Ree

Sure! Easter Challenge will be next!

For a while before surgery I got into the habit of not eating anything at least 3 hours prior to bed and it has stuck with me. I was never told I had to wait a certain amount of time between laying down and eating, it's just part of my routine not to eat prior to bedtime.

Will there be an Easter Challenge as well?

Generally its best to go commando with everything. They need to see that your circulation is good and not
a great shade of blush lol

Will there be an Easter Challenge as well?

Current weight: 218
I have a week to 3 pounds to reach my goal of 215. It's possible but the last few weeks have been slow losing. But I am trying to look at the bright side of things. When I initially started this journey I had over 150 pounds to lose, now I have less than 100 pounds to lose. When I look at it that way it puts a smile on my face.

Prior to my surgery I put together about 2 weeks worth of crockpot meals. I prepped everything in freezer bags and when it was time for dinner (about 8hrs earlier) I would just plop the contents of one of the freezer bags into the crockpot and let it go. I did many different chicken meals and some steak fajita meals. My husband and daughter enjoyed them.
It's not too late for you to do that if you wanted to. It makes things so much easier.
A good site to check out for some meal ideas to freeze is: www.whoneedsacape.com

Prior to my surgery I put together about 2 weeks worth of crockpot meals. I prepped everything in freezer bags and when it was time for dinner (about 8hrs earlier) I would just plop the contents of one of the freezer bags into the crockpot and let it go. I did many different chicken meals and some steak fajita meals. My husband and daughter enjoyed them.
It's not too late for you to do that if you wanted to. It makes things so much easier.
A good site to check out for some meal ideas to freeze is: www.whoneedsacape.com

Will there be an Easter Challenge as well?

Current weight: 218
I have a week to 3 pounds to reach my goal of 215. It's possible but the last few weeks have been slow losing. But I am trying to look at the bright side of things. When I initially started this journey I had over 150 pounds to lose, now I have less than 100 pounds to lose. When I look at it that way it puts a smile on my face.

Current weight: 218
I have a week to 3 pounds to reach my goal of 215. It's possible but the last few weeks have been slow losing. But I am trying to look at the bright side of things. When I initially started this journey I had over 150 pounds to lose, now I have less than 100 pounds to lose. When I look at it that way it puts a smile on my face.

Current weight: 218
I have a week to 3 pounds to reach my goal of 215. It's possible but the last few weeks have been slow losing. But I am trying to look at the bright side of things. When I initially started this journey I had over 150 pounds to lose, now I have less than 100 pounds to lose. When I look at it that way it puts a smile on my face.

CW: 220

I swear, I feel like my husband is trying to sabotage me or something. I told him 2 days ago "whatever you do, don't get me chocolates. I can't have any. Don't forget". So what does he do? today he got me chocolates. I said "gee thanks but I can't eat them" and his response was "oh I forgot". Well that's why I reminded you just 2 days ago! UGH!! I have been with him since I was 15 years old (for 15 years now) and in the past he has always tried to sabotage my weight loss efforts. I don't give in to it or him anymore though. I get upset with him. I find myself yelling at him a lot now because it pisses me off that he does this to me. He'll say "you know what sounds good? McDonalds chicken nuggets" and I'll scream at him "YOU KNOW I CAN'T EAT THAT CRAP ANYMORE SO WHY DO YOU EVEN BRING IT UP"?? and he'll act like he forgot that I cant eat that stuff. Um hello I had the surgery 2 months ago, have you not seen what I have been eating in the last two months and how small my portions are? I really don't think he is forgetting. I feel like he does it on purpose and it pisses me off!
In other news, I went out and bought a pair of jeans that are way too small with the hopes that in the near future I'll get to wear them. I hope this helps to motivate me to stay on the straight and narrow.

I hit the 100 pound down mark today!
Surgery: 5/31/13
SW: 253
CW: 153
Height: 5' 6"
Yay!!!!!
(Tutu for my upcoming "Color Run/Walk") :-)

Today's weight: 223

I gulp too but usually not more than 3 gulps at a time. I am 2 months post op.

