suejersey

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 love what you said here.
Just to put it out there, last night I brought home an Escape from New York large half cheese, half Canadian bacon pizza. A real NY style pie which is one of the best you will find on the West coast. I had just over half a slice of the CB.
Your share reminds me of something shared at an AA meeting this past weekend. A fellow was in rehab following an intervention. He said he didn't drink all the time. He was able to control his drinking most of the time. He didn't believe he had a problem. A counselor then asked him to think about this next question, not answering it until the next day. The question was, when you are not drinking, what percentage of your mind is spent thinking about alcohol? This is when he realized he had a problem as after some reflection, he realized not only did he merely think about it, he romanticized it.
The moral to my story is that even if we are able to control our consumption of a food with the aid of the sleeve, if thinking about it in an unhealthy manner occupies our time when we are away from it, perhaps it is something which should never cross our lips in the first place.

I'm going to go against the grain here and put a big huge question mark on the pizza. Yes, lots of folks find success with the "everything in moderation" approach, and if you're one of them, you have my admiration, and more than a bit of envy. I spent over a year in a losing battle with the scale, seeing my old binge eating habits take over my life again trying to convince myself I could eat certain foods in moderation. Turns out, I was lying to myself. chocolate and sugary carbs are my kryptonite. Once I start eating them, I crave them constantly. As in, bags of chocolate hidden in my desk drawer, sneaking downstairs after my husband's gone to bed to get my fix, polishing off a doughnut AND a sticky bun AND god knows what else for "breakfast", and gobbling sugar the rest of the day. It's awful, and it's humiliating, and I've spent the last 14 weeks losing 25 pounds of regain, and I've got a bit more to lose.
Now... do I eat pizza? Yes. Sometimes a healthier substitute (cauliflower crust, or on a low carb tortilla), sometimes the real honest to goodness thing. Can I have some, even too much, and then get right back on track the next day? Yes. So, pizza is something I can enjoy in moderation. Chocolate chip Cookies, not so much. For my "kryptonite" foods, I've found low-carb, sugar-free substitutes that I find enjoyable and satisfying, but that don't pull me down into a sugar spiral.
The only reason I'm waving this flag of warning is the way you described how you feel about pizza. I'm not suggesting you avoid it forever, but I AM suggesting that you be brutally honest with yourself about how you (and your body) handle pizza, or any food you can't imagine living without. Some foods honestly and truly are worth giving up for what you really want - a body you can live happily in, and the energy to do what you want with it.

I am 5 months out - I have had pizza, but never a whole slice. I can't tolerate that much.
Here's what I do instead of doughy pizza from a pizza shop - I take a Carb Balance Tortilla shell, top with pizza sauce, pepperoni and fresh mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until done.
Seriously - it's a great thin crust pizza. My husband requests this pizza often. I also make one with BBQ Sauce and chicken, then top with cheese.
It's a nice alternative.

I FINALLY made it!! Today I sit at a 'normal' BMI, not over weight, not obese, no longer morbidly obese. Sure, it's just a number, but wow, it feels great to be able to continue to hit benchmarks along this journey!! I am 17 months out and still losing. Slow but steady wins the race, and I am DEFINATELY going to win this one!!

I do follow the rules. I find them empowering and give me guidance.
I track in MFP
I exercise 4 days per week
I drink 64 ounces of Water per day (2 cups being coffee with my Protein powder in the morning)
I eat Protein first, veggie second and if I have a starch it is about 1/4 cup.
I don't eat much bread, potato, Pasta. (I use low carb alternatives for bread to make wraps, pizza, et cetera)
No soda
I do eat some sweets (I need a piece of chocolate every few days)
I love Quest Protein Bars and have one every day!
For me I don't feel tracking is a chore but is actually a reward for me and helps me stay on track. I hope to continue doing it long term. Exercise has become a challenge that I enjoy and relieves stress and makes me feel powerful and strong - I hope it will continue that way for the rest of my life.

I don't really worry about if I drank before I eat, but I wait 30 minutes (approximately) after I eat to drink. If I am super thirsty I will take a couple sips, but otherwise wait 30 minutes after eating.

