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Hey Guys!!!.. Yes, I know it's been a minute!! But, I'm still alive and kicking... just crazy busy and mourning the end of my summer vacation!! LOL... Well, let's see... I have kind of learned how to deal w/ my anxiety around successfully navigating my sleeved life.. I JUST DO IT!!! Most days I'm quite successful and on the "challenging" days.. I try to remember, there is always tomorrow!! Tis Life!!! I'm also learning to shed the "I wear the largest size in the store" mentality.. Went to Target yesterday to get some epsom salts to help with the aches and ACHES from this body works class I went to on Monday... the beast lady trainer tried to kill me.. I promise she did.. I did survive.. barely.. but anyway... my friends and I decided to try on some clothes... First, I've never worn ANYTHING from Target besides socks!!! So, we grab dresses and my BFF ******es a hanger from me and says... are you crazy... you don't wear that size!!! Of course I argue... She I had a 4 (26/28) she wanted me to get a 1 (18/20)... we compromised at a 2 (20/22).... I knew I would be embarrassed cause I wouldn't be able to get my big butt in this little dress (yes, little... I'm used to 28, 30 and 32s).... so.. I sashay into the dressing room... pissed off... and it FIT!!! like... really FIT!!! I couldn't believe it.. LOL... Oh, I'm in a wedding in December, so I had to go get fitted for the dress... which, I put off to the last possible minute... anyway... the consultant was amazing and tried to help me see that I wasn't a size 30 anymore... put on a very small cut size 24 gown and a size 38D corset bra!! I'm like.. WHAT??!! for real??!!! I attached a pic.. excuse the gym hair!!! Trying to get more gym time in this week before I head back to work!!! Oh, I also saw 308 on the scale this week!!! Yeah.. over 300 and wearing a 20/22.. LOL.. I don't get it, but I'll take it!! So those are the major NSVs for this week!! LOL.. I've gained a few more Tina-isms since the last time I posted.... here they are ... Find someone to share your story with... Highs, lows, in-betweens... This will definitely serve as a reminder that you have come sooo far..even if you're just starting out or making the decision to change your life... Share it... Your story sounds good being told by YOU!!! Don't worry too much about wasting food... it's called a ziploc bag, container or whatever!!! I hate left overs, but, when I did the math, I could spend $2 on a bag of frozen veggies and make my leftovers into 2-4 DIFFERENT meals!! I spent $10 at brunch yesterday and ate 4 times!!! Learn your weight loss patterns and listen to your bodyI CANNOT lose weight when eating fruit... Like.. I don't know why... so, I limit my fruit intake to weekends and spend the week doing Protein and green veggies... That may not be the case for some people... find out what works for you and DO IT!!!! Water is YOUR FRIEND!!! Feeling tired and kind of blah.... grab a couple of bottles of water.... take a leisurely stroll as your drink... I love CL pink lemonade.. YUM!!! Take a friend with you when you go shopping... You may not see the difference in your size (I drop lots of inches before pounds come off)...but, others can... CLEARLY... Finally, Learn to appreciate the things that make you unique!! You are amazingly and perfectly you.. Not perfect, but perfectly you.. Love and accept the wonder of it!! Change what you don't like... but never underestimate your power and presence!! Love and Hugs!!! Tina

I'd love to meet... I live in the city, but I don't mind driving.. I also DJ a karaoke show on Wednesday ***hts in Palos Hills at Zante on 103rd and Roberts Road... don't know if you guys are near there or not, but I'd love to hang out before my set starts!!

AWESOME!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!

I had to the 6 month supervised weight loss.. Look at it as a way to prepare you for your new life!!! Trust me, it goes by very fast... I wish I would have been more diligent about using my 6 months to jump start my weight loss and prepare myself a little more.. You can do this... Trust me!!! Best wishes!!

Awesome job!!! You look great!!!

Lasers actually don't promote hair growth... they don't pull hair out... they send a pulse to the hair follicle and if it's strong enough, it kills the follicle and no hair grows from it again... the issue is that you have different follicles in their active growth phases at different times... I had about 3 laser treatments done 3 years ago... and I still have way less hair than before... 6-7 are recommended in 6 week intervals... they can get expensive, but it is definitely worth it.. oh, she used the Yag laser on me..

My sincere prayers and condolences to you and your family.

My Derm gave me a prescription for Vaniqa, but ins won't cover it... you can get it the cheapest through drugstore.com, but it's still $65-100...

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this!! I really needed to read this... I've been on the road for 3 weeks... Working out very little and struggling with eating..(some days I hardly eat, others I'm ravenous!!)... I was sitting here riding w/my brother ( from Va Beach to DC) and just really kicking myself... But, now... I am making a plan to get back into the gym when I land in Chicago tomorrow and heading to Trader Joe's to stock my fridge... Thanks again for sharing!!

Congrats Lissa!!! You're awesome girly!!!! Thanks Diva... I was very surprised and delighted by your kind words... as I sit in a hotel lobby on day 9 of a training where they try to suffocate us with chocolate and biscottis!!!! LOL... I've been so busy it's not funny!! I misss you guys!!!

Yeah Patrick!! I'm rooting for you!!! No matter what, just remember each day you are getting closer to a more free and mobile life...Keep sipping, walking and looking forward!!

Just got on the airplane (after an 8 hour delay) ...anyway.... I have on my seatbelt without an extender!!! I could cry eight now!! I've ALWAYS had to use an extender since I started flying 18 years ago!!

