MeAndTinyTina

You look great! Congrats!

@@Bobby46 -- We have almost the same stats - I was sleeved on Aug 31 and down 60 lbs. Also short, like you, and I don't even recognize myself sometimes! Is she out of her mind? If you have an HR department, that is worth reporting. Of course that's easy for me to say, I don't know your work situation, but I am outraged on your behalf Ellen

@@Evanaroyale (and the other posters): Hi - If only there was a magic potion or a super spell ! I'm only 4.5 months out, but I haven't discovered any really good tricks other than a burning desire to succeed after 50 years of non-success! (I went on my first diet, Atkins, at age 6 and I am 56 now.) I think it's ALL a head game, not a stomach thing with this surgery (except of course for medical complications, which thank goodness I have not had). A few Snacks that I like and seem to work for me -- Jerky (I get it at GNC because it has less chemicals than the kind at the grocery store), unflavored fat-free Greek yogurt (I'm sick of sweet things, but sometimes add fruit or splenda), and cheese sticks. Another motivator for me is the gym. I set little personal challenges, like increasing the weights on the thingamajiggy by 10 lbs in 2 weeks, increasing the speed on the rower, and, of course, the 2.5 min plank challenge (my current obsession). Put your mind in gear and the rest of you will follow!! You can do it!! Don't give in or give up! Ellen

While I do not suffer from depression, lot's of friends and family do -- and you are right. I have seen them make great improvements in certain aspects of their live's (financial, health, romantic), but the depression has a life cycle of its own in many cases which is hard for those of us on the outside of depression looking in to see. Thanks for reminding me to be more aware of this reality. Ellen

@@AR40 -- Congratulations on your success so far! You are even shorter than me, so your weight loss has to be a significant change for you. On paper I have a long way to go myself (although I may revise my goal, might be too low for me now that I'm working out like a demon and building muscle), but I'm not worried about it. For the first time in over 40 years of being obese, I know that this time next year I won't be. It it a completely liberating feeling. For me, even thought the sleeve is just a tool, it is the key that has unlocked the true me. I have never been the size I am now since jr. high. Yesterday I was going through my closet and found an old handbag and in it was a Weight Watchers record book from 2008. My starting weight was 316 lbs! I had no conscious memory of being that big. I had completely blocked it. This past weekend I purchased a pair of size 14 dress pants. No X, no plus size department - a far cry from the size 22/24W I was wearing in August. It's hard to fathom this. I am getting wrinkles around my mouth - not from the weight loss -- but from the constant smiling. I wake up early and happy - every day! I do understand that I am luckier than most. I have had zero problems since the surgery. Never a bit of nausea, can tolerate everything I've tried. I read some of the posts on this site and my heart goes out to those who are struggling. My wish 2015 is that everyone in this WLS community has a smooth progression towards health and fitness! Ellen

Sending you healing energy for your upcoming surgeries. What a series of events! Stay strong and keep us posted. Ellen

Hardest thing for me is eating slower. I live alone, so there's no one to talk to during meals. I often talk to the poodles, but since they are not very good conversationalists, they're not helping much. Oh well, I'm not really complaining. This is my only problem so far and it's totally in my control. I have been really, really lucky with the lifestyle so far. Ellen

Congrats! It's a special day for sure! Ellen

My biggest tip - get a real trainer. In CT, you can call yourself a trainer after a weekend course. I use an exercise physiologist, since I was a novice to exercise, have bad knees, etc., and didn't want to hurt myself. #2 tip - get a cute trainer. I've had 2 since I started, both in their mid 20's and adorable! I know I sound like a creepy old cougar lady, but it does make it more enjoyable But seriously, to everyone out there. Working out for the first time and seeing and FEELING results has been a revelation for me. Life changing in so many ways. I am starting to "keep up" -- with my niece and nephew, with my 2 little poodles, with my colleagues at work, etc. I used to be the one at work who had to take the elevator while everyone else took the stairs. No more! As for bras, I wouldn't invest too much money until you get to goal. I'm 4 months out and on my 3rd size down! Good luck, Ellen

I feel that way. I still eat too fast and I still eat 2 bites past the full feeling. But I do measure and track, and I am still coming in at around 800-850 calories a day with 70-90 g of Protein and about 40 g of carbs, plus I am losing, slowly, but with minimal stalls. So I doubt I am truly overeating. It also depends on the type of food. Dense protein is harder to overeat, but wet food like eggs or deli turkey, goes down way too easy. The good news for me is that I can eat anything and have never been nauseous. The bad news is that I can eat anything! I haven't tried bread of sweets, and probably won't for a long time, as that is a slippery slope for me. My thought is that "I'm a bite away from a bagel a day".

Good job! NSV's are my favorite type of post on this site!

