Nicolanz

That. Is. Craaaaazy!

What a transformation! Congratulations!

9 months out today (woohoo) and I still have a noisy stomach/esophagus! It's embarrassing because I'm a hairstylist and when at the shampoo bowl, my clients are very close to that area! Haha!

Thank y'all so much! I'm just now seeing the new me. I feel great! My excitement has returned!

Before surgery, I've tried every diet pill known to man! I'd go in ask for advice and they'd throw a great pitch of the amazing new pill. I even paid $90 one time for a 30 day supply. I know....my own stupidity. I went to Vitamin shoppe one day looking for the next new thing. The clerk advised me to look into weight watchers. Didn't sell me anything. I lost 70 pounds because of her.

Thanks to you Fiddle my lunges were much better last night!

I HATE GNC! It's all a scam!

Stop. Breath. Calm. It's been a month and a half. You haven't stopped losing. Your body is working hard trying to repair and build muscle. It's still healing from surgery. You're doing all the right things to get it healthy. The weight will fall off. Stop obsessing over a number. How much weight have you lost already? I know it's hard to be patient after having a major surgery to lose weight, but patience is key to have an enjoyable journey.

Thanks everyone! Sue, I could totally kiss you for saying that! Haha!

I can't believe I'm doing this and the reason my before photo is so horrible is because honestly I don't have many before photos. The first picture is of me five years ago soon after I had my son. I believe I was around 310 pounds. You can see my poor husband can barely put his arm around me. I sure do love that man. He's always loved me unconditionally. The second photo is of me today trying on dresses at Kohl's. I really loved this dress and should have bought it, but I was looking for something specific and this dress was left in the dressing room by someone else trying on clothes. Today the scale read 203 pounds! That's 107 pounds down from my highest and 93 from when I had surgery 9 months ago! Happy Friday everyone!

Jumping lunges?!?! Oh hell no!

I'm able to eat more now. Before I was able to eat 2 oz of protein and maybe 3 bites of veggies. Now I can eat 3 oz plus maybe 1/4 cup of veggies. I try to eat every 3-4 hours since I'm working out pretty vigorously, my appetite has increased for needed nutrition. It took a while to figure it all out but I finally feel like I've found what works for me.

Hair*

I honestly don't think I'll have that problem. I'm studying the human body in school and have researched nutrition since I got the internet. I know eating under 1200 calories is unhealthy. I strived to get to 1200 as soon as I could. It took a good 6-7 months but I made it. Now I eat 1300-1500 calories a day and work out 5-6 days a week. I'm losing at a healthy rate usually 10 pounds a month sometimes less. Saturday I'll be 9 months out and I've lost 92 pounds. It's important to fuel your body and give it the nutrition it needs. I only take a Multivitamin a day and my bloodwork is perfect. I have a few friends who've had the sleeve and only one is struggling with losing too much weight. She's always tired, doesn't work out, and still at two years post op only eats 800-1000 calories a day. My skin is the healthiest its ever been and my did fall out but was growing back at the same rate. It never got thin. Keep yourself healthy! Calorie restriction is only one factor of many to live a healthy lifestyle.

Nothing beats powdered cheese on a hot summer day!

Well, Jillian Michaela loves lunges!! So I do them everyday! I found that wearing shoes helps a lot but I'm still wobbly. I will focus on the advice given. Thanks!

Any advice on proper form? Also, I have a dominant leg. How can I even them out?!?!

Yep....the plank.....scary!

Plastic surgery scares the **** outta me! So much I don't think I'll ever do it. I envy the bravery of those who do it!

So, I started working at a new location about a month and a half ago and have not lost a single pound while working here. I've kicked up my workouts like crazy! This week all of my coworkers are commenting on how "skinny" I'm getting. Just when I was getting discouraged, I'm realizing it's all paying off!

In the beginning, yes! But you get strong fast and its a great combination of cardio and strength training. I get more results with them than anything else. My favorite is her Kickboxing one. It's only 20 minutes and at first I couldn't get through the whole thing. Now it's a little too easy. I'm working on her No Trouble Zones right now. OMG I'm literally dying after but I can almost do the whole thing now. It's 50 minutes long!

I like Jillian Michaels DVDs. Tae bo sounds fun though!

I read that if you get audited, you also have to show proof of medical necessity. I calculated it in last year and it didn't change anything so I didn't risk it.

I just want to say that you are an amazing mother, OP! Wow, what an opportunity you are giving your daughter! Even if the new plan fails, she will be more prepared for the surgery than a lot of people are. The transition to a healthy lifestyle is the most important part of this process! She is very lucky to have you as a mom!