Beach Lover

Now that I have lost 81 of the 135 in need to lose I am amazed at what I was carrying around! When I reach goal I am sure that I will be in total disbelief that I too carried that weight around for over 15 years. It saddens me to think of the years that were a total abuse on my body and mind. I am elated to be where I am and can visualize the next 52 coming off to reach goal. I have a mindset that will not allow otherwise even if it takes me another year to do it. If the weight loss slows down that is okay. I will just keep on keeping on there is no other option! I started this journey wearing 22/24 pants and yesterday I put on 14's and they fit. What a great day!! As far as recommending anything to people any more I can only say stay away from the carbs. I have tried all of the commercial diet plans several times over and obviously they didn't work for me. I am no doctor by a long shot but everything I read points to carbs being the weight loss wrecker. I think most people who have 50 pounds or less to lose could probably benefit from cutting the carbs way back. They might see a result and it is strictly my humble opinion.

I agree, I would never discourage them....... ever. It just might work for them! For me though it is a total relief that I don't have to contemplate doing one of those programs yet again. I have found my answer.

This is the first year that I can absolutely ignore all those commercials toting the weight loss miracle!! So I bid a fond a due to Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutra System, etc etc!!! I feel such a relief that I have turned my life around and have learned to get control of my eating habits that contributed to such an unhealthy me. I am not kidding myself I have a lifetime of keeping myself under control but for the first time in my life it's looking pretty good! I get such a feeling of sadness for those struggling with being overweight and truly wish that this surgery was available to all who wish to turn their lives around. I want to thank all of you on this forum for helping me to reach an 81 pound loss and for the future help to reach my goal. I have my life back and it feels great!!!

LOL I think that what you have left is working for you! You look terrific!!

Merry Christmas to all!!! Down 3 pounds this week. Was 215 Now 212

Congrats on all levels! I am so happy that your husband is so proud of you and turned his opinion around! The bike looks awesome and you will also sitting on it!

I definitely want to be in the Valentine Challenge so feel free to add me. Bea, The best thing is you are recognizing what is going on and your making a conscience effort to change your old habit. If you happen to gain a pound or two don't beat yourself up. The goal is behavior modification and in the process you will lose that weight. Hang in there and I hope you and your husband have a great holiday with your family!

The Aldi's I used to go when my children were young was very clean and the people were wonderful there. I have not shopped there in a long time. I think it works very well when you have a tight budget.

Down 2 pounds. Was 217 Now 215

Down 2 pounds. Was 217 Now 215

I didn't know there was a weight limit for water slides. I have been going for ages and maybe I could have ended up killing myself! Oh well.................... I'm still here!

Way to go!! You have started with an awesome beginning! Congrats on your sleeve and your success!

You are looking fantastic!! Keep up the great job!!

You look fantastic!! Great job!!

There is an Aldi's in Daytona on Nova Road. They are supposed to be opening 1 or 2 in Orlando sometime early next year. At least you have Whole Foods. I have to drive up there to go. There is nothing in Palm Coast!!

It is a grocery store owned by the Aldi's company. They have a lot of great items of which many are organic and much cheaper than Whole Foods. The store is smaller than I expected but they have an awesome cheese section!

My tray was pretty disgusting. It was granulated chicken broth, tea, Jello and I think that was it. I was so out of it and really didn't even want to eat a thing so I didn't. Definitely not appealing!

GG you have an absolutely beautiful family and I loved both dresses on you! You are looking fantastic and your pictures are proof positive of why the sleeve is such a wonderful thing!! You really looked beautiful and very happy! Good for you! I enjoyed seeing everyone's pics!!

Sounds like you have found a whole new life and body! Congratulations on your 100 pound loss and finding someone that makes you happy. Yes, we want pictures!

Wow! I am glad to hear that you are stable and in a good place to get help. Please keep us posted and I hope all goes well!

I was just up your way going to Trader Joe's for the first time. Love the place!

I am in Palm Coast. It is between Daytona Beach and St.Augustine.

This would figure! I had my 6 month anniversary and for the first time I stayed the same! I hope this isn't something that will happen all the time. Last Week 217 This Week 217

You can do it! If you are having carb trouble I would really suggest that you go back to the liquid diet with a few lean meat dinners with veggies to off set it for at least a week. This will help you kick the carb cravings and help you to appreciate the good foods again. When I was doing this I found that I was craving good foods again and it helped me to make the right decisions about foods.

Today is my 6 months anniversary and I can't believe it has gone by so quickly!! I have been going through the same thing you are except I am not allowing myself to partake in the cravings that I am having. I am by no means perfect and not trying to look that way. I really do think this is a normal phase of the first year and a true glimpse of what the rest of our life will be. In other words, the cravings are never going to go away and once the healing has completed the fight for our new lives is on. We must deny the cravings to make the change. Some days we will be stronger than others but the change must win over the old way. The sleeve is still working and always will as long as we use what we were taught. This time of year is a bad time to have our sleeves begin the transition of feeling more hunger and realizing we can eat just about anything with little repercussion. My strategy is to not partake accept for Christmas Day and even then it will be limited. When I eat those damn carbs they actually haunt me and its like living the liquid diet and post op all over again. Screw that! I hate head hunger! Talking about this like you did today is an awesome step to help combat this slippery slippage that we all go through! I truly wish the best for you!