Tulie

I'm tallish I'm 5'8" I'm down to 182 from a high of 315 I think I'm at goal if I lost another 5 lbs I'd be ok too..


These are my befores


These are after

Swanson makes a thai ginger chicken broth - super spicy, super yummy. I have to Water it down a lot. But, I've been eating it and other spiced broths (like broth from seven seas soup) from the start. Just go slow to see how your body tolerates it.

Swanson makes a thai ginger chicken broth - super spicy, super yummy. I have to Water it down a lot. But, I've been eating it and other spiced broths (like broth from seven seas soup) from the start. Just go slow to see how your body tolerates it.

Swanson makes a thai ginger chicken broth - super spicy, super yummy. I have to Water it down a lot. But, I've been eating it and other spiced broths (like broth from seven seas soup) from the start. Just go slow to see how your body tolerates it.

I'm thinking split pea Soup for Thanksgiving. I'm not sure why this feels Thanksgiving - maybe because it was one of those left over meals my mom always made. A Thanksgiving themed Protein Shake is also a must - pumpkin, Kale, banana or Sweet Potato Pie made with cinnamon bun whey protein. Any other ideas / recipes?

I remember once when Oprah had lost a lot of weight...she heard that people were saying things like "Well, she's rich, it's easy to lose weight when someone cooks all of your food and does everything for you." She was talking about it on her show and basically said...she was the one who had to make healthful dietary choices every day and refuse her beloved Ruffles potato chips. Her wealth didn't do that for her. And she is the one who had to get her butt on the track and walk every day. She couldn't pay someone to do that for her.
I think it is so similar when people say that VSG is "the easy way out." We are the ones who have make sure that every morsel we put in our mouths is good fuel for our bodies and resist head hunger. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who make special holiday meals for our families and then don't partake in most of it. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who go to the gym even when the weather isn't good or we feel like going to bed early instead. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who keep drinking (and drinking and drinking) Water when part of us would rather hang out with our old friend Diet Coke or Frozen Margarita. The surgery doesn't do that for us.
And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, the surgery is a tool, but I still feel that we own and deserve every hard-earned victory we see on the scale and every NSV. If others don't understand that, it's okay. I know that I haven't taken the easy way out, but I also know that what I'm doing is an investment in something very important--me. And that's something that money definitely can't buy.

The other day I was shopping in a department store and looking at Christmas present options when I glanced to my side and caught my profile in a mirror, I quickly looked away as that is what I have programmed to do for so long and kept walking down the isle. Then I stopped and actually processed what I saw, turned around and went back to the mirror. First, I couldn't believe that I actually went back to the mirror and second I absorbed the fact that I was changing physically and I was becoming a new person (inside and out). I know my clothing sizes had been changing and I was losing inches along with weight but I don't think I really saw myself changing until that day.
Anyone else have those moments where you go "Wow... Is that really me?"

Other peoples comments say nothing about you and everything about themself and their own fears. So, pray for their strength and wisdom so that they can help usher you into a new chapter in your life ... then get on with it.

Vaya con dios.

Vaya con dios.

@@willow13 I would cry over bacon. Just saying...

Honestly it's a personal choice. I didn't get my surgery to be skinny, I got my surgery so I could be happy. I have 2-3 beers a week and I have since after the 6 month mark. I am happy with my weight loss and I am happy with my lifestyle. Could I be thinner if I didn't have empty calories from beer and other choices, YES. But its all about what is right for you. I have a good balance of good choices and not so good choices and I couldn't be happier.

I'm not telling my family - too much stress there. My mom just let me know that she is coming into to town the day I fly to San Diego. I told her that I'm going to be out of town. Her typical guilt tripping then ensued. Instead of feeling bad, I just smiled. I'm taking control of my life and my weight with great tools - VSG, counselling, surrounding myself with supportive, non-judgmental people, a treadmill desk where I can walk, walk, walk for hours instead of sitting, trying out great recipes from pinterest, journalling and other creative outlets. When and if I'm ready, I'll let her know. For now, I just feel like I need to keep this to myself as a way to protect myself, stregthen my resolve.
I told my bf finally. He is going with me. When I told him, we talked about how he could be supportive without either of us feeling like he had to be my weight manager / food cop. I told my boss that I'm having surgery. Thanks to FLMA - no questions asked other than am I okay.

11/11 for me with Dr Kaufman in Seattle. I started my pre-op diet on Wednesday. I dont have to do liquid only. I can eat whatever I want as long as I stay under 40g carbs per day. Its definitely been a head game because the nerves are setting in which makes me want to run to my comfort...food. BUT I have done really good...I went to my final appt today and I was dowm 7 lbs since last Friday's weigh in. My hubby had to go to this appt with me since he is my 'support' person. Before the appt I finally told me husband my 'real' weight. He has never known in our entire 10 years together my real weight. I was embarrassed...but he was so supprtive. I just wantes him to know the true accomplishment when it was all said and done.