Clementine Sky

Today I turn 33 and have been looking into, researching, talking about and watching videos on Yoga for a damn decade.
Yesterday afternoon, I went to my first Yoga class and it was amazing.
I have a horrible auto-immune disease that makes simple tasks some-days unbearable. And not only has my PM and my PCP but my rheumatologist have recommended Yoga and or Pilates for several years.
I too was afraid that some of the poses would cause pain but what I discovered is that with any exercise, the pain is temporary. The body needs exercise, it needs its core to be strong, it needs it's muscles to be used and it needs flexibility to be completely utilized.
A body in motion, stays in motion. Good luck!

Okay so, you may have seen the post i made about the Protein Mug Cake. If you haven't I will enlighten you. ( i promise to minimize the enlightening as much as possible..)
I use Syntrax products for my protein supplements. Well every day for lunch i normally have a Protein shake. But now that its cold ( dang im freezing lol) and id love something not cold, So i came across an idea on the net and ran with it. And boy do i love it.
You take a scoop of your favorite Protein powder, ( i use syntrax matrix Cookies and creme and syntrax Nectars Cappuccino and syntrax nectars chocolate) so 1 scoop of the powder, 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder and add non dairy Creamer until mixed but leave it very thick, ( i use the coffee mate italian sweet creme sugar free) until it is as thick as possible while not being powder anymore, think thick cement consistency.
Then into the microwave on high for 35 to 45 seconds ( depending on your microwave ) oh and do this in a microwave safe coffee mug.
Also enjoy this while warm, ( and be careful it can get hot) don't let it sit, or well, you know what happens to protein that sits for too long.
I also add sometimes about half a teaspoon of sugar-free maple Syrup to the top right after baking. It is like a pancake kind of, but man is it good, ive had it for Breakfast as it gives that pastry type fetish thing need whatever you call it, vibe to it. This and i get 24 + grams of protein 100 calories and zero fat, zero sigar and zero carbs. I mean how can you beat that.
Seriously I implore you to try it. If you dont know if you like the syntrax products and your using maybe a liquid Protein shake, you can purchase individual packets of syntrax at your nutritional store etc. Vitamin Shoppe etc. Or try your own powder it cant be that different. i hope. lol
Seriously this is soo good, I am so happy about it. Oh and i just finished one for lunch while i was writing this. Give it a try folks. And i dont know how vegan Proteins will stack up on this, as I dont use them, but many do. So experiment!
Good luck, Good Eating , Keep the upper hand on your journey!

I unfortunately expereinced that for about three and a half weeks. I have PCOS and I think mine was due to hormonal flucuation issues. The problems began on day 1 of my first TOM post surgery and persisted up until the second TOM. I tried variations in my diet and nothing really alleviated the problem. I didn't come close to meeting my Protein and Water goals during that time and could not tolerate any Vitamins, but the priority really shifted to just finding foods I could eat without causing huge stomach upset. Anything with too much liquid caused a problem. I'd wake up three to four times a night to go to the bathroom, and during the day had to run there after I ate or drank anything. I was really worried about becoming severely dehydrated. I began drinking Pedialyte (which tastes vile) during the week when it was the worst. I sipped Gatorade, too. It's not a very healthy drink if you're not a serious athlete completing a workout, but at the time it was what my body was receptive to having and it helped me to get some calories and electrolytes in.
For me eating fruit with a higher Water content, like watermelon, was a way of getting some hydration in along with actual food. I stopped with the Protein shakes and started having more soft solids like mashed potatoes mixed with green Beans. I wasn't getting in that many calories or fat a day and my weight loss definitely stalled, but that was a secondary issue. My stomach problems were dominating my life for a while, but I felt confident they would eventually subside and they did. I can eat normally now. Hallelujah! I don't have ready to drink Protein Shakes anymore, but I make smoothies using plain Greek or Bulgarian yogurt, a scoop of Protein powder, a bit of berries, and some kale every morning for Breakfast to get me started.
I think the Probiotics from the yogurt and from the supplement I take helps soothe my stomach.

I would change the language a bit. Calling yourself a "bad sleever" is like calling a kid the "problem child". Eventually it becomes a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. Some of us follow everything to the letter and others allow for and plan an occasional treat. It sound like you have some good supports from therapy you currently are seeing to the new place you are checking out. Reaching out is a good thing. The only other thing I would recommend is reaching out to the nutritionist with your program and doing some more concrete planning with your daily menus. It might be worth while to purposely plan in some treats for yourself.
Hang in there, continue with your supports.

First off, while it is probably possible to be a "bad" sleever, I don't think you are one. We are all human and none of us are perfect (at least not forever). I think it's great that you wrote all of this out and you are forcing yourself to really examine where you could improve. Don't strive to be perfect all the time. If you do, then you will set yourself up for failure. My mentality is to just do my best each day. Sometimes my "best" isn't all that great depending on the circumstances of the day. Sometimes I am having a rough time emotionally or I'm super busy and my "best" that day isn't my "best" overall.
And then the other key is to move on. If you don't do your best today, don't let that be an excuse to not do your best tomorrow. Don't punish yourself of stew on it or get yourself into a downward spiral. Move on and do your best the next day.

