Ava324

Before surgery was even in consideration, my husband and I sabotaged each other. I think I played a greater role though. He made poor food choices, but I was more the emotional eater and constantly fatigued. I resisted his encouragement to get active and work out with him. He came around on supporting surgery, and he did the pre-op dieting (scheduled meals under 1,200 cals/day) with me for two months. He even suffered through a Lean Cuisine instead of the Thanksgiving feast. Since surgery, I've taken the lead on getting healthy. He eats what I do (when we're together), just larger portions. He joins me at the gym every now and then and even signed on with my personal trainer. We completed our first 5K Friday, and he's on board for many more. He's the best, and I wouldn't be in such a positive place and wouldn't have been as successful without him. He's benefited personally too. He's lost 65 lbs of his own and is back in his high school size. He flexes in the mirror now. Haha.

You're spot on about outlook. My arms were batwings even before surgery, but they've gotten a lot worse since losing the weight. I'm lucky that they're my only really bad problem area, but what a problem.. They're wrinkled, saggy, and flappy. I used to hide my arms with cover-ups. And now? I wear a sporty tanktop to the gym. In public. They give me away, and I imagine people notice them and think of how big I must have been. But... I'm proud of them. It's the only way I can outwardly show off my hard work. I don't want to look as if I've never been big. I've been overweight to morbidly obese since I was 8 years old. I woke up Sunday morning with a normal BMI for the first time in 18+ years. For now, my attitude couldn't be better, and I'm happily flapping it in sleeveless shirts and dresses.

Please count me in. I haven't participated in one of these challenges yet, and this is the perfect one. I hope to reach my personal goal by Halloween! Oh boy, oh boy.

If you ever wanted to host a BP retreat, I'd so be there!

Congratulations! I know that feeling, and it's incredible. I had PCOS and insulin resistance pre-surgery, and they're now resolved. Or as my doc explained, in the "off" position. I'm keeping it that way! Also I love the subject line for your thread.

I completed my first 5K last night! I jogged about 95% of it, so it was definitely a victory! Finished under 46 minutes, which isn't too shabby. I never would have dreamed of running a 5K before! I wouldn't have imagined it 8 months ago, when I had surgery. Or even 4 months ago. And here I am totally proud, ready for the next one, and motivated to improve my time.

First pic was taken Christmas Eve, two weeks after surgery. After I'd already lost 14 lbs pre-op and still on liquids.. Second pic from yesterday - taken by our personal trainer after a very sweaty session. Now I'm just 17 lbs away from goal. Hubby hasn't had surgery, but he's lost 65 lbs of his own. So proud! We run our first 5K today.

I'd love to hear from those who reached their goal, and moved to the next phase. I'm just 17lbs from my goal, and I find myself getting anxious. I've been overweight and told so since I was 8 years old. Not once have I been at my ideal weight, and this is totally uncharted territory. I spent the past 8 months totally focused and motivated, and this anxiety has come as a surprise. When I'm so close? How is goal or near goal treating you? Anyone else a bit emotional about it?

First 5K tomorrow. So freaking excited! Also registered for a 5K 9/12 and a mini marathon (4 miles) 11/23. Signing up for these runs well in advance is a real motivator. I'll make my one year surgiversary 12/10, so the mini-marathon is perfect timing.

A snuggie is a great idea! Gloves would be nice too. And a nose warmer!

When I look at the month graph in the app, it's a pretty funny spike! It thinks I burned 3,500 calories that day. ><

I know this is an old thread, but I actually had a co-worker ask if I was okay the other day. My nail beds were very blue, and my lips had a light blue tint. I was absolutely freezing, despite a sweater and 4 cups of hot herbal tea. I happened to have a follow-up already scheduled with my general practitioner the next day and brought it up. My O2 levels were perfect, and my actual finger tips had perfect capillary responses. Not a circulation problem. Basically she thinks that my body is diverting energy to my core/organs, because of the extreme calorie deficit (I get about 500 - 700 a day and workout a lot). I live in Louisiana, and it is freaking hot and humid during the summer. First the first time ever, I am glad! I often walk/jog in the early morning before work, and people will say "I bet you can't wait for it to cool down." Oh yes, I can. I am dreading even Louisiana's mild fall and winter! Last winter, after surgery was easy, because I still had a lot of insulation, and I wasn't outside much then. I don't know how I'll bring myself to get out of bed and go jog at 5:45am when it's cold outside...

