store makes me feel old and out of it! I got a down type jacket for next winter for $10. I also got a pair of the size 16 Sweetheart styled jeans as recommended but don't know how much I like them. They seem big at the waist and tight around my calves. I also bought an off white pair of jeans, in a mid rise and oh my-I will not be wearing these for a while if at all-I could only get them 3/4 of the way up and they have a zipper no longer than 4 inches long. I bought a pair of fleece pants in black. I spent about 65 at both stores. I just feel really uneasy about wearing such small clothes. They fit (well most of them but I haven't worn a 16 (except for a fleeting moment on a "successful diet") since maybe 6th grade and that was in 1976. So anyway more head work for me. Thanks for listening and interested to hear other ideas that people have been successful with.

At 213 I am a size 16 on bottom and a 14/16 on top. I always had an hourglass figure until I turned 40 and then my belly got big!! On my way down in pounds my hips and thighs lost first-I think because I am walking a lot. Now my waist is catching up. I feel like I have no idea what to wear. I haven't been a 14 since 1983! And then only for a few fleeting moments before I gained 100 pounds back! I am thinking about going to Jcpenney and Old Navy tomorrow as they are having clothing clearance sales. Hope I can get something!

Just want to say welcome. Hope it won't be too hard to give up the Pepsi!!!!

Not from Louisiana, but wanted to say welcome!

Hi and welcome--You can do this!!!

I have been working hard to get fit since April 07. I got my surgery on July 13th. As of today I am down 115 pounds. I cannot find any pictures of me at my top weight (surprise!) I think the before pictures are about 290. I am now 215. I was 330 when I started. only 65 to go! body-100.BMP

I'm with you-Hope my fill (on Thursday) helps kick things off. I am losing and gaining the some 3 pounds over and over again!

CALL your doctor-S/he is there to serve you, not to judge you!

I had 180 to lose and I ve lost 115 since last April-You are on the right track--you can do it!!

Rain- It is my experience that drinking a lot of anything before bed is asking for trouble. I would avoid doing this. Also Taking meds you can take in the morning would be smart. I find the later I eat the more likely there is to be trouble. I do not currently have band related reflux but suffered for many years before banding. Good luck take care of yourself!

This is my new favorite- 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee 1/2 c of skim milk 1/2 cup of almond flavored unsweetened soy milk 1 scoop of Protein powder (vanilla) I use my flat blade pulsing for about 30 secs. I put the cup in the freezer for 1/2 an hour Blend again for a few seconds Top with sugar free whipped cream Enjoy!!!! About 220 calories and you get your protien and your caffeine!

Doesn't it say you lost 13 pounds and you had surgery on 12/28??? That is awesome!!!!!