Ditto for me too. Tiny Tina (my sleeve) is a tough broad! No issues right after surgery or now at 4.5 months out. I didn't loose much the first 6 weeks, but now it is slow and steady. The only thing that kind of bothered me (just a little) was salad -- probably just the lettuce, since cucumbers and tomatoes on their own are fine. I'm on just a "touch" of blood pressure medicine (compared to the large does pre-surgery) and my knees are so much better! Recently at work though, the other shoe did drop. I was walking fast down the hall and my double E shoe fell off -- my feet have gotten thinner too! Well, I plan on fixing that issue today at the after XMas sales! Happy holidays everyone! Ellen

I started working with an exercise physiologist 11 days post op. He understood the surgery and we only worked on legs and arms - balance, resistance bands, leg press, etc. At 2 months post-op we started adding core strengthening exercises. Please understand that I would never have done anything to jeopardize myself. I do not go to a large, mainstream style gym. It is a small place, all the trainers are exercise physiologists, and many of the other clients are dealing with something - post knee replacement, hips, strokes, etc --not all, but many. There are a few gym rats there that could whip my *s* -- and I hope to be one of them someday! Ellen

Looking good!

Holy cow! You guys are hard core! But I will catch up! BTW, planking is sorta like doing a pushup and holding the position. It strengthensure your core.

I am 56 years old and except for a very brief try at a Curves a few years ago, had never exercised. Somehow I thought that I was different and dieting would be enough. Well, my highest weight 7 years ago was 512" and 308 lbs. At surgery I was at 252. Eleven days after the sleeve surgery I joined a small gym and started working with an exercise physiologist. Best decision I ever made. I could barely do anything! But I am doing so much more now and guess what?! I LIKE IT! I never thought I would. So, 2 weeks ago my trainer said "let's try planking." In my innocence, I said "sure - whatever you say". Of course I had no idea what it was. I did 10 of the longest seconds of my life..... last Friday I did 3 sets of 60 seconds each! In case you can't tell, I am very excited! I'm patting myself on the back, which, incidentally, I can now actually do!!! So what are you all doing that you can't believe you can now do? Ellen

Hi April4, I use this forum mostly to post successes. My personal belief system is that what you focus on the most shapes your personal reality. I prefer to read the positive stories. But, there are some challenges, like RJ's Beginnings, that I also follow because of the attitude - positive, strong and realistic. Even though this is just an online group, I feel like I "know" the frequent posters and I care about what happens to them. I agree with some items on your list - but I don't think about them too often. I'm too busy enjoying the tons of compliments at work, responding to the eligible men that are all of a sudden finding me fascinating on the dating site "our time", and shopping for clothing without an X in them! I carry mints with me all the time, I don't bother with Protein bars (but do enjoy

Congratulations on the weight loss and health improvements! And nice job on the record keeping too! Ellen

Congratulations - PROUD Grammy indeed! We're all proud of you! Ellen

People who have never been large have no idea how great this NSV is! When it happened to me recently, my niece and nephew (2 years old twins) couldn't understand why I couldn't stop smiling. One of my favorite NSVs and I'm really happy for you. Ellen

Sing along with me - I'm in Onederland today! It’s the most ONEderful time of the year With the pounds always dropping And everyone telling me "looking good dear!" It's the most ONEderful time of the year. It's the hap-happiest season of all With my clothes getting bigger and gut getting slimmer I’m off to the mall! It's the hap- happiest season of all! Last Thanksgiving and this Thanksgiving

I use unjury and like it best. I add a tablespoon of chia seeds for the added Fiber to any flavor, or orange flavored fiber powder (Walgreens sugar free brand) to the vanilla unjury to make a creamsickle shake. Ellen

Frozen bagels. Don't ask me why by, nibbling on them in front of the TV was a favorite past time. But actually, I ate quite a few unfrozen ones with margarine, too, Not a strange unhealthy habit, but I'm sure that 25% of my excess weight is bagel! Ellen

Sending healing energy your way tonight.

Back from the feast at my sister's house. Definitely was a "head game" -- my eyes and head wanted everything, but my real, inner self did not! I stuck to the plan- turkey, veggies, and one treat - a small glass of white wine. I have never posted photos before, but my little niece took these tonight (with the dogs) and the ones without the dogs were last Thanksgiving. @@*Lexie*, I'm not sure what companion dog certification is? Please explain! Both my poodles are rescues too. The older one (7 years old) was pulled out of a hoarder's house with about 30 other poodles - dead and alive. Was about 1 when I got him and in horrible shape. Now he's a superstar. My little girl (18 months) was left in a cardboard box in front of a Walmart when she was 8 weeks old. Wasn't sure she was a poodle, but after a few months and a haircut - she sure was! So now I have a pair. Agility was one of my biggest motivators for the surgery. I'll never be able to run as fast as the dogs, but I really did need to be considerably faster to keep up with these two! My first agility dog (RIP Sweet Pea ) was a very slow Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, so running fast wasn't as necessary. To those of you who need more motivation -- rescue a dog! It will give you someone to walk with! I got my first dog at age 40 after a small stroke. While I was very overweight my whole life, having a dog kept me from getting totally out of control, and did keep me mobile, despite the weight and the bad knees. When you live in a condo, you have to walk the dog. No opening the door and letting them out. I always say that I have rescue dogs - because they rescued me! So these aren't before and after photos - more like before and now! Can't wait for the photo next Thanksgiving! Ellen