Shadow427

LUNA - You are HOT!!! Way to go! Layknee - Great news! Good work!

At Beni and Smiley! WOOOOO HOOOOO! Way to go!

Broke my 2 week stall! Lost 5 lbs today! Wooohooo! 3 pounds to go for a 75 lb loss!

Glenda, thanks for the book recommendations. I've in need of a little self analysis!

Oh and I had the sleeve, not bypass

I've been averaging 1200 calories a day. I'm 5ft 10in so my Nut says that's ok. And I'm fairly active.

Auri - Congrats! That is awesome. Thanks for inspiring me.

PinkPolka: Just think, several months ago we would eat 3 bowls of food. And, now we feel like a pig when we eat one bowl! LOL! And, the difference is the food in the bowl is much more nutritious than it used to be! Gosh we are tough on ourselves, aren't we?

Do you find that you can eat more food? I am worried I am stretching my pouch! But, I can eat more than I could a month ago. Mind you, I am not eating as much as I USED to eat. But, I kind of liked it when I was full after two bites.

Beni: Good thing I did today for myself.... When someone brought in those wonderful Philly pretzels with amazing mustard, I simply walked away. I didn't give it a second thought. Also, I have been lax on the Water.... I stepped it up today!

DC: I don't feel bad not telling work people about my surgery. After I started my pre-op diet in the office, another woman decided to have gastric bypass surgery. I tried asking her questions without seeming too nosey. But, she is one who tells everyone everything. We all have to hear on a regular basis about how she ate too much and threw up. Well, the staff was making so many comments regarding her eating habits and her overly honest recap of what was going on with her, that I decided I would just keep it to myself. I am also the COO and as much as I am friendly with the staff, I don't necessarily spend lots of time "socializing" with them. After all, who wants to eat lunch with the COO? LOL! Seriously, there are several people who are on their New Years Eve Resolution diets. This has worked out well because I like to cook. When I try a new recipe, I bring it in an share with folks. Again, to everyone, it seems as if I am simply on a diet and not that I have my system altered!

LUNA: I used to live in Newburgh and worked in Poughkeepsie/Hyde Park! New Paltz is a cool town! And, I agree! I visited my mom over the weekend in CT. And, by the time I got there, my butt was sore! I am used to having the extra padding for comfort! LOL. Speaking of mom, it is funny how she didn't even say ONE WORD regarding my weight loss. I haven't seen her since Christmas due to all of the snow. Since I saw her last, I have lost 35 pounds. It is funny, she will make nasty comments if I gain one ounce.... Instead, she was pushing donuts, chips, ice cream and other fattening items on me. Looking at her cabinets and refrigerator, I realized where I got all my bad habits from. Mind you, the woman is a 5ft 9in skinny bean pole. So, she just doesn't get it! The one thing I have learned from this whole experience is that I should not look for reinforcement or support from her... it simply ain't coming. I am resolved.

One of my co-workers said from behind.... "I really couldn't figure out who you were! You look fantastic." So, apparently my backside is doing alright! BTW - I have not told anyone at work that I had surgery. I lost close to 30 pounds before surgery, so they all know I have been dieting since August.

Way to go Little Luna! That's soooo cool!

Pinkpolkadot: I agree! I LOVE SPEGETTI SQUASH!

Had my 3 month check up this morning... all vital signs are excellent! And, I am officially down 71 pounds since August! (42 since surgery). I am very happy. Nutritionist said I could start eating Pasta and breads... but, I am going to try and hold off a bit because I LOVE PASTA!!! I actually don't mind the Barilla Plus High Protein pasta.... And, Beni, I too have a nice pair of healed boots. I will have to be vogue like you and wear them with a nightshirt! I am very tall, so, I don't need the heals. But, it sure does feel good to not worry that you are going to break them - I can relate @Pinkpolkadot69!

Beni - you have an awesome personality! You make me smile!

Hi Everyone, I love this group. Although I am a Nov Sleever, I often peak in to see how you are all doing... you have such a positive vibe and I love your stories! And, since you are a month ahead of me, it helps me see what my future will bring! Congrats to everyone! I've started playing this very cool sport called "Pickleball"... google it! It is a combination of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong. It's lots of fun. Besides actually PLAYING a sport again, I had a NSV yesterday. It didn't even hit me until I got home. While playing, one of my sneakers got untied. I bent over. Tied the laces. Then, continued to play pickleball. And, because I could tie them without sitting down and pulling my leg up, the bows were perfectly centered! It's those little things! Hope you are all doing well!

Hi Gang! How's everyone doing? I hope everyone is feeling good. Let's do a light hearted topic... It has been over two months since our surgery. What is one of the positive things you have noticed? I live in Center City Philadelphia. I work outside of the city so normally I drive to work. This week we had a meeting in the city. At the end of the meeting, I started walking to a street where I knew I could pick up a cab. The next thing I knew, I walked all the way home - - - 3.5 miles! It did not phase me one bit. And, it wasn't a conscious decision. I just started walking and the next thing I know I was home. It felt so good. No back aches, no knee soreness... Way cool!!!

Just think of the Chubawumba song: "I get knocked down, but I get up again." At first I was a little frustrated by the "tension" in this post... but, I am fine with it now. I have learned that if someone's comments sting me, then I should really try and figure out the root cause of that hurt... there may be something in that pushes on a bruise from the past.

Hey there. Contact Premier Protein directly. They may be able to get you shakes through your insurance. I got a case of 72 and it was covered by my insurance. Premierprotein.com 888-836-8977

Emsgirl and Sarina: I think 21 pounds is good! Don't be deceived by all the numbers you see that are posted by others. For instance, my ticker says I lost 56 pounds... and that is true. But, half of them were pre-op and took me 4.5 months! Since the actual surgery my wl is 29 lbs. If you do the math, 29 divided by the 7.5 weeks since surgery = 3.8 pounds per week. I don't know about you, but, I NEVER averaged almost 4 pounds a week for this long of a period. Another example: 21 pounds, 7 weeks = average of 3 pounds a week! That is awesome! I think we get delusional because right after surgery we dropped fast. And, now, we keep having stalls, then a drop, then stalls, then a drop. We want to see the dial move EVERY day. It's just not going to happen that way.

Hey Gang! I went to a support group meeting and wanted to share info with you. One of the Administrators of our program did a college research project on people who had wls between 2009 and 2013 - basically, people who were over 1 year out from surgery. She categorized the group into 3 segments. 1. Those who maintained their weight. 2. Those who marginally gained weight (1 - 10 pounds from their lowest or target) 3. Those who regained (11+ pounds). The key factors that people stressed to stay the course are: 1. Have a solid support group - bariatric pal was mentioned as a great source, plus the ones through your physician's office, and, family/friends 2. Continue to journal your food 3. Exercise 4. Even though your stomach limits your intake, make sure your intake is good stuff. (Protein bar in one hand, jelly donut in the other.... pick the protein bar!) 5. Keeping your appointments with the doctor and nutritionist 6. Don't fall back into old habits 7. Alcohol - although many of the maintainers said they do drink alcohol, they limit it to one or two drinks once a week or less I don't have the stats with me regarding what percentage maintained, marginally gained and really gained. But, when I get them I will share with ya'll! (And, no, I am not from the south. Just felt like saying ya'll).

Smiley - we are here for you. Try to stay the course... You can do this!