Candygyrl

No and maybe I am a rare breed or maybe I hit a weight that I am happy with I don't know but I'm 1 year out and I NO longer see myself as fat. I haven't for quite some time. Once I hit about 175 lbs I saw myself as normal. Now at 148 with 145 being my goal weight I do not see myself as fat. I actually see myself as skinny. Some would disagree. I bought some items online several months ago. This one shirt a white button up off the shoulders French cuff I ordered in a medium. When I received it I could not fit my pinky finger into it and I thought I was small then. the shirt ran small. I was convinced that this was a shirt that I'd never wear and I didn't feel bad. I said this is actually too small I probably couldn't wear this in high school and I was 120 lbs soaking wet. Well a few months later like late may I tried it on once more before I gave it to my 21 year old cousin and it fit like a glove! I'm thinking is this a joke? I CAN FIT THIS!!!!??? That was a moment that I would remember. My skinny shirt. Keep working hard everybody! Hopefully you can come to accept your new body! It was a gradual shift for me-- and then an aha moment. Im sure its different for everyone.

CW: 148.4
GW: 140
Just in time for my bday 10/25 #Scorpio season!!

No and maybe I am a rare breed or maybe I hit a weight that I am happy with I don't know but I'm 1 year out and I NO longer see myself as fat. I haven't for quite some time. Once I hit about 175 lbs I saw myself as normal. Now at 148 with 145 being my goal weight I do not see myself as fat. I actually see myself as skinny. Some would disagree. I bought some items online several months ago. This one shirt a white button up off the shoulders French cuff I ordered in a medium. When I received it I could not fit my pinky finger into it and I thought I was small then. the shirt ran small. I was convinced that this was a shirt that I'd never wear and I didn't feel bad. I said this is actually too small I probably couldn't wear this in high school and I was 120 lbs soaking wet. Well a few months later like late may I tried it on once more before I gave it to my 21 year old cousin and it fit like a glove! I'm thinking is this a joke? I CAN FIT THIS!!!!??? That was a moment that I would remember. My skinny shirt. Keep working hard everybody! Hopefully you can come to accept your new body! It was a gradual shift for me-- and then an aha moment. Im sure its different for everyone.

Clusie L is my absolute fave. She had the sleeve and is almost 3 years out, 170lbs lost.

I am 1 year and 1 month out I still have restriction big time however I notice I can eat more in one sitting or more frequently than I could 3-6-9 mos out. Last night I baked lemon pepper cod with roasted broccoli and sweet potato (instead of carrots) and Brown rice.
Depending on how I plan to eat determines how much of what foods I can eat. Because I really really wanted some vegetables, I know I can't eat 3 oz of Protein in that sitting. So depending on how well I did with protein earlier in the day... determines what I will focus on in that meal. Soooo now that my protein goals are like 45g a day its easier for me to focus on other food groups during meals.
I was able to eat:
2 oz of the Cod
1/4 cup of broccoli and sweet potato
2 tsp of rice

At 6 or 9 mos out I would have only eaten the Cod. I would have been full at 2 oz and put it away. I may have eaten the other 1 oz in the morning for breakfast or made it into one of my Snacks during the day. Boy what a difference!

One year out I don't push it. My goal is to consume no more than 2-3 oz of lean protein during meals, 1/4 cup of veggies and unless I just have to have it (which I don't) I try not to push it with the starches. If I'm really feeling starchy I'll have the rice with my lean protein instead of the veggie and eat the veggie later as a snack. I do have desert occasionally but usually I steer clear of sweets until that time of the month when I sometimes crave sweets and fruit just wont do. Like the other day hubby and I went out for date night I didn't eat dinner although I'd beyond hit my protein goals for the day and opted to share a desert. After 3 bites I was done. It stopped being good and my sweet tooth was satisfied.

I am 1 year and 1 month out I still have restriction big time however I notice I can eat more in one sitting or more frequently than I could 3-6-9 mos out. Last night I baked lemon pepper cod with roasted broccoli and sweet potato (instead of carrots) and Brown rice.
Depending on how I plan to eat determines how much of what foods I can eat. Because I really really wanted some vegetables, I know I can't eat 3 oz of Protein in that sitting. So depending on how well I did with protein earlier in the day... determines what I will focus on in that meal. Soooo now that my protein goals are like 45g a day its easier for me to focus on other food groups during meals.
I was able to eat:
2 oz of the Cod
1/4 cup of broccoli and sweet potato
2 tsp of rice

At 6 or 9 mos out I would have only eaten the Cod. I would have been full at 2 oz and put it away. I may have eaten the other 1 oz in the morning for breakfast or made it into one of my Snacks during the day. Boy what a difference!

