greensleeve

I put PB2, Greek yogurt and splenda together and put in Chia seeds.

You are a pretzel!

Beautiful! You had such nice clothes before and now after too!

I had beyond a stressful day today. Usually I would want to eat to make my nerves calm down, distract myself, or I would be so out of it that I would just mindlessly eat more than I should.
Instead I found that I had to remind myself to eat, and I just didn't feel like eating much. I was too busy.
I'm so glad that I'm seeing these major changes. It seems like my whole relationship with food has changed. But also I think I handle stress in general much better now.
I don't know if it's the confidence? I know now that I'm worth it. I'm worth protecting, I'm worth defending. I am worth it.
I also see how sometimes when you don't get exactly the answer you wanted, you still win. You still went through the process and showed people that you are going to stand up for yourself and not back down.
And I think for many of us the decision to have the surgery and to get the insurance approval and jump through all the hoops is like that. It's a battle of constantly rethinking whether you are worth going to so much trouble and spending the money and time.
If anyone is still trying to decide I just have to tell them that they are worth it!

I had beyond a stressful day today. Usually I would want to eat to make my nerves calm down, distract myself, or I would be so out of it that I would just mindlessly eat more than I should.
Instead I found that I had to remind myself to eat, and I just didn't feel like eating much. I was too busy.
I'm so glad that I'm seeing these major changes. It seems like my whole relationship with food has changed. But also I think I handle stress in general much better now.
I don't know if it's the confidence? I know now that I'm worth it. I'm worth protecting, I'm worth defending. I am worth it.
I also see how sometimes when you don't get exactly the answer you wanted, you still win. You still went through the process and showed people that you are going to stand up for yourself and not back down.
And I think for many of us the decision to have the surgery and to get the insurance approval and jump through all the hoops is like that. It's a battle of constantly rethinking whether you are worth going to so much trouble and spending the money and time.
If anyone is still trying to decide I just have to tell them that they are worth it!

I had beyond a stressful day today. Usually I would want to eat to make my nerves calm down, distract myself, or I would be so out of it that I would just mindlessly eat more than I should.
Instead I found that I had to remind myself to eat, and I just didn't feel like eating much. I was too busy.
I'm so glad that I'm seeing these major changes. It seems like my whole relationship with food has changed. But also I think I handle stress in general much better now.
I don't know if it's the confidence? I know now that I'm worth it. I'm worth protecting, I'm worth defending. I am worth it.
I also see how sometimes when you don't get exactly the answer you wanted, you still win. You still went through the process and showed people that you are going to stand up for yourself and not back down.
And I think for many of us the decision to have the surgery and to get the insurance approval and jump through all the hoops is like that. It's a battle of constantly rethinking whether you are worth going to so much trouble and spending the money and time.
If anyone is still trying to decide I just have to tell them that they are worth it!

I had beyond a stressful day today. Usually I would want to eat to make my nerves calm down, distract myself, or I would be so out of it that I would just mindlessly eat more than I should.
Instead I found that I had to remind myself to eat, and I just didn't feel like eating much. I was too busy.
I'm so glad that I'm seeing these major changes. It seems like my whole relationship with food has changed. But also I think I handle stress in general much better now.
I don't know if it's the confidence? I know now that I'm worth it. I'm worth protecting, I'm worth defending. I am worth it.
I also see how sometimes when you don't get exactly the answer you wanted, you still win. You still went through the process and showed people that you are going to stand up for yourself and not back down.
And I think for many of us the decision to have the surgery and to get the insurance approval and jump through all the hoops is like that. It's a battle of constantly rethinking whether you are worth going to so much trouble and spending the money and time.
If anyone is still trying to decide I just have to tell them that they are worth it!

You will find every surgeon and nutrition ist are different, which sometimes feels crazy.
But the thing is, if you do your research and then trust your surgeon, you need to really trust them and believe that their way is the way to go.
Personally I don't drink with meals because I don't have enough room for food then.
I sometimes take a sip just to wet my whistle but no real drinks.
Three meals a day is ideal but for me, I wouldn't be able to get in all my Protein that way.
I track everything that I eat and drink and know how many grams of Protein and how many calories I eat every single day.
My nutritionist said to just track protein and if you reach that goal you won't have room for other things. I personally avoid sugar, fried food, high carb food and I haven't had a soda since weeks before surgery.
My surgeon is ok with coffee. Its the only way I can get through the day sometimes!
I can't say I miss any food. I have had a tiny bite like once a week of something "bad", just to taste it. And I'm fine. I don't feel like eating a ton of it or feel like I'm missing out.
I waste a lot of food going out to eat and take a it of left overs home.
Alcohol is high in calories and can hurt your stomach, lower your inhibitions so you eat poorly, and it hits you a lot faster. It can also lead to a transfer of addiction from food to drinking. So surgeons really don't want us to drink.

