Oliver's Mom

Thank you Fiddle & Butter - I am going to the local running store tomorrow to get myself some socks!! I do love to shop so who knows I may also get some new running shoes. The place gives a discount for the clients (WLS) of the hospital I was sleeved at. Those boots are going in the trash!! OK, not the trash - I'll donate them. And pray there is NO MORE snow. Again, thanks for the words of encouragement. It means the world ....... you're both good guys. I can do this!!!

Oh yes....here's a pic of my high tech running socks and my high tech running shoes. Never had a blister but last weekend I kicked a rock the size of a lemon with my big toe. That smarted.

It definitely gets easier. And if you're like me, you won't notice it happening. You'll just wake up one day and realize how easy it is...and it didn't used to be. It's kinda like the feeling of waking up and realizing you've put on a few pounds....you don't see it happening, but one day the realizations hits you in the face.
And as for those blisters, I'd recommend two things....a generous application of KY jelly between your toes and all over your feet if need be...and quit wearing those snow boots. They clearly do not fit you properly.

Yes it gets easier as the weight comes off. The movements will be more graceful and mechanical, like a fine Swiss watch. As for trouble with blisters, try using running socks. They are more expensive (mine are 12 dollars a pair), but will cut the friction to zero because of material and fit. Once you start to really get into running, as some of you are at that point, go invest in a fitted pair of running shoes. These will cost upwards of 100, but will really help with maintaining good running form and prevent injury.

I had my first C25K last night. So day 1 week 1. When I was leaving the house to go, my husband said he looks forward to cheering me on at a 5K race. Sweet.
It went ok, better than I had thought it would. Of course, I'm the oldest in the group - and 4 of the 9 folks are runners who wanted to get back into running - no pressure. I am doing this as my personal journey - just like the journey of the sleeve.
Driving home after class I felt tired (we also did 30 minutes of strength training) but empowered. The body might be reaching 60 but the drive/determination/commitment/??aspirations are all much much younger.
I think there is just one other WLS post op in the class, the rest are hospital employees.

First things first. Congratulations on you fantastic loss and getting to goal! You did it!
Now let's get your head straight..........
You mentioned that you are off-track. You're here telling us, which means you're looking for help. And you're going to get it! Support, some tough love, you'll get it all from your wonderful VST support crew!
But you know that you are the only one who can do this and keep the weight off! You reached your goal in 6 months (fantastic), but that wasn't enough time for you to retrain yourself from a lifetime of bad habits! That's how you got to the surgery point in the first place. You need to continue with logging and counting for at least another year until it becomes second nature to you to watch what you eat and know what you're putting in your mouth. Then, after you've been stable at goal weight (+/- 5 lbs) you can get a bit less vigilant.
You mention that you are losing inches still. That is normal, as you body is remodelling itself with the new weight. That is NOT a quick process! As I mentioned above, you need to be stable at goal weight and see how things "shake out" over time! Are you exercising? That could be some of the inches lost (muscle tone building, fat moving around, etc.). Even if you've been off-track eating, at least exercise gives you a bit of an offset.
Not to mention exercise has many added benefits beyond a number on the scale......
Now let's talk about the scale. We all know it's our mortal enemy. When you started this whole process, it was with a goal in mind to lose X lbs. But what you really wanted was to lose body fat. A regular scale does not discriminate between fat and muscle and bone and Water. So you could lose 100 lbs and have lost mostly muscle!
If you can, try to get a body fat reading (some scales do this and are not that expensive). You can get it done at a gym by a trainer (using fat calipers), or even possibly at your primary care physician. Body fat % is a much better indicator of how well you really are doing in your loss AND in your maintenance.
Don't let the number on the scale rule your life, your mood or your motivation! Do you physically feel better? I'll bet you do! And that was the whole point of getting the VSG. Your health is exponentially better now. So use your physical body feelings to guide you. Are you tired? You might need more exercise to build stamina and muscle base. Are your energy levels fluctuating during the day? Look at your food intake and find out what causes the changes. Are you sleeping well? If not, try drinking less caffeine, changing your nighttime routine and hours of sleep. Rest is a key component of our health and gives us the energy to tackle the new day (including the desire to exercise and eat right!).
You are driving this bus dear. You've completed a huge challenge in getting to goal. Now tackles the new challenge of living a full healthy happy life by using your new skills to keep yourself in this "happy place".

