Rogofulm

What took you so long? You look fantastic! And way to maintain, man!!!

Glad you posted the pics. You look fantastic! And a special congratulation on maintaining your weight since August!!! You're an inspiration and if I start to hit any traps, I'm coming to you for advice! Once you got to goal, what did you add back to your diet to stop losing but not gain any back?

Thank you, again, to everyone who has offered such kind words of congratulations and encouragement – they mean so much!!! I'm now entering the phase where my weight loss is old news to my friends and co-workers. As I've often said... If we do everything exactly right, eventually people will stop noticing our loss and our new size will seem "normal". Then the compliments that have helped us along the way will start to dry up and finally stop altogether. And that's part of the plan, right?!! That's when our internal strength (and our reflection in the mirror) have to keep us going for the rest of our lives. I pray that all of you will be successful too! Remember -- identify with the lower-weight person and don't look back over your shoulder in fear of what you used to be. That person doesn't exist anymore. And as I said, if you need tips just send me a message and I'll try to give you a thoughtful answer....

Thanks so much! I'm just really enthusiastic about this process and hope it can be contagious. But everyone has to realize that the the first year is the easiest part of the journey, so it's best to follow the rules and lose all the weight you can during the "honeymoon" period. Plenty of time to learn how to eat "normally" from a lower platform. Good luck!!!

Here you go, @InItToWinIt2015... Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Thanks, @@Jovie62! Yeah, I've told anyone who asks what I was doing. But it was made easier by the fact that two of my co-workers had bari surgery a year before I did. If you follow the rules, it will be obvious pretty soon that you are losing a lot of weight very quickly. But no matter who I've told, I've always received a positive reaction. My trick is to enthusiastically explain the different procedures and why I made my decision (including the fact that I feel like I've started a diet every Monday morning of my life for over 45 years.) People are fascinated by the surgery, and after they hear about it, most are supportive, or at least understand what it's all about. Good luck with your surgery!!! You're making a wonderful decision for your health!

Hi Susan, Final weight for the Valentine's Challenge was 154. Hit my goal. Now on to the stretch goal for Easter! Thanks very much for doing these! They give us some accountability. Good luck to you as well!!! Rog

Thanks so much, everyone, your kind words mean more than you know!!! And for those who said I was an inspiration to them, that's pretty much the best thing I can hear! So to @@BryBro63 and anyone else who's trying to get up the nerve to post before and after pics, I can only say that 8 months ago I was embarrassed for even my wife and daughter to see me without a shirt (like in the beach photo), but I decided that the before/after comparison might help others see what they can accomplish if they set their minds to it. And while I'm not quite ready for the pool and beach yet, this summer will be certainly be different from years past. So here's a thought.... When you achieve weight loss success, embrace it, share it, and identify with the new you. The you that will step forward confidently into a new life. Be the person who looks and feels healthy because you make good choices and eat sensibly. Good luck and God bless you all. -Rog-

ROTFL!!!!!

Thanks, everyone, for all the kind words!!! It's been a fun time, and the journey continues. I was below my goal weight for exactly one day. For the past 3 days I've bounced around 1/2 – 1 pound over it. And THAT'S why I need to continue towards my 4-5 pound stretch goal – to provide a buffer so I'm not constantly hopping back and forth across the goal line. But for now, to continue the football analogy, I'm claiming forward progress!

Thanks! Yeah, well let's just say that the waistband on my shorts is strategically placed.

People on this site tend to be either "austerity" people or "moderation" people, which is fine, because everyone is different, and what works for you might not work for me. What a perfect way to say it, @@AgentShepard! Wish I'd thought of that, and I'm definitely stealing it! Signed, Austerity Guy

Congratulations on losing your "pile"! I try to take every comment/compliment, even the weird ones as positive feedback. No matter how clumsily they say it, I think most people are well-intentioned. In my case, someone told me I had lost a "crap ton" of weight. I think that's my favorite compliment so far!

Congratulations!! You look fantastic! I hit my goal today, so we're kindred bariatric spirits! Do you have a plan for maintenance? I'm thrilled for you!!!!!

