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Just bought some halo top and I have to agree it is more like ice cream than Arctic. However, I like protein drinks so either one is fine with me for a craving fix. Special occasion, I will probably go for the real thing as a splurge. But obviously in limited quantities. Haha. Thanks again for the info on Halo Top. ????

OK, this is truly a very minor rant, but I wanted to say it anyway. I have lost nearly 75 lbs since I started keeping track on MFP in May, but it keeps telling me I have only lost 37 on my home screen????. When I look at the progress screen for six months it has it right, but when it posts updates and milestones it is just off. This is the info it shares with my friends on MFP. I am sure it has to do with an old weight I put in several years ago while doing another dieting phase, but it really bugs me to get the notices congratulating me for only half my weight loss. Can't figure out how to fix it. Like I said, a minor rant. I know how much I have lost, how good I am looking in clothes, and how great I feel. I don't need MFP to validate me, just miffed it can't seem to do simple math. ????

Once in awhile as a treat is probably ok. It's hard to believe they can't accurately calculate the calories (or don't want to). Thanks for the info. I guess the only sure way to know it is low calorie, is to buy the container of ice cream, dump the ice cream out of the container into the garbage, rinse out the container and fill it with a salad. Haha. IF only it had the same taste/satisfaction! I would have been thin long ago ????

You are doing fantastic! Awesome to hear how your setting realistic goals for yourself. Isn't it great to look forward to shopping rather than dreading it? Do you also find that you don't mind mirrors anymore? That was one of the things I have noticed recently. ????

I will have to try halo top. Where did you find it?

Zoku slush and shake maker. You freeze the base and then put your Protein drink in it and stir for a bit. It then slowly freezes into a soft milk-ice treat. It is a little work, but since I should be eating slowly anyway it works out ok for me. Here is a link. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=zoku+slush+and+shake&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=61713885564&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13483809381315725934&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_225zmgx3iq_b

I would be concerned about the article as well and I appreciate you bring it up since I hadn't seen it. I hate to feel I am getting duped. Just FYI, I thought the salted caramel was so so. The reviews on Amazon weren't wrong, it does taste probably a little more like a frozen Protein shake/drink if I think hard about it. But I have been using the syntax nectar cookie flavor frozen in a Zuko as an ice cream alternative and that is similar in taste and calories as well. I guess I don't really need it to be "real" ice cream as long as it gets me past the craving without mr going out and getting a bizarre. ????

They seem to address this article on their site, but like anything it is up to you what you eat. ????

I got salted caramel and vanilla bean. I like the vanilla bean better of the two. Don't get me wrong, this isn't going to taste just like ice cream. But that may be unrealistic to expect from something that is only 35 calories, no fat and limited carbs. It is more like a gelato that isn't quite as sweet. That being said, it is a great option for those of us who are on the Bariactric way of life. ????

I got it at Walmart. ????

Suddenly both of my hip joints are hurting. I am walking about 40 minutes a day now, but I didn't figure that this would be a side effect ????. Anyway, my question is: can I take Aleve? I remember being told something about not doing it but I thought maybe that was just in those first weeks after surgery. I have no issues with pills in general so that isn't a problem.

This is encouraging to hear. I hope this goes away soon. I am beginning to feel A little decrepit. Feels almost like the fat was holding everything together and now all the joints are just loosey-goosey.

@@CowgirlJane I am so sorry to hear that. Good news is they have gotten very good at hip replacements. My Friend was just in his late forties when he had his done and it made a world of difference. He even went back to bowling with us. ???? that being said, I hope you don't have to do it before you are ready.

Thanks for the quick answers. ???? I will mention it to the PA next week and see what she says.

Congrats! It is awesome feeling isn't it ????????????. Your doing great. Next up is the ability to walk in and try something on that isn't XL. ☺️

@ bellabloom I can second that. I was actually getting "too much" Protein up until a month ago. hair is still falling out. I think it is just a response from our bodies and the changing hormones. At this point no one has an answer on really why it happens.

I have been using the Zuko slushy maker to make some of my protein shakes into soft ice cream. Syntrax double stuffed cookie is great for this. ????. With milk it is only 200 calories and I use it when I need to get more protein in. It satisfies my desire for ice cream a lot. Otherwise I would be struggling with the "wants" more often.

Thanks for the tip. I may try the Vedapure. ????

Welcome! I hope you have a quick recovery. ????????

As I mention in my previous post, I too have been losing quite a bit of hair. There are days where I think I shed with every step I take. ???? I was really surprised at how well the top piece I got matched. I've been wearing it for over a month now and no one can tell I have it on if I don't tell them. My hair has continued to fall out I'd rather alarming pace I must admit. However, with the top piece I am wearing everyone thinks my hair looks better than ever. Any decision on how you handle your hair is up to you entirely. I haven't found that extensions work very well because my hair keeps falling out and it's very hard for the extensions to hold on to anything. I also don't think a short haircut will deal with the bald spots I have on top well. I trust that my hair will come back and that this is a temporary measure. Everyone seems to figure out what works best for them and the veterans all seem to say that it gets better. ???? Let me just add that I think even with the hair issues, this decision is totally worth it given what I am seeing as far as the way my body is starting to look. Best of luck to you.

@ Elode Totally agree on finding ways to still make it fun. ???? You and your son look like it was a great evening. ???? I was just miffed at the need for added willpower with all the candy in the house and it felt good to post something as a small rant. It is amazing how just typing it out can help put it into perspective. This too shall pass. It is still a learning process, but great women like you and others are making this journey easier and helping me feel like there is a group of friends I can talk too.

@CowgirlJane. Haha. Just what I needed to hear! I love to hear about your sons knowing the risks. ???? And I can totally relate on the ice cream. I occasionally (twice so far) I have allowed myself a skinny cow ice cream bar but they are left over from before surgery so they may get tossed soon. I did tell hubby that putting the bite sized chocolates out in a candy bowl just wasn't going to work for me. He thought my will power was so great it wouldn't bother me. ????. I wish! It is tough to balance my new approach with his non-sleeved eating choices. I don't want him to feel that he can't get fun foods but dang it, it is hard to resist. ????. I am only 5 months out at this point so it is still a learning process. I am not beating myself up over the candy, but I was surprised that it did make me feel a little yucky. I am guessing that is a good thing. Thanks btw for your words of encouragement both here and to others in other forums. It is awesome to read your perspective from further into the "long journey".

I'm in Texas too so I get the hot car problem. You might think about jerky in addition to the nuts. I do perky jerky which is turkey so lean meat and taste good. I ordered a bunch in 1 oz bags from Amazon.

@ Innersurfergirl: Thanks for the post that started this thread. I had hit a 3 week stall in the beginning of month 5 and I was good at reminding myself not to stress too much but there were days where it was just tough mentally. I thought I was doing ok but hubby was honest this morning and said I was in a bad mood/funk for most of it. Your posting was something that helped remind me to keep focused and not to panic. That you for taking the time to write it. ????

I too hate all chewable vitamins. I did liquid adult Centrum for the 6 weeks after surgery. Just supplemented iron and calcium. After that I could do capsules.