CassieWNY

So many of these postings hit home for me. In the end, I am tired of thinking about my weight. I am consumed by it daily - from assessing whether I am the "fattest" person in the room to figuring out if someone is treating me differently because of my weight. Stereotyping of larger people makes it very difficult for me in my job as many assume I am heavy merely because I am not a hard worker, or lazy, or I cannot get away from the fridge. It would sometimes make me sad. Often it would make me angry. I want energy back... I am going to channel myself to accomplish this goal for me. I cannot wait until I am able to shake loose all the negativity from weight gain, all the self-hatred, the denial, and the guilt. Losing the weight will not do that on its own, it will take a complete overhaul of my mindset. I am ready...finally. I do not want to be embarrassed anymore, or angry, or humiliated, or sad... or miss out on anything I want to do because I am heavier. Tired of blurring the edges, hiding from mirrors, hiding from cameras, films, being posted on FB, the waterslide, the planes, that darn waiting room chair made for someone size 8.... I might have reached my lowest point when I asked myself if my friends felt sorry for me because they hung out with me. (Not being worthy on my personality alone). I know I am not alone but I have felt that way for over a decade.

Similar to some others, I enjoy the personal accountability of a trainer. Mine is also a PT so I do appreciate the fact that he can help me avoid injury and keep me on track if I do get injured. No, it is not cheap but there is no gym overhead for him or me so that does cut the cost. The cost is going to be area specific so if you go this way, do the research.
I started about 8 weeks after my sleeve. I switched trainers about 6 months later. Much happier with my current one. At first I had a few people say to me that it was not a sustainable model to have a trainer. But I got rid of that guilt and negativity and it worked. I do cardio on my own but I am sitting here almost a year from surgery and 2 months short of working out at least 3 times per week for a year.
I wish you the best - bottomline - do what works for you. Focus on getting fit, using my fitness pal, getting in your Protein and the weight will come off.

Ladies -
Only you can answer the ultimate question of whether this is right for you or not. Your surgeon can advise you on the risks of surgery. Weigh that factor heavily.
There is a plethora of information on this site about the trials and tribulations of pre-op and post-op weight loss. While I certainly Celebrate individuality, I see many threads of commonalities in the postings here. Meaning... there are other people just like you. Look for them. You may even want to contact them. Ask what you are really worried about....
I was sleeved in June of this year. So most of us June sleevers are about 3 months out or a bit less. 99% of us are past the physical issues related to surgery and now dealing with stalls and avoiding old habits again. I would suggest reading the June 2013 sleevers trail of messages where you will see the good bad and ugly as about 100 people went through this process.
In my humble opinion, the physical repercussions are relatively minor compared to the mental and emotional ones. Each of us has their our own set of challenges but there is a great deal of crossover.
Build a strong network of people close to you in real life and perhaps a few key supporters online that really "get it" and "get you".
This is not easy but either was being overweight with no hope in sight. 24+ years of just getting heavier, trying every diet, exercise plan, gaining after pregnancy - I am surprised I am still sane.
"Did I try hard enough?" That is the self-sabotage question of a lifetime. I asked myself that long enough and was becoming my own worst enemy. Finally, for me, I just said to myself - "The results are in and these people with sleeves are really doing it. I just don't want to live like this anymore and I don't want even more problems when I age." There is a posting about the Straw that Broke the Camels back here. I would suggest you read those postings. VERY compelling statements about what brought people to this point. I suspect you will see yourself in a variety of those postings.
"Did I try hard enough" can imply that this step is not a hard one. This process/journey is by no means easy. So I suspect when you're on the other side of surgery you will say "Damn right I have!!" Pat yourself on the back for figuring out that this is going to work for you and get ready to work with a tool that you have been looking for all of your life.
I wish you both the best of luck in your continued journey. Feel free to reach out to me privately too. The best is yet to come.

