WorkinOnMe

Congrats to you both! Keep your eye on the prize and keep doing what you are doing ... almost there!

I have the same issue ... until I put clothes on! I have lost 84lbs and although my husband tells me all the time how different I look, how great I look, etc. I still don't see it in the mirror. Then I put clothes on .... my old clothes. I have gone from a 26/28 to a 14/16. When I hold my old clothes up I can SEE the difference and it is astounding! You can practically fit a whole second me in there. Sooooo, every now and then, when I need a reality check, I pull out a pair of my old pants and stand in front of the mirror. And for the record, I am *NOT* keeping my larger size clothes ... I am keeping a few pieces that help me see where I have been, and where I never want to be ever again. Best of luck. See if something like this will help you.

I am lactose intolerant and cannot have milk-based Protein drinks. I used nectar brand unflavored medical grade Protein Powder to add to almost everything I was drinking/eating, like baby fruits, Soups, etc. I also bought Nectar brand fruit flavored Protein Drinks. You mix them with Water (I do one packet in 16oz water) so no worries about the milk. Also, I need to drink everything ICE cold or it will not go down very well, so I can use a little less water and just add ice cubes. They have strawberry kiwi, cherry, grape, iced tea, lemonade, fuzzy navel, caribbean cooler, and more. Hope this helps & good luck!

Woohoo!! Congrats and welcome to the losers bench! By the end of day one I had no belly pain and asked them to take my happy button away. I was allowed to use Gas-X strips to help with the gas, but otherwise walk, walk, walk! I was in the hospital for 2 more days and walked the halls at all hours of the day and night. By the time I went home I felt great! Good Luck!

I am almost 4 mos out and pretty much on a full diet with minimal restrictions. I eat tiny bites & slowly. If I don't I will fill up too fast and feel nauseous. I can't say it is "forever" because I am not that far ahead of you .... however, my guess is probably. On the brighter side, I eat very little ... about a cup total, and I enjoy every single bite!

Congrats to you all! You'll soon be joining us all on the losers bench ... and it is a great place to be! I am almost 4 mos post-op, down 84 lbs and at least 5 sizes. Truly, this has been the best decision of my life (aside from marrying my best friend). It hasn't always been easy, but I promise it is worth it!!!

I weigh only once a week ... sometimes even less. I can't keep myself from going into that really dark place if I see the scale go up & down each day. I try to use NSV to help me feel better about the slow times & weighing once a week still keeps me accountable.

Almost there! Congratulations!!!!

What ^^ OKCPirate said about rest, but also when U stalled I found I needed to increase my fluids & protein a bit more. Once I did this, and added some rest days into my workout schedule, the scale started to move again. Lastly, what George_NJ said about non scales victories is completely true! The scale doesnt always move, but yet I still dropped another pants size. Hang in, you'll get there!

I spend less on me ... but my family's meals is pretty much the same. I have always packed my lunch for for work so now it lasts a bit longer. I do find that I stop at the grocery more often though because I eat fresh foods so I buy smaller portions and replenish every few days.

Congrats Elode!!!!! I completely *love* NSV posts ... I think they really show just how hard you have worked & you deserve all the praise!

Non Scale Victories .... all those things that make a huge impact regardless of the # on the scale!

I use my Quest bars only on days I know I haven't hit nearly enough protein. They are good, but I'd rather eat real food.

I use Nectar unflavored medical grade protein powder to add to foods. 1 scoop is 10g. I also use their drinks because they are fruit flavored, lighter than others I have tried, and mixed with water not milk. Since I can't drink milk, this is a huge bonus for me. I also add ice cubes to make them super cold.

