OAM

Of every thread on every forum out there, this one was the most helpful to me. I am a slow looser, and spend waayyyy too much time comparing my loss to everyone else's. I track my food, keeping my calories to around 800, my Protein around 70, m carbs under 30. For the most part. I drink one Protein Drink a day, usually for Breakfast. I deal with some hunger and cravings, but for the most part stick to the plan. I don't really get enough exercise due to fibromyalgia with joint and muscle pain. I had my surgery August 6, 2013 and just hit the 50 pound loss mark. I wish I could put all the tracking and "dieting" behind me, and eat what everyone around me eats, just less of it, but am just not there yet. I have recently changed my goal weight from an unrealistic 135 to a much more realistic 150. I am 5'8" inches, and larger boned, and 53 years old, so 135 would have made me look very unhealthy, and that just isn't the perfect vision of myself. You all inspire me! Thank you!

Good job girlie!!
You look so pretty in your after.
Oh I like the pics with you wearing the shirts!
Man I was just going to say I wish I had one of me wearing the big pants back in the day, but honestly I'm glad I don't... If someone had actually managed to get a picture of that? I might not be living and breathing today (neither would they)
Honestly the way I ran from pictures! Ok waddled. And threatened!
It was self preservation, if I saw me in print I would be thrown into a bigger depression than I already was on a daily basis
So many family memories on film and I'm missing.

Thanks Laura...
I know what you mean about going MIA in family memories. That purple shirt, I thought "ah ha! I will get the 4X to cover ALL the rolls of fat" and then someone happened to snap this photo of me at my cousin's daughter's 2 year old bday party and I went HOLY SH*T I guess that 4X wasn't really working for me.
But that L, yeah it's not a M or S or XS, but I will gladly take it!

I had surgery 14 May 2013 at 98 kg. I expect to be 68 kg within the next week and my 6-month anniversary is 14 Nov, also this week. That will put me 30 kg down (66 lb) and exactly at 70% of excess weight lost. This was my surgeon's goal as it puts me at the very top of the Overweight range, rather than obese. Personally, I want to get to the middle of the healthy range if I can, which means losing another 18 kg or so. But I already feel like a success.
How did I do it? I eat around 800 calories a day, get at least 40g Protein, and try to stay under 100g carbs. I'm not fanatical about the calories or carbs. I usually eat 50g of a meat for lunch and dinner every day, along with veggies and a little carbs. I started a running program and now run 15+ km a week in three runs. I log all food and exercise on MyFitnessPal. I do a lot of walking now as part of my everyday routines. And I stop eating when I'm full, regardless of what is left on my plate. I follow my surgeon's and dietitian's plans, which allow me to have everything in moderation. But I did not cheat one bit on the graduated diet. It's really hard for me to understand the severity of craving that makes people put their brand new sleeves at risk by advancing their diet too quickly.
The first 6 months is the honeymoon. I realize that it will slow down and I will have to work harder to get the other 30% excess off. I'm not kidding myself that I have it all figured out. I have read every book I could get my hands on about the sleeve, bariatric surgery, and long-term success with changing habits and making life-long changes. I recommend "Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" which is available for the kindle or iPad as well as in book form. Another good one is called "Eat it Up."
I have read the Vet forum since day 1 because I recognize that they are living the hardest part of the journey. I'd like to lose the rest of my excess weight within the first year post-op, but if I don't, I hope I won't be devastated. The most important thing is not how long it takes me to get there, but how long and how consistently I stay there.

If you are out shopping one day, and your tummy starts to rumble, immediately head for the head. Do not let yourself think it will go away in a few minutes.

If you are out shopping one day, and your tummy starts to rumble, immediately head for the head. Do not let yourself think it will go away in a few minutes.