suejersey

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Oh sheesh I don't know how to load pictures. sorry.

Oh sheesh I don't know how to load pictures. sorry.

Oh sheesh I don't know how to load pictures. sorry.

Oh sheesh I don't know how to load pictures. sorry.

Oh sheesh I don't know how to load pictures. sorry.

No you are not fat! You are a human being
Now, if you want to "tone" things up you do need to do some exercise. How about strength training (you can do that even with a bad knee). In the last three months I have only lost 13 pounds but I am more and more happy with how my body looks because of the exercise that I am doing. I am at goal, in maintenance but now am focused on being fit and STRONG!
Maybe that is where you are conflicted. At a certain point losing weight will NOT look good, because you're not just losing fat, you're losing muscle and we can look shriveled up or flabby skinny. But have a defined physique (not necessarily muscle-y) may cause us to put on a few pounds, but we will LOOK smaller and tighter and firmer and BE STRONGER.
Strong is so empowering. Losing the weight has been so wonderful for me, it has given me my life back, but being STRONG is invigorating, it makes me feel like I can conquer my day, my problems, be adventurous, be confident.
You are not fat. You are beautiful. You have worked hard towards your goals. Remember your body is your vehicle, take care of it, strenghten it and appreciate all the hard work it does for you!
Oh, and by the way, BMI is a horrible, disgusting thing that is unrealistic for women (not sure about men). If I weighed 120 pounds I would look like I just got out of the hospital after being in a coma. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to make women think in those terms. Look at your lean body mass and work on increasing muscle, that is a much better "number" or indicator to look at.

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.

Totally agree with the don't drink and eat together!!
I also agree that you will be able to eat more, depending on what it is. I am 9 months out and I have 5 or 6 small meals a day. A snack is probably 1 or 2 ounces a meal is probably 3 or 4 ounces. For dinner I can eat about 3 ounces of chicken and probably 3 or 4 bites of veggie, as an example.
I can eat a Quest Protein bar as a snack or lunch. I can eat 2 ounces of lunch meat with some lettuce as bread for lunch.
So you will be able to eat more. But sometimes when it tastes so good and you just want to have more you just will not be able to. It will be too uncomfortable to continue and it makes it very easy not to over indulge. I try very hard to listen to my body and stop before over indulging even if "but it tastes so good."

This article says that those who have cosmetic surgery after massive weight loss tend to keep the weight off longer/better.
The study said those who lost the weight but did not have body contouring surgery gained back an average of 50 pounds. Those who DID have body contouring surgery only gained back an average of 13 pounds.
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/after-huge-weight-loss-sagging-skin-remains-n44481
I have been contemplating plastics and this goes down in the pro's column for me.

Hi! I am also self employed. I do transcription. I took about 4 or 5 entire days off (including surgery and overnight in the hospital) I got back to work slowly with a few hours a day and building up. I did take naps in the afternoon (which is a nice perk of working from home for myself LOL) but I was back to work, albeit part time after 4 or 5 days. I would say I was more tired for about 3 weeks, but after 7 days or so I was back to a full work load (worked around my naps, et cetera) HTH

I have to weigh every day, keep crap foods out of the house, stock up on healthy, low cal choices, and weigh and measure foods to get back on track.
Lynda

This is a very interesting topic.
I have noticed when I walk for long periods of time I get a lot of pain in my shoulders. I couldn't figure out why, and now I think it is because I am slouched over, my shoulders are curving in.
I second pilates and yoga. I know there are specific exercises to help with posture, as well. I didn't think this was a big deal, but I am beginning to see it now.
Also my tailbone kills me all.the.time. I do transcription and sit at my desk for hours and hours at a time. I can literally feel the bone right under my skin. I sit on a "donut" and it still kills. Trying to strengthen my glutes with the hopes it will help. Glute bridges, single leg dead lift, squats.

I have found that I need to relearn ALL my martial arts kicks and stances. I used to do all my spinning and jumping kicks with a lot of compensation for 100+ more pounds and now I when I do them with those same compensations, I am finding myself falling flat on my ass, missing my target all together and way over jumping/spinning. It's really quite funny now that I've figured out WHY I'm so clumsy.

I would highly recommend Pilates @@Fiddleman, if you aren't already doing it. It's all core exercise and focuses on posture, strengthening your lower back and abs, and balance. I think that I was in pretty good shape at 264 pounds because I always did pilates and yoga and those forms of exercise always kept my posture and flexibility good. It's fun and relaxing, too!