I had my first C25K last night. So day 1 week 1. When I was leaving the house to go, my husband said he looks forward to cheering me on at a 5K race. Sweet.
It went ok, better than I had thought it would. Of course, I'm the oldest in the group - and 4 of the 9 folks are runners who wanted to get back into running - no pressure. I am doing this as my personal journey - just like the journey of the sleeve.
Driving home after class I felt tired (we also did 30 minutes of strength training) but empowered. The body might be reaching 60 but the drive/determination/commitment/??aspirations are all much much younger.
I think there is just one other WLS post op in the class, the rest are hospital employees.

I had my first C25K last night. So day 1 week 1. When I was leaving the house to go, my husband said he looks forward to cheering me on at a 5K race. Sweet.
It went ok, better than I had thought it would. Of course, I'm the oldest in the group - and 4 of the 9 folks are runners who wanted to get back into running - no pressure. I am doing this as my personal journey - just like the journey of the sleeve.
Driving home after class I felt tired (we also did 30 minutes of strength training) but empowered. The body might be reaching 60 but the drive/determination/commitment/??aspirations are all much much younger.
I think there is just one other WLS post op in the class, the rest are hospital employees.

Have my 3 month visit with the surgeon today.
Start of process 214
Day of surgery 209
Today - 164 - 50 lbs!!!
I've had stalls - but I find that if I have 11 8oz glasses of Water plus the other liquids I get in (herbal tea, M-F I have SF Carnation Essentials for breakfast) & exercise at least 5 days a week, then I don't stall. I can do that - for the rest of my life!! :-)

Hi, I'm 59 and had the sleeve on December 3, 2012. So really I'm new at this myself. But I have to say it is the very best thing I've done. I feel and have felt wonderful....no issues post-op - lucky girl. I like to think that my experience is the same for the majority of folks. I left the hospital completely off all of my Diabetes medications, my high blood pressure medication from 2 pills per day to only 1/2 of one of the pills. From the start when I began the journey (information session in August 2012) to today, I have lost 40 lbs. I've always been a 'rule-follower' all of my life, so following the 'rules' and plan of my medical team is good for me. I'm happy to be an ear, a friend, a cheerleader for you. You will do great!! I just know it.

Cheri- I just love to read your posts. You have a wonderful way of stating the truth without injuring anyone's feelings. Great way with words. Indicates a kind and generous heart.

Cheri- I just love to read your posts. You have a wonderful way of stating the truth without injuring anyone's feelings. Great way with words. Indicates a kind and generous heart.

I have been trying different things with my greek yogurt and came up with this! My husband even loves it, and every time I make myself a bowl, he is always commenting on how good it smells...maybe I will share one day....maybe...
plain greek yogurt
a few drops of lemon stevia liquid (I use Lemon Twist liquid stevia by Now foods)
raspberries
a few slivered almonds or granola
a packet of French vanilla powdered Stevia (I use Now brand)
Mix the lemon stevia into the yogurt and blend well. Throw in your almonds. Wash your raspberries, place on top and then sprinkle with the French Vanilla Stevia (I do this because raspberries can be tart...sweetens everything up!)
So delicious. I have also tried with strawberries. Good too! Any berry would probably work.

Hehehe hot crap
Thank goodness it's crab instead!
It sounds wonderful!!!

I hadn't visited this thread in a while, but thanks to everyone contributing and sharing your experiences here!
There is no real norm to weight loss and how to achieve goal. It's important that we stress that over and over again, both to folks doing research and to discouraged sleevers.
Everyone has a different approach and you have to do what works for your body and your mental well-being. Not giving up is really important, and when we're feeling frustrated and discouraged it's easy to feel like we're wasting our time.
Add in a months' long stall and, well...it's a recipe for disaster if you don't adjust your mindset!
I wish more people would come out of the woodwork, stop hiding and share their struggles. There are far too many extremes here and I think it fails to really represent an accurate image of life post sleeve. Not everyone whips to goal in six months on 20 grams of carbs a day and not everyone takes two years to shed their weight, either. I think that there's this idea that if you're not a very quick loser or on an exceptionally strict diet and exercise plan that somehow you're less knowledgeable or less successful at navigating post sleeve life. What works for you is what works for you, and sharing that experience can only help other people figure out what works for them.
The goal isn't the scale goal, even though reaching that is highly satisfying. The goal is to lose a significant amount of our excess weight and keep it off forever. Do not ever forget that!
~Cheri

Stinker - thank you!
Lisa'slosinit- you look amazing! Good for you.

