BigGirlPanties

As stated many times, everyone is different...just follow your program. I would stay away from the cracker, etc. you don't need to be adding carbs. My NUT also said for me to stay away from fruit, also high sugar and carb,.. one or two servings a week, but limited... so you may want to try that as well. Don't let the scale discourage you... you have to work at this every day to get to where you want to be... Good Luck!

hmmm....maybe "Faith" by George Michaels...cuz, you gotta have Faith!

I have BCBS and I had to do that as well...no biggie...but it is time consuming... good luck

I don't stress it...most restaurants have SOMETHING I can eat.., even if it's a grilled chicken salad... very popular item in most places... I have rarely found a place that I could not order from the menu...tho some waiters look at me a bit crazy when I order "No bread" for a sandwich etc Life is to be enjoyed...and going out to eat is part of that... I always have lunch the next day too

I haven't made this yet...but it looks good.... I'll probably switch out the potatoes for turnips Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped 5-6 cups young spinach leaves 4 cups low sodium vegetable stock 1 medium potato, diced 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar* Salt and pepper, to taste 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional Directions: Heat the oil in a large 8-quart stockpot. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Set aside 4-6 small spinach leaves. Add the remaining leaves to the pan, stirring until the spinach is wilted. Add the stock and potatoes to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover the pan and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. Pour the Soup into a blender or food processor and process until completely smooth. Return the the soup to the stockpot and add the rice wine vinegar. Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Heat until just about to boil. Finely shred the reserved spinach leaves and sprinkle some over the top. Drizzle a few drops of sesame oil into the soup. Ladle into warmed soup bowls and sprinkle the remaining shredded spinach on each, then serve the soup at once. Serves 4, 1 cup per serving. Per serving: 38 calories, 3 grams Protein; 2 grams Fat; 2 grams Carbohydrate. *Rice Wine Vinegar: There are Japanese as well as Chinese rice vinegars, both made from fermented rice, and both slightly milder than most Western vinegars. Chinese rice vinegar comes in three types: white (clear or pale amber), used mainly in SWEET-AND-SOUR dishes; red, a popular accompaniment for boiled or steamed crab; and black, used mainly as a table CONDIMENT. The almost colorless Japanese rice vinegar is used in a variety of Japanese preparations, including SUSHI rice and SUNOMONO (vinegared salads). Rice vinegar can be found in Asian markets and some supermarkets.

focus on the fluids...whatever goes down is most important right now... you may want to try to mix your Protein with some Water or milk to make it thinner and that may help...also sugar free popsicles are very soothing. Hot beverages will make you feel good all over and take longer to drink, so you may not be as frustrated... it will pass... take care!

day 3...you are FRESH...this is normal...you are also getting off the meds you were on in the hospital, so that affects you as well... if you are concerned, call your doctor... drink your fluids and relax/walk... remember, you just had MAJOR surgery, you are still in the healing process! Take care and congrats!

@re14768 don't be discouraged...this is normal for many...what we forget is that we just had MAJOR surgery... you only see a few marks on the outside, but inside I LOT of changes took place... drink your fluids, most important... try walking a little bit...every little bit helps... you will get there and you won't even remember how you feel now! also with the pain you are experiencing...how long has it been going on? You need to talk with your doctor about it if it has been days...good luck

Yes, if you are going to use the scale then only once a week, at the same time and place... good luck...the newer exercise is probably building your muscle and diminishing your fat, but when the scale doesn't reflect it, it can be discouraging

@gowalking the pain is much less...but still there... I need knees replaced, which I couldn't do until after I lost weight...you know that vicious cycle... so I will be looking into that again soon. I have to use a cane/walking stick if I do a LOT of walking, it helps...

there is no doubt that if you have the surgey and follow the guidelines, you will do well...and feel better... @gowalking your information read just like me...same problems, same situation, about same weight loss (so far) ... no pain meds helped my RA... now I can function like a human being again...it's so wonderful!

What a deep and insightful/honest post...congratulations to all of your that have worked to overcome .... blessings be with you all!

I agree with the above...all of them LOL I haven't touched carbonated beverages since my surgery, I don't miss them at all, and I was a 2 liter (minimum) a day Diet Coke drinker...when I gave it up for my liquid diet, I never looked back, and I don't regret giving it up...don't miss it at all. I really thought that would be a hard habit to break... At the Success Habits workshop that we had to attend prior to surgery, Nisa put a balloon over the top of a bottle of coke, and it filled with gas, without any help...she said she left it on her desk one time to see how long it would stay filled...she said it stayed for 3 days before she dumped it...3 days of AIR in your tummy!!! NO THANKS. Decaf iced tea for me, or Torani syrups added ... As for alcoholic beverages, was never a big drinker, so I don't miss that AT ALL...empty calories and carbs.... but as stated, I will never say never...who knows what tomorrow may bring... you just have to live in the moment!

looks like you've got more than you will need/use...but better to be over-prepared! Congrats!

I agree, mine was both as well...just was completely honest...the computer test was ridiculous, if you ask me...but when I spoke with her, I told her I don't expect it to be a miracle surgery, that I know I still have to work at it and it's only a "tool"... I did my reading and knew what to expect with the surgery. I told her about all my ups and downs of my weight and how I felt when that happened...etc...etc...etc... it was pretty standard stuff... you'll be fine...don't stress it!

what you are feeling is totally normal! the waiting is, sometimes, unbearable!!! But YOU'VE GOT THIS!

I have RA, I am MUCH older than you and got it only about 5 years ago...at which time I got more lethargic because of the pain in my legs and gained more weight...to the point I couldn't move...had to use a walker or cane.... I was to the point that I thought I'd have to go to a wheelchair 24/7!!! Now that I have lost over 120 pounds, I feel "normal" again!!! I can walk without assistance (except if I do a LOT of walking, I use a cane) This has helped relieve a lot of my pain because the weight was making things worse.

Sorry for your loss...my father was my hero too... but congrats on your weight loss etc... glad you are moving forward!

@jmgtexas I'm a beader too! We recently moved and everything is everywhere!!! I definately need to get it together so I can keep my hands busy... I also have to de-stash on etsy...too much stuff!!! LOL...so I feel ya, kid!

cool, I'll mention it to my husband...he LIVES at walmart!

that can happen with the drugs, non sleep, lack of fluids etc... use some drops, if it continues, call your dr... congrats!

yes, absolutely contact your doctor about the nausea...it may be because you are not getting in enough Fluid...so they may need to give you an iv drip... pinch your skin and twist it a bit, does it go right back or does it stay in that spot for a few seconds? If it does, you are probably dehydrated... CALL CALL CALL...you need to take care of YOU

That's why I love the Torani sugar free syrups...they can really change up the taste of things...but I'll have to try that since they don't make a root beer one (yet)

was it covered by your insurance or did you have to pay out of pocket? That's my fear... I cannot afford to have it done if insurance won't cover it...

You will be amazed what you can find at Goodwill as your size decreases... I have found some lovely items!!!