I drink Snapple Diet Green Tea (instant packets) every day because I love the taste, but don't know if it would count as "Green Tea" for weight loss. Plain Water is to "heavy" to me and I use one packet in 3 cups of Water. So I usually have two a day. Love the stuff!
food menu:
this has changed somewhat over time - I can eat more now (probably double the calories)
At 600 calories I would say my day looked like:
Protein shake or coffee with Protein Powder
1 cheese stick
1 ounce of lunch meat
1 ounce of beef Jerky or chobani Greek yogurt
2 ounces of Protein (chicken mostly) one tablespoon vegetable
1 cheese stick or half Protein Bar
(also eggs were in the mix most days - 1 egg)
Very, very simple eating during the first year for me. For dinner whatever I made for my family I would eat the protein of it but only 2 ounces or so or 1/4 - 1/2 cup if measured that way.
Now I try to follow a low carb diet and am experimenting with different grains and gluten free stuff for baking. Use xylitol or splenda versus sugar for baked goods. I love Quest Protein Bars for a dessert or snack. If you check out Pinterest low carb you will find lots of great recipes. I am constantly trying new things.
I don't worry about fat I look at low carb and then high protein for recipes.< /p>
menu now at 17 months:
coffee with Protein powder (I am bad about eating breakfast)
Protein Bar or yogurt, or beef Jerky or 2 ounces lunch meat
Leftovers or low carb tortilla made into pizza or 1 cheese stick and an ounce of turkey pepperoni or cold cuts
most days chobani or other high protein snack, occasional tortilla chips with Greek yogurt dip or hummus (sometimes I need that crunch!)
dinner whatever I am making for my family but now I can have 3 - 4 ounces of protein and 2 - 3 tablespoons of veggie
protein bar or yogurt (usually something more sweet)
I still stay away from Pasta, potatoes, rice, bread as much as possible. Drink 64 ounces each day. Get about 1200 calories per day.
Definitely check out Pinterest for recipes (I have one board called Bariatric Resources where I pin recipes I want to try).
World According to Eggface and Bariatric Foodie are great blogs for recipes and such.
Good luck! You'll do great!
One last thing, don't be impatient. Continue living your life and making good choices and enjoy the new life that you are building. At the beginning it does feel sort of like wow, this seems kind of slow to me, but before you know it you will look at your loss and be like, wow, how did that happen so fast. Don't wait to live when the weight comes off, live while it is coming off! It took me about 14 months to lose the 140 pounds - so average that out to ten pounds a month, so enjoy new victories along way, there will be lots of them!

I drink Snapple Diet Green Tea (instant packets) every day because I love the taste, but don't know if it would count as "Green Tea" for weight loss. Plain Water is to "heavy" to me and I use one packet in 3 cups of Water. So I usually have two a day. Love the stuff!
food menu:
this has changed somewhat over time - I can eat more now (probably double the calories)
At 600 calories I would say my day looked like:
Protein shake or coffee with Protein Powder
1 cheese stick
1 ounce of lunch meat
1 ounce of beef Jerky or chobani Greek yogurt
2 ounces of Protein (chicken mostly) one tablespoon vegetable
1 cheese stick or half Protein Bar
(also eggs were in the mix most days - 1 egg)
Very, very simple eating during the first year for me. For dinner whatever I made for my family I would eat the protein of it but only 2 ounces or so or 1/4 - 1/2 cup if measured that way.
Now I try to follow a low carb diet and am experimenting with different grains and gluten free stuff for baking. Use xylitol or splenda versus sugar for baked goods. I love Quest Protein Bars for a dessert or snack. If you check out Pinterest low carb you will find lots of great recipes. I am constantly trying new things.
I don't worry about fat I look at low carb and then high protein for recipes.< /p>
menu now at 17 months:
coffee with Protein powder (I am bad about eating breakfast)
Protein Bar or yogurt, or beef Jerky or 2 ounces lunch meat
Leftovers or low carb tortilla made into pizza or 1 cheese stick and an ounce of turkey pepperoni or cold cuts
most days chobani or other high protein snack, occasional tortilla chips with Greek yogurt dip or hummus (sometimes I need that crunch!)
dinner whatever I am making for my family but now I can have 3 - 4 ounces of protein and 2 - 3 tablespoons of veggie
protein bar or yogurt (usually something more sweet)
I still stay away from Pasta, potatoes, rice, bread as much as possible. Drink 64 ounces each day. Get about 1200 calories per day.
Definitely check out Pinterest for recipes (I have one board called Bariatric Resources where I pin recipes I want to try).
World According to Eggface and Bariatric Foodie are great blogs for recipes and such.
Good luck! You'll do great!
One last thing, don't be impatient. Continue living your life and making good choices and enjoy the new life that you are building. At the beginning it does feel sort of like wow, this seems kind of slow to me, but before you know it you will look at your loss and be like, wow, how did that happen so fast. Don't wait to live when the weight comes off, live while it is coming off! It took me about 14 months to lose the 140 pounds - so average that out to ten pounds a month, so enjoy new victories along way, there will be lots of them!