Ladies -
Only you can answer the ultimate question of whether this is right for you or not. Your surgeon can advise you on the risks of surgery. Weigh that factor heavily.
There is a plethora of information on this site about the trials and tribulations of pre-op and post-op weight loss. While I certainly Celebrate individuality, I see many threads of commonalities in the postings here. Meaning... there are other people just like you. Look for them. You may even want to contact them. Ask what you are really worried about....
I was sleeved in June of this year. So most of us June sleevers are about 3 months out or a bit less. 99% of us are past the physical issues related to surgery and now dealing with stalls and avoiding old habits again. I would suggest reading the June 2013 sleevers trail of messages where you will see the good bad and ugly as about 100 people went through this process.
In my humble opinion, the physical repercussions are relatively minor compared to the mental and emotional ones. Each of us has their our own set of challenges but there is a great deal of crossover.
Build a strong network of people close to you in real life and perhaps a few key supporters online that really "get it" and "get you".
This is not easy but either was being overweight with no hope in sight. 24+ years of just getting heavier, trying every diet, exercise plan, gaining after pregnancy - I am surprised I am still sane.
"Did I try hard enough?" That is the self-sabotage question of a lifetime. I asked myself that long enough and was becoming my own worst enemy. Finally, for me, I just said to myself - "The results are in and these people with sleeves are really doing it. I just don't want to live like this anymore and I don't want even more problems when I age." There is a posting about the Straw that Broke the Camels back here. I would suggest you read those postings. VERY compelling statements about what brought people to this point. I suspect you will see yourself in a variety of those postings.
"Did I try hard enough" can imply that this step is not a hard one. This process/journey is by no means easy. So I suspect when you're on the other side of surgery you will say "Damn right I have!!" Pat yourself on the back for figuring out that this is going to work for you and get ready to work with a tool that you have been looking for all of your life.
I wish you both the best of luck in your continued journey. Feel free to reach out to me privately too. The best is yet to come.

Generous return policies from stores are to support those people who are returning clothes that have not been worn. They are designed to prevent a consumer from ending up with a product that is faulty or inappropriate.
Aside from the ethical concerns of returning used clothing (aka "freestyling"), I would hazard a guess that certain states have criminal penalties for returning used clothing.
Returning used clothing is a clear breach of the return policy. Your worn items have to be discarded by the store and that increase in cost for retailers results in increased prices for consumers. Or worse, one of us is stuck wearing your used clothing that we paid for at Sears.

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The photo at the top left is me at my heaviest (489lbs) and the photo on the bottom right hand corner is me today at my current weight of 260lbs.

Hey jdub, I keep the same kind of work schedule. The only thing that works for me is working out before work. I'm drained by the end of the day and I know I just want to go home and lay face down on my bed. It is hard some days, but I would suggest getting it over with early AM so you can't talk yourself out of it (like I always try to do).
As far as nutrition, I make about a pound of chicken breasts in the crock pot on Sunday and eat that throughout the week. Ground beef is quick to brown up and reheats relatively well in the microwave. Go to Snacks are string cheese and Protein shakes.
Hope some of that helps?

Welcome to my world! I'm writing this as I am on a plane bound for SLC tonight. i will be working all day and flying back tomorrow night and will fly out again Saturday morning.
Day started early so I was able to eat eggs at home, coffee Protein shake on the way to a client meeting, Quest bar at the airport, 1 oz of cheese from the "protein box" I bought on the plane (the one with very little protein), and will probably eat the dried edamame I'm carrying it's me once I land at 9 pm. I will have walked 2 miles by the time the day is over just running from one place to another and that will have to do for my exercise today. I have some Jerky that I may have to nom if I don't make my Protein today, and I bought stuff to drink at the airport. I also have one packer of Protein powder that I will sweet talk a barista at Starbucks into making for me at some point I thus trip.
You get used to planning ahead, carrying acceptable Snacks, and being utterly shameless about eating in the middle of meetings when NO ONE ELSE is eating!
I often cook like a mad woman on the weekends and we eat that through most of the week,and rarely eat out more than once a week if I'm not traveling.
I also know what I can eat at airports: Wendy's chili, the insides of any places sandwiches without bread, and SF geek yogurt. That's it really.
So a lot more planning and forethought but totally doable.

I just posted this to help those struggling with Protein:

http://www.verticals...-them-try-this/

Hey everyone I had my surgery and I'm doing well hope to be discharged Sunday

GREAT RESULTS!!!!

I was cleaning out my closet, and moving my previous "goal clothes" up to the front so I could start wearing them. They were all 14's and a few 12's. My husband said that the 14's were too baggy, so I tried on some of the 10's that I bought thinking they would be my final goal size. The 10's fit me perfectly. I was stunned. I still have 13 pounds to go, and I haven't even started looking into plastics yet. Sometimes I totally see a size 10 in the mirror and sometimes I still see my 22-24 looking back at me. My daughter says that my old clothes are way too big and she was relieved that I donated them this week. We have a local thrift store that supports a domestic violence shelter, and when I go in I can find nice things for $1 each. I bought a bunch of stuff in every other size when I had surgery. So I had 18's, a few 16's, a bunch of 14's and now a bunch of 10's. Today I picked up some 8's and that still seems like an impossible dream, but I tried them on and one pair fit very nicely, the others are still really snug. Wearable, but in 5 pounds they will be perfect. It's weird, I always felt sexy when I was big, I was a bbw and knew how to dress my curves to look nice. No one every believed I was as heavy as I was, I guess I used clothing to hide it well. And now that I'm getting thin, I have body issues. Go figure.

