Beni

@@Shadow427 What a week! I am so sorry, we all have those and we come out stronger but while going through the process it can be horrible. Here's a big hug going your way " X " and this too shall pass. Beni

Lost 90 lbs, whoo, whoo! Can hardly believe it. This is the weight I was after having my first child. Once I lost the pregnancy weight and things settled down. Unbelievable! What has worked lately is staying very busy. I mean, physically busy. Not much sitting around for me at all. Getting all the Protein in is still soooo hard.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHER HEARTS

Took some cold medicine as I was running a fever. Nope, back to bed. Now my head is floating two feet above my shoulders. Cup of tea #3 coming up. I am not a good patient at all when I am sick. I have so much to do but here I lay like a wet noodle, lol. Luna, not sure what that pain could be, a bit odd. Is it better? Amylynns, I am glad your son got the benign tumor taken cared of. That sounds like such a nuisance but such is life. My 14 year old is also 6 feet tall. We must stop feeding our children! We are doing too good of a job.

I have a cold, my first sickness since surgery. It was a nice 6 months. I feel like staying in bed all day. My allergies are killing me and i think the Zyrtec is not working as well. I am wondering if my shorter GI track is causing less absorption of the medicine. I did lose one pound. Hurray for me!

The scale this morning showed 2 lbs lost. I had not step on it the entire week because it was driving me crazy. My goodness you all sound exactly like me. I feel like I am looking in the mirror. 1. My hair is still falling like crazy, I now find hair in my food and I know it's mine 2. My scalp is itchy and flaking off in Patches and even dandruff shampoo is not helping. It is however making my hair feel like steel wool. Not what I was going for. 3. I too stopped coloring my hair for a bit because I think my scalp/hair can't handle it. Hello grey hair! 4. I can eat a lot more. I ate a whole salad in the period of 30 minutes. Slowly but surely! I never once even begun to feel like I had enough. It was scary. I could get in trouble and eat too much. I did notice when I eat a hamburger (sans bun) I can only eat 2/3 to 3/4 of it. I think this is what they mean by slider foods versus non-sliders. It maybe we have to eat that meat/chicken/fish first and then the rest because it will fill us up. Also, I ate a whole bowl of chopped strawberries the other day. One tiny bite at a time they were all gone. Oh no, I have to get super busy because if I sit around I will get in trouble.

@@misstvb Hey, I have itchy scalp and dandruff. My hair is also falling like crazy. I am in the weight stall from hell too. It seems like every pound I lose comes right back the next day. Today I am at the 6 month mark. Shouldn't complain too much because I did lose 84 lbs. It's just in the last month it was less then 2 lbs. I also noticed I can eat a lot more then I used to. For example, I went out with friends for lunch, I had a salad with salmon and usually I could only eat 1/2 of the portion. I ate the whole thing today over 1/2 hour period. It's a reasonable sized salad but that's a new one for me. It used to be I couldn't eat more then 1/4 cup of food at a time.

@@amylynns I would delete the ticker. Hopefully it will delete only one. If not, when you add a ticker again you can place all the same values and it will show the starting weight and current weight. Your ticker doesn't have dates, so I don't think it would matter. But I am no expert. What you eat and what I eat is very similar. I do am not hungry and i have to force myself to eat more Protein. Last night I had a homemade hamburger which I ate plain. I could only manage 2/3 and it was a struggle. It felt like I was forcing myself to eat it. I don't eat many carbs because they make me kind of sick. I do occasionally eat a California roll (sushi), a tiny amount of mashed potatoes, a chip or a pita/bagel chip or two. But if I eat 3 or 4 I'm feel unwell a few minutes later. The kind of unwell that I have to lie down for 1/2 hour. It's not worth the trouble for me. My protein is still under 50 gr most days even though I try so hard. A can of chick peas is only 11 grams and I am constantly trying to eat chicken. I get the grilled chicken nuggets from Chick Fillet. They are moist and nice and I ask for the kids size. 4 nuggets is already too many. I also eat Protein Bars but those with high protein values taste horrible to me. Everyday is a protein dance. I should just start doing shakes but they make me go to the bathroom (for #2) so much. I did go down 1 pound from yesterday. Hurray for that plain hamburger that tasted like nothing I wanted to eat.