I drink Snapple Diet Green Tea (instant packets) every day because I love the taste, but don't know if it would count as "Green Tea" for weight loss. Plain Water is to "heavy" to me and I use one packet in 3 cups of Water. So I usually have two a day. Love the stuff!
food menu:
this has changed somewhat over time - I can eat more now (probably double the calories)
At 600 calories I would say my day looked like:
Protein shake or coffee with Protein Powder
1 cheese stick
1 ounce of lunch meat
1 ounce of beef Jerky or chobani Greek yogurt
2 ounces of Protein (chicken mostly) one tablespoon vegetable
1 cheese stick or half Protein Bar
(also eggs were in the mix most days - 1 egg)
Very, very simple eating during the first year for me. For dinner whatever I made for my family I would eat the protein of it but only 2 ounces or so or 1/4 - 1/2 cup if measured that way.
Now I try to follow a low carb diet and am experimenting with different grains and gluten free stuff for baking. Use xylitol or splenda versus sugar for baked goods. I love Quest Protein Bars for a dessert or snack. If you check out Pinterest low carb you will find lots of great recipes. I am constantly trying new things.
I don't worry about fat I look at low carb and then high protein for recipes.< /p>
menu now at 17 months:
coffee with Protein powder (I am bad about eating breakfast)
Protein Bar or yogurt, or beef Jerky or 2 ounces lunch meat
Leftovers or low carb tortilla made into pizza or 1 cheese stick and an ounce of turkey pepperoni or cold cuts
most days chobani or other high protein snack, occasional tortilla chips with Greek yogurt dip or hummus (sometimes I need that crunch!)
dinner whatever I am making for my family but now I can have 3 - 4 ounces of protein and 2 - 3 tablespoons of veggie
protein bar or yogurt (usually something more sweet)
I still stay away from Pasta, potatoes, rice, bread as much as possible. Drink 64 ounces each day. Get about 1200 calories per day.
Definitely check out Pinterest for recipes (I have one board called Bariatric Resources where I pin recipes I want to try).
World According to Eggface and Bariatric Foodie are great blogs for recipes and such.
Good luck! You'll do great!
One last thing, don't be impatient. Continue living your life and making good choices and enjoy the new life that you are building. At the beginning it does feel sort of like wow, this seems kind of slow to me, but before you know it you will look at your loss and be like, wow, how did that happen so fast. Don't wait to live when the weight comes off, live while it is coming off! It took me about 14 months to lose the 140 pounds - so average that out to ten pounds a month, so enjoy new victories along way, there will be lots of them!

I drink Snapple Diet Green Tea (instant packets) every day because I love the taste, but don't know if it would count as "Green Tea" for weight loss. Plain Water is to "heavy" to me and I use one packet in 3 cups of Water. So I usually have two a day. Love the stuff!
food menu:
this has changed somewhat over time - I can eat more now (probably double the calories)
At 600 calories I would say my day looked like:
Protein shake or coffee with Protein Powder
1 cheese stick
1 ounce of lunch meat
1 ounce of beef Jerky or chobani Greek yogurt
2 ounces of Protein (chicken mostly) one tablespoon vegetable
1 cheese stick or half Protein Bar
(also eggs were in the mix most days - 1 egg)
Very, very simple eating during the first year for me. For dinner whatever I made for my family I would eat the protein of it but only 2 ounces or so or 1/4 - 1/2 cup if measured that way.
Now I try to follow a low carb diet and am experimenting with different grains and gluten free stuff for baking. Use xylitol or splenda versus sugar for baked goods. I love Quest Protein Bars for a dessert or snack. If you check out Pinterest low carb you will find lots of great recipes. I am constantly trying new things.
I don't worry about fat I look at low carb and then high protein for recipes.< /p>
menu now at 17 months:
coffee with Protein powder (I am bad about eating breakfast)
Protein Bar or yogurt, or beef Jerky or 2 ounces lunch meat
Leftovers or low carb tortilla made into pizza or 1 cheese stick and an ounce of turkey pepperoni or cold cuts
most days chobani or other high protein snack, occasional tortilla chips with Greek yogurt dip or hummus (sometimes I need that crunch!)
dinner whatever I am making for my family but now I can have 3 - 4 ounces of protein and 2 - 3 tablespoons of veggie
protein bar or yogurt (usually something more sweet)
I still stay away from Pasta, potatoes, rice, bread as much as possible. Drink 64 ounces each day. Get about 1200 calories per day.
Definitely check out Pinterest for recipes (I have one board called Bariatric Resources where I pin recipes I want to try).
World According to Eggface and Bariatric Foodie are great blogs for recipes and such.
Good luck! You'll do great!
One last thing, don't be impatient. Continue living your life and making good choices and enjoy the new life that you are building. At the beginning it does feel sort of like wow, this seems kind of slow to me, but before you know it you will look at your loss and be like, wow, how did that happen so fast. Don't wait to live when the weight comes off, live while it is coming off! It took me about 14 months to lose the 140 pounds - so average that out to ten pounds a month, so enjoy new victories along way, there will be lots of them!