LoL... this girl I know sent me a msg on FB and asked if I had gotten a Lapband?!! I laughed and said no... I've told everyone who I think should know.... people ask me what I'm doing and I say eating lots of protein, little to no junk food and working my butt off at the gym ... which I am!!!

Yeah Patrick!!! Sip, sip, sip.... walk, walk, walk!!! Congrats!

I have been in an intense Biotechnology course and preparing for job interviews and stuff.. So much so, that I haven't been stressing about eating, instead I've been living!! Working out 3/4 times a week... not snacking.... I find that when I eat until I'm satisfied at meal time, I don't need any additional food... my Water and meals keep me satisfied all day!!!... I dropped 3 pounds this week!! The scale didn't fluctuate much... Hallelujah!!! Have you guys ever paid attention to the amount of sugar in the fruity shots and cocktails we consume?? Got a reality check!! So, I'm limiting my "social libation consumption" to once a week when I DJ.. LOL.. Just wanted to say hi and that i missed you guys!!! Remember, this is a journey, not a race... Doesn't matter who gets to goal first, as long as we all get there and ENJOY the ride!!! Smooches!! T

Okay... I can hardly believe that it's been 6 months already!!! Seems like only yesterday I couldn't fit into a booth at Texas Roadhouse, but it's actually been over 17 months... Feels like I was just complaining about how my dumb insurance company requires 6 month medically supervised diet... but that's been 12 months ago.. and then I met my Sleevina... The past 6 months have been the most mentally engaging 26 and a half weeks of my life!!! It's been a challenge to get up each day and not be consumed by the RULES, but respecting them and not looking at them as BAD... but as parameters and boundaries that keep my Sleevina working optimally.... So, this journey is definitely not for the faint at heart or those who are seeking to somehow become whole after losing weight.. Wholeness comes from knowing yourself, outside of physical parameters and having the strength to work hard and change the things that aren't "meshing" with the real you.. Anyway.. here are my stats since I started this journey... HW: 384 CW: 314 Clothing sizes: Highest: 30/32-4X in everything Current 20/22 - 1X (I still struggle to purchase them!!) Pre-surgery Shoe Size: 11WW Current: 10W Bra Size Pre- 48 DD Current- 42D Exercise Level: Pre- Nonexistent due to back injury and poor left side dorsiflexion Post- aqua aerobics, stationery bike, (ELLIPTICAL.. go figure), lots of walking Greatest SUCCESS to date: I'm mentoring 2 young ladies that I met recently..One was sleeved 3 weeks ago, the other had RNY 5 weeks ago.. I get an opportunity to share my ups and downs, give encouragement and advice, PLUS receive it!! Through it all, I don't have any regrets... Yesterday while biking away in the gym, this guy walks up to me and tells me I have enviable legs and calves... I laughed and said thanks... I wanted to say, please move so I can finish my workout.. This is an NSV because I love men and he was kind of cute.. but I wanted to finish strong and he was being a distraction!!! That's a huge step for me... I'm determined to put on blinders to all distractions, negativity, unhealthy weights (people, mindsets, attitudes, etc) and baggage that seeks to impede my journey towards my goals...They're not worth the time, energy and effort!! BUT I AM WORTH IT!!! If you are at goals and in maintenance, congrats.. If you are still on the journey to goal, congrats and don't lose sight of it... remember everyday you get closer, if you make the right decisions...if you are a NEWBIE, welcome!!! Trust me it gets better!! And if you are comtemplating getting sleeved, don't hesitate.. but prepare to have your life totally altered in ways you can't imagine...Remember, you have to know that you are worth whatever dollar amount it costs, however long the pre-op diet it, and whatever fiery hoop you have to jump through... Get all the facts, but don't sell yourself and your loved ones short.. Yes, my life has changed, yes... I had to leave some people behind.. but, I found myself again!!! And I have to say... she's pretty darn cool!!! I like me a lot!! I haven't dropped a huge amount of weight (in pounds), but I have left a HUGE amount of disgust, low-confidence, defeat and many other things synonomous with CRAP along the way... A few Tina-isms: Your journey is yours!!! You can't expect it to be exactly like someone else's... Don't compare yourself to anyone else.. Compare yourself to YOU!!.. Look at old pics, keep track of your measurements, do a side by side comparison... trust me, you'll see the difference Enjoy your journey!!! If you do it grudgingly, the smallest excuse is all you'll need not to work out, not to drink Water, not to refrain from high calorie, but delicious stuff that slows/stalls your progress Find an activity that you LOVE to do.. I LOVE aqua aerobics... I don't see it as excercise (although Jenna the Beast works the HECK out of me!!)... it's fun, burns lots of calories and helps tone the whole body Affirm yourself!! Positive self affirmations work wonders when you are struggling to finish that last mile or last 5 minutes of a workout.. Yes, hearing it from others is good.. but say something good about yourself. Extend the same love, support, grace, mercy and consideration to yourself, as you lavish on others.. You're human too right?? Don't make excuses, MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!

Cool.... Nervousness is normal.. let me know if there's anything I can do for you!!

Hey!! Welcome!!! Congratulations on being sleeved!!!!!

Steve, thanks for sharing...I look forward to hearing updates from you... best wishes!!

I'm a Southsider, but out on summer break!!! So, let's chat, workout or something!! I'm game!!

You guys are so awesome and encouraging!!! I really appreciate it!!!!