Losebig

I originally set a goal of 190 based on the fact that I had previously been at 185 and my ribs were clearly visible. Now as I approach that goal I’ve been talking with my team about when to stop (assuming I can). The nutritionist is fine with where I am now (206 down almost 100) and doesn’t want me under 190. BMI is totally wrong for me (lots of muscle, big build and long torso makes me heavy for my height). Wife thinks I’m thin enough. I’d like to get into onderland just because. I think fitness and size wise I’m good. I run 3.5 mi (10 min miles) a couple times a week and it’s not too hard, bike a lot. Shirt size went from xxxl to M and pants from 44 to 32. How did you decide you were ready to enter maintenance?

Wohoo! Looking good. Who thought we would celebrate being merely obese? I just got to ‘overweight’ myself and was psyched. Keep up the good work!

Yes, shouldn't be an issue... but it won't help you stay asleep. You could take it if you wake up, but taking it before bed only helps for a short window to fall asleep. Insomnia is something that some people experience for the first couple months (I did). Melatonin helped for falling asleep, tylenol PM (or just benedryl) also worked - but can make constipation worse.

I had the same issue (loss slowed dramatically) when I started to do more heavy work outs. I was alternating running 3 - 3.5 mi, biking 20 or so miles or doing something with weights. As you said muscle is heavy and you end up not losing weight but your shape does improve. I noticed that despite my weight barely moving I went down 4" on my waist. To keep yourself motivated there are a few things you can do: Measure yourself (arms, legs, waist, etc) and you should see some changes. Take photos (you may not notice change for a while). Do body fat vs lean mass analysis (some gyms offer this, my nutritionist recommended a fitbit scale that does it), or just know you're doing the right thing and not worry about it (that's my personal strategy). Congrats on all the weight loss and on the working out. Sounds like you're setup for long term success!

Good luck, you'll do great! Remember to walk as soon as you can, it'll help any gas pain.

Yes, Boston burbs. Sleeved in December and down very close to 100

Anything that goes right through and doesn’t fill you up. Sweets, ice cream, drinks, chips etc. dense protein on the other hand stays in your stomach and Makes you fill up.

I think that people are nervous about what to say when you lose so much so quick. They may think you are sick or otherwise having a problem. I’ve had some folks ask if I’m ok and meaning to lose weight. For people who don’t see you that often they usually don’t know what to say. I was told that shaving my beard made me look way younger (that and losing 100 lbs!).

I’ve had plenty of things I probably shouldn’t have, but never ahead of the diet schedule so i’ve been mostly ok. I track everything and make sure I’m under my calories and hitting my macros, but non approved items show up from time to time. Here’s some highlights: doritos (go down easy and I love them can’t have them in the house), cheese it’s (a passing phase), cake (very tiny servings don’t really like it), ice cream (have this as a treat fairly often but anything more than 1/2 cup and I feel like death), pancake, pretzels, PBJ (actually part of my regular diet a couple times a week), pizza (in moderation), chocolate (in moderation) Ive found that in general bread doesn’t go well and I don’t want it, chips or similar things slide right through and since I crave salt constantly so I try to avoid them. I don’t really crave sweets, but am ok with them in moderation any more and I feel sick.

I’ve had it a few times and normally just go with meat options and don’t get too fancy since I’m eating only a few ounces anyway. Boneless or regular spare ribs, chicken or beef skewers, any kind of steamed meat and veg all work great. I’ve tried chicken fingers, which are so so, and I can only eat 1 or 2 and don’t feel well after, same with any type of noodle.

I go through cycles where some days it's hard to not eat too much and others where I struggle to eat. Nothing overt, but a general distaste for consuming everything...

I don't take many meds, but when I do they seem to absorb better post sleeve. Vitamins seem to absorb very well for me too

I have inflammatory arthritis (psoriatic), weight loss has made a huge difference. As my dr said weight loss helps everything, but especially inflammation

Awesome congrats!

I definitely felt this way too. I felt like there was no joy in life and sort of like I was separate from it if that makes sense. I’m happy to report that at 6 months out I’m back to mostly normal. I’m still a little anxious about over eating, but as I slowly go into maintenance and eat more I’m starting to see that my tastes have indeed changed. It’s a lot of Change at once, but you’ll catch up and feel comfortable and good again

I think it’s different for men, but I definitely notice much more attention and people are much nicer. It took me a while to notice people were flirting, but I’m fine with it. I don’t love what it implies about society, but there’s not a lot I can do about that (other than to treat heavy folks with respect).

I’ve never been a fast food person (in fact I don’t think I’ve been to Burger King or McDonald’s in the last 20 years). I did happen to go to Wendy’s a couple months ago and discovered their chicken sandwhich isn’t too bad (just ate the chicken no bun). I did something similar at 5 guys too and just ate some of the burger patty. Unfortunately none of that stuff warms up well so it’s a waste of a lot of food usually.... the fries smell good but at least for me make me feel sick immediately if I eat one. Part of this is learning how to ‘survive’ in the real world with temptation so it’s good to know there are options out there!

I’ve never been a fast food person (in fact I don’t think I’ve been to Burger King or McDonald’s in the last 20 years). I did happen to go to Wendy’s a couple months ago and discovered their chicken sandwhich isn’t too bad (just ate the chicken no bun). I did something similar at 5 guys too and just ate some of the burger patty. Unfortunately none of that stuff warms up well so it’s a waste of a lot of food usually.... the fries smell good but at least for me make me feel sick immediately if I eat one. good to know there are options out there!

I haven’t had any hair loss (6months). My nutritionist attributes it to hitting my nutrition goals (protein). I do take 2 chewable centrum complete vitamins daily, vitamin d, b12, calcium and they test us every couple months for nutrition labs. I also started biotin maybe 2 months ago due to breaking finger nails (it helped), so that could be a factor.

Luckily I’m one of those people who is extremely strong willed and never really cared or worked about what others thought (even since I was a little kid), so it more baffles me than causes any real issue. Just weird how people are. I just think people don’t like change.

I keep having family members and others say some varieant of “you’re too thin”. Everything from don’t lose too much because you’ll get discouraged (??? Wtf does that mean) to it’s not healthy to be any thinner. It’s like they’re threatened by my sudden change or something and are inventing reasons why I need to stop. It’s not just other overweight people. Someone asked why I lost weight as if the health benefits weren’t enough.... Fat culture is so weird... I enjoy meeting new people who don’t know my history, it’s so refreshing to not even have weight be part of the conversation.

Congrats! Your almost at goal, you must feel fantastic. Can't wait until I'm 'overweight' too :-)

Keep up the good work!

I eat it farily often and had it early on. Just chew it well and it may help to have it with mustard or something else that moistens it a bit more. One piece is more than enough. Chicken sausages are good too if you want fewer calories.

I’m not doing a full keto diet, but do have a focus on almost exclusively lean protein, which has worked really well. Adding in carbs now that I’m 6 months out and that has almost doubled my caloric intake (you can eat a lot more carbs).