I do follow the rules. I find them empowering and give me guidance.
I track in MFP
I exercise 4 days per week
I drink 64 ounces of Water per day (2 cups being coffee with my Protein powder in the morning)
I eat Protein first, veggie second and if I have a starch it is about 1/4 cup.
I don't eat much bread, potato, Pasta. (I use low carb alternatives for bread to make wraps, pizza, et cetera)
No soda
I do eat some sweets (I need a piece of chocolate every few days)
I love Quest Protein Bars and have one every day!
For me I don't feel tracking is a chore but is actually a reward for me and helps me stay on track. I hope to continue doing it long term. Exercise has become a challenge that I enjoy and relieves stress and makes me feel powerful and strong - I hope it will continue that way for the rest of my life.

I do follow the rules. I find them empowering and give me guidance.
I track in MFP
I exercise 4 days per week
I drink 64 ounces of Water per day (2 cups being coffee with my Protein powder in the morning)
I eat Protein first, veggie second and if I have a starch it is about 1/4 cup.
I don't eat much bread, potato, Pasta. (I use low carb alternatives for bread to make wraps, pizza, et cetera)
No soda
I do eat some sweets (I need a piece of chocolate every few days)
I love Quest Protein Bars and have one every day!
For me I don't feel tracking is a chore but is actually a reward for me and helps me stay on track. I hope to continue doing it long term. Exercise has become a challenge that I enjoy and relieves stress and makes me feel powerful and strong - I hope it will continue that way for the rest of my life.

Biotin, Biotin, biotin. It seems to help a bit, at least in my case. You must take your Vitamins (from someone who has started to slack off on the vitamins) it is so important.
Seems that at three years out and starting to lose hair, that perhaps you should see your doctor to make sure there isn't something else going on - when did you have your blood work checked last?
Good luck! Losing hair is very upsetting, I totally understand. Try the biotin!

I eat 5 to 6 "meals" per day. I think it is a great way to eat. I never feel deprived because since I eat small amounts I know I will eat again in 2 to 3 hours so I will get to enjoy something then.
I have my coffee with Protein powder for breakfast
snack - usually a Quest bar or an 2 ounces cold cuts or beef Jerky
lunch - Protein leftovers from dinner the night before or cold cuts, low carb tortilla with cheese, Greek yogurt with 1/4 shredded wheat biscuit, cheese and turkey pepperoni
Snack - same as morning snack choices - if I make some type of low carb/high protein treat I may have that.
dinner - whatever protein the family is having and vegetable
Snack - usually a Greek yogurt, Quest bar or something sweet that is low carb/high protein (that fits my macros for the day)
I usually eat about 1,200 calories per day and hope to get up to about 1,500 per day - am either at maintenance or losing slowly (a couple pounds per month) I think eating small high protein meals is good and doable and as long as you aren't gaining, don't stress! If you start gaining then you need to re-evaluate your eating plan.