I keep thinking "oh they are getting a car. Wait, no."

Oh that's so great to hear! I have to say I really appreciate these people telling their stories in public. And not even telling their stories but letting us see so many private moments. It has to be hard to be so exposed like that. I hope that they are able to help a lot of people.

I am an assistant yogi and in August I am extending my training to include "Heavyweight Yoga" - which is a program established in Austin, TX 10 years ago. I will be the first offering it in Houston My overall intentions are to offer it for the obese and morbidly obese, but also for the pre and post WLS future yogis.
I believe yoga can be for everyone - as long as you have breath you can have yoga.
While it look like you are well on your way out of the range of needing a lot of modifications, this yoga is gentle, goes at a slower pace and is described very well in two DVD's that the founder, Abby Lentz, offers. You might like it for beginning yoga experience. It hits upon issues we still encounter as we loose the weight.
Good luck.

Yes it does! LOL
When it shows patients in the lobby, I wonder if any of them will be on the show.

About 95 pounds gone! Started at 280 now down to 185! Looking to lose about 20-25 more. Fourth of July last year to this year!

I'm on month five and where is was seeing a pound loss every other day a couple months ago... I'm seeing maybe 2 lbs a week. I was feeling discouraged with the lull so I decided to make a side by side and it was the mental boost I needed. I'm excited to start exercising more and hope that it will pick up a little more. Sometimes reflecting on where you came from is the encouragement you need.

UPDATE
I am now 169.2 totaling a 73 pound loss!
I didnt think id ever be this small!!

I just found this great blog post that has some ideas about how to deal with haters -- those negative people who like to tell you what they think.
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2014/07/10/how-to-deal-with-haters
1) Understand that judgement is inevitable.
2) Consider the source. If you are getting criticized for your new lifestyle by somebody who is out of shape, unhappy, overweight, and generally miserable, it’s probably not worth your time and effort to worry about it!
3) Get them on board (if they are truly wanting to support you)
4) Consider how you spend your most valuable asset: time. We have a finite amount of time on this planet, and you have 100% control of how that time gets spent. Surround yourself with people that want you to be better.
5) Understand that you’re not alone.You can still have unhealthy friends and family members – just make sure you are ALSO spending time with people who are healthier and stronger than you too

I am switching to DePaul, I filled out the paperwork and sent it in today.
I also filed a complaint with Joint Commission.

I'm wearing size 16 capris with no muffin top!

Bought cat litter at Target the other day. The bag I buy weighs 18 pounds. As I was walking across the parking lot with it kind of hugging it against my belly because it was heavy and didn't have a handle, I realized just 4 short weeks ago I was carrying more weight that than this around on my body every day all day long.
What a great feeling to know that weight is gone and more will follow and I won't be this big ever again!

Isn't it amazing! I tried to lift a 60 lb bag of charcoal into my car - thought it was too heavy and asked my husband to help me. I used to carry 66 lbs more around with me all the time Congratulations Ginger Snaps - keep it up!

I'm wearing size 16 capris with no muffin top!

Today I put on a shirt that I haven't worn in a few weeks. The band at the bottom of the short sleeves is suddenly loose. It used to be tight!

I think if you have a strong marriage it's just going to make it stronger. If you are with someone you settled for because you were overweight, or if your mate is very jealous, or if your mate is only attracted to big people, you are going to have issues.
Fortunately I married someone who is supportive and loves me no matter what. If anything this has made us closer, because I can trust that when I'm vulnerable he is still there for me and takes care of the things I can't.

How's everyone doing 4 months out? I feel great. I have been having some issues with low blood sugar but I'm trying to be extra vigilant about watching out for carbs and sugar and that's helping.

Here I am. Down almost 80lbs and 1 pair of glasses. I had Lasik and PRK before my WLS after wearing glasses since I was in first grade so needless to say my overall appearance has changed a lot the last year.

Oh the best part if losing 100lbs lol hehe
Start weight 458
Now 353