Dragonsmate

now at 188 pounds

OMFG you rock! Blessings to you, and the only other thing to say is Brava! Smashing, truly smashing love <3

forgot to post weigh in results, current wt 195.0 pounds

Back again-didn't make my Labor Day challenge but I think I was a bit too optimistic SW 196 pounds GW 180 pounds I usually weigh on Sundays but I will log in as often as I can Thanks for keeping it going!

final weight 196 pounds.

I am 47 and prior to weight loss surgery, I would rarely have a hot flash but literally over the past 2 weeks, it is every day, several times a day-gawd. ...I wonder if you burn calories with hot flashes...hmm.

Awesomesauce girl-keep on rockin it! Congrats and know you are very inspiring!

So I am about 6 1/2 months out from surgery, feel great, have tons of energy and I am not doing anything different...so. I was curious if anyone around my, ah, age, has experienced increasing hot flashes while losing weight? I have lost about 86 pounds total, and over the past 2 weeks, it is as if an internal switch was flipped and I am literally having hourly flashes (or as mother called them, "power surges"). I know fat cells have estrogen in them and obviously as we lose weight, estrogen is naturally depleted from them but good god-this is pretty annoying...well, and if truth be told, also amusing Don't get me wrong, I will trade weight loss for hot flashes any day but I just noticed a significant increase...could be timing...could be that summer is finally here in Texas, but these episodes happen in the house where my husband like it quite arctic and I avoid the Texas heat like the plague... Anyhoos, thought some of you might get a chuckle and some may have had similar experiences so I thought I would toss it out there and see Have a great day all!

I eat carbs but I am careful with the type. I had this surgery in order to live a life that is enjoyable and satisfying. I love fruits and vegetables and not having them is neither enjoyable or satisfying. My focus is Protein, and I always try and eat that first, however, this is a life-long journey and the minute I tell myself something is off-limits, the cravings begin. My carb intake slowly increased the longer I have had my sleeve but I try and make sure they are ones that are healthy for me. Old fashioned, but I believe the real truth is about the calories. All macronutrients have calories and it is the measurement of energy used for cell metabolism. Anecdotal evidence points to the increased number of calories verses the actual type of macronutrent being the real culprit of weight gain, and more and more scientific research is finding this anecdotal evidence to be true. Do not misunderstand me, certain foods can trigger dopamine receptors in the brain and various other pathways of central nervous system chemistries increasing cravings and decreasing chemical signals to the brain that help register satiety, but by and large, if calories in is less than calories out, weight will be lost. There are those who will argue that stalls are a result of "eating too many carbs" or "not eating enough calories" etc, but I don't buy it. We underestimate the number of calories by as much as 50% in the US population-can't speak for my mates across the pond, but this underestimation is pretty considerable. If "starvation mode" existed, why did concentration camp victims continue to lose weight when their captors/tormentors stopped supplying food? <jumps off soapbox> In short, I got this sleeve to use as a tool to help me control portion size and help me make healthier choices without restricting what those choices may be I weigh my food and measure everything, including carbs, and thus far, 6 months out, I have NEVER stalled. Live the life you choose and understand everyone has a different biochemistry and metabolism, some do well to limit carbs, some do ok with carbs, but it is all based on individual needs.

count me in-I think I was a little aggressive for my Labor Day challenge so my Halloween goal will be 185 pounds. Will post my starting weight when the final weigh-in for the Labor Day Challenge is done. Thank you for keeping up with this! You rock!

weigh in today: 199.2 lbs 8/19/2014

congrats! just hit onederland today myself and it feels a bit...odd. Blessings on your journey

Hit my 6 month mark 6 days ago and all I can say is....wow. 84 pounds down (including pre-op 2 week diet) and I feel great. PA at my surgery clinic is very pleased, hell, I am very pleased....its just.... Why the hell do I look like a half-burned candle with wax melting down to the base?! I know we lose weight in different areas faster or slower than other but good grief! LOL It is all good though, I am off my CPAP, off my blood pressure medications, hitting the gym 3-4 days a week, running the husband ragged (he is in shape btw), and I feel as if I am getting my life back. Rockstar material! Oh, and I am doing my first 5K run in a month-wrangled my sister and co-worker into the run as well... Life is good.

Have not been logging my weight but weigh in yesterday 200.3 lbs

Madam, I totally get you. I had to be shown a picture taken by a colleage to begin to see the difference. Still, it is a pretty nasty mind fk. I still avoid mirrors and reflective glass (freezer section in the grocery store I am not looking at you), but I am forcing myself to look in the mirror at the gym. While I am still 60 pounds away from goal, I need to work on getting comfortable with "me" again. I am getting better about pics but I still have not posted any to my FB...baby steps I guess. I actually found a pic of me at my goal weight many years ago-the only one I had left, and I have it taped to my computer at work...a reminder and an encouragment of sorts. Sometimes I wish I could yank out my brain and play that stupid antique "Operation" game and rewire my hard drive...