I eat 5 to 6 "meals" per day. I think it is a great way to eat. I never feel deprived because since I eat small amounts I know I will eat again in 2 to 3 hours so I will get to enjoy something then.
I have my coffee with Protein powder for breakfast
snack - usually a Quest bar or an 2 ounces cold cuts or beef Jerky
lunch - Protein leftovers from dinner the night before or cold cuts, low carb tortilla with cheese, Greek yogurt with 1/4 shredded wheat biscuit, cheese and turkey pepperoni
Snack - same as morning snack choices - if I make some type of low carb/high protein treat I may have that.
dinner - whatever protein the family is having and vegetable
Snack - usually a Greek yogurt, Quest bar or something sweet that is low carb/high protein (that fits my macros for the day)
I usually eat about 1,200 calories per day and hope to get up to about 1,500 per day - am either at maintenance or losing slowly (a couple pounds per month) I think eating small high protein meals is good and doable and as long as you aren't gaining, don't stress! If you start gaining then you need to re-evaluate your eating plan.

It took me easily 50 pounds before I got even a, "Are you losing weight?" It was a little discouraging but when it started it was like bam, everyone noticed. I would say around 65 to 75 pounds it was constant for a while. I would say it was about seven months out. Now I have lost a total of 136 pounds and I still get an occasional compliment but it's settled down. (Thank God!) LOL
But it definitely takes a while. Enjoy the journey!

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

I have to kill the carb monster, first. Can't wait to get back to normal around here! Then my goal this year is to set my bounce range and maintain. I would also like to add some more muscle and strengthen my core.

At goal and trying to figure out maintenance now - 14 months out. I have been okay - actually still losing but feeling a bit stressed, anxious, worried, overwhelmed and concerned about being able to maintain and being able to enjoy the holidays. Last year I had a sliver of cake and that was totally rewarding. This year I have had Cookies, candy, cake - smaller amounts that pre-surgery but it scares me and I am sad that I can't enjoy it without being guilty.
I have worked hard to get here and am afraid that I will lose control and gain it all back. Since I don't have any experience yet at maintaining I don't know how this is all going to affect me, but I have to say I want to get back to "normal" and be done with the holidays! Missing the gym today because of work doesn't help, either! Only made it two days last week and I should cut myself a break that this time of year is crazy but instead am beating myself up and obsessing that I will be exhausted at the gym and quit that too.
Not liking how I feel right now. Worrying, worrying.

Diet pills? No way. That is crazy.
Are you exercising? I joined the gym at about 7 months and my weight loss as continued to be pretty study. I started at 278 am now 142 - 14 months out.
If you aren't exercising vigorously and getting enough calories that definitely could be it.
At 10 months I was about 800 to 900 calories per day and exercising 4 days per week for an hour. You may need to up your calories. I know it is scary to think of adding calories but it definitely is necessary and you WILL still lose. Enjoy the journey while you are at it and remember this is for a lifetime so going slow is okay. '
Good luck, and you CAN and WILL do it!!

I have 5 to 6 meals and Snacks per day. That is the way that I have been able to get my Protein and calories in.
Up to about 6 months I was at 600 calories, by eight months 800 calories and now at 14 months I am between 1000 and 1200.
I use Protein powder in my coffee in the morning but all the rest of my Protein comes from food and I hate between 100 and 120 grams per day.
For the first six months I only walked for exercise
At about 7 months I started going to the gym and I go 4 days per week - burning between 300 - 600 calories at each visit.
Just wanted to give you an idea of my progression. Hope it is helpful.

I have 5 to 6 meals and Snacks per day. That is the way that I have been able to get my Protein and calories in.
Up to about 6 months I was at 600 calories, by eight months 800 calories and now at 14 months I am between 1000 and 1200.
I use Protein powder in my coffee in the morning but all the rest of my Protein comes from food and I hate between 100 and 120 grams per day.
For the first six months I only walked for exercise
At about 7 months I started going to the gym and I go 4 days per week - burning between 300 - 600 calories at each visit.
Just wanted to give you an idea of my progression. Hope it is helpful.

I eat more than a thousand...
He doesn't want your metabolism to totally tank.
That being said though, I would not push it if you can't eat that much yet. Slowly raise it up.
Like right now shoot for 800..

I would never let the hubby take photos before surgery but I gave him permission to take pics at will. We went hiking down and up the Waipio Valley, did an 8 mile round trip hike to the green sand beach, snorkeled, did yoga on a cliff etc. When we got to the top of the Waipio Valley I cried because a year previous I wouldve never attempted it much less completed it.
Full of energy is right. I wake up early now (cannot sleep past 8am) whereas I would sleep until 12 or 1 previously. Ive wasted so much time. The hubby and I are making up for lost time now and want to do anything and everything we can. Im even going to get him to come to yoga lol.