Leslie Hudson-Couch

I'm the same way Debbie. The only thing I've found that gives me a little trouble is bread but I dont really want it so it doesnt bother me. What I have found strange, weird, whatever, is I don't really want things I used to love like icecream. Keep up the great spirit!!!

I also loved the carbs and my icecream... but since surgery I really have had no desire for the icecream and only a little for the breads but I know NOT to have them or I'm gonna be hugging me a toilet!! So in the end, I crave from afar and enjoy being healthier!

Wow!!! I'm so happy for you, tjmom!! I know how amazing that feeling is. Congrats!!! Keep up the good FYI I also am a tjmom lol

I havent posted for a bit because I've been allergy/sick ridden!!! I know I posted about that last time but I finally feel like I may be on the mend after a couple of rounds of steroids (ughhh the swelling!!) and antibiotics. Just in time for my 52nd birthday tomorrow!! Yes folks, I am proud to say that I have survived somehow for these many long years!! And now that I've had the surgery, I will actually live for many more to come. And I do mean living.... going and doing and loving and living and shopping and playing and singing and dancing and and and and...... That is the joy of the surgery and having lost over 50lbs now... at my last drs visit it was 55lbs to be exact. Yeah!! I've been able to become an active member of my own life. I have just existed for so long that I had forgotten how marvelous it can be to just walk through the store with out huffing and puffing. I'm able to act like a goofball (I am a chronic goofball) at work with my bff and not want to pass out... I can go to baby showers, restraunts, stores, nails, hair, and the list could go on and actually enjoy myself while doing it. What an AMAZING way to start my 52nd year on this great plant... I am loving life right now and I have such a great support group around me, especially my husband. He has been amazing and one of my biggest cheerleaders. We have been amazed by the changes I've gone through. One of the oddest things is my forearms feel "skinny" lol... I've also discovered I have shoulders! Who knew??? lol I can even feel the beginnings of a hip bone.... I KNOW!! I feel like I'm losing inches faster than pounds, which is perfectly fine with me, just is rather odd. Have any of you felt the same way? Just a curiosity question. I had to go buy new bras cuz I'm shrinking out of my old ones.... not cup but number wise. I'm losing back fat which is great! My stomach is wrinkling and bat wings are flying!!! lol One thing I've been upset about is since I started on the Predisone, my cellulitis has come back. I'm just vain enough for it to really bother me. I love wearing my capris and feel like I have fairly decent legs now that they arent so swollen. I is very frustrating but one of those things I have to live with I guess. I thought it was over but NOT! lol Okay last little tidbit, which has absolutely nothing to do with weight loss but everything to do with it as well..... My daughter's bday gift to me is telling me her baby #3 is on the way. Yeah and I will be able to be a different kind of grandma for this one from the get go. I am the "cool" grandma anyway but now I'll be fun too! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a spectacular journey!! Hugs to you all!!! P.S. The picture is from today. I can see a difference but very subtle.

Just take it slow and easy. Also I am a foodie so to me part of my problem was flavoring so I season everything! lol It really does help. Everyone is different and you will find that things you loved you wont so much and things you didnt you do.... for me ice cream and breads are pretty much gone and I am loving me some brussel sprouts and cottage cheese lol....

From one Libra to another Happy Birthday!! Mine is tomorrow the 14th and I am 3 months out and 55 lbs down and think its the best thing I've ever done (other than grandkids! lol). Its a great way to start my 52nd year! Look forward to hearing about your success. Good luck!!

Congrats on your new life!!! Just take it easy for a few days. My second week was amazing!! Good luck to you!!

It took about a week for it to ease up for me. After that I was golden! Good luck to you!! I am 3 months out and feeling fantastic!!