Update!
September 2012-Highest weight: 268
June 28-Day of surgery weight: 250
October 4- current weight: 210

I got my call today, YEA!!!!!!! I'm surprised that I only have to see a nutritionist once, watch a DVD and fill out some paperwork. I can't believe it's all happening so fast. Im more than thankful to myself for making that call. This all started just a few days ago and now I'm on my way. Finally I will become healthier and will have the body to match my personality and smile. It still hasn't all quite hit me yet. I'm so appreciative of this app and all of the people that are willing to share their advice and experiences, I'm sure I will have lots of my concerns eased and questions answered just from reading some of the threads.

I've been complimented on my hair when I had done nothing to it, been told I look much better without my glasses when I don't wear glasses...people can't always put their finger on what has changed.
A male nursing assistant on my unit complimented me on my weight loss but warned me to not lose too much because "a dog won't chase a bone if there's no meat on it". Uh...ok.

My best compliment "Holy ****.... you are hot!"
This was from a male colleague / coworker I have known for many years but since we didn't work at the same location he hadn't seen me since I was over 300#. He was very embarrased as it was not an appropriate thing to say in a work setting... but i loved it.
I can't really think of a bad one....

I have both the hiatal hernia and asymptomatic reflux. My physician had me take omeprazole by prescription for 2 weeks prior to the surgery and 3 months after. It did not change my date or insurance submittal. Best of luck on your journey.

WOW!! Hard work really paid off for you. Congratulations on hitting your goal.

Frankly - there are waits on the other side of the surgery that are hair pullers too. I keep trying to remind myself that I will not be a size 8 when I wake up tomorrow. I keep thinking "Patience is a virtue". It doesn't always work....

First appt went well. I get to go back to work next week, I'm also 9 days post op and have lost 9 more pounds.

Poolguard -
I would much rather have you continue to attack me personally than add further fuel to the fire for those who chose to ridicule and belittle the original poster. In fact, I encourage you and these other posters, the alleged "iron willed", to use me as your punching bag. Leave this original poster and her supporters alone.
I have no expectations for postings other than they abide by the rules which clearly (see cathy above) do not encourage these kinds of postings. I also respect that we should be polite to others.
I can agree to disagree. Let's leave the people looking for support to the ones that can support them. Clearly the message from the original poster is she is looking for something you are unable and/or are unwilling to give.

Ladies -
Only you can answer the ultimate question of whether this is right for you or not. Your surgeon can advise you on the risks of surgery. Weigh that factor heavily.
There is a plethora of information on this site about the trials and tribulations of pre-op and post-op weight loss. While I certainly Celebrate individuality, I see many threads of commonalities in the postings here. Meaning... there are other people just like you. Look for them. You may even want to contact them. Ask what you are really worried about....
I was sleeved in June of this year. So most of us June sleevers are about 3 months out or a bit less. 99% of us are past the physical issues related to surgery and now dealing with stalls and avoiding old habits again. I would suggest reading the June 2013 sleevers trail of messages where you will see the good bad and ugly as about 100 people went through this process.
In my humble opinion, the physical repercussions are relatively minor compared to the mental and emotional ones. Each of us has their our own set of challenges but there is a great deal of crossover.
Build a strong network of people close to you in real life and perhaps a few key supporters online that really "get it" and "get you".
This is not easy but either was being overweight with no hope in sight. 24+ years of just getting heavier, trying every diet, exercise plan, gaining after pregnancy - I am surprised I am still sane.
"Did I try hard enough?" That is the self-sabotage question of a lifetime. I asked myself that long enough and was becoming my own worst enemy. Finally, for me, I just said to myself - "The results are in and these people with sleeves are really doing it. I just don't want to live like this anymore and I don't want even more problems when I age." There is a posting about the Straw that Broke the Camels back here. I would suggest you read those postings. VERY compelling statements about what brought people to this point. I suspect you will see yourself in a variety of those postings.
"Did I try hard enough" can imply that this step is not a hard one. This process/journey is by no means easy. So I suspect when you're on the other side of surgery you will say "Damn right I have!!" Pat yourself on the back for figuring out that this is going to work for you and get ready to work with a tool that you have been looking for all of your life.
I wish you both the best of luck in your continued journey. Feel free to reach out to me privately too. The best is yet to come.