Not everyone slacks off on their Vitamins just because they don't care. I couldn't and still can't tolerate them- they make me horribly nauseated and I throw up over and over after taking them. I can't tell you how many times I've been pulled over on the side of the road on my way to work vomiting from a Vitamin I took.
And Protein shakes gave me the runs after a while. Diarrhea galore.
So for someone already struggling to get enough food and Water, puking and diarrhea just weren't going to fly.
I tried liquid Vitamins, gummies, swallowing them.... They all make me sick. Flinstones is so far the only kind. I'm trying to get as much Vitamin from my food as possible by eating a wide variety of vegetables and fruits.
I even have have sympathy for the op. It's hard to get used to this new regime. It sucks to have to take medication every day. Hopefully they will find ways to make it easier and keep up with it.

@@shirleyjohn001 I disagree somewhat with most of the previous posters. Protein shakes are not necessary in order to get in your Protein. It is possible to eat the required about of protein (the requirements vary depending on your surgeon). I focus on eating protein rich foods and only occasionally supplement with a Protein shake.
With the Vitamins and Water - I think it's a mixed bag. Yes, we really should be taking Vitamins. I notice that when I forget, I feel tired and "off" more frequently. I am trying the Vitamin Patches. I don't have my blood tests until mid November so I'll find out then how well they're doing. With the sleeve, there are not the same malabsorption issues as with RNY. So it is possible that if you are eating a well balanced nutritious diet, you could get everything you need. And vitamins are not an all or nothing thing. If you only take them 3x/week that is better than not taking any at all. Daily might be ideal, but they don't deplete that quickly in your body.
My Water consumption varies daily. My goal is 64 oz, but I don't always make it. But then some days I surpass it. Weeks when I get in more water I lose more weight. There is a direct correlation there. But don't think death is imminent if you don't consistently get in 64. But you should try.
All the PPs have a point about not following directions. The surgery by itself is not the solution. You have to make these changes if you want long-term success.
Also, I know lots of people who take daily vitamins, extra b's and Biotin and their hair still falls out. I've heard nothing about loose teeth. Scare tactics.

I'll share mine, I walk through the store in a loop, so I am just going to start where I start.
Lemons Cottage cheese Cream Cheese Heavy Cream eggs Almond Meal Unsweetened Almond Mlk Unsweetened Coconut Shreds Frozen Shrimp Stir Fry Frozen Riced Cauliflower (it is always sold out, like finding gold at the end of the rainbow if you can get it) sugar free Chocolated Covered Almonds Bison Burgers Grass Fed Beef Turkey Burgers Pink Himalayan salt Olive oil Ghee Almond Butter Fiji Water What is on yours?

I am only 3 months post op and yes I worry daily about regain and more so at this point about not losing enough. I worry, will I really get to my goal? Will I really keep losing? Even though I have not cheated , NOT ONCE? What if I am that ONE PERSON that the surgery fails me? I have read about people who said " oh the weight just DROPPED OFF ME!" ...... Well I am 3 months post op and 42 lb down since day of surgery and 67 lb down since my very first appointment with the surgeon and I started my diet pre op. But then I think.... Well it's not just DROPPING OFF ME!!!! What's wrong with me????? It's a HUGE MENTAL GAME.....

Afraid/anxious/terrified? No. I have better things to expend my energy on.
Aware/diligent? Absolutely. I was just called "green" because I am "only" 2.5 years out. I will NOT regain because I am determined to stay healthy.
Don't confuse that confidence with arrogance, though. I know what I need to do to stay where I am and I will not fail my body again.

@@Babbs
You have told me how you feel, and I don't think you're wrong. I do place a lot of my self-worth in the number on the scale. Much as I can recognize that I am intelligent, successful, driven, and occassionally funny....I feel like if I look like I cannot control something as "simple" as my size, then no one else cares about the rest. I figure if I can find value in at least something about myself, and at the moment I really like that number on the scale, this is at least better than nothing.

@@Babbs & @@CowgirlJane - you're both are right. I am tenacious. I also have always loved myself no matter what my weight is. I do use that fear of not succeeding to motivate myself, instead of paralysing me. I think a certain amount of fear is healthy when kept in proper perspective.

Yes, I am scared of regain...I am scared of"disability" as I love my body, my freedom to do things, my pleasures of daily living.
However, I have decided to shift gears from anxiety ridden helplessness (my history of regain) to pragmatic tactics. I don't need to be anxious or fear ridden as long as I use my accountability strategies. When I do go off course, I still love myself...and I correct my course. So far, this is a much happier way to live than fretting or obsessing over it.
It's weird, we screw up lots of times in life...but weight gain seems to be the unforgivable sin to many. I choose to think differently. It is hard, partly because my friends are all skinny people and I am STILL bigger than them. I can't let my self worth be guided by that comparison.

