AnA92212

A year ago today, I had my surgery. Today, I reached the low end of the weight loss goal my doctor set for me.

Well, I have purchased all new clothes. Last weekend I got new running shoes, socks, and flip belt. We are also going to Orlando next month and we will be able to ride any ride we want. No longer have to see if the strap will fit. Also, we are purchasing a treadmill for our home.

I had sleeve so it could definitely be different for different types of surgeries. I didn't even think about that. I'm sorry. I hated those chewables. Hopefully you can find a good one.

Well, having someone to encourage you when you want to quit is super important. My hubby had the surgery 3 weeks before me and has not had the stalls that I had. But, he kept me positive and reminded me about my progress. I've been working out since 3 weeks after surgery. I have gradually increased the intensity and added some things. I started out walking. I then added zumba. I then added body pump. I then did aqua aerobics. Now, I have a routine: Monday morning: run 3 miles Monday night: zumba for 1 hour Tuesday morning: walk 3 miles Tuesday night: body pump for 1 hour Wednesday morning: run 5-8 miles Thursday morning: walk 3 miles Thursday night: body pump for 1 hour Friday morning: run 5-10 miles (eventually this will be more as I am training for a half marathon) Sat & Sun rest days but still very active Walking, hiking, etc Food: I can pretty much eat whatever I want in limited quantities. I eat 800 to 1200 calories a day...sometimes more. I literally eat every 3 to 4 hours. I have 3 main meals and 3 Snacks.

I was told only chewables for the first 3 months. Thank goodness. I had the Bariatric Advantage ones and they were so gross. I stay away from the gummies...they have sugar and some have up to 50 calories. No thanks!

Congrats! Amazing job!

I had my surgery on 4/27/15. Started working out 3 weeks after. Started running in December of 2015. Have ran 2 5Ks, signed up for another and a 10K in May. Also for a half marathon in November. I have a training plan and I am not worried about the actual running, its the fuel aspect of it. I can't "carb load" or whatever...lol. The trainer recommends the gel packets every 30 minutes to 1 hour of running. (my hubby is doing a marathon in December). I am concerned about the calories and if they will make me sick. I do have an appointment scheduled with out nutritionist but she is not a patient nor a distance runner. Just wanted some advice for week of race and race day nutrition.

Awesome. I was there a little over a year ago myself. Good luck!

ATTA GIRL! I was sleeved on 4/27/15, and my one year is tomorrow. It's been quite a year, but a good one. Well done!

First, congrats. You are NOT a fraud my dear. You deserve it! WLS is not a miracle drug, it takes work. My surgeon always says that he did his part on surgery day and it is my job to finish it. I will say that the fraud feeling has not left me. I still see myself as that 294 pound woman that had to shop in the plus size section. It is difficult for me to grasp that I am no longer overweight. I was super morbidly obese when I first started. Now, I am "normal". People tell me how thin I look and it is hard for me to even think that I am now thin. It's a change just realizing all that is possible now. Good luck in this journey.

It can be frustrating because you buy a size then when you want to wear the new item it is too big. It's great though. I've had to donate several new items to my mom (who actually weighs 30 pounds less than I do, but I am smaller). Love it. She can no longer wear her size 4 pants so I will gladly take those off her hands. She can have my medium tops because I need xsmall or small. For years she has criticized me about my weight so giving her my too big clothes is AWESOME!!

It sounds do-able, but just take it slowly. I did cto5K for my first 5K. Training for a half marathon now. When I started running, could only run 60 seconds without stopping.

You will get there! I still get frustrated but it is so worth it. This time last year I would never have dreamed that I would be a size 6! I am so much healthier than I was.

Oh my. I met a guy a long time ago. I had weighed 245 and was down to 213 so I was feeling decent about myself. We met online, chatted, and went on a few dates. I just was NOT that into him so I told him. He then starts telling me that he was the one doing me a favor because he normally dated thin, beautiful women. Dude, please. I met my hubby on eHarmony when I was at my heaviest. He loved me then at almost 300 pounds and loves me now.

I am trying to lose, but I have been in a stall for about 6 weeks. My NUT wants me to up my calories some more and add some more Protein. I am training for a half marathon too. Just started running in December. Started running 90 seconds at a time and up to 5 miles. Almost "half way" there!!

I eat about 800 to 1200 calories a day. I run 4 to 5 miles on 3 mornings a week, walk 3 to 4 miles on 3 mornings a week, do zumba for 1 hour on one night a week, and do body pump for an hour 2 nights a week. My go to foods are zoodles with homemade turkey meatballs, greek yogurt, Cracker Barrel 2% cheese sticks (only 60 calories), sliced turkey, shredded chicken that I made in a crockpot, the individual size frozen veggie steamers. I typically do not do Protein shakes or bars. The bars have way too many calories for my liking. The shakes do not really give me that "satisfied" feeling. I love tuna, but limit it due to mercury concerns. I eat chicken about a 100 different ways. I do eggs once a week. I also like sugar free oatmeal.

I went with sleeve. It was my doctor's recommendation for my situation. I am glad I don't have to really worry about the absorption issues and that my stomach is just super tiny. It is really what is best for your health.

I have a desk job and went back to work 3 days after surgery. I have the VSG on a Monday and was back to work on Thursday. Only took the pain meds once the first night home to help me sleep. I was walking 2 miles at a time on day 2. My hubby had the surgery 3 weeks before me. He took the day of surgery off and the next day. He worked from home the following day and was back in the office the next one. I was a little tired, but I had a baby 6 weeks prior to surgery so I was who could tell??? lol. I had some nausea but I took the little pill when it came on and was fine within minutes.

Take a breath and Celebrate your accomplishment. You are going to hit many, many, many stalls. I am currently in the middle of 6 week stall. Hoping it will pass soon. 30 pounds is great. Focus on eating your Protein and exercise. Do not become a slave to the scale. It's important to know where you are, but even when the scale isn't moving you could be losing inches. If you haven't already start taking your measurements at least once a month. Focus on your non-scale victories as well. If you only focus on the scale you will be disappointed often.

Yes. It is sad but true. We are judged for our outward appearance. I am sure people used to think I was fat and lazy. You know what? They were sort of right. Oh, I tried off and on to lose weight, but always gave up. That didn't mean I was any less capable as a person or any less important of a person.

I did the extreme calorie limit thing. It was horrible. My mother in law is currently on a diet where you cannot eat carbs and fats together. She uses nutritional yeast and a lot of STEVIA. It is very strange.

It gets better but still can only eat 1/2 cup at a time. I am 9 months out.

I definitely understand. I have been stalled for over a month now. I run 3-5 miles 3 mornings a week, walk 3 miles 3 mornings a week, do zumba one night a week, and do a class called body pump 2 nights a week. I eat about 800 to 1100 calories a day. Not sure what else I can do to lose weight. I just started the running right before Christmas. I work out about 10 hours a week so working out more is not an option for me. The cardio helped me to lose the pounds (at first) the body pump (weight lifting...think lighter weights of 5 to 40 pounds depending on the exercise and muscle group) and lots of reps (over 1000 reps in an hour) helped me slim the bulges. There would be months that I only lost 5 pounds, but lost 14 inches! I know the scale will eventually move, but it is so frustrating! Good luck.

I used to be a total pasta-holic. Nowdays I really cannot deal with it. I have a love of the ZOODLES. OMG this has changed my life!!! They are basically noodles made from zucchini. I have an awesome turkey meatball recipe that I got from my support group. Make a big batch and freeze them until time to eat. I eat zoodles about 3 times a week for lunch. I am in love. Turkey sausages in general are a great way to go. They also make chicken sausages.