suejersey

Yep. What an accomplishment, right?!

I do zumba or some type of dance cardio two days a week, one day 60 minutes on the treadmill at fat burn setting and two days weight training - one is a class using light weights and one is machines. On the day I do machines I do the hour of treadmill as well. So I basically do 4 days per week 1 hour - 2 cardio, 1 fat burn and 2 weight training.

I am 7 pounds away from losing 100 pounds. I have said all along that I wanted to do something big for losing 100. My ideas were get a tattoo or get my nose pierced. My dilemma is - my parents and a number of others are against the tattoo. I was all for it - an infinity sign with my daughter's names in it and a "100" dangling off it to show 100 pounds lost forever. But now I am not so sure. When I am 65 am I still going to be happy with it, et cetera....(I am 47 as of tomorrow) What I really, really want is to get my nose pierced. Tiny diamond stud. I think it is beautiful and I, in my opnion, have a petite, cute nose. My HUSBAND is against it and so are my kids. And I am sure just about everyone else would be, too. I was almost to the point of like, too bad, it is what I want and should be my decision but I don't know if I can do it if it will be hurtful (embarrassing) to my family. So then I thought perhaps I would have my engagement ring redone - it needs to be resized and many years ago I lost a side stone and we just put in a cubic zirconia instead of a real diamond so I could get that replaced with a diamond and maybe a new setting. I like the idea but I don't love it. I thought I was going to be out of my mind with happiness once I got to 100 pounds but I don't know maybe I should just do nothing and save the money to put towards getting a boob and arm lift. Now that everything is sagging it kind of has me sad. What did you all do for hitting that big milestone or for hitting goal?

Looking great! Congraulations!

DOS 278 CW 186 Total loss 92 pounds 11,5 pounds per month Coming into the home stretch and I know things are going to slow down. I have been super happy with my progress but now I am getting a little impatient to be done 25 - 30 pounds left.

I exercise 4 days per week for about 50 - 60 minutes. 2 days I do a zumba or dance aerobic class, 1 day treadmill for 60 minutes and 30 minutes of weights and 1 day 60 minute weights class. So basically 3 days cardio, 2 days weights (one day I do both cardio and weights)

I know that I want to get to a weight that I an MAINTAIN without struggling. I feel like if I get to what my BMI says I should be and I can't maintain it then I will feel like a failure. I set my goal for 165 - 20 pounds more than when I got married 20 years ago. In looking at the BMI chart that accounts for age my high end would be 154. Once I get to 165 I will see from there how I feel and look. I have always been "curvy" and want to maintain that. I like the look for some "meat on the bones." But I may try to get into the 150's which TO ME would be perfection. Whether I am in the BMI range or not isn't my goal. If my cholesterol is good, my blood work is good, I am exercising and have a strong heart muscle the number isn't as important. No matter what I have lengthened my life by taking off so much weight and starting to exercise regularly.

I use miralax when things "slow" down. I am almost 8 months out now and still only go once or twice per week. I drink all my water and try to get as much fiber as I can, but still things are slow, so the Miralax makes up the difference. it goes in my water (flavored water) and you don't notice it at all.

Looking at everyone's pictures it makes me realize what this surgery has done for all of us. The smiles on faces, the confidence in taking pictures, you can see life truly starting again in all of you. We have been given a wonderful gift in gastric sleeve surgery. Now our job is to cherish and nurture that gift and take EXCELLENT care of our bodies! Congratulations to you all! We are blessed!

It's interesting that you bring this up because I notice that lately I have been more anxious and I can't figure out why. There really is no reason. I have OCD and have been on Paxil for about 15 years. In thinking about it I wonder if the anxiety is the anticipation with the weight loss, the heavy focus on it that is causing it. I do find that I am more irritable if I get hungry. I notice it especially before dinner. If I eat too late I don't necessarily feel super hungry but am totally on edge. Just wanted to throw that out there. Not sure it is helpful but wanted you to know you're not alone and perhaps something to consider.

I am pretty good about logging. I do miss a day here and there. I am suejersey

I am 7 1/2 months out and am still losing. I did add "serious" exercise in the last month so I am upping my Protein and calories to have the energy to do more intense exercise and that has helped the weight loss to continue. Prior to intense exercise I was eating 600 - 700 calories minimum 60 grams protein. Now with exercise 4 days a week (zumba, sh'bam, treadmill, weight training) I am shooting for 800 calories and 80 gramsof protein. I was actually starting to slow down on my weight loss at 6 months because my body needed more calories, protein. So when I kicked up the exercise and the calories I started losing again. To reach my goal I have 23 pounds, but I think I am going to go for another 10 after I reach that goal. So don't be worried that weight loss is going to stop at 6 months out or once you reach a certain number of calories. I think once you reach a certain point and you see weight loss slowing, then just change it up a bit with more/different exercise and make sure you are getting ENOUGH calories! You're doing great!

