MzB

Yes, you're losing too slowly. I deem your surgery a complete failure at 3 weeks out.
Just kidding. You're losing just fine. As a matter of fact, I think I had lost the same amount at that point.
My suggestion? Don't worry about how quickly you're losing and just concentrate on hydration and Protein so you can heal properly.
The weight will come off at your body's own pace. Keep following doctors orders and try not to focus too much on the scale for your own sanity. You're doing just fine. Really!

I am in again! The last one really helped motivate me. ????
I am going for 3 hours/week.

So what your saying is without coffee you're essentially a zombie. Haha! Me too ????

Hey everyone! Since a lot of people seemed to get good use out of the exercise challenge we are going to do it again. This one will run from here till 3/1/16! I don't have access to a google spreadsheet but luckily we had a poster make one last round so if anyone has access it would be greatly appreciated! Here is the outline:
Let everyone know your weekly exercise goal (how many hours)
Optional: Give your starting weight and goal weight for 3/1/16
Post weekly (Every Monday) if you were able to make your weekly goal and optional weight.
My goal is 3 hours of exercise per week (so far I have 1 hr 15 mins) and my starting weight is 210.4. My goal weight for 3/1/16 is 195.
Hope everyone gets good use out of this challenge, we are all here to cheer each other on!

I drink coffee just like I always have. Coffee, one pack of Splenda and powdered Creamer. I'm alive and doing just fine.

8oz of Fairlife skim milk (13 g of protein) with 4oz of Trader Joes Cold Brew concentrate over ice with a little stevia!

I have a Keurig too... only problem is it is located in a home with 4 children, so my steps would look something like this:
1. Dig coffee mugs out of backyard where the 6 year old buried them while playing pirates
2. Wash coffee mug
3. Stop to help 13 year old with algebra homework she just remembered she had
4. Put K-Cup in machine
5. Brew cup of coffee
6. Take a sip
7. Dart up the stars to investigate the loud thud noise that is obviously the 12 year old showing his 7 year old the finer points of a WWE style drop kick.
8. Re-heat now cold cup of coffee in the microwave
9. Gulp it down in 30 seconds so that kids are not late to school
10. Look into wallet to find that the two dollar bills (plus 10 of their friends) that I thought I saved by not going to starbucks was taken from my wallet the day before and spent on the ice cream truck.
So you can see, the 20 minutes of "me" time I spend at Starbucks is well worth the $2.50.

The Italian cream comes in sugar free? ???

My surgeon is fine with caffeine but wanted me to hold it down right after surgery to no more than a cup a day. I actually him told giving up caffeine it might be a deal breaker before surgery. Now it is all good but I usually stick to no more than 2 cups per day.
My coffee routine is to make a latte at home. I make a double espresso and add it to 10 oz. of frothed FairLife Skim milk (80 cal/cup). I make it in a grande size paper cup with lid and off to work I go.... Love it and I am saving a TON by skipping going to Starbucks! I even add hazelnut SF Syrup to make it as much like SBs as I can. Also, since it is FairLife I get the extra Protein without the extra calories so I count it as my Protein Drink in the mornings. Side note: The extra Protein in the FairLife makes it really frothy so using skim isn't a problem!
Interesting note on the Fairlife skim milk: I can only find it at Wal-Mart. Everywhere else it is just the 2% version which is higher calories.

I'll never give up my real coffe.
I've been using Chike mocha in my vanilla shakes and it tastes great.
For my real coffee I just add 2% Fairlife milk.
I've yet to find and Protein powder or mix that would not clump badly in hot coffee.< /p>

I don't disagree with you - which is why I am working at it now, 4 months prior to surgery....

This is awesome stuff!
I LOVE using My Fitness Pal and Map My Run to track my food and exercise...though I'm not perfect at it. What you said MzB, reaffirms that I MUST do this...I MUST keep on it!
Inner Surfer Girl - yes yes yes - all of those things...working on it...same kind of thing; hearing that you guys are doing that reaffirms that it's something I need to practice on.
I'm feeling so optimistic - stepped on the scale this morning and I have lost about 5 lbs in a week (I'm guessing mostly Water weight, but weight is weight, right??)...and seeing the scale budge is SOOOO motivating!
Thank you so much!!

I am in for this one.
I am starting at 170.5
Goal: 163
Thanks for doing this Sarah!

Not much you can do to stop it. If you are one who has loss it wasn't something big you did or didn't do. It just is. A majority of us lose hair, I would say 75-80%. While everyone is different most see the largest loss in months 3-6. I just hit month 7 and it is finally stopped coming out. Many opt for a shorter haircut. I went the wig route with a topper and no one has noticed my Hair loss but me of course. ????