Interesting topic. After losing 100+ pounds my wife pointed out that I was walking funny. Upon paying attention to this I realized that i was walking hunched over. I think I was continuing to compensate for my (former) large belly.
Now I make a point of walking with my back straight but I have to think about it.

I am 64 and will be getting my Tummy Tuck June 5, while I hope it will help with regain I would really like my clothes to fit better.
I would maybe like to have my arms done at some point but want to see how the tummy goes first. I seem to have to get my clothes a size bigger than I really need to go over the extra skin. I will try to post some pictures afterwards.

I am just over a year out from a BL and TT - I'll be 4 years post sleeve in July. My reasons for getting rid of the excess skin and overall droppiness of the mid section was that it didn't look like my face! I had the body of an 80 year old and a face of a 40 year old... it was so discouraging, I didn't really feel the benefit of losing all my weight.
Now it has gone, especially the tummy area., I am a lot more mobile and can (when energy levels permit) do high cardio work outs; I don't have the overhang flapping around and pulling my back. Back pain and a recurrent groin injury have both gone since... I feel like my body is properly aligned, if that makes sense?
I think because I paid for all my surgeries, I am more inclined to 'fight' to keep the weight off and to continue to lose (not at surgeon's goal, still, but not giving up either). I don't take any of this for granted... it is hard work, but that's ok...
So yea, there are plenty of different reasons why people maintain and regain... it is a mix up really!

This article says that those who have cosmetic surgery after massive weight loss tend to keep the weight off longer/better.
The study said those who lost the weight but did not have body contouring surgery gained back an average of 50 pounds. Those who DID have body contouring surgery only gained back an average of 13 pounds.
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/after-huge-weight-loss-sagging-skin-remains-n44481
I have been contemplating plastics and this goes down in the pro's column for me.

I felt like plastics was similar to getting rid of the 3X sweatpants...you know, dont need that extra skin anymore, not useful. It motivates me because I feel so confident in my body...really...best body since I was about 22. I am only 6 months from the reconstruction but it was a game changer for me.

No you are not fat! You are a human being
Now, if you want to "tone" things up you do need to do some exercise. How about strength training (you can do that even with a bad knee). In the last three months I have only lost 13 pounds but I am more and more happy with how my body looks because of the exercise that I am doing. I am at goal, in maintenance but now am focused on being fit and STRONG!
Maybe that is where you are conflicted. At a certain point losing weight will NOT look good, because you're not just losing fat, you're losing muscle and we can look shriveled up or flabby skinny. But have a defined physique (not necessarily muscle-y) may cause us to put on a few pounds, but we will LOOK smaller and tighter and firmer and BE STRONGER.
Strong is so empowering. Losing the weight has been so wonderful for me, it has given me my life back, but being STRONG is invigorating, it makes me feel like I can conquer my day, my problems, be adventurous, be confident.
You are not fat. You are beautiful. You have worked hard towards your goals. Remember your body is your vehicle, take care of it, strenghten it and appreciate all the hard work it does for you!
Oh, and by the way, BMI is a horrible, disgusting thing that is unrealistic for women (not sure about men). If I weighed 120 pounds I would look like I just got out of the hospital after being in a coma. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to make women think in those terms. Look at your lean body mass and work on increasing muscle, that is a much better "number" or indicator to look at.

I am 10 months out. My typical day:
--early morning Protein Shake
--a couple hours later, Breakfast of 2 oz. lean meat wrapped in a romaine lettuce leaf, sometimes also have a couple of strawberries
--lunch around noon - a couple of ounces of lean meat, 15 grams roasted edamame, sometimes I add in a Babybel light cheese, a couple of prunes, or some green veggies
--afternoon snack - might be 1/2 container of Greek yogurt with some PB2 stirred in, some beef or fish Jerky, or another Protein shake
--dinner - varies a lot. Might be some kind of fish (a couple ounces) with green veggies, 1/4 c. refried Beans with a poached egg, or an avocado egg bake.
--evening snack - I don't always have this but I might have a piece of cheese, a couple pieces of dried fruit, or some Greek yogurt.
All in all I keep under about 850 calories and 60 carbs. Not always perfect but close.