Thanks for reminding me! I should've mentioned that I mostly have seafood. It's the easiest for me. Baked salmon, canned tuna, shrimp, crab, etc.

I'm 8 months post-op, and my post-op eating schedule ended after 8 weeks - except they said no alcohol or tough meat like steak for 6 months. So that meant I could have raw fruits at your point, maybe a week after. I haven't run into anything that I can't tolerate. Dry meats, like chicken breast, can still feel like a rock going down. Depends on how it's cooked. I stay away from anything tough. Probably a forever thing. The only thing that's made me feel sick and like I really wanted to throw-up (I haven't thrown up/can't) was spinach and artichoke dip on bagel crackers. I ate it over enthusiastically... Too much too fast, and it was so painful. I did that to myself two days in a row, and I won't make it again. That's a me problem though, not the food.

At this point (8 months post-op), I very rarely snack. If I do it's string cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, turkey pepperoni, turkey Jerky, laughing cow wedge or PB2 & a flat bread cracker, popcorn, or 1/2 Quest bar. Regarding PB2 - It makes a great addition to shakes. I added some to an Eggface 5min cake (http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/04/that-takes-cake.html) (I used Syntrax Matrix Peanut Butter cookie Protein powder, PB2, and topped with sugar free strawberry jelly and fat free whipped cream). By itself (mixed with Water as directed), PB2 tastes very much like straight peanuts. I mean, it's supposed to, but I add a little vanilla Torani to sweeten it.

I really can't point out what I'm most proud of. I'll have to reflect on that. My most memorable moment is also my least memorable. When I first found this site, of course I was looking at success stories and before and afters and imagining how it could be for me too. I remember one girl posting about how she was finally fitting in regular store XL shirts. I cried. I cried happy tears for the prospect of wearing XL. My perspective has changed so dramatically, and when I got there, it wasn't really moving for me. Certainly a success, but I've switched gears so much to being fitter, healthier, and feeling good and not just smaller/lighter. Hitting gym and endurance goals is way more rewarding now. I bought my first pair of size 10 pants the other day. They're nearly impossible to sit in for now, but before, the idea of wearing 10s would have blown my freaking mind. Now I'm thinking when I reach my target body fat %, I'll be in 4/6. Before surgery, I thought I'd plateau and stop losing at 14/16.

I wish I could do either of those before breakfast and work. I have energy and strength issues in the morning, and the most I can manage is a walk with brief intermittent sprinting. Can't really call that cardio. If I try weights in the morning, I'll get queasy. That leaves after work. I do weights at the gym at 5pm, and I'll do C25K at 7:30pm.

Great piece! Now what's that treat pictured, and how can I make it? Yum.

I love this idea. Thanks!

Other than possibly future pregnancy, I'm determined not to be over 160 ever again. I need a bit of a buffer. Lol. My parents have started the "slow down" and "don't push yourself" comments. Even during my very first race, my dad was trying to get me to walk. Pushing myself is the point. I added some pics to my photo gallery: http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/album/20384-befores-durings-afters/

I want to try the new chips, but I have a feeling they'll be a slider or trigger food for me. I didn't have a "thing" for chips before, so I don't know.. It's amazing that they're managing about 22gr protein/140 calories. Super impressed!

I just have to say thanks again to everyone. This is such a welcoming, motivating, and informative site. It has helped me a lot. I'm so glad it was recommended to me, and I've recommended it to many others.

I had a nightmare about eating bread once. I woke up worried, but it passed. Are you very anxious about it when awake? You say you're terrified, but it seems like you're doing well and are proud.

Super congrats!! It's so inspiring to have someone with the same stats and surgery date that is so successful. It's slowed for me too, and it's just so awesome that you're reaching the goal well ahead of your surgeon's time frame. Can't wait to see the photos!! I'm close at your heels. I've actually reached my surgeon's max goal for me. He said between 140 - 160. I'm 159.8! My personal goal is 140 though. That's only mostly true. I'm hoping to get and keep my body fat % down to 22ish%.

And I got my shirt in.