My hubby is the same way... he does like the cush but he is loving having me be more energetic and healthier. I think in some ways its harder on me....my boobs didnt hang so low before because my belly was holding them up lol... and now my face is deflating.... arghhhh!! BUT still would rather deflate than be buried so its a trade off. I have to admit I love my clothes hanging off me and feeling bones where there was padding before. You gotta love our men.... mine has proven time and time again that he's in it for the long haul...big/little, sick/healthy.... I love dat man!!!

Little behind here but you look fantastic!!!

what a great way to start your 50's!!! I'm thoroughly enjoying mine!! Hugs!! [sharedmedia=trackers:tickers:3322] [sharedmedia=trackers:tickers:3321]

Good luck to you!!! It is soooo worth it!! [sharedmedia=trackers:tickers:3321] [sharedmedia=trackers:tickers:3322]

I quit almost 2 years ago and am thrilled!! Over 35 years of smoking here.... so worth doing and sticking to it. I used Chantix but however you are doing it is great!! Good luck to you!!

Hiddy ho, everyone!!! Its been a bit since I have been here but I'm back. Not alot has changed but then again, everything has changed. I know, a contradiction in terms.... that would be me!! Well the first thing I want to talk about is frustration and lying scales!! Okay so maybe they don't lie but it sure feels like it. This is why I have purposely not gotten a scale for my house because I KNOW I would become wayyyyy to involved in weighing myself. So I have choosen to just weigh in when I go to a doctors appointment. I went Friday for a "sick" visit, which I will get to in a few. Anyhoo, I was actually very excited about this because it had been a few weeks since I last weighed in. I was feeling really good about it, especially with all the mucus I have blown out (I know TMI) and even excited, which if you are anything like me, is a very very weird feeling indeed!! My clothes have been getting bigger and bigger and I've had more energy (kinda) and I can walk without gasping for every breath. So I go in thinking I've lost at least 15 more pounds.... NOT! I had only lost 5lbs more but I got to thinking that is still an accomplishment. Also my body is acting more like 15lbs than 5lbs so who am I to complain?? I will but still lol.... I have lost exactly 50lbs since July 17 so that is really something to be happy about and don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy and proud, just wanting it to go faster. Never thought of myself as being impatient but I guess it is something I can add to my personal resume'. Okay, now about the "sick" visit. I got a cold about a month ago. Normally because of my major breathing issues, I would have missed a couple of days of work and kept my fingers crossed to keep pneumonia at bay. This time though, it was really no big deal even though I did feel like crap. My issue is that I got over the cold in about a week but have continued to sneeze my way through at least 10 boxes of tissues!! My nose hurts, my face is chapped and my eyes feel like they have lead weights in them!! I've never been prone to allergies but I've got a whopping case of them now. My friend/mentor at work said she also got bad allergies also after her surgery. Anyone else having the same issues? I got a huge shot of steroids in my posterior and was feeling fairly okay until today and I'm back to sneezing and blowing again!! Anyone heard of a nose transplant??? Jest askin' I have given away my first bag of clothes which is truly a blessing. One of the funny "side affects" is my pants are getting too long! Less booty and belly make for long pants lol.... Again, not that I'm complaining!! One thing I guess I didn't really think about is the deflation of my body and what would happen. I have been blessed with very good genes and have very little grey hair for someone almost 52 and very few wrinkles.... or had very few! I am now the relunctant owner of varying types of wrinkle / toner creams. I have mentioned in previous entries that I can be vain about some things... well this is the latest!! As my face is deflating, my wrinkles are increasing!! I also have discovered that I am developing bat wings!! arghhhhhh!!! I've always been very muscular so never really thought much about that but it is happening. Fortunately, I already have the rubber excercise thingymabobbers (okay so exercise equipment is not my fortay!) so I guess I'm going to have to make it a part of my routine (that does not yet exist) to recapture a forgotten youthful body that, honestly, I don't remember ever really having. I do have a picture from when I was 19 or so and I did look pretty hot but I just never got the confirmation of that fact. I just remember being told I was never thin enough or going to be loved if I didn't get skinny or thin or whatever so I had a poor body image even though it really wasn't so bad. Now I haven't told you this for sympathy or the po' me's... no, its just to point out that many of us have had the same experiences and journies, although each are unique. Its how you decide to steer the ship that decides your satisfaction with said journey. I have been very blessed to have had many many people truly love me for who I am and not for what I look like. Something that many of us have to deal with is the fear our mates may have that we will lose weight and then leave them (like my hubster!). My theory is that he loves me like I am and will love me as much or more later. He has stood by me through illness' and surgeries and my failing health so I believe he deserves and has earned the good times too. Besides, he's kinda cute for an old fart!! :wub: Which brings me to my other topic of discussion.... intimacy. Now I'm not going to get graphic because, for one thing, yuk, and another is some of my family members actually read my blog so I will spare them. It is, however, one of the perks of getting this weight off.... I can hug and cuddle with my husband. It is amazing how much better our interpersonal relations are now that we have both lost weight. And no, I'm not just talking about s.e.x...... I'm talking about being able to pass each other in the kitchen without doing acrobatic moves or now fitting in our bed together comfortably. This may not sound like a big deal to some but oh yeah, it is!! So I guess I will stop here for now. If anyone has any suggestions on the subject of allergies, please bring them on.... I hope everyone has a wonderful week and continue to enjoy your journey!!! Hugs!!