The sugar does it for me. This has happened to me too. I can eat something sweet but only a bite or two after a meal. in other words it's a small percentage of sugar in relationship to what I ate. I also tried a piece of fried chicken and was super sick. Fat in many ways is actually worse for me. The sugar makes me feel really unwell but the fat makes me nauseous and usually only a trip to the bathroom with things going up will solve the problem. This is how I handle dessert. I ask for a very small slice because I'm "so full" or "trying to eat healthy" both true. Then, I eat a bite, move some pieces around, maybe take another tiny bite in 5 minutes. I always avoid frosting at all costs. It's death for me. I can do maybe a 1/2 teaspoon at the most.

@@PinkPolkadot619 So sorry about your weight gain. I had quite a few of those this month. Absolutely floored with the realization. It's the worst feeling and I so understand. Today I was up .6 and I have no clue why because I was very good and moved around all day yesterday. This past month has been very slow for me and there were days I was down right depressed at my lack of weight loss progress. But we'll get there. Patience is always challenging. Sending a big hug

@@amylynns With a weight goal, I think I'll know when I get there. I hope it's like, how do you know you don't want to have any more babies. You kind of know, right? I used the range were I am not considered obese as a guide but if I can't make it that far I'm okay with it. It's about being healthy and happy for me. A line in the sand doesn't mean much to me at this point. You are doing so great. 11 pounds from goal is a wonderful accomplishment. Well done! I'm still bouncing up and down everyday. This morning my scale was up .6 and I have no clue why. I am eating right and I was moving all day. Perhaps not enough Protein. Getting enough protein is always difficult for me.

Now back in the saddle trying to wrestle the stupid never ending stall. I have lost 1.2 pounds in the past month. Not fun. But I do love my hipbones. They poke out in the most silly way and I too had forgotten I had those.

Loved all the photos and updates. So cute. I am so happy you are all doing so well.

My next major goal is hitting 179 (8 pounds away) because that hat's when my BMI will be below 30. I will no longer be obese. I am no longer morbid obese because I am below BMI 35. Now I am focusing on the next step. It has been slow going but I have made some adjustments. This is what has worked. 1. Exercise at least 30 minutes everyday (only Sunday off as long as I do some activity that involves moving for 30 min.) On three days I do 1 hour of exercise with 30 min. of cardio and then weights or machines or floor work not forgetting stretches. 2. Slow down with my meals. I was getting too fast again. I don't learn! 3. Stop snacking. Because I eat too fast I get satisfied quickly but because it's not enough in a couple hours, I'm in need of a little something. Even though I eat healthy, the calories add up. This requires eating my meals at the right hours not when ever, which is how I usually float. Also, I find that grazing allows to eat too big of a portion. I can eat a bite every 5 minutes for a long time. I must have the food on my plate and no extra around to add later. Remember 3 meals and a snack. The rest of the time I try hot tea, sugar free drinks (love diet Snapple Peach) or Water with a slice of lemon. 4. Drink more. Sometimes hunger is actually thirst. I had gained 3 pounds with my poor habits but I have lost them again and I'm moving on. Just a little hiccup. Remember the most famous man in the world "Stay thirsty my friend" advertising campaign, I'm going with "Stay healthy my friend."

@pinkpolkadot You are the hot chick for sure. Always were but now the myopic world can see it. I am so happy for you and how much healthier you are now. We forget but all that extra weight actually depresses us and it's not all in our heads, obesity and depression go hand and hand. I think its because we simply can't move as much and our bodies need it just like air. I like to think of when I'm outdoors in the sun = Vitamin D in production. When I'm moving=endorphins in production. Both happy pills

I started very slowly. One tiny bite chewed to death. Yes, I can chew a bite of chicken for a full 5 minutes. Also, early on everything was slow cooker or boiled for 1 and 1/2 hours. I would freeze portions in snack size ziplock bags for later. I used to call them the endless tiny leftovers.

My husband who was very supportive through the decision process (I'm 6 months past) last week told me, well, your surgery was elective. I about screamed, probably should have because, HELL NO, it was not. I was dying, slowly mind you but I felt horrible before my surgery and you know what the really sad part was? I didn't even know how bad I was feeling until I lost 40 lbs and I started to feel like myself. The weight cames on slowly and we don't even notice the effect because we adapt but when it's gone OMG, you will feel like a NEW PERSON.

