deedadumble

Down 50 lbs too. My favorite fitting pants are from Talbots, but they'll have to wait until I get to my goal weight. I usually wear tshirts and shorts because I work out of my house, but I'm traveling for work next week and I don't have any pants that fit. I'll be there for 3 days so I think I can get by with 2 pairs of jeans. Went to Steinmart today and I tried on a regular 16 and they fit, but a little too embellished for my work trip. Does anyone have a good place to buy plain jeans at a decent price? I haven't been out of plus sizes in over 20 years.

So happy to hit 29.8 BMI today. I am officially not "obese" any more!

What a wonderful NSV!

It's made with non-fat milk. One serving of non-fat milk (1cup) has 12.3g of sugar.

I like Tijuana Flats. I order one chicken taco and I dump the stuff out if the shell and eat it (like a mini salad).

I've had huge NSVs the past 3 months (no longer pre-diabetic, 104/64 BP, great labs, fitting into my husbands jeans!), but today is all about celebrating numbers. Some FAQs before the numbers... I track everything weekly on Thursday (my surgery day) including weight and all measurements. I also weigh on Monday to get an overall feel for how I'm doing that week to see if I need to have a few strict days. For me, I tend to obsess and think more about food if I'm tracking, so I don't track what I'm eating. I estimate my Protein amounts and drink at least 60 ounces of Fluid (at least 40 ou water) I do follow a plan of eating that has worked for me though. I eat from a selection of meals for all 3 meals of the day. If I have a higher % carb meal (like oatmeal), I balance it with higher % protein meal for the other 2. I eat 1 or 2 Snacks per day. If I'm losing slower I add a Protein shake (weird to add when weight loss slows, but it's worked for me) and another cup of Water or a smooth move tea at night (sometimes I'm just full of s&%#... literally . I choose from the following meals: cottage cheese, Colby-jack cheese snack and 4 multigrain crackers, Premier Protein shake, advantagEDGE shake, oatmeal (3/4 McD's or Chickfla usually), chicken Soup, chili, shrimp, Greek yogurt. My favorite meal out is at Tijuana Flats. I order one chicken taco and I eat the stuff inside the shell. I have a piece of cheese pizza once a month. I eat out with family and friends regularly. My favorite things to order are soup or a salad with chicken on it. I usually eat some of the chicken and a little bit of the other ingredients and share the rest with my husband. I think because I look at this as my new way of life, I don't feel deprived. I always felt like a failure on diets before, but haven't had that feeling since I started. Here are the numbers: Height: 5'11" HW: 273 Pre surgery diet W: 265 (1/3/13) SW: 255 (1/17/13) S BMI: 38 (Drumroll please!) CW: 215 C BMI: 30 (1 pound more to get out of obese category!) Loss since PreDiet: 50 pounds! Gone forever, never to return! Woohoo! Measurements (pre-surgery diet/now) Neck: 15.75 / 14 Waist: 43 / 36.5 Hips: 51.5 / 44.25 Arms: 18 / 14.25 Breast: 49 / 44 Ribs: 40.5 / 37.5 Thigh: 30.75 / 25 Calf: 19 / 16 Clothing size before: 20-22, 2x Clothing size now: 16W, XL Exercise: I started couch to 5k (I use Run 5K by Louis Kwok on iPhone) about 4 weeks ago. I run 3 times a week, but usually walk for about 15 min after, for a total of 45 min. Because I have felt so good, I've skipped a few days, so I'm on week 6 day 2. I sign up for 5Ks to keep me on a steady program of exercise. I'm thinking about starting crossfit when it gets too hot to run outside (I live in Florida and it's 85 even at 6am in the summer). My right knee is pretty bad (2 surgeries plus arthritis and chondromalacia), but Orthovisc injections in February really helped as well as taking Krill Oil /hylauric acid (Costco) every day.

I think it's going to be an individual determination. I've been drinking Lifewater 2-3 times a week without stalling, but I may try switching to Propel for a week to see if there's any difference. I usually drink water plain or add 1/2 a packet of Crystal Light Mojito to it. I think it's just so important to get the water down, that anything you can add to make it easier add it.

Here's a visual for you! From http://www.core-condition.com/quick-tips/how-to-properly-track-weight-loss-progress-without-the-scale/

I've been on some form of it (Synthroid, generic, and Armour thyroid) for 30 years. I'm on 137mcg 6 days a week. I finally figured out that the non-generic Synthroid works best for me. There are fillers in the generics that made it difficult to manage my levels, plus I could not guarantee that I was getting the same generic manufacturer every month. I was on Armour for many years because I was reading tons of articles that said that the natural hormone was better. It worked pretty well the first year I was on it, but the formulation changed and it was no longer relieving my symptoms. I had an appt with my endocrinologist last week and she was thrilled with my weight loss. She also said I'll need to get my TSH checked more often until I get to my goal weight. As you lose weight, the amount of Synthroid you need may decrease. I was ok the last time I was checked (1 mth after surgery), but she wants me checked again every 3 months. The great thing is that once I get to goal weight she'll release me to my PCP because she was also monitoring me for pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which I no longer have!

I've had Hashimoto's for 30 years. I just had a checkup with my endo last week and she said she wants to monitor my TSH levels every 3 months until I get to goal. The amount of synthroid I need will probably decrease. When I reach goal she will release me back to my PCP for yearly check ups. She no longer will need to see me because I'm no longer pre-diabetic (woohoo!). If you are on thyroid meds, please see your endo to make sure your levels are ok! I have lost 47 pounds and am losing 1-3 pounds every week. My surgery was 1/17.

Way to go Vicki! That's awesome!

I went to the endocrinologist today and my a1c is 5.3, so I am no longer pre-diabetic!! My health was the main reason I had the surgery. Both of my parents were diabetics and my dad died of kidney failure from it at 62. My mom died of a heart attack at 57. I want to live to see my son grow up, go to college and get married. My endo said that once I reach my goal weight she will release me to my PCP for yearly thyroid monitoring (I have Hashimoto's), so that's another NSV. My blood pressure was 104/64, which is awesome! Even though I'm a slow loser, the scale is always moving in the right direction. I love my sleeve! HW 270 SW 255 CW 220

I would just call him to get clarification. He may have a good reason for it. do you have Hashimoto's?

Here's a pretty good guide to understanding the TSH test: http://labtestinterpreter.about.com/od/Diagnoses/tsh.htm

Nadou, do you have a resource where I can read about managing a low TSH by increasing Synthroid? I've had Hashimoto's for 30 years and I'm always looking for new information. I've always been told by my endo that a TSH less than .3 means that I need to decrease my meds. Too low a TSH can cause heart palpitations and insomnia and for some, exhaustion and fatigue. I'm on 137mcg.

I have a friend that models for catalog shoots. He makes $65 an hour.

I don't understand why your doc increased your Synthroid. A low TSH means that you are getting too high of a dose.

Costco.com has the 2 pack of Reviva liquid vitamin on sale until 4/21/13. http://t.costco.com/LIQUID-reViva®-Multivitamin-Twin-Pack.product.11677911.html

Here's my experience from Puerto Vallarta. I felt like I was on vacation! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/70076-my-experience-dr-lopez-puerto-vallarta/#entry698418

I've had shingles twice. After you get over it, I would recommend getting the shingles vaccine.

Bought the plane tickets for my sister and I today. We're flying through Dallas and getting in at 3:05pm. I wish it were happening tomorrow!

Dr. Lopez. We'll flip a coin to see who goes first!

I am scheduled for PV on Jan 17th! My sister (an ER nurse) is going with me. I can't wait!