Don't get in the habit of weighing every day it will be frustrating and a roller coaster. Try to hold out for once a week, same day, same time. And believe me, you can do this, you WILL do this! Your body is figuring it out. Just follow the rules and you will be amazed where you are in six months!

Updating: DOS 10/11/12 278 Weight at Setting of Goal 220 CW 5/23/13 190 Goal for 6/21/13 190 Made my goal and now I am going to be very aggressive and shoot for that 180 by first day of summer. Now that I am 7 1/2 months out things are slowing down so I don't know if I will make 180 but having a goal that may be hard to reach will just push me harder!

This is the perfect comment for how I am feeling! Good luck and keep experimenting for what works for You! I joined the gym a month ago and am finding myself very low on energy and having a hard time getting through the cardio workouts. I spoke to one of the instructors about it and she said because of my low calories 600 - 750 I am not getting enough to expend for the workout (I love zumba). So I am trying to increase my calories to about 800 now but at the same time am afraid that I will stop losing. (7 1/2 months out - 30 pounds left to lose). The instructor said, "You're like a science experiment and you just have to keep trying things out to see what works for you." It really is a mind game sometimes. I know that I am more hungry but worry about eating more calories. Then I worry that I am not getting enough calories because of exercising but not wanting to eat back my calories for fear of gaining or losing. UGH! I think I just want to be DONE - meaning at goal. I so want to buy new clothes and stop being in limbo and say I made it and then maintain and get stronger. But I have to continue to be patient.

Doing great!!!!

I hope to eventually stop tracking because I want this new way of life to be a lifestyle not something that I am still thinking about all the time. Now I track most days - although by the end of the day I sometimes don't put in my dinner/snack but know how many calories and Protein I had left and finish up the day within my goals. I am eating between 700 - 800 calories right now and 3 meals, 1 or 2 Snacks a day. I like eating this way and if I can keep the calories in line I would think once I hit goal I can experiment with not tracking. I like the idea of letting the scale be the guide - keeping within 2 pounds and once going over 2 pounds, perhaps start tracking again.

This is so oneof my NSV - crossing my legs. I feel like such a lady. I love it!!!! Congrats to you, too!

You look wonderful! Congratulations and keep it up!

I joined the gym two weeks ago and hope that it will help the weight to continue to come off as I am coming up on 7 months out. I think I have been sabatoging myself a bit because of hearing "Oh, the first six months is the honeymoon period and make the most of it" and started to let the carbs and little bites here and there sneak back in. I also know that building muscle I may not see as much weight loss but loss in inches so trying to keep it all in perspective. Only lost 1 pound this week, but it was a loss!

Updating: DOS 10/11/12 278 CW 3/20/13 210 Goal for 6/21/13 190 As of today I am 196 - so only 6 pounds to meet my first day of summer goal. I think I will improve that goal and shoot for 180 by first day of summer.

This is an interesting topic because I have been feeling that way and didn't understand why I was feeling that way. Now that I have lost the majority of my weight I am feeling bad about my thighs (which were my problem even when I wasn't overweight) and I am concerned with all the jigglyness. I joined the gym, though, and hope that will help to tone up and work out the areas that are my problem areas. But all in all I have to remember that I have lengthened my life and improved my quality of life so if my thighs are perfect hey, that's not so bad!

I soooooooo do not regret my sleeve surgery! I can live the rest of my life like this, not a prisoner to food and be healthy, active and live a longer life. Perhaps those who regret it had complications that have made their recovery and/or lives more difficult and I can understand that regret. But with anything in life there are consequences to our choices and we have to weigh out if the possible consequences (bad) would outweigh the possible benefits (improved living). It is a bit of a gamble because we can't be 100% sure we will have no complications. The other regret may be those who have more serious need for counseling regarding food addiction and have not addressed it. In that case, counseling and work on the emotional side of things is very much in order!

Getting on an airplane and not bumping into everyone with my hips as I walk down the aisle and fitting comfortably and with room in the seat!

You look super! Congratulations!!!!