Oh man!! I hear ya! lol I've always had what I call "firm fat". I have muscular arms and legs and little cellulite but like you, I am now shakin' here and there... lol I've just been able to start walking so hoping to firm things back up. Love your blog!!

I am also 51 and had my surgery on July 17 and I am one happy camper!!! I just wish I had done it sooner so please dont worry. Age is only a number. I am trying to eat my protein more than drinking it but having said that I do like the EAS and the 20g SlimFast. I drink it over ice because it thins it out but the taste is great. I also make a smoothie every morning with Silk Fruit drink and frozen fruit (no sugar added). It lasts me all morning but it works for me. My sleeve buddy at work cant tolerate dairy now so she drinks a protein lemonade mix which is really pretty good. I have found I cannot tolerate any of the protein shots/drinks/jellos that are whey based. I love cottage cheese and am hoping to get a dehydrater and make my own jerky which is almost pure protein. The store stuff is really good but too much sodium. Okay I'll stop my long list here! lol You really just have to figure out what works for you. I started trying stuff months before my actual surgery. Good luck and great journey!!!

I'm dancing right along with you!!! I do it at work but will be happy to dance in public soon!! lol It was so funny to read this cuz I posted on fb today that I was jamming and dancing!! I really want some Zumba to dance to but I have my salsa and "get down 'n dirty" music on my Pandora!! Rock on!!!

I see a common theme here.... we all use our hair to cover our short comings.... I have always said I've rarely seen an ugly fat person.... the hair hides nothing. I also have really thick hair that is one of my God given gifts but I decided that if I have to be bald to be healthy then bring on the shears!! I'll gladly cut every single strand off myself. I have a beautiful family that needs me and loves me and friends who love my sense of humor and positive attitude.... none of which has to do with my hair. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my hair and as a treat for my post surgery, got it colored and just last week got a perm. Its short and sassy and I'm feeling great, however, given the choice between getting healthy or keeping my hair.... well for me, its a no brainer. I really appreciate the advice from you all and think this place is a blessing!!! Thanks everyone!!

"So, today is the day I continue on my journey. I have moved over the hurdle and I will continue to follow the plan. I won't allow food to overtake my life again. I was so unhappy before surgery, and I never want to feel like that again." You should be really proud of yourself for many reasons but primarily that you recognized you where having an issue and you are dealing with it. Thats really all any of us can do. Your blog is one of the first I read when I started this and I love your inspirational messages and your honesty. No one said this was going to be a walk in the park but you have to make it the best journey that you can. Keep up the great work!!!! Hugs!

