Paige Dukes

It is a hard thing to wrap your head around. I can accept my size but there are a lot of changes that come with losing weight that are hard to explain to people and have them understand. Replacing your entire wardrobe in a matter of months, and still constantly needs new and different things isn't easy to accept, even if you like shopping.

Thank you all for the reassurance. I wasn't expecting this to all be so hard emotionally. I anticipated missing the old eating habits, but all in all I don't miss my old habits, but I do miss the relative invisibility that came with being so large. People comment quite often on my weight loss and it is beginning to make me uncomfortable. But at the same time, I am incredibly proud of the progress I have made and the hard work I have put in. I think part of the problem is I don't really see much of a difference when I look in the mirror. I can physically feel that I take up less space, but I look at myself and just see 325 lbs. I can recognize I may need some counseling.

When I look at myself naked in the full length mirror, I don't see a lot of change. Everything looks the same, maybe a little smaller. When I put clothes on I can really tell the difference. Also sometimes I just randomly see differences. This week I noticed that my neck is much slimmer. I had to look at pictures over the past few months to realize, yes my face is slimmer too. I can't see it in the mirror but comparing pictures I can. I try taking pictures of yourself and see if that helps.

I'm at an 18 from a size 32. Things are slower, but still moving. Just keep up the good work!

Me too.. a tight 26 to about a 16 now.. The weight loss is a lot slower with lots of stalls in between.

I am right there with you all....from a snug 22/24 to 12/14 and longer stalls...my fault for this one

Sorry you went through this. I have read your other posts and I KNOW you can get back on track.

I had figured I would gain weight on the NOLA trip because of all of the delicious, rich foods. I was so upset when we had to cut it short, though. I'm out so much money for the hotel. I think I could tolerate it all better if my mouth didn't hurt so bad.

Way to go! I bet that felt awesome! Keep up the good work!

sorry to hear about losing your canine family member

stay focused on your goal. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

I am so sorry. I get so attatched to my fuzzy friends... It is literally losing a loved one. Hugs from here also

Congrats on breaking the stall!

Thanks! It was a frustrating time but I finally did it.

I've heard of others doing this with success. Good luck to you!!

It happens! Sometimes you are losing inches when the scale isn't moving too!

My clothing doesn't feel like it is any looser. I also havent been getting enough water. I haven't taken very good care of myself the past week and a half and I need to get back on track. I admit I do need to start measuring, though.

You will get there! It takes time and gets so frustrating. I have been battling the same 2 pounds for a couple weeks and finally lost it...lol

You can do it!

I did do it! Officially down 51 pounds now. Hard work pays off.

Wonderful!

Go, girl!

that's brave - I still wear black, grey, blue - always have been my favorite colors...

Really? I get my first fill today too but not until this afternoon. What do you feel?

I'm fuller quicker with high protein foods. Definitely satiated earlier and stay fuller longer. It's not a MAJOR difference but it's something. I think my sweet spot may be with one more fill but I am going to give this a couple of months or so before I contact my surgeon again.

I can't wait to feel this way. It is such a source of frustration for me now. I see so many people who do a fantastic job of dressing nice at a larger size, but I am just not one of them. I can't bring myself to purchase a really nice or expensive outfit because I am always thinking.... I want to lose some weight. Also, LB and some of the nicer places just charge so much! Anyway, even now knowing my surgery is so close, I sit and dream about shopping. I am so thrilled for you! Enjoy

I still have about 110 or so pounds to lose, but I am finding that I am liking how I look in things much more than I used to after 40 pounds lost. I bought a dress yesterday because I liked how it looked on me and I convinced myself I was worth it. It is definitely hard to justify paying for nice things along the journey because I either beat myself up for being so big or I tell myself "well, in a month or so it wont fit." I spent a good bit of money yesterday on clothes but one reason was because I found a pair of pants that made my butt look awesome, lol.

What a thrill to look in the mirror and like what you see. Eeeeek! You deserve those pants and you just go rock that awesome new butt of yours! You deserve the new clothes to make up for all the time you didn't go shopping. What a joy it will be to give those away in a month! I am so pumped for you.

B12,b12,b12....you can buy it in liquid form so its easy to take.

I have been considering starting taking b12. I will look into it next time I am grocery shopping.

I admire your tenacity! Some would seize illness as an excuse but not you. I have had some medical setbacks myself. I just tell myself that there are bound to be some bumps along this journey. Just keep our eyes on the prize.

I hear ya! I have conditioned myself to expect it always that way I won't be so disappointed.

I'm trying to get used to the idea that this is how it is going to go as I drop weight. I really gotta stop with the salty foods. I just love strong flavor so much .

try adding seasonings to foods like pepper, garlic or chili powder. I like strong flavored salty foods too. So I here ya...

When I hit the 50 mark ,I am going out for calamari ! Lol

What a great non-food related reward...congrats on the weight loss so far!

I've got the hotel booked. Going to New Orleans for Halloween. Staying on Decatur. I think it's a reasonable estimate to say I could lose 11 more pounds in a little over two months.

It was definitely difficult when the rest of the family would order the delicious looking fried seafood platter or heavily sweetened mixed drinks, but I stuck to my guns and only ordered grilled or steamed items. I also used it as an excuse to get more active and try activities I wouldn't have before.

I love the fact that we can go on vacation and lose weight in the process. I think it is because we are much more active now in addition to following good eating habits.

What an awesome bonus!

Good Girl! I did that last year while doing some genalogical tourism out of state. Sometimes you have to get creative, but it's do-able.

preparing food for the trip.. that's wonderful - stick to your food and drink rules, and you will continue being a success! keep up the good work - congrats kathy

It definitely saved me a lot of trouble and frustration, that's for sure.

I had to set a daily recurring alarm to remember to take my PM meds. I am good M-F for my morning meds. But I am bad about remembering my PM meds and my weekend AM meds. Not that I am on many meds anymore just vitamins and Celebrex.

LOL setting an alarm sounds like a fantastic idea... I already have trouble remembering things like this -- before surgery, I doubt I'll magically get better after surgery!!! Thanks

I made sure to take my meds correctly and monitored my sodium intake and the 4 pounds already came back off. I figured it was just water weight because my ankles were huge after work and it dawned on me I forgot to take my BP meds. I've set up a new routine now to help me remember.

Isn't that the greatest! I started with a 24 jeans and a 26slacks. I am now in a size 12!

It happens rapidly too! Congratulations on your continued success!

Dont know what problems you have, but hang in there ! A sleep study showed I had sleep apnea, but a few months after being banded the sleep apnea went away, but I still would wake up 3:30 every morn . Trazadone helps some, maybe talk to your Dr, ? Good luck !!

Just a lot of frustration and anger and fear culminated into one big cry fest. Really helped to get it all out, but still can't sleep. just can't shut my brain off.

I think part of my problem may be I am used to working 12 night shifts and when I go to sleep I crash and sleep like a brick. I have been off for 12 days for the surgery and I think my sleep cycle isn't used to the time off.

yikes paige....its ok to have a cry fest, you've been through a lot and yes there is so much more to all of our lives other than just the weight. I use 1mg of Ativan, it helps but not for every one. Sleep deprivation on top of everything is so hard on us ( im not a good sleeper), your body ad mind is out of wack. It will be better soon. xoxox

Isn't that the hardest thing ever to do? I have over eaten several times.

I think I got a little excited about advancing in the stages and went a little overboard. definite discomfort afterwards.