If you're taking B-12 supplements, that might be the culprit. I take a timed-release B-12 around 8:00 am, and I'm often still awake at midnight, but I'm pretty darned happy! If you are taking B-12, could you back off on the dosage?

Hi Susan, 154 this morning. Made my Valentine's Challenge goal and my personal weight loss goal at the same time Yipee!!!!! Now to work on my 4-5 pound stretch goal..... Thanks, as always! Rog

Well this morning I finally made it to goal! It took me exactly 7 1/2 months to get here and I'm totally thrilled with the entire journey! For those wondering how it happened so quickly, I can only say that I followed all the rules meticulously: 80-100 grams of Protein, no starches/sugars, some veggies, no booze/soda, and 64-120 ounces of Water every...single...day, plus daily walking and once a week workouts. I always had a plan for what I was going to eat, even at parties and restaurants, and if I deviated from the plan, it was always protein-based, like cheese, nuts and beef/turkey Jerky. So... going in, was I worried about missing out on food? Yes. Did I feel deprived during my journey? Nope, as my tag-line says, "Nothing tastes as good as slender feels!" What's next? Lose 4-5 more pounds so I can have a little wiggle-room and still stay at or below my goal weight. Will I go crazy now and eat all the stuff I've missed? I don't think so because I've tried to get my head straight about this being a lifelong effort. Can you do it too? Absolutely!!! Thank you to all who have given me support and guidance along the way. I hope I was able to help you too. And my plan is to keep coming here and posting my message about The Dreaded Week-3 Stall, because it almost broke me at the beginning of my journey. I wish everyone who reads this a world of success!!! If you want to ask questions or get tips on how I worked my program, send me a message and I'll try to give you a thoughtful answer. Okay, here are some embarrassing photos and some slightly less embarrassing photos.....

Obsessing about such a big part of your life may not be bad. I've been pretty obsessive about my program, and I'm thrilled with the results so far! Try to focus a lot of your thoughts on making good choices, and following your doctor's program to a tee. Also, realize that you have 6-9 months to get your head in the right place to manage the rest of your life. Understand that this journey won't be easy, but if you put in the effort and dedication, you will be well rewarded. Good luck to you both!!!!

That's fantastic! Congratulations! Enjoy the progress and keep it going!!!!

Congratulations! You may be a little early, but you have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Because I'm not at my goal weight yet, I have a different approach than many others. I figure we'll all have to learn how to eat "normally" eventually, so why not plan to learn it from our goal/comfort weight, rather than slowing ourselves down along the way? Stumbles and setbacks are far less painful (physically, mentally and emotionally) when we're at a place where we're comfortable in our skin. That way, if you try expanding your food list and a few pounds come back on, you only have to lose those few pounds and not "all the rest" too. By the way.... When I asked my doctor about how to eat in maintenance, he suggested only adding back carbs that you'd cook for a meal (brown rice, sweet potato, pasta) and not anything you'd go to the pantry for a handful (or slice) of. Once our bodies have gotten used to being at the new weight, maybe then it's time to be a little more adventurous. But for the rest of my life I'll try to always eat Protein first, veggies second, and (except around mealtime) fluids, fluids, fluids....

That's kind of my thought too. But in case you need it, here's what my doc said when I asked about maintenance.... If you want to introduce some carbs, choose only the ones that you would cook for a meal (brown rice, sweet potato, pasta), not anything you would go to the pantry for a handful of. I know you'll do great!!!

Congratulations, that's fantastic!!! You must be very proud!!! Do you have a plan for maintenance? Those of us who are getting close would love to keep hearing how you're doing. And if you find any tricks that would help the rest of us when we get there, please share them. Best of luck in the new phase of your journey!!!!!

Bariatric doctors are not there to judge you, they are there to help you. Believe me, they've seen this a thousand times. And they'd rather see you now, than in another 30 pounds or more. Also, if there are bariatric support groups in your area, I'd suggest going to them. There will be other folks who are also struggling with their journey and together you can inspire each other to get back on the horse. Good luck! You've taken the first step, now, and we all wish you great success in re-establishing your program!!!

Yup, diet hot chocolate in the evening. Add Miralax as needed.