Forsythia

I tend to lose from the top down. So I can be in a 14/16 from the boobs up and a 18/20 in something that covers my stomach. So stuff is baggy in the chest but looks okay over my tummy. Bizarre, really. I'm to the point where all the size 20 jeans I bought are slightly too big, but I'm not inclined to spend money on new jeans just yet. I will say that I was never so happy to be able to shop at Old Navy since they carry up to 20 in the stores. I am loath to go into a Lane Bryant now even though I still wear plus sizes. I just keep thinking in another couple of weeks or a month I will be in a 16.

I'd still be sitting in the hospital 8 months later, then. I hate fish! Lol. I had orange Jello in the hospital. And chicken broth.

So, is there anything you have ever wanted to buy but thought you were too fat to wear? Or that you were afraid to wear (maybe you were always one of those "If I wear all black no one will notice me" girls?) Post a picture of yourself in something you thought you could never wear, or an item you want to buy when you hit a goal. I'm about 18 lbs from being below 200 lbs. So I've decided that when I get below 200 lbs I am going to treat myself to this Kensie dress from Macy's.

I didn't lose any hair. And I have thin fine hair.

There are some clear Protein drinks - Isopure fruit drinks/teas/coconut Water are clear and have 20 to 40 grams of protein.
I was only on clears in the hospital - two days. On purees for a week, soft solids for a month and normal diet from then on. And my program is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Regardless of surgery done everyone who goes through Northwestern Memorial in Chicago has the same post op diet. I think there is more than one way to finagle a bagel and doctors/nutritionists in any given program go about things in a way that they feel works best for their patients and their success rate.

Fear. That nagging fear that you are going to fail and gain it back. At least that is why I still have size 28 clothes even though I'm a 16 on top and an 18 on the bottom. There is that tiny dissenter voice in the back of my mind that says keep them just in case.

Quest bars. Sold at GNC.They make a couple of them that taste like Cookies. And there is one that tastes like a cinnamon roll. And a lemon bar. They all have like 20 grams of Protein and a bunch of Fiber. Otherwise I would honestly say to make your own cookies and throw in unflavored Protein Powder into the mix to at least make your snack worthwhile.

That's a very classic chic look. Like you should be jet setting about Venice lunching with Amal Clooney or something. (What, I have an active fantasy life..)
I got a gift card to Macy's for Christmas and got a Kenise dress (I didn't see the one I liked online from my first post) but I had been eyeing this one below as well, and it was on sale for $17 (swearsies). I got cobalt blue since I'm a colorful girl. But it is super cute with tights and boots.

Fear. That nagging fear that you are going to fail and gain it back. At least that is why I still have size 28 clothes even though I'm a 16 on top and an 18 on the bottom. There is that tiny dissenter voice in the back of my mind that says keep them just in case.

Quest bars. Sold at GNC.They make a couple of them that taste like Cookies. And there is one that tastes like a cinnamon roll. And a lemon bar. They all have like 20 grams of Protein and a bunch of Fiber. Otherwise I would honestly say to make your own cookies and throw in unflavored Protein Powder into the mix to at least make your snack worthwhile.

I only took a week off work. As far as anyone knew I was on vacation. One caveat is that I just about hated everyone and everything about my job so it wasn't hard for me to not tell people my business. You are not obligated to tell people your private medical business. If you had infertility treatments would you tell everyone? If you had an ovarian cyst removed would you feel obligated to tell? Just because you had a procedure that will eventually be noticeable does not mean you are obligated to pass that info along.

Sure caffeine is a diuretic . . . so is Water . . . "diuretic" just means it makes you pee. And caffeine is barely more diuretic than water so if you are going to stop having caffeine because it's "diuretic" you should probably stop drinking water too.
coffee won't have any dehydrating effect on you unless you are unused to drinking coffee and drinking tons of it. There may be plenty of other good reasons to avoid or limit coffee/caffeine, but potential dehydration isn't one of them, at least not for most of us.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/01/13/262175623/coffee-myth-busting-cup-of-joe-may-help-hydration-and-memory
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/caffeinated-drinks/faq-20057965
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140402-are-coffee-and-tea-dehydrating
http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/blogs/does-coffee-dehydrate-you-new-study-debunks-myth
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0084154

Thanks !!! you just never know ordering online for the first time... But the whole outfit was 50% off and free shipping, so I figured I didn't have much to lose... What I would like to find is some good Denim leggings. Anyone?
Fabletics? I love them. Really nice quality.