I was told by my PA that I was getting too much Protein at the 4 month mark. I was totally floored! All anyone seemed to say was Protein, Protein, Protein... LOL, turns out you can get too much! I had noticed that one of my kidneys was really starting to hurt and I thought I might be getting a kidney stone. I just backed off the protein a little (70-80 grams max) at her suggestion and everything settled down nicely. Some days I do still get as much as 90+ grams of protein (especially if I do a Protein Drink in the morning) but I have not been having any issues lately.
I have learned that you really have to just listen to your body. Some people need more protein, other less. I think Inner Surfer Girl typically tries for 100/day and that works well for her. I am one that does better if I stick to less than 80/day.

I was told by my PA that I was getting too much Protein at the 4 month mark. I was totally floored! All anyone seemed to say was Protein, Protein, Protein... LOL, turns out you can get too much! I had noticed that one of my kidneys was really starting to hurt and I thought I might be getting a kidney stone. I just backed off the protein a little (70-80 grams max) at her suggestion and everything settled down nicely. Some days I do still get as much as 90+ grams of protein (especially if I do a Protein Drink in the morning) but I have not been having any issues lately.
I have learned that you really have to just listen to your body. Some people need more protein, other less. I think Inner Surfer Girl typically tries for 100/day and that works well for her. I am one that does better if I stick to less than 80/day.

Hi,
I was going to just post this to the end of my "elusive onederland" thread, but I couldn't figure out how to add the picture? The only way I know how is to start a new thread because it has the "attach file" feature.
So my patience paid off and as of today, exactly 39 weeks and 1 day since my first appointment and 19 weeks and 3 days since my surgery I have hit ONEDERLAND!
I guess I thought it would be more magical.... Don't get me wrong, it's AWESOME, but I still have more work ahead. I haven't been under 200lbs since I was a TEENAGER and that was a while ago.
Thanks everyone for all the encouragement and kind words since starting my journey.

Sorry you are going through this. Remember how the flight attendant demonstrates how to put on your oxygen mask so that you can then help others? Take care of yourself so that you can help your wife. I would get someone to come in a few times a week and then go do something you enjoy. Your wife may not like it, but I think if you transition slowly she will be okay. Have the person come visit first while you're there and then just leave briefly to go to the store. Gradually increase the time gone. As far as intimate, platonic touch why don't you take some dance lessons? I did this when my husband and I were separated for several years and it was very comforting. No affair, but fun and intimacy with the opposite sex in a safe setting. I was in no way an aspiring dancer, and truthfully the owner of 2 left feet, but it was satisfying. Also, have you read a book called "Brain Maker" by Dr. David Perlmutter? He makes a very strong connection between how our brain works and having healthy gut bacteria. Just a thought.

170.5. I am pleased to get through Christmas with no gain and I may even reach my goal by the end of this. Yea!

People make choices, then they need to move on. Tomorrow is a new day. Get back down to business in the morning and follow your team recommendations for Protein and fluids.

Agree with the above - Biotin is for regrowth.
I'll be honest, I lost a lot of hair at about 3 months. My stylist and I guesstimate I lost about 30% of my hair. I got my Protein in, I was taking a Multivitamin, Biotin, Folic acid - I was doing the right things. The doc said, "It's probably going to happen, there isn't anything to prevent it, but whatever you lose due to the surgery, you will re-grow." So, I continued to take my Vitamins and supplements, I got a short cut to try to hide the loss and I used a product called Toppik to cover up (it really works just like the videos on their website).
While it's horrifying and scary, I will tell you - in the end, it's totally worth it. My hair has grown back - my stylist said she thinks my hair is thicker than before surgery. I still go thru cycles where I lose some or it breaks (like my bangs), but it grows back quickly and it's not noticeable. I've been able to grown my hair out again, so it's getting longer.

Yep, Biotin won't stop the loss, nothing really seems to if you are one who ends up with hair loss. Biotin will help promote new growth which means your hair may recover more quickly. I typically take 7500-10,000/day. Hair still fell out from months 3-6 but is starting to come back in. I personally was expecting it because my hair seems to be looking for reasons to jump ship anyway. Just be sure you are getting your Protein in so that the hair follicles are healthy for the regrowth.
Good Luck!

Rebecca, This challenge has helped me stay motivated to work out since we started. So a BIG thank you! I did 2,25 hours last week. I am good with keeping things going but I know it is extra work for you.
MzB

255!!! I did it. Hit my challenge goal weight loosing 4 pounds after Christmas even. Feeling pretty excited and accomplished. Now to just keep losing!!! Happy Monday.
Thank you Step so so so much for the challenges. I can't believe how helpful they are. Has anyone volunteered to take on the next one?

201 this week. Only 2 pounds to my goal for this challenge and to Onederland! I need to have a good week this week!