First off, It Works doesn't claim to melt off pounds or make you lose weight with their wraps. It is used to tighten & tone skin. If you looked at the photo I posted the person didn't need to lose any more weight...she had already done that. I was wrapped by a distributor, it was not 'compression' or tight. The over wrap is light & simply holds the wrap in place (or use plastic wrap because it is a household staple). Nor is it losing water weight as you need to drink more water. If you are purchasing these through Amazon, I don't know that they are real. The only place I would trust is a distributor. The claim is that it will tighten & tone & firm. You may lose inches but not pounds. It does not claim to add muscle, nor does it say it will melt fat. If you are using them for any of these reasons I would not doubt failure. However, I am starting to get loose skin from rapid weight loss & this is one way to try to tighten that up a little. I spoke to a distributor I trust & am happy to share the info when I get it.

I will let you know how I like it after! If any of you want more info let me know & I can put you in touch with someone who knows more.

Too funny! But I agree. My husband does most of the cooking & has been experimenting with seasoning for me. I am content to have chicken, steak, or fish on the grill. However, I get bored with the same old thing. He has been using cumin & curry powder to give me some flavor without a lot of heat. I say K.I.S.S. & go with what you like!

Okay, this was difficult as I had to go searching for before photos. I've come to realize I avoided the camera at all cost. Kind of sad now that I think about it. Anyway, here they are. Before my sleeve - Nov 2014. And 2 months after my sleeve - July 2015. HW - 304 SW - 275 CW - 220 Sleeved 5/11/15

Congrats! And best of luck. Can't wait to see your updates!!

I bet it is exhausting. And frustrating. I wish I knew why our brains work like they do. If I could figure it out I never would have needed to be sleeved ... and I'd be rich! Haha!! In all seriousness, try to find something external to force you into doing what you know you need to. The 5K wasn't too bad & the color run might be fun! My first goal was simply to finish the race ... no expectations, just finish. Now I am registered for another one in September so that I will keep going to the gym & walking. Again, I posted it all over fb & told my family so I CAN'T BACK OUT. Finally, thank you to your husband, your family & to you for your military service!! I am always in awe of the sacrifices you make. Being a Ranger is impressive. Thank you!!

Haha .... wearing my first one as I type! My cousin & a friend of mine are both distributors. This is the photo I saw that prompted me to try them. I don't have quite so much loose skin (yet) but figured I would give it a shot! I also use the It Works Greens everyday. It has helped with my mild heartburn & added some energy.

Rant & vent away!! Sometimes all we need is to be heard & understood ... really heard, as in "Been there!" I want to tell you everything will be okay, but deep down I think you just need to be heard. And I hear you! You can get through this though. I struggled with getting my gym/exercise time in regularly & I KNEW I needed to just do it, but couldnt seem to get out of my own way. So I found a way to stay accountable.... first I signed up for a 5k. And then I went public about it. All over social media & told my family & friends. I was more determined that I was *NOT* going to look like a fool when people asked how I did and I had to tell them I couldnt finish, than I was about not going to the gym. Soooo, I went. Maybe not every day, but it was enough to make me accountable. Long story, but basically what can you use as a motivating factor for you?? What will help hold you accountable?? I was motivated by potential embarrassment. What can you hold on to that will help you to do it when you dont really want to??

I still have a hard time with Protein unless I add powders, drinks & bars. I add 10g to my yogurt every morning ... making it 25g. I add a drink during the day which is 20-23g. And if I am still not close with the rest of my food for the day I have a Protein Bar for "dessert" at night. Hope this helps. Good luck!

It is okay to be nervous! I thought I was being neurotic. It is perfectly normal. Walk, walk, walk .... before & after. I was told that, but I didnt realize how much if a lifesaver it would become in the dufficult days. And don't compare yourself to anyone else or anything you've read/heard/etc!! You are you & your journey is exclusively yours. Embrace it and go with it!

Pretty much! I ate things like golden mushroom soup, but couldnt have the chunks of mushroom. So throw it in the blender (or ninja) and puree the heck out of it! I also addes spices to my soups to make them more savory. So, in my mushroom soup I added curry powder, cumin and paprika. In my cream of chicken (blend up those chicken pieces!) I added adobo, garlic & onion powder. In my tomato I added Italian seasoning, garlic and basil. They tasted sooooo much better!