tamg26k

@@dolphin_girl

Thank you so much. Best of luck to you on your journey!!!

@@B_Darkly

Thank you!

It is a process but if you stick to the plan you will get results. Best of luck to you!!

I think it was almost 2 months before I had my first Protein bar. I use them as Meal Replacement when I can get in my meal.

Also Just a FYI - I ordered these bars and have tried the chocolate brownie and the Cookies n cream, I thought both of them were good. However, other reviewers did not like the other flavors. I will eventually try them but I try to not make a habit of eating these, only in emergency. I like these bars have a lot of Fiber.

@@linedancer718

I track daily using MFP. This has really helped me keep track of my calories and Protein. Send me a friend request. My user name is tamg26k.

@@linedancer718

Do you use My Fitness Pal?

@@linedancer718

I really stuck to the plan. (and I mean really stuck to it) I have completely cut out all sugar, flour, rice, Pasta, bread, potatoes, and milk from my diet. I upped my Protein to almost 120 grams a day. I also stick to about 900-1000 calories a day. My diet is really low carb. I keep my carbs under 30 a day. It was hard at first but not it's pretty easy.

One of the biggest things I do is not weigh myself regularly. This is hard enough without the added stress of staring at the scale.

I joined a gym after 4 months, got myself a trainer, and started exercising about 5 days a week. This has helped tremendously. I have lost about 26 inches from waist, chest, and thighs since starting at the gym.

I had A LOT of weight to lose so I think this has helped with my loss rate.

I am only about 8 1/2 months post op and down about 155 lbs. I work out about 6 days a week and my calorie count is between 800-1000 everyday. If I factored in the loss from exercising my net calories would be closer to around 500. I have been losing pretty regularly. My nutritionist also said I needed to increase my calories but it is really hard. I've increased my Protein quite a bit over the last several months and that really helped. Also over the last few month I upped my Water intake, also helping.

Best of luck!!

I started in July at a size 26 pants and 3xl tops....today....size 12 pants and large in tops!!!

It was a great feeling getting out of the 300's! And the 200's seemed go go pretty quickly. At next weigh-in (I only weigh monthly) I will be in the 100's!!!

Keep it going, you got this!!!

Awesome job!!!

I use MFP to track my food and exercise. I also have a Garmin Vivofit (switched from Fitbit a few months ago) I like the Vivofit because of the digital readout and the battery lasts about 1 year. In my opinion, both are only about 75% accurate.

I love MFP...I love the fact that you can scan bar labels and customize your own food goals. Please add me on MFP, I love to look at the food diary if you choose to share it.

I'm tamg26k on MFP

I only weigh myself about once a month and have been doing this since the beginning.

I realized the other day that I have not had a headache in the last 8-9 months. This is significant because I had frequent headaches, bad headaches! I'm sure it's a combination of everything, diet, exercise, no sugar, no caffeine.

The other plus is that if you weigh less frequently you usually have a bigger loss!!

I agree, stay off the scale!!!

Congrats!!! Keep up the great work!

Congrats!! Keep up the great work!!!

I workout about 5-6 days a week and usually get in around 900-1000 calories a day. After the workout the net calories are usually around 400-500. It's hard for me get in anymore. I've tried to eat a few higher calorie foods too. My weight loss and been pretty consistent up to this point. One thing I do for sure is get my Protein in daily. I usually average no less than 110 grams of Protein a day.

Honestly, the shopping has been the biggest anxiety for my now. I got through the winter with a few pairs of jeans and a few sweaters but now that spring is here I need to get some new clothes. I still find myself shopping in the plus size department but the good news is those clothes simply don't fit anymore.

I did purchase a bunch of stuff from Old Navy (online) that are pretty cute. I wish I could afford a personal shopper or a stylist to replenish my wardrobe!!

I take a calcium citrate capsule from Vitamin Shoppe, a b-12 from costco, a Centrium multi from Walgreens, Walmart, etc. and Iron from Vitamin Shoppe. The next time I am out of multi Vitamins I'm switching to a regular multi instead of a chewable. My labs were perfect at my 6 month check-up. I think I spend less than $15 a month on Vitamins.

I usually use Syntrax nectar but the Dymatize is not that bad. Cookies and Cream is pretty good!

I found some calcium citrate at Vitamin Shoppe that I have been taking since October. My Dr. said they were fine to take. Each capsule has 250 mg so I take 2 capsules, 3 times a day. They are super easy to swallow. They usually run about $16.00 for 250 capsules. I hated the chewables prior to taking these.

I'm just me!!! and striving to be a better, stronger, healthier version of myself.

I'm loyal, positive, funny, don't take myself too seriously, independent, and family-oriented. Now I can also add getting healthier and stronger to that list.

We are all special in our own way!

Great post, thanks for starting this!

@@Baconville

Wow awesome job! I am 9 months post op and still losing pretty consistently. Reading your post is really inspiring. I also use MFP. same user name tamg26k

Thanks for your input!

My weight is distributed evenly as well, although I do have one really bad problem area - my arms! I don't think there is anything I can do. I exercise like a mad woman and they are getting better.

I did buy some wraps for my arms and stomach and I can tell a difference after a few days. I try to sleep in the stomach wrap and put the arm wraps on daily.

Oh well, I'll do my best but another surgery is not in the cards for me

Just take things one day at a time. Honestly, the first several weeks I didn't focus on calories. I focused on Water, Vitamins, and Protein (in that order) The calories will come. I think I was only averaging about 500 a day up until month 3-4. Now (9 months) I get in about 800-1000 a day. Just focus on eating habits now - slow and small bites!

Best of luck!!

Just take things one day at a time. Remember...walk, walk, walk! It really helps with the healing process.

Best of luck!!

@@CowgirlJane

Thanks again for the feedback. I still am taking 2 per day. I am 8 months out. I'm about 40 lbs from my goal (down 150 lbs so far). I still supplement my diet with 1 or 2 Protein shakes a day, especially on days I lift weights at the gym.

I know that this is way off of this topic but I wanted to ask since you are so far along. How has your diet changed after you hit your goal? Do you take in more calories? Do you watch your carbs?

Thanks again for your feedback.

Theresa