So I’ve been feeling a bit … I don’t know … down, disheartened, unsuccessful…. I don’t know what the word should be… For one thing, I’ve been really sick for the last ten days with a combo cold/allergy thing. I’m finally feeling better physically and mentally, so here I am. Another reason for my “mood” is that when I went for my last dr visit, at my four-week mark, I had only lost 5 lbs. This was so disappointing after my huge second week loss. I had to remember that I had been storing a huge amount of fluid for almost two years so that was the first thing to come off. Needless to say, I was a bit anxious about my doctors appointment yesterday. I had decided that I needed to take a chill pill and give myself a bit of credit. I’ve on this challenge and have been pretty successful with the huge change in my life. I’ve kept my protein intake up and am (aside from the cold from hell) feeling pretty fantastic. I also reminded myself that it took a long time, for the most part, to get here and it will take a while to take it all off and as long as I continue to go down, even if its one pound at a time, it’s an improvement. So with this pep talk under my figurative belt, I bravely (cough) went to my doctor’s appointment yesterday. This was my family doctor who I last saw the day before my surgery so I actually was pretty stoked to show him my success to this point. Actually, it was the first time I’ve been happy to be weighed in at his office in the last two years. Prior to this, I had been gaining every time I would go in. It was frustrating for me but also to my doctor because we could not stop whatever was going on. Last time I saw him, I had a raging case of cellulitis on my left leg, not to mention that the same leg was twice (at least) the size of my right leg. Thank goodness that my anxiety was short-lived!! I had lost 8 lbs and that officially put me under 300 lbs!! This is the first time in almost two years that I have seen that! This brings my official weight loss to 45 lbs in six weeks! Yeah me!! My doctor was also very pleased with my progress. Not only had I lost a lot of weight but I no longer had cellulitis and the swelling is gone from my legs. And even though I’m still sneezing, my O2 stat was at 89, and I’m still not feeling 100%, he (and I) were so excited that my lungs were totally clear!! You have to understand that prior to this, every single time I would get a cold it would mean weeks of recovery, antibiotics, and a general miserable existence until it would clear up. Not only did this not happen this time BUT I really didn’t even have to increase my medications (nebulizer etc) this time. Very little wheezing, huffin’ & puffin’, etc… Yeah! I’m loving this new life!! So, with my usual positive outlook back in order (and great drugs keeping the nose under control!) I decided to take inventory of what I am able to do now that I could not do six weeks ago or for the last two years, for that matter. Now I understand that if you have never been large then you may not realize what a huge accomplishment these things are but if you have walked in my shoes at all…. you get it!! So here we go….. The first thing I noticed, of course, was that I could breath. I know I have mentioned this in previous entries but when you feel like you are suffocating 24/7, it is pretty major. Of course, with this obstacle pushed somewhat to the side, I am now able to walk without feeling like I’m going to have a heart attack or pass out at any moment. I can put on my bra by myself. I know, you are thinking “What?” well I could not reach around behind my back and hook my bra so my dear hubby had to do it for me. I think he kinda feels left out now! lol I can take a shower without having to sit down as soon as I get out AND I can shave my legs with ease!! I can fix my hair win half the time that it was taking me. I also have not heard my husband ask me “Why are you breathing so hard?” for a while now. (Yeah!!) There are a lot of other things but the latest two things just happened in the last week or two…. I put on and tied my own tennis shoes with the bow ON TOP and I painted my toenails this morning! I even got a compliment from one of my bosses… she thought I had gotten a pedicure!! Again YEAH!! So with this happy evalutation, I am now looking forward and will hopefully keep the negativity at bay. Happy journey and Hugs!!!

Thanks! I have a great support system including one of my friends who had the surgery last year in Sept. She has now officially lost 100 lbs and is my huge inspiration. I only wish I had done this sooner but no regrets or looking backward..... onward & upward!! (or downward lol)