Lthomas

I have been overweight since I was six months old! My Mother, who is thin, took me to the hospital in 2nd Grade to find out why her daughter was fat. They put me on a very restrictive diet, but didn't give her ideas about exercise, which I really needed. By 4th Grade I was joining Weight Watchers for the first time. In middle school I discovered that I enjoyed swimming, joined a swim team and slimmed down. It was short lived, though and the weight came back plus more. More Weight Watchers in High School, never really worked for me, but my weight yo-yo'd though high school and college. After college came The Weight Loss Clinic, where I lost 90 pounds in 7 months. I kept 70 pounds off for six years. Then I got married, had a baby, and just got heavier and heavier. There were brought with Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and NutiSystem. I would lose some, and gain more back. A few years ago, I joined the YMCA, thinking I would get back to regular exercise and that would help get me going. Well, my weight had gotten so bad that I was not able to exercise. Big Shock!! I had horrible knee and back pain.
I give you this background because I was determined that THIS would work. From the moment I decided to explore having surgery I went at it with the attitude that I can NOT let this fail. I did everything I could pre-surgery to make my recovery as easy as possible. I stopped caffeine, added Protein shake s to my diet, joined MyFitnessPal.com, bought a scale and began using it. And I began to exercise, as much as I could at over 330 pounds.
Wednesday I will Celebrate my first Surgerversary. I have lost 198 pounds and feel terrific. My entire life has changed. I wake up every morning without pain! I also live with the fear that tomorrow morning I will wake up and I will be back at 330. It keeps me motivated to stick with the program and live this healthy life I have been given a second chance at.
The weight won't just come off. It takes determination and dedication on your part to make it work. But the tool you get really does work. Do the work! Life is so much better on the other side!
Carol

Roasted soy nuts or roasted edamame (yummy and satisfyingly crunchy). Roasted seeweed (they sell at trader joes, 60 cals for an entire pack and satisfies the chip/crunchy craving. PB2, nuts, beef Jerky (I'm a vegetarian and don't eat jerky but seems like a good snack).

Roasted soy nuts or roasted edamame (yummy and satisfyingly crunchy). Roasted seeweed (they sell at trader joes, 60 cals for an entire pack and satisfies the chip/crunchy craving. PB2, nuts, beef Jerky (I'm a vegetarian and don't eat jerky but seems like a good snack).

Roasted soy nuts or roasted edamame (yummy and satisfyingly crunchy). Roasted seeweed (they sell at trader joes, 60 cals for an entire pack and satisfies the chip/crunchy craving. PB2, nuts, beef Jerky (I'm a vegetarian and don't eat jerky but seems like a good snack).

I am just one year out, so I still have a lot to learn. That said, I would go back to the basics. Don't drink when you eat. Eat Protein first. Track what you are eating and drinking. Exercise is really one of the best ways to relieve stress. Try to at least get a 30 minute walk in every day.
I just reached my goal this week. I am so afraid of gaining it back. The journey doesn't end, we will always need to be diligent and pay attention to what is happening with our bodies. By paying attention you can do something about it before it gets out of control.
My clinic also encourages us to call if we begin to experience problems. Give yours a call. They may be able to help.
Carol

I pay nowhere near that. My trainer comes to my house 3 days a week, I found her via Craigslist and she is certified. Shop around. Gym trainers are usually the most expensive b/c they have to give a cut to the gym.

@marfar7 I live about a mile from where they make M&M's, Sometimes in the morning the whole town smells like chocolate!

At your first appt with your surgeon, he will give you (or ask for some!) adhesive remover. They come in these little vials you have to snap, and it is a little applicator with a gauze tip. Just keep blotting and it wipes away!

Oh, blah blah blah. Your friend is a wordy b**ch.
Fataphobia...whatever.
She has created this whole little 'proud fat girl' identity for herself, which is fine, but it's her way of staying in denial about her own weight issues. She doesn't want to feel ashamed, or unattractive, or embarrassed about her weight so instead of trying to loose the weight she embraces being fat as this whole spiritual and emotional side of herself.
Your friend sounds like she is very smart but in some serious denial. She's also wicked manipulative to label those around her who want to loose weight as negative fatophobics. That's insane. And the fact that she continues to blog about you just shows how SHALLOW of a friend she is. There are some people who won't stand next to a pretty girl...skinny girl...successful girl...because they feel like standing next to one shines a spotlight on their shortcomings. She is insecure and I would place money on the fact that she is also secretly unhappy with her weight.

Anyone else noticing a change in how they buy clothing? I was an avid shopper when I was obese. Now everything fits, I mean everything. So I've realized I used to just buy whatever actually FIT well, not whether it looked good or I really liked it. Because it was rare to find a decent fit, I just bought whatever fit.
Now I am sooooo picky! Everything fits, so I don't NEED to get anything if I don't absolutely love it! And I know that if I don't buy something, there will always be something else to wear because EVERYTHING FITS.
I cannot tell you how empowering this is.

Gettin to cross my legs like a lady, comfortably!

Yes, you're right to NOT have popcorn this early in your recovery. When you're cleared for regular foods you can try a few pieces of popcorn, if you promise to chew them up real good!

June 4th is my surgery date. Can't believe it is so close. Preop diet flew by!