Fabletics? I love them. Really nice quality.

I didn't know it, but turns out I love leggings! I went home for Christmas and delved into my sister's closet. She's always been thin and fashionable. After all the compliments I got on this Christmas Eve outfit I went out and bought two pairs of my own...on sale, of course!

So, is there anything you have ever wanted to buy but thought you were too fat to wear? Or that you were afraid to wear (maybe you were always one of those "If I wear all black no one will notice me" girls?) Post a picture of yourself in something you thought you could never wear, or an item you want to buy when you hit a goal. I'm about 18 lbs from being below 200 lbs. So I've decided that when I get below 200 lbs I am going to treat myself to this Kensie dress from Macy's.

Leggings are your friends. So are dresses. If you have to maintain a business wardrobe, consider doing your shopping at thrift stores or places like Burlington Coat Factory.
I need to lose another 60 lbs to my goal. I feel like my body wants to stay in a size XL just to spite me. But I'm in misses sizes and that was half the battle.

Leggings are your friends. So are dresses. If you have to maintain a business wardrobe, consider doing your shopping at thrift stores or places like Burlington Coat Factory.
I need to lose another 60 lbs to my goal. I feel like my body wants to stay in a size XL just to spite me. But I'm in misses sizes and that was half the battle.

I get seasonally dry in the winter, but this is the worst one for me in well, ever. I believe it's from being less hydrated (And I generally get in my 64 oz of fluids). As well as a dietary change.
I use a baby oil gel after my shower but before I dry off. Then after that I use a really rich lotion on my body. My face is still oily, but not as bad as it was before my surgery. I use an oil free moisturizer on it and a cleanser for normal skin. I like biore.

Eli, remember that you cannot control the actions and reactions of others. You can only control your actions and reactions. Since you know your in laws are jerks about food around you, change your routines. If they eat dinner at 6pm, cook your own meal (even if that is a lean cuisine) and eat it at 5:30. When they get on you, leave the house and take a walk. You get to clear your head and you get in your exercise. Don't give them your power. And lastly make sure your husband is your advocate. He needs to really talk to his parents. They may respond to him better than you as the DIL.

My personal feeling is that as a woman over 25 you should avoid the juniors department, any item of clothing sized with an odd number (1, 3, 5, etc. Indicative of juniors clothes). Or anything that looks like your 15 year old should be wearing it. And the temptation is there to dress younger, especially if you were fat as a teenager or 20 something. I am 37, I don't mind looking 37. I like places like Old Navy and H & M for basics, New York & Company (good for work and casual), Macy's (specifically their Impulse Contemporary brands. They are a bit edgier, but that is my style. Of course I'm totally down with a legging and sweater from their Style & Co line too). Ann Taylor Loft (good for work). White House, Black Market. J Crew. Express and the Limited.

Eli, remember that you cannot control the actions and reactions of others. You can only control your actions and reactions. Since you know your in laws are jerks about food around you, change your routines. If they eat dinner at 6pm, cook your own meal (even if that is a lean cuisine) and eat it at 5:30. When they get on you, leave the house and take a walk. You get to clear your head and you get in your exercise. Don't give them your power. And lastly make sure your husband is your advocate. He needs to really talk to his parents. They may respond to him better than you as the DIL.

@@HBMoose I had to do that before my honeymoon to Mexico. Had to get the state of Indiana to send my birth certificate then go to the posy office and deal with that level of hell for my passport. My local PO branch in Chicago doesn't have a camera that works so we had to go to Walgreen's and pay them to take our pictures. But once that was all sorted, the passports came in a week, unexpedited.

You don't. I think Veronica was saying her relative only had a birth certificate and not a passport and was summarily denied entrance.

My personal stance on running is that it is useful in regard to the impending zombie apocalypse. I think yes, it gets physically easier to do as you lose weight and there is less stress on your body, but mentally you either enjoy it, or you don't. You've got to get to the point where you enjoy doing it if you want to do it consistently.
As for me, as the zombie apocalypse has yet to happen so I've yet to really do any running. I dabble in jogging here and there but will never really be a serious runner.