onsummit

I have been relying on Pure Protein bars to supplement since I started maintenance. Otherwise I'd be low on calories and protein. BUT just tried the new (to me anyway) box on special at Costco. Two flavors - peanut butter and mint. Not nearly as tasty as the originals - actually the mint is gross - but I failed to notice how much higher the calorie count is. 290 a bar vs 200 for the regular. Watch out.

Two years ago today I had my surgery. I was 66 years old, looked older, had terrible joint pain and was using a cane. Size 24 at 284 pounds. Today the joint pain is virtually gone although some back pain lingers. The cane is in storage. Size 8 at 152 pounds. I have been maintaining for over a year and it goes well. Just behind marrying my wonderful husband, having surgery was the best decision I ever made in my life.

133 lost and could easily continue but my top half has become a little gaunt and the bottom half will stay flabby even with additional weight loss so I am staying put for the sake of the clothing I finally broke down and bought. 150 pounds is absolutely not beyond your reach. Just stay the course - the sleeve doesn't give up on you. Sometimes we give up on ourselves.

Weigh yourself on home scale. More importantly, take your measurements. This is vital as you go forward and hit a stall. The scale may not move but the tape measure still does. It is very reassuring. Get an honest picture of yourself. Understand that I did not do any of these things but if I knew then what I do now..... I, as well as many others, can not see ourselves as we are now. I did not realize how I looked at 284 and I don't see how I look now at 153. I still feel fat. The only thing that is keeping me at this weight is my wardrobe. I finally bought some new things - size 8 - and don't want them wasted.

Never gave this a thought even though it was a major concern per-surgery 17 months ago. So I went to look. Clear skin. They are wrinkled and flabby but my inner thighs are the same color as the surrounding skin. Amazing. I have nothing special - no brushing, no lotion - just last fat and no friction.

In June, 2013 I was 66 years old and I weighed 283 pounds. My back and my knees were killing me. In October, 2014, I am 67 years old and I weigh 153. My back still hurts (not killing) but my knees are fine. On Saturday, I went to party wearing a black jumpsuit - size SMALL - if I say so myself, I looked fashionable and well, fabulous. I had the surgery for health reasons and hope it will work out that way. In the meantime, I am enjoying wearing clothes I have never been able to imagine before. Would I have the surgery again. Absolutely!

15 month checkup today and have gotten better at maintaining my 132 pounds lost. Size 10 is loose. Still a lot of back pain but I have dumped the cane. I figure if I fall now, someone should be able to help me up, instead of calling for two firemen. Almost 68 years old - not a whole new life, but definitely a new lease on the one I have and love. Spent an entire lifetime fat. I can only wonder why. What is there about my physical/psychological profile that kept me imprisoned inside that mountain?

Minus 130 pounds, I'm still in size 11 shoes but no longer need extra wide, perhaps not even wide. Have a pair of maryjane style with Velcro fastener. The strap is so long now across my ankle, it is bizarre.

Did I ever think that I would be troubled by losing weight. Trying to maintain but still going down. This morning 155.

Losing was more satisfying than maintaining. 158.5 today. Thank you for the challenges. I have enjoyed the feeling of community.

I come down on the side of responsibility. Self-pay or insurance, the surgery cost someone a bundle. Also , bad enough to fail on a diet, but to fail when you've had most of your stomach removed! A year out, I plan and I track. I clean dresser drawers and closets. There are actually written inventories of where to find everything. Most of my "junk" is gone, not stored in the back of the closet. Started that when I was able to donate my wardrobe. It feels good to be so unburdened.

A year out and am at goal. During the two previous meetings with my NUT, I really have not been satisfied with the content or condescending style. I want guidance on maintenance and healthy, more satisfying meals. Help me out with the sort of questions I should be ready to ask.

I think I prefer active weight loss to this new maintenance. At least, I knew exactly what to do and not do to lose. So far, trying to stay the same, I am all over the place. Ended up down at 157. I'm a happy lady.

We haven't gone anywhere. We are just harder to find - there is a lot less of us than there was last June. For me, 125 pounds and I'm still losing although I am halfheartedly trying to maintain..

Happy Day at 159. I have reached my goal that I set in the abstract. It was just a number. Time to pick a new lighter number. We'll see.