No you are not fat! You are a human being
Now, if you want to "tone" things up you do need to do some exercise. How about strength training (you can do that even with a bad knee). In the last three months I have only lost 13 pounds but I am more and more happy with how my body looks because of the exercise that I am doing. I am at goal, in maintenance but now am focused on being fit and STRONG!
Maybe that is where you are conflicted. At a certain point losing weight will NOT look good, because you're not just losing fat, you're losing muscle and we can look shriveled up or flabby skinny. But have a defined physique (not necessarily muscle-y) may cause us to put on a few pounds, but we will LOOK smaller and tighter and firmer and BE STRONGER.
Strong is so empowering. Losing the weight has been so wonderful for me, it has given me my life back, but being STRONG is invigorating, it makes me feel like I can conquer my day, my problems, be adventurous, be confident.
You are not fat. You are beautiful. You have worked hard towards your goals. Remember your body is your vehicle, take care of it, strenghten it and appreciate all the hard work it does for you!
Oh, and by the way, BMI is a horrible, disgusting thing that is unrealistic for women (not sure about men). If I weighed 120 pounds I would look like I just got out of the hospital after being in a coma. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to make women think in those terms. Look at your lean body mass and work on increasing muscle, that is a much better "number" or indicator to look at.

No you are not fat! You are a human being
Now, if you want to "tone" things up you do need to do some exercise. How about strength training (you can do that even with a bad knee). In the last three months I have only lost 13 pounds but I am more and more happy with how my body looks because of the exercise that I am doing. I am at goal, in maintenance but now am focused on being fit and STRONG!
Maybe that is where you are conflicted. At a certain point losing weight will NOT look good, because you're not just losing fat, you're losing muscle and we can look shriveled up or flabby skinny. But have a defined physique (not necessarily muscle-y) may cause us to put on a few pounds, but we will LOOK smaller and tighter and firmer and BE STRONGER.
Strong is so empowering. Losing the weight has been so wonderful for me, it has given me my life back, but being STRONG is invigorating, it makes me feel like I can conquer my day, my problems, be adventurous, be confident.
You are not fat. You are beautiful. You have worked hard towards your goals. Remember your body is your vehicle, take care of it, strenghten it and appreciate all the hard work it does for you!
Oh, and by the way, BMI is a horrible, disgusting thing that is unrealistic for women (not sure about men). If I weighed 120 pounds I would look like I just got out of the hospital after being in a coma. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to make women think in those terms. Look at your lean body mass and work on increasing muscle, that is a much better "number" or indicator to look at.

No you are not fat! You are a human being
Now, if you want to "tone" things up you do need to do some exercise. How about strength training (you can do that even with a bad knee). In the last three months I have only lost 13 pounds but I am more and more happy with how my body looks because of the exercise that I am doing. I am at goal, in maintenance but now am focused on being fit and STRONG!
Maybe that is where you are conflicted. At a certain point losing weight will NOT look good, because you're not just losing fat, you're losing muscle and we can look shriveled up or flabby skinny. But have a defined physique (not necessarily muscle-y) may cause us to put on a few pounds, but we will LOOK smaller and tighter and firmer and BE STRONGER.
Strong is so empowering. Losing the weight has been so wonderful for me, it has given me my life back, but being STRONG is invigorating, it makes me feel like I can conquer my day, my problems, be adventurous, be confident.
You are not fat. You are beautiful. You have worked hard towards your goals. Remember your body is your vehicle, take care of it, strenghten it and appreciate all the hard work it does for you!
Oh, and by the way, BMI is a horrible, disgusting thing that is unrealistic for women (not sure about men). If I weighed 120 pounds I would look like I just got out of the hospital after being in a coma. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to make women think in those terms. Look at your lean body mass and work on increasing muscle, that is a much better "number" or indicator to look at.

No you are not fat! You are a human being
Now, if you want to "tone" things up you do need to do some exercise. How about strength training (you can do that even with a bad knee). In the last three months I have only lost 13 pounds but I am more and more happy with how my body looks because of the exercise that I am doing. I am at goal, in maintenance but now am focused on being fit and STRONG!
Maybe that is where you are conflicted. At a certain point losing weight will NOT look good, because you're not just losing fat, you're losing muscle and we can look shriveled up or flabby skinny. But have a defined physique (not necessarily muscle-y) may cause us to put on a few pounds, but we will LOOK smaller and tighter and firmer and BE STRONGER.
Strong is so empowering. Losing the weight has been so wonderful for me, it has given me my life back, but being STRONG is invigorating, it makes me feel like I can conquer my day, my problems, be adventurous, be confident.
You are not fat. You are beautiful. You have worked hard towards your goals. Remember your body is your vehicle, take care of it, strenghten it and appreciate all the hard work it does for you!
Oh, and by the way, BMI is a horrible, disgusting thing that is unrealistic for women (not sure about men). If I weighed 120 pounds I would look like I just got out of the hospital after being in a coma. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to make women think in those terms. Look at your lean body mass and work on increasing muscle, that is a much better "number" or indicator to look at.