You will get there. The first 3 months suck but then you will feel so much better. I find better to go through a disaster then live a disaster that never ends. GERD can be a disaster that never ends. I'm sure right now It's hard but keep sipping all day. I liked herbal tea at a tepid temperature. It seemed to comfort my stomach. I used sweetener and about 1/4 teaspoon of sugar per tea cup and I could handle that small amount just fine.

@@Shadow427 I have found some things here and there but I am trying to discipline myself because many of the things I purchased in the past 3 months are already too big including the 3 pairs of size regular 16 jeans. Even the new shoes are falling off my feet. I am getting by with a belt and moving buttons on pants. Even though my weight is very, very slow moving my shape is changing. The exercise is helping. The odd thing is my shoulders are super narrow now. It's almost like the weight is leaving from the top down. My rings, which I have not worn in decades now fit. My middle is still a bit Santa Claus like in proportion. Must work those abs. Right now I have none. I was lying on a mat at this class and we were supposed to rock our bodies to a sitting position. Nope, wasn't going to happen. I am starting with planks but only from the knees as I can not mustard full body planks, YET ! Well, I can, but only for a couple seconds.

@@freelyme You look fantastic 87 pounds is so much weight. Imagine achieving that before surgery. How wonderful. We all have a journey and we all have made such wonderful progress. Both as individuals and as a group we are true Gladiators. As we look at our before and after pictures or catch a glimpse on the mirror, lets stop for a moment and "smell the flowers" as our accomplishments are absolutely worthy of celebration. Freaking unbelievable, REALLY! WE ROCK GLADIATORS!

@@Shadow427 Any luck on the clothes shopping?

cute dresses @misstvb. You look very nice in both dresses. I have also tried Marshalls and Ann Taylor Loft. I can hardly believe it but I am a size 14 pants at Ann Taylor Loft and they have a size 16 too. But hello, too big. If I could somersault, I would have. I do find regular sizes so overwhelming. There are so many choices, it's down right scary. It's almost harder to find something now and wouldn't you know it, the size you want seems to always be gone. I purchased a pair of super stretchy exercise capris at Target. They have these awesome ones that pull everything in but of course the size XL was too big and they didn't have a L so I decided to try a M and yes they fit. I must say they are a tad snug but they probably will fit better very soon. But I can still wear them. I just have too use a looser shirt because of the muffin top effect. Working out really hard. My arms are sore from all the weights. I have discovered my abs are non existent. I could not roll up from a laying position. Oh, embarrassment! Will focus on core and Abs next. I will try the Pure Protein Bars, thanks for the suggestion. Lost one little pound this week, but this one was the hardest little sucker.

I take Biotin and my hair is now falling at an alarming rate. I am nearly 6 months past surgery. I was doing well for quite a while but it's rally upsetting right now because I can see the bare spots on my temples.

Oh Protein, how I crave thee, NOT. Why do I only want to eat what I shouldn't. I miss bread! I'm not eating it but I miss it. That's what I want for my birthday. Not cake but bread and I will settle for two bites. Yesterday, I ate a whole banana. Didn't know it was even possible. I usually have 1/2 of a banana or less. Needless to say I was a little worried because that's a lot of sugar. I did eat it with an egg salad that unfortunately had a little too much salt. I have been working out everyday like a good girl and trying to increase my protein intake. Quest bars are getting a little old. That funny after taste comes through no matter what flavor. Any others that are good?

Shoes, wow. I was a 9 1/2 W, I am now I am a 8. Freaking unbelievable. Yesterday, I was trying all sorts of fun shoes. Didn't buy them, it was just for fun and 8 and 8 1/2 are my new size. Even my toes look cute! The fantastic thing is I can wear most shoes now, before I had to try so many to be able to even fit in. What I have learned: There are a lot of uncomfortable shoes out there. They fit now but hello, who the heck is buying these hard uncomfortable shoes? All my pants are too big again. I have all these crop pants that were way too small last summer that I was planning to wear this summer. Well, I tried a size 16W "INC" pair of pants and they fell off pronto. They are so big, even a belt can't handle it. My regular size 16 and 14 are also too big but a belt still manages to keep them on but they do have a boyfriend jeans look. So trendy, right! Weight loss is at a 0.1 per day. Rome was not conquered in a day, LOL. Started a new workout routine and I feel so much better. The extra Protein, I think, is helping because my energy level was up (big time) yesterday. Staying busy and out of the couch didn't hurt either.