Allsmiles45

I have not sleeved yet, so I do not have first have knowledge or experience with it. However, in my former life (ten-plus-years-ago-when-I-was-in-shape), I was an aerobics instructor and weight trainer. I learned a lot about the body and how it functions when it comes to fat burning and building muscle mass.
That being said, I want to address those of you who are experiencing stalls. Stalls in the beginning of the sleeve process are usually due to your body re-supplying its Water and insulin stores that were utilized when your body went into shock from the liquid diet. When stores are utilized, your body sheds all of the weight that those stores consisted of in your body. This is part of the large amount weight that you see shed in the beginning. However, once your body has depleted its stores, it starts to store them once again (it needs to prepare itself in case of another emergency!). This is where sleevers tend to see stalls—the period of time that your body is restoring itself and is adding back its water weight.
Stalls seen thereafter in people who are following the doctor and nutritionists advice to the letter, and whom are also exercising, are often experiencing the added pounds of muscle mass. Muscle weight weighs more than fat because of its density. Picture a steak with chunks of fat on the sides, the meat is heavier—denser. Often times people think that they are “stalling” or plateauing, but they are in actuality burning more fat and adding muscle mass. DO NOT let this stop you from lifting weights and trying to build muscle mass, because the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn! YES, that is right!!! The more muscle you add to your body, the greater you enable your body to burn the fat—essentially, making you thinner! So, you might not be seeing loss on the scale, but you should definitely see loss in the inches and circumference of your body.

It's soooo funny at time I have to do a double take to see who's staring back at me.

It's soooo funny at time I have to do a double take to see who's staring back at me.

Thanks, makes me smile!

Its a great feeling isn't it? My mom was in the car waiting for me and I passed the car to return the cart to the cart corral. When I returned to the car, she said, I thought I saw someone walking by with your purse. It was me! She didn't recognize me. I have lost 171 pounds and dropped 8 sizes thus far. I will be one year out on May 17. About 35 - 40 more to go. I am so happy I did this. Congrats on your success!

It's soooo funny at time I have to do a double take to see who's staring back at me.

It's soooo funny at time I have to do a double take to see who's staring back at me.

It's soooo funny at time I have to do a double take to see who's staring back at me.

It's soooo funny at time I have to do a double take to see who's staring back at me.

Hey everyone,
I'm so happy today. I am finally out of the obese category! As of today, I am officially just overweight. My BMI has come down from 47 to 29!!! I really never thought I would make it this far! I'm so happy and thankful again to God for this blessing. I prayed so long for him to release me from the fat prison I was in. I say this a lot when I post. I know this wouldn't be possible without Him. On another note, I'm having gallbladder surgery on Thursday. BLAH!! I will be glad when that is over. I guess losing so much weight so fast burns up the thing!! I will post after to let everyone know how I'm doing! Pics below. I went to the beach this past week and I was very brave to have my pic taken on the beach. Well, I wore shorts too! Well it is just a tiny pic!

I just wanted to share my excitement with everyone because today (a couple days shy of 4 months post-op) I REACHED ONE-DERLAND!
Starting weight: 296
Date of Surgery: November 19, 2012
TODAYS WEIGHT- 199!!!!!!!!!! ONE-DERLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I attached before and "current" pictures so u guys can see my progress
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I am going to tell you a big secret to feeling good and having confidence all the way through this WLS journey. We all have moments where our clothes don't fit right. Even when they are getting too big and loose, it can make us feel frumpy and awkward. Sooo...the secret to always feeling sexy...?
Panties! Buying new panties are just as important as having clothes that fit. Go through your drawers and throw out the granny panties, the Hanes her way with holes in them...and get yourself a little something sexy or functional...your choice. Just make sure you feel confident in them and they fit. Those who are girdling it up....that's cool. Just make sure they aren't stained up or falling apart.
I can wear baggy sweats and still feel like a Goddess with a little lace or ruffles! That is just a little tip from how I roll.

I think I'm having an out of body experience. I know this must be true because this body looks and acts nothing like the one I've lived in for sooo many years. The back and knees I knew were so painful I couldn't walk or stand for more than 2-3 minutes. My old head sat directly on my shoulders without a neck. Now I have a real, if not swan like neck. I never had collar bones. rib bones, hip bones or those cute little shoulder bone, all of which are emerging.. My old face had no real features like chin bones ccheekbones and contours. all of which had disappeared into fat. Now Bones and contours are making an appearance. And oh, by the way, has anyone seen my cleavage. It used to sit just under my chin and now I can barely find it! Lets not forget about the tail bone. I'm not crazy about that one cause it hurts when I sit down. I have lost 20 inches from my wast and 6 inches from my neck. I still want/need to lose between 50 - 60 pounds, but compared to the 163 pounds I've already lost, this is not daunti.g or discouraging. This wasn't all easy, but neither was "my so called life" before therapy and surgery. Every tough moment fades away compared to the poitives I am experiencing. Long post, but my point is it was so worth it. I'm so happy that I did this. I have to pinch my self to be sure I'm not dreaming. Folks on this site will never know how much they helped me through the rough spots and the joy and hope I have recieved and continue to recieve through this site. Thank you all.

My best purchases so far, A full length Mirror

My best purchases so far, A full length Mirror

My best purchases so far, A full length Mirror

My best purchases so far, A full length Mirror

My best purchases so far, A full length Mirror

My best purchases so far, A full length Mirror

I had my four month check up today. I'm down 56lbs. I have had a few stalls but over all its been slow and steady. I made it through the holidays with no gain. It's hard to remember when that happen last. I'm feel great, this is the best thing I have ever done for myself:)))

Before I had this surgery I was worried about loose skin and not having any muscle tone after the surgery. Well I am proud to say that I am a year out of surgery and I don’t have any loose skin. I have always lifted weights and wanted continue after I had my surgery. I am going to be honest when I got back in the gym after surgery I was extremely weak, in college I could bench about 475 lbs., when I got back in the gym I could barely bench 145 lbs. I stuck to it and now I am up to 375 lbs., I work out 4 days a week and I swim 3 say a week. I don’t run or walk because of the stress on my knees, I think once I get to my target weight I will start to run. Just recently I have noticed that I have gained 15 lbs. but my waist and my shirt size has reduced by 3 sizes. At first I was frustrated about the weight gain but I was told that I am gaining muscle mass and it is much heavier than fat. I think I am going to add more cardio to my routine so I can get to my target weight then I will continue my weight regimen. I am so glad I decided to have this surgery..it has really changed my life!!!

Hi, I am 45 a proud mother of a 9yr old princess I have been marry for 19yrs. My surgery dATE has been scheduled for October17 for 12:00. Wow I am so excited so let the count down begin

Hello friends, as of 7:30 this morning I am now sleeved, other than a little sore I'm doin just fine. I will keep u posted on my progress

I have a digital food scale, it measures in ounces up to 5 pounds. You can put your container on it and zero out that weight then add what ever you want and it will weigh that inside the container..Super neat! I found mine at TJ max but I have seen them at Walmart also.

I think a sf popsicle is 4 oz and same for Jello cup. They both count as part of your liquid intake because they "melt."