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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!!!!

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!!!!

Congrats.. and thanks for the advice!!!

And ... you guys are still early out... Focus on your plan and try not to stress.. Stress is counterproductive and can actually impede weight loss... We are going to do this!!! Take it one day at a time.. it's a journey, not a race!!! Trust me, I've been there and many days I have to remind myself that I need to do what I'm supposed to do and enjoy the journey.... Remember, a journey, not a race!

I really need to read this post today!!!.. Thanks for sharing!!!

Just start maybe going to a karaoke show or comedy club or something where the focus isn't eating and drinking... Heck, you can nurse a cranberry juice all night!! And then, when people get caught up in conversation and stuff, they don't pay attention to things like that.. If we are anxious about it... it brings attention to it... Some kind of activity like bowling, skating, a carnival or something would be great as well.. Getting excercise, entertainment and enjoyment!! Best wishes and congrats on being sleeved!!

Here's a link that shows the procedure for those interested.. http://www.poseinfo.com/about/

Congrats!!!

I thought the treadclimber mimicked the motion of an elliptical, stair climber and treadmill??

Congrats!!!! Awesome job!

That's awesome!!! WOW!!!!

Congratulations!!! You've done an AWESOME job!!!

I can help, pack up all your too big clothes and mail them to me!!! LOL... I understand.. It's a total mental and emotional adjustment!!!

Oh and it's most definitely a mind thing!!

My arms aren't bad at all!! Which is why I was a little taken aback... Aqua aerobics and resistance bands are doing a great job...

Hehehe...Love it!!!!

Congrats!! Very excited for you!

I've never been self-conscious about my clothes and stuff... So, I was surprised!! Maybe it's just that I'm changing so much and my head hasn't caught up!! LOL...

Awesome job!!!... Looking good!!!

Awesome job!!!! Congratulations!!!

So, a few of my girlfriends and I went out to a casino this past weekend... We kind of separated and perused different parts of the place... I was sitting at a penny slot (I don't gamble, so I thought pennies were safe! LOL) and this guy sits next to me and starts talking and stuff... The first thing through my mind was.. OMG, I have a sleeveless shirt... Is he looking at my arms... At my heaviest, I was never self-conscious about my looks... but lately, it's like.. OMG, I need to do this or this doesn't look right... Have you guys experienced this??

Hey Guys, I went car shopping last night w/ my BFF and her hubby... They're looking for a midsize sedan or small SUV.. anyway, we test drove the new Honda Accord, Chrysler 200 and some Lexus car... so, I was like.. oh Lord.. I don't think I can get in the backseat of this car... Not only did I fit in the backseat, so did my neice, nephew and salesperson!!! LOL... Then I was concerned about the seatbelt... NO ISSUES in either vehicle... the next test was whether or not I needed to move the front seat back so I could have space to get in and out of the front seat... HEHEHEHEHE.... I didn't!!!!! I'm so tickled, that finally, I don't have to drive an SUV or big, cute car... I can just buy a CUTE car, regardless of the size!!! Another reason I'm grateful for Sleevina!!!