One year out I don't push it. My goal is to consume no more than 2-3 oz of lean protein during meals, 1/4 cup of veggies and unless I just have to have it (which I don't) I try not to push it with the starches. If I'm really feeling starchy I'll have the rice with my lean protein instead of the veggie and eat the veggie later as a snack. I do have desert occasionally but usually I steer clear of sweets until that time of the month when I sometimes crave sweets and fruit just wont do. Like the other day hubby and I went out for date night I didn't eat dinner although I'd beyond hit my protein goals for the day and opted to share a desert. After 3 bites I was done. It stopped being good and my sweet tooth was satisfied.

When you can no longer shop in your favorite plus size stores anymore
When you and your 12 year old and raiding each others closets
When you reach a weight lower than your hubby and kids
When you buy Jeans from fashion nova in a size 13 (juniors) and they are a little loose so you buy another pair in an 11 and when they arrive you realize you could have gone down 1 more size
When you don't have to try on your clothes anymore when shopping. You can pretty much eyeball it.
When you wear clothes that were purchased as a NSV award during previous weight loss attempts and they are now too big
When people see you and say I want to look like you

JUST WANTED TO REACH OUT FOR AN UPDATE ON MY 6/16 BUDDIES. HOW IS IT GOING? WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO A YEAR. ANY STRUGGLES? ANYONE AT GOAL?TALK TO ME

If I had any doubts this tool wouldnt work, you proved me wrong!!! you killed it! Congratulations

There is also just a change in attitude. Anyone that doesn't pat people on the head for eating 1/2 a pizza on day 10 was considered a bully.
That seems to have died down some and people are better able to take suggestions and constructive criticism.
Still with the void of people over 12 months out, there is less here for Vets, which means long term less vets will be active.
I'm not even a real Vet (I think people beyond 3 years are Vets) but I am probably the furthest from surgery of people that post daily or close to everyday. If it ever stops raining and I can get my summer going, I won't be posting much either.
It is a shame, this was the most active site, the other ones are dead dead dead. Oh well. At least I have my Keto groups.

My hubby has said the same thing.... don't lose anymore please! Then he stops himself and says you know what-- Do what you feel is best for your body. He tells me he thinks I look great-- and that he just doesn't want me to lose the stuff he likes... I had friends 30 lbs ago tell me to stop right there. Don't sweat it. We're here to maximize this tool to the best of our abilities. If you want to work out, get fit, toned keep your heart strong and such go for it!!! Your body will let you know when you're there.

Band was never an option for me. I dont like the idea of a foreign object being surgically placed inside of me...recipe for disaster. Infection, erosion, displacement. The whole going back for fills and unfills and fill again just seems far too cumbersome. Nothing against anyone who does it... I used to work on a neurosurgery unit. Shunts placed in the brain, screws in the neck rods in the spine often came back infected. Now if I had to have a pacemaker to keep my heart pumping thats another story-- Now they have a balloon they can put in you-- Im curious to hear about HCL acid eroding the balloon releasing harmful levels of air into the bloodstream and the body turning against itself because its a foreign object and all--
Ok enough. Wishing you all the best with your Bands. I'm loving my sleeve!!!!!!! So happy with my irreversible decision. One and done!

Band was never an option for me. I dont like the idea of a foreign object being surgically placed inside of me...recipe for disaster. Infection, erosion, displacement. The whole going back for fills and unfills and fill again just seems far too cumbersome. Nothing against anyone who does it... I used to work on a neurosurgery unit. Shunts placed in the brain, screws in the neck rods in the spine often came back infected. Now if I had to have a pacemaker to keep my heart pumping thats another story-- Now they have a balloon they can put in you-- Im curious to hear about HCL acid eroding the balloon releasing harmful levels of air into the bloodstream and the body turning against itself because its a foreign object and all--
Ok enough. Wishing you all the best with your Bands. I'm loving my sleeve!!!!!!! So happy with my irreversible decision. One and done!