I started with the little hospital cups, but it was within days that I switched to an insulated 10 oz cup that has a lid. I call it my big girl sippy cup. I actually have 2 of them and a 24 oz one too. I take the 24 oz one when I'm headed out in the car. And use the 16 oz ones when I'm at home. Having the lid with the small opening helped me not gulp the Water.
You sound like you're doing well. Yay!!!! for you.

I ran 4.5 miles today outside...along the bay while watching these huge pelicans dive bomb the Water. The sun was shining and the breeze was blowing, it was so boring. How I wish I had a treadmill in my closet at home.
<kidding>

i just wanted to share a pic with yall. i have really been down about my SLOW weight loss ....but ive really been droppin the sizes . this past weekend after taking and lookin at pics i am FINALLY starting to see a difference.i was sleeved on dec. 8 and my heaviest weight ( the before pic taken last year ....257 !) the after pic i took this past saturday ...188.8 !.. i have gone from a tight 3x top to an xl and from a tight 22 to a ALMOST fitting 14!!! the lowest i remember ever weighing was 175 when i was in high school 25 years ago.....so when i see 175 i will be in heaven !!!!Each of us are on the same journey and we are all so inspiring to each other!!!Just think how we are all gonna look and FEEL this summer !!!!HOT MAMS AND PAPAS!!!!!!!

Have my 3 month visit with the surgeon today.
Start of process 214
Day of surgery 209
Today - 164 - 50 lbs!!!
I've had stalls - but I find that if I have 11 8oz glasses of Water plus the other liquids I get in (herbal tea, M-F I have SF Carnation Essentials for breakfast) & exercise at least 5 days a week, then I don't stall. I can do that - for the rest of my life!! :-)

Have my 3 month visit with the surgeon today.
Start of process 214
Day of surgery 209
Today - 164 - 50 lbs!!!
I've had stalls - but I find that if I have 11 8oz glasses of Water plus the other liquids I get in (herbal tea, M-F I have SF Carnation Essentials for breakfast) & exercise at least 5 days a week, then I don't stall. I can do that - for the rest of my life!! :-)

Have my 3 month visit with the surgeon today.
Start of process 214
Day of surgery 209
Today - 164 - 50 lbs!!!
I've had stalls - but I find that if I have 11 8oz glasses of Water plus the other liquids I get in (herbal tea, M-F I have SF Carnation Essentials for breakfast) & exercise at least 5 days a week, then I don't stall. I can do that - for the rest of my life!! :-)

Sleeve - first let me say I am sorry for your loss. You have a great attitude and you are right, it will happen.
My husband's birthday is July 26th. By that date I would like to be down 12 1/2 lbs (I have 25 to lose to get to goal).
To accomplish this: I will -
1) train for a 5K - signed up for a couch to 5 K class that starts this Thursday.
2) work with a personal trainer (signed up for 5 weeks of training)
3) continue to follow my current eating regimen of 70+ g Protein, 60+ oz of Water, calories in the 800-1000 range AND
4) take a Strong Woman class (10 weeks)
This is SO do-able for us!!

Sleeve - first let me say I am sorry for your loss. You have a great attitude and you are right, it will happen.
My husband's birthday is July 26th. By that date I would like to be down 12 1/2 lbs (I have 25 to lose to get to goal).
To accomplish this: I will -
1) train for a 5K - signed up for a couch to 5 K class that starts this Thursday.
2) work with a personal trainer (signed up for 5 weeks of training)
3) continue to follow my current eating regimen of 70+ g Protein, 60+ oz of Water, calories in the 800-1000 range AND
4) take a Strong Woman class (10 weeks)
This is SO do-able for us!!

I love reading this topic. I'm am getting psyched for my C25K class to start on Thursday!! I've continued to walk/run/walk/run on the treadmill. The instructor for the class said our last class will be to run a 5K! I got a little panicked because I too have a 'fear' of running outside. So toady while walking my 3 dogs I decided to try running a little - I checked first there was no one around outside. Note to self - do not try that again with the dogs! They're small, they got so excited and they kept cutting in front of me. But - at least I faced my fear about outside. Next time I walk along ocean I will try the walk/ run thing there. Pride be damned!!