TammyDTM

A fresh crisp apple!

I drink bottled Water. I find it easier to make sure I get it in and one 16.9 oz bottle isn't as daunting as a big gulp container. Four bottles and you have your daily goal met. As far as food goes, I eat fish and steamfresh vegetables mostly. I buy the cod fillets that are individually wrapped. After it is unthawed, I season it and saute it in olive oil or coconut oil. One bag of vegetables will last me the whole week. I have grilled steak once a week, grilled, baked or sauteed chicken also. I eat a serving of fresh fruit every day. On days that I exercise I have a GENEPRO Protein shake in the morning and I have an afternoon or evening snack of Fage yogurt with fruit. On days that I exercise (5-6 days a week), I have approximately 1,100 calories, 80 to 96 ounces of water and 90 to 100 grams of protein. I don't eat Protein Bars at all. I don't eat sugar free or fat free anything. I hope this helps as an example.

@@stephh -- 219.8 Thanks! I've been working hard! These challenges are great for motivation and staying on track!

After VSG surgery I was going up and down the stairs the day I came home from the hospital with no problem.

When I look at my naked body I see a smaller but same body. When I look at myself in clothes, it's a whole different story. I love how I look in clothes now. No more baggy clothes to hide under. I don't want to wear anything that makes me look bigger. I even have a couple pair of "skinny" jeans. Whoa, wait a minute! Hey now! Woo Hoo! Get you some cute clothes girl!

Work up an appetite with exercise. I am always wanting a good Protein based meal after a good workout.

Once you get started shopping.... it's hard to stop! I'm telling you, girl! I have to exercise so much self-control when it comes to clothing sales! I am not at goal yet so that holds me back a bit. Yeah, you go and get a couple of cute outfits and you'll feel better about your appearance. And if no one else notices or comments, you just give yourself a wink because it's all about you anyway!

Give your body a rest! Just take a few days off. You may even see the scale move. I also have bad knees and when they talk, I listen! On those days I just work my upper body. Epsom salts and Aspercream are my best friends!

I just close out my day myself by posting my calorie and Protein count on the front page with the date. For example: 860 -- 88 >> 8/6/15. And I hit the share button. MFP is my personal food journal so it doesn't matter how many calories they recommend. The stats are for me.

@@stephh 223.8 Thanks!

@@nativedoll1 You won't be sad when your clothes start falling off of you. You won't be sad when you can walk, run and climb without getting winded. You won't be sad when people say, "you look 20 years younger!". You won't be sad when you have to shop for the trendy clothes that you've always wanted to wear. Be patient, dear. It gets SO MUCH BETTER!!!

@@stephh -- 224.2 Thanks!

I have noticed the same. No details...

BeFit videos on youtube are great, and free!

Congratulations! Yes, it was a very good decision! I am so happy I made it! I feel free.

Give yourself a really good, long deep conditioning treatment when you get home!

@@stephh 226.0 Thanks!

@@Karess Haivala I am five months out from surgery today. We have the same surgeon. I, too, was on blood pressure medication but went off about a month after surgery after my blood pressure dipped extremely low and caused severe dizziness and fatigue. My PCP told me to add more salt to my food and my nutritionist told me to eat fresh fruit. I did both, for a week, and it helped bring my blood pressure up. I have recently increased my fitness routine by an extra 30 minutes a day and one more day a week and have noticed the fatigue coming back. A couple of days ago I increased my caloric intake by 100 and added a banana post morning workout. That has helped a bit. I was taking in approximately 800 to 900 calories and for the past couple of days have gone up to 1,000 to 1,050. I do drink more than the 64 ounces of Water each day. I usually drink 80 to 90 ounces a day (with an extra 8 ounces during the night). Have you spoken with the PA or with the nutritionist about it yet?

@@stephh --- 227.8 Thanks!

@@MrsDixon I am sorry to hear that you are depressed about your complications. Hopefully your surgical team will get you feeling better soon. This website is full of wonderful encouraging people with a variety of stories of success after complications. I would suggest you browse the boards to find such stories. Also, I would suggest youtube as a source of motivation in your journey. Just type in wls vsg in the search box and find a couple of people to follow on their journey. I would suggest watching the videos oldest to newest so that you can see the progression as it happens. Good luck to you Mrs Dixon. I hope that you get to feeling better soon!

@@stephh I'm a goof, 238 was my goal. Disregard my last post to you. Sorry to bother you!

Hi Steph, I hate to be a knit-picker but my final weight for the 4th of July challenge was recorded incorrectly. It was recorded as 238, but should be 234. Can you correct that please? Thanks!

@@stephh Weight today is 232.8. Goal weight is 222. Thanks!

Oh Happy Day! Congratulations!

My surgery was in February. I have lupus, reynauds syndrome, fibromyalgia, and secondary sjogrens. I have my ups and downs, however, since surgery I have so many more good days. I am able to exercise more and like vsgdiva I don't move around like an 80 year old woman any longer. I still have a lot of trouble with my knees and random, phantom pain, but it is getting better with time. I am so glad that I had the surgery. My recovery from surgery went well. I was not in a great deal of pain after and I did not have any issues with nausea. I was able to get in all of my fluids, however fatigue did keep me from getting the recommended amount of exercise in the beginning. It was about 6 weeks before I could get in my 30 minutes of daily exercise. And now, I am doing well. I am exercising 5 days a week for a minimum of 60 minutes. Remember not to compare yourself to me or anyone else after you have your surgery. Your recovery will be your recovery. Just be sure to keep your rheumatologist apprised the details of your surgery and all medications you are taking.