Ree omg I totally can relate to the interacting or meeting my husband folks he works with. He got a huge promotion so I hadn't been to the office since I packed on an additional 60lbs so I was beyond myself he insisted I come in say hello and assess his new office to see how to we were going to doctorate it. After I left I couldn't stop wondering what they were thinking when they saw me. I felt like they were thinking OMG she's gained ton of weight she's HUGE!
It's fine because I'm pressing ahead full steam to get my body back to become healthier and MUCH lighter. I plan on taking full advantage of my sleeve LITTERALLY!!

Today I am 8 weeks post op and I have lost 71 lbs total, 20 during two week liquid phase pre op and 51 during the 8 weeks after surgery. Best decision of my life. Was heading for double knee replacements and could not walk 50 feet because of severe pain. I was ready to quit work but now I am walking 2 to 3 miles a day, Still have pain in knees but getting better. Feel fantastic overall. I read alot of the negative issues people are having but wanted to share my story.

I can't wait till I weigh less than my husband but I'm about 60 pounds away from and even when I do weigh less than him my BMI will still be higher than his but that's because I'm short.
I met my husband 15 years ago when I was 15 years old, back then I only weighed 115 lbs. I guess you can say I got a little too comfortable, plus I had a medical condition go undiagnosed for a decade that is known to cause weight gain.
So that is why I never told him my weight. He clearly knows I've gained a ton but he has no idea how much exactly. Fortunately he has always stood by my side but I always felt like crap when he introduced me to one of his work buddies. I would wonder what they were thinking, like wtf is he doing with her. When clearly he can be with someone more attractive.

Wow I'm so surprised. My husband weighs 125lbs and I was 310 at my heaviest. I never felt ashamed. When we were dating I was probably in the mid to hight 200's so I knew he loved me no matter what. Since the surgery he is very interested in how my body is changing but in a loving way. I think he is kinda worried on how it will be once I reach my goal but he won't say anything because he knows how important this is to me and he is fully supportive.

My man and I are having a little contest. When my weight finally dips below his weight (which is healthy for his height and age), then we will have a non-food celebration of some sort. The good news is, I am within a pound or two of that point on the scale!

Ree, I'm with you. My sister is the exact same way. In fact, we had over 15 years where we didn't talk because she got bent out of shape about something stupid. She didn't talk with my mom and never reconciled with her before my mom passed away.
The fact is, family triggers our stress. As food addicts, we turn to food when we're stressed out. And, we allow these folks to sabotage our success. What gives them the right to have that much power over us??? If you continue to give her power, she will continue to take it and you will continue to be miserable. You can detach with LOVE and just set some very strict boundaries. Just because she says or does something "out there" doesn't mean you have to accept it. You don't. Let go of her crap and take care of yourself. Don't give her that power.
I think you'll find once you take that power back you'll feel so much better and realize that she wasn't "all that" like she thought she was.
I hope that helps you. Hang in there!

In other countries (particularly Scandinavian countries) treatment for depression/bipolar/schizophrenia includes the WHOLE family... And often the doctors will prescribe medicine to OTHER family members as well as the patient.
My ex-h used to be very bent-out-of-shape about small things and when he was stressed he'd make these ridiculous RULES about the world (which would be immediately broken since the rest of the world didn't get his memo promptly)... At one point He and I both had prescriptions for Buspar ... And he cautioned me to not "swipe any" of HIS. I was like dude, if YOU take your meds then *I* won't have to!!
My mother used to be awful about my weight, through college she would berate me for being pregnant and not telling her (HUH??) and as an adult now, 20 years later, I realize she was screaming about her own past, and it had NOTHING to do with ME!! At one point when I was planning my wedding she got SO awful about my weight that I "broke up" with her. I didn't speak to her for about 6 months. It saddened me because I really wanted that mother-daughter bonding over weddings like you see on TV but it was also a really low-stress period! I didn't have to worry about what mood she'd be in when she called, etc. She shaped up (no pun intended) and got nicer and wrote me a letter apologizing and saying she missed me, and that was a big step for her.
I maintain that a person can choose their family, and that "blood" means very little. It's hard with a person you really want to care for who just sends hate back your way... But it's as poisonous a relationship as a bad boyfriend/lover/spouse!! Make a pledge to give that person some space, walk away for a while, and enjoy a few stress-free days without hearing their venom.... There are so many much nicer people in the world!!!

Honestly its time to make her realise that she is hurting every one...be strict with her. and dont loose your peace of mind...I know its easier said than done... but you must be strict with her.