I have no doubt you will get to goal, or at the least, damn close to it. No doubt. There are just certain people who have the tenacity to succeed. You are one of them.

@@AvaFern
You know how I feel, because I said it before....
But your words "But every day I can get on my scales I have quantifiable proof that I'm not worthless anymore " made me CRINGE.
If you're putting all your worth to the number on the scale, I feel sorry for you.
So if you gain....say 20 pounds...does that mean you're worthless again?
When I weighed 235 pounds, I was still smart, funny, kind, hard working, patient....I had lots of qualities that the scale didn't define. And I'm still that person. There's just less of me now. Which is a shame because I'm pretty awesome.
I see too many people on this site put all their worth into how much they weigh. And that's just sad. And wrong. And not healthy.

I am worried everyday that I will gain again. For the first time in my life I can wear clothing, look at myself in the mirror and think I am almost kind of hot. I recently converted an extra room into a closet where I do not have a single piece of fat clothing (I boxed up the fat clothes and put them in storage). My whole beautiful closet is full of extra smalls, smalls, 0,2, and 4's and it is this big giant reminder that if I gain weight I get to go back to this sad life where I never wanted to leave my house, where I never wore makeup becuase why bother, if you're fat no one cares if you put on makeup, and where I only wore dark clothing. My closet has florals and chevrons, oranges and vibrant colors now, and each time I walk in there I see the life I have now and know that if I am not vigilant every single day, I don't get to live that life any more.
I weigh myself on three scales every morning, which is actually helpful because for some reason this morning one of my scales must have been on a tile crack because it showed I had gained 3 pounds. If that was the only scale I used, that would have been a giant meltdown. Fortunately, since the other 2 scales said I weighed the same as yesterday I repositioned the misbehaving scale and weighed myself again and got a normal number. I can't seem to lose any more weight, but at least I don't seem to gain.
My weight is my one positive glimmer at the moment. I'm not dating, I don't go out, all I do is work, and I have absolutely nothing to look forward to at the moment other than more work (which is a good thing- more work means more money, so not complaining), but everyday I can get on my scales and I have quantifiable proof that I am not worthless anymore. Then I go in my closet and I try some of my beautiful clothing on, most of which still have tags because I'm too busy to go anywhere, and I say...well damn, at least I look good.
So yes, I am terrified of getting fat again because it is the one thing I can look at and feel good about at the moment.

It's been over twenty years ago that I last weighed below 200 and I hope and pray I will never, ever cross the threshold again. Here are some stats:
HW 276
SW 260 on 5/6/15
CW 198
35 pounds to goal.
How I plan to Celebrate - a nice massage and facial.
I'm just so grateful for this wonderful tool. I love my sleeve ❤️

This is a great article on how low Vitamin D could be linked to PCOS. Just thought I'd share.
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/can-low-vitamin-d-linked-pcos-9802.html

The fairlife milk is lactose free and to be honest only being 3 weeks post op it's hard to even reach 800 calories. This is just a Meal Replacement. And im my opinion a pretty good one

Still under 400 calories....like I said just an alternative.

I had to wait a few months Til I had money for new clothes but here it is, me in my old green 7x scrubs and in my new 3x grey scrubs, I could of gone with a 2x as you can see, but I was already excited and would of stressed if the 2x would have been tight, 93lbs to goal weight and going strong even on this small stall...... For you Elode as promised, thanks for your support!!!! 

I chopped mine off. I started with baby fine hair and now it's baby fine THIN hair. Worst combination ever.
My new growth is still coming in. I want a topper sooooo badly but a good one is out of my price range.
Here's a picture from over five years ago vs yesterday. You can kind of see my scalp now. Sometimes I use Toppik to fill it in but I didn't use any in this picture.

Well first I started with extensions and then I got sick of them so I cut it off! Best decision..ever! Oh and that's not a "DR's stethoscope" I actually use that!! Ha!!

I know this has been discussed before, but most of it seems to be on assurance that our hair will grow back. I am more interested in what you did while it was coming out (besides panic as we all do ????).
I already had thinning hair on top so as soon as I realized mine was starting to come out (@ 3 1/2 months) I went down to a local wig shop to discuss toppers. I was really surprised, the topper the stylist helped me pick a great one made of human hair. I then took it to my personal stylist and she matched it to my hair. So far it has been awesome and unless I tell someone they can't tell I am wearing it. I just hope my Hair loss doesn't get to the point where the topper isn't enough. I am going to try to post a pic so you can see how my hair looks with the piece on. Feel free to comment. ????
Has anyone else elected to go with a wig, extensions, topper? If so, what did you do and how did it go?
I generally get the impression that a lot of gals just elect to go with a shorter hair cut. I am curious how many chose this route?

Sorry, couldn't get photo to load before.