@@Taylah.G Well-- something that I feel very comfortable speaking to. I am currently 3 months post op!!! Surgery date was 7/1/16. As mentioned before you will get varied answers because everyone is different, different starting weights, loses differently, eats differently, exercises different. Basically there are so many variables that everyones answer will differ but I imagine that you are asking for a general consensus at about the 3 month mark sooo since I'm there currently-- I'll give you my perspective.
I did not have any significant weight loss pre op. It was a personal choice. I do not recommend it obviously if you can lose weight prior to surgery the closer that will put you towards your goal and your chances of hitting your target weight within the first year. Take a few pics pre op and then a few every month to see your progress. I didn't but wish that I had. I have pics of myself pre op. I will likely do one in the next couple days-- that will show some changes that I am so far very happy with. I also keep a weekly log that shows my weight loss trends. Each week is different but I can look back and see progress towards goals and various fluctuations in weight which help me to make necessary tweaks and adjustments. Surgery weight 253.6
Month 1- Adjustment phase. Various highs and lows. Adjusting to a new way of life. A healing stomach, and adjusting to the various food stages figuring out what my new tummy likes how much of it I can eat how slowly to eat and working hard to get in enough Protein and liquids. I was not able to get liquids down quickly so my Protein came mostly in the form of shakes and yogurt. I tested the waters a bit and learned my limitations. Reality hit me hard and I realized that I have to do the work. I have to develop a eating and drinking schedule, take my Vitamins, fit in my activity, pack Snacks and keep fluids with me anytime I leave the house. Lots of fatigue, concern for dehydration. I received 2 Vitamin B12 injections. Week 1 -14.2lbs, Week 2 -1lb, Week 3 -3.3 lbs, Week 4 -6.8 lbs Total 25.3 lost
Month 2- Getting into the swing- Adjustments are setting in as you prepare to be on regular foods again at 6 weeks. By now I was hitting or very close to hitting my Fluid and protein goals most days of the week. It took a lot of effort on my part. It wasn't a passive effort either! Lots of focus, determination and planning. Implementing tools such as setting timers and reminders to eat and drink. Keeping my fridge stocked with items that I could eat and measuring out the food that I eat-- all very important. Walking and biking was about as much as I could do activity wise. But my energy levels were climbing past the levels I was at pre op! I was starting to create a plan to step my activity levels up and decided to gradually increase my workout days by 1 every 2 weeks until I hit 4-5 days a week 1 hour. Week 5- 1.8lbs Week 6 -6.4lbs Week 7- 3.2 lbs Week 8- 1.5lbs Total 12.9 lbs lost
Month 3- Full throttle. I've worked out most of my kinks the only issue is staying consistent. I'm working out regularly on average of 4 days a week. I no longer feel like a post op newbie--My energy levels are steady climbing, I'm feeling stronger my endurance is picking up and I'm looking great. People at work are asking wow you've lost weight haven't you? You look great! People who haven't seen me in a while instantly notice the difference. I finally feel like its all starting to set in and I'm making progress. I put some clothes in the layaway (smaller sizes) and fit into size 12's for the first time in more than 7 years. Pre op I was in 16's and 18's or 2x. I can now fit into 12's and wear Large tops. My shoe size went from a 10 to a 9. Week 9- 6.7lbs , Week 10 -0.8 lbs, Week 11 -2lbs Week 12 -2 lbs Total Week 13-5.4 lbs (5 weeks in September) Total 16.9 lbs
Current weight 201.8 Expecting to enter ONEDERLAND this weeks end.
Good Luck to YOU!!!!!!

When you can no longer shop in your favorite plus size stores anymore
When you and your 12 year old and raiding each others closets
When you reach a weight lower than your hubby and kids
When you buy Jeans from fashion nova in a size 13 (juniors) and they are a little loose so you buy another pair in an 11 and when they arrive you realize you could have gone down 1 more size
When you don't have to try on your clothes anymore when shopping. You can pretty much eyeball it.
When you wear clothes that were purchased as a NSV award during previous weight loss attempts and they are now too big
When people see you and say I want to look like you

@dredfern I wholeheartedly agree. My husband deserves better than what I gave him. he deserves better PERIOD. We're in counseling now. My contact with the young man has stopped. He did reach out to me last week to check on me but I told him I was fine and that he shouldn't call me again. He wanted me to know that he loved me and really wish things could be different because I truly make him happy. I feel the same-- but I know it would never work. Its all just a fantasy. I choose to be a better partner to my husband and work to fix our issues so that we can have a healthy and happy relationship, or agree to let it go and move on. No one deserves to have their heart crushed. I am doing whatever I can to repair, rebuild and restore.

When you can no longer shop in your favorite plus size stores anymore
When you and your 12 year old and raiding each others closets
When you reach a weight lower than your hubby and kids
When you buy Jeans from fashion nova in a size 13 (juniors) and they are a little loose so you buy another pair in an 11 and when they arrive you realize you could have gone down 1 more size
When you don't have to try on your clothes anymore when shopping. You can pretty much eyeball it.
When you wear clothes that were purchased as a NSV award during previous weight loss attempts and they are now too big
When people see you and say I want to look like you

Current Weight 153.4 lbs
Goal Weight by end of Challenge 145 lbs
Todays date 4/24/2017

Start weight at challenge 158 Current weight 155 goal weight 145

My hubby has said the same thing.... don't lose anymore please! Then he stops himself and says you know what-- Do what you feel is best for your body. He tells me he thinks I look great-- and that he just doesn't want me to lose the stuff he likes... I had friends 30 lbs ago tell me to stop right there. Don't sweat it. We're here to maximize this tool to the best of our abilities. If you want to work out, get fit, toned keep your heart strong and such go for it!!! Your body will let you know when you're there.

Never Say Never.... I created this topic in August of 2016. Today is Feb 2017 and as I read back over this I think I knew all along it could happen. Lets just say I did travel back down that road. I've lost close to 85 lbs and with all my newfound interests... I never stopped thinking about "him".
Soooooo one day I was out with friends and I got the impulsive urge to reach out to him So I did by requesting him as a friend on FB. He responded the following day on fb messenger and seemed very happy to hear from me. He text me his phone number and explained how much he missed me and was so happy to hear from me. So we went back and forth and although we didn't have a lot of time he was eager to meet up with me if only for a hug and quick hello. I was super excited to reveal my new self to him and he seemed already excited to see me the way he knew me. We met up briefly and the smile on his face was worth it all. We hugged and agreed to keep in touch and link up real soon. When I walked away he grabbed me again, hugged me and said damn baby you look soooo good I miss everything about you. I was satisfied with having just seen him. I figured he wouldn't follow through with further contact.
Well we remained in contact. We did meet up all the old feelings never left and I was once again in love but very cautious. What was I doing? The man I'm married to has gone through enough already. BUT I couldn't stop myself I was already in too deep. This time it was different. I was getting what I needed from him. He was highly responsive to my texts, He initiated. almost like he had a 2nd chance to make a 1st impressionHe even said I thought I would never see you again. I never forgot you and don't think I haven't tried to find you. COme to find out when we started texting through FB messenger I saw 4 previous attempts over the last 2 years where he attempted to reach out to me. The most recent attempt prior to my December contact to him was May 2016. For some reason I never got them. It looks like he sent them and I just never responded.
Anyways Everything was awesome I was having my cake and eating it too. I know it wasn't fair to my husband but I really needed to obtain closure from this situation. I needed validation, affirmation and I was getting a little more than that. Well a little more than a month since we reunited, my husband found out that I had been back in contact with him and he was of course devastated, heartbroken you name it. He did reach out to the young man and he was very apologetic to my husband. He did continue to contact me and even though I shouldn't have I welcomed his contact and we continued to make plans to spend time together. Several days after my husband found out... I received a text message from the guys phone. I guess his girlfriend was notifying me that he had one.
She then left a vm on my phone screaming at the young man and demanding he tell her he has a GF and a baby on the way. I was hurt because he lied to me. I asked him several times if he had someone and he adamantly told me no. He knew my marital status therefore he had no reason to lie. He later told me that he thought if he admitted to having a GF he would lose me. I told him that we both need to go fix our lives accept that we are not meant to be in each others lives and I wished him the best.
I did not feel bad about the GF because if he had been honest she may not have ever found out. (twisted thinking) Because I thought he was single, I contacted him when it was convienient for me. If id known about his GF I would have been more considerate. I do feel bad for my hubby although he understands how this guy affected me and that I needed closure I hate stepping on his heart to get it. Well I got it. It never had anything to do with the way I looked-- he just wished things were different because he developed feelings for me. The best way to get over what he could not have was to move on. He did think I looked amazing but did not comment on the weight loss.
My husband and I have patched things up and you would think that he was the one that messed up because I've been getting flowers and candy and edible arrangements, trips to the jewelry store etc. My husband says he feels relieved and believes he finally has me back totally as he knows how I had been previously tormented.
In the end I know it was wrong, it was very selfish of me to have an affair in the first place it was dead wrong for me to reach out to him recently. it all worked out though and I do not regret it. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders-- I don't really think about him anymore. Really now-- I could care less.

@dredfern I wholeheartedly agree. My husband deserves better than what I gave him. he deserves better PERIOD. We're in counseling now. My contact with the young man has stopped. He did reach out to me last week to check on me but I told him I was fine and that he shouldn't call me again. He wanted me to know that he loved me and really wish things could be different because I truly make him happy. I feel the same-- but I know it would never work. Its all just a fantasy. I choose to be a better partner to my husband and work to fix our issues so that we can have a healthy and happy relationship, or agree to let it go and move on. No one deserves to have their heart crushed. I am doing whatever I can to repair, rebuild and restore.

Its not a "secret" but I only told my close family-- and a selected few friends... Otherwise I don't feel it necessary to discuss it with others.

Its not a "secret" but I only told my close family-- and a selected few friends... Otherwise I don't feel it necessary to discuss it with others.

My hubby has said the same thing.... don't lose anymore please! Then he stops himself and says you know what-- Do what you feel is best for your body. He tells me he thinks I look great-- and that he just doesn't want me to lose the stuff he likes... I had friends 30 lbs ago tell me to stop right there. Don't sweat it. We're here to maximize this tool to the best of our abilities. If you want to work out, get fit, toned keep your heart strong and such go for it!!! Your body will let you know when you're there.