YeahOkay31

I think you have to remember that one person's mediocre is another person's star in the sky. As much as people like to say around here that everyone's journey is the same, it just isn't. Some folks have a much longer road to hoe. Some folks around here are starting at a BMI of 60, so even getting to a BMI of 35 (class 1 obesity) is their goal. And for a person who has a very petite height like you--that is still 120 pounds! That's an incredible success. Goals are one of those personal things, so I think this OP just needs to look inside themselves and sees what they define as success. Not look for others definitions (if that is what they are doing--they just might want small talk). I just don't want people to poo-poo their accomplishments!

Congrats Debbi! Welcome to the losing team! The pain will take a week or so to subside, most of it will be gas from hell. After that I had major fatigue for about 6 weeks--all normal. Good luck.

Missed this, so this is a must--grumble, grumble. Ugh, guess I will need to be all kinds of perfect to make up for my cake bite on son's b-day. Goodbye valentine candy, farewell superbowl... *sob* :''(

Here we go.... VSG, 4/27/18, still losing HW: 377 SW: 303 CW: 194.8 *Accepting that self love writing challenge and jump rope challenge. Gonna pass on the junk food challenge, between Super bowl, son's b-day, and Valentines too many "cheat" days to keep it honest. Plus you can pry my protein cookies from my cold dead hands @GreenTealael!

Enjoyed it! Held me more accountable and gave me focus. Thanks so much for running these!

#31 Before and after. 8 pounds down this month. My Before: The after:

I'm in. The January challenge definitely helped after 2 meh months (nov & dec) of losing only 4 pounds each month, I lost 8 pounds in January - double. I am going to have to schedule some cheats into the junk food challenge - Imma have some damn chocolate V-day, and my son's b-day is 2/6. Bad luck not to have a bite of birthday cake or at least that is what my fam has always said. 😂

My surgery was a "success" as that is measured by losing 60% or more of your excess body weight, however I still have hypertension and I am still on medication to control it. So things are hereditary and are only exasperated by weight. Good news is I am on less medication at least and statistically about 60% of patients will get off their medication completely after surgery.

Today's gripe - coconut cashews: why you so tasty? And did you really need to be on sale today at the CVS. I seriously did not need to blow 240 calories and a mess of carbs on you today!

#30 Goal Progress -Get into onederland: accomplished! Been in the 190s since mid-month -Find a therapist and go: accomplished! Have been twice, third appointment tomorrow. Can't say I feel any different, but I know it will be a long road. -Pick a darn surgeon for my plastics: not reached yet. However, I have completed all my consults and I am in the process of choosing. Still hoping to have my surgeries in the spring. -Start tracking and keep tracking: Kinda??? I do track more often, but it is still not where it should be. Putting in a solid effort at least!

BMI is a flawed system of measurement---I am sure you have heard that multiple times. It is however a good estimation tool as where you should be. Not so great if you are a serious body builder. But most of us are not. My personal goal is 175 lbs. which is still overweight for me in terms of BMI. My surgeon's goal for me is between 165-179. Why? Because you have to account for 10 pounds of loose skin that ain't going nowhere without surgery, also body frame counts. Measure your wrists, there are charts on the Internet that can help you identify if you are "big boned" --yes, that is really a thing. People with a larger frame can usually get away with an extra 10 pounds above their max healthy BMI. And lastly, there are multiple ways to measure health. How is your blood pressure, your triglycerides, sugar? Pain in you feet, knees? Can you jog around the block a few times without stopping? All these are a much better indicator of health than a number on a scale. ✌🏽All best.

I am 9 months out and my hunger/cravings have been coming back slowly since about 7 months. I remember being unsettled and blue that food just did not appeal to me anymore. Now I would love that feeling back. Point of the story is this, you got a limited amount of time to correct your brain and habits before the ghrelin grace period ends, then you fly solo. I fail daily, but it's measured failure. I am usually an angel during the day than shove 5 Hershey kisses in my mouth right before bed. Best advice I can give is coffee--non decaf if your stomach can handle it. It really does kill the hunger. Also for the salty cravings get yourself a steam bag of frozen edamame with sea salt and pepper. Filling and tasty with protein and fiber. Stay warm and good luck! 🍀

#29. I use my fitnesspal (i like that you can adjust the macros and scan the barcodes on food) and the fitbit app. I recently downloaded Diet bet and joined a game. Hopefully it will give me the kick in the pants I need to stay motivated and get as close to goal as possible before my plastics in early spring. Not really into weight loss websites---unless you count these forums!

#28 Overcoming obstacles My biggest obstacle in my journey has been myself and my negativity. I don't relish my accomplishments or progress--losing 180 isn't something to be proud of, it's cleaning up a self made mess. But I am trying to keep my thoughts positive and started therapy so it is an obstacle I am working on.

#27 current struggle - SO MUCH CAKE! My daughter's birthday party was today, her actual birthday tomorrow, my son's birthday is a week away, more cake, his party 2/16--MORE CAKE! Here is today's cake / daughter is a little dragon obsessed.

Yeah, I don't do hats either--NYer thing perhaps? 😉

#25 ---lots and lots of hot coffee. Of course keeping cool in the summer entails lots and lots of iced coffee---may have a problem. 😬 #26 will need to wait. Not going out to eat until Monday.

Congrats to you, Matt!

Throw back in honor of my baby girl that will be 8 years old on monday.

SO far behind, but let's go! #19 - my vitamins (I actually needed to take two pics because I have my work vitamins and my home - time-spacing issues - can't take certain ones together.) #20 - Aw, missed my chance to bestow upon you the glorious, glowing, fresh dewy image of my morning selfie---because I totally didn't look like a sleep deprived, working momma cliche with a dirty tank and holey socks. #21 My biggest support is my husband. Always. #22 Honestly I do my best working out to German rap/hip-hop--I can't understand it but it sounds incredibly angry which is basically what I feel when I am forced to exercise! Also, I have been scream-singing this one on the treadmill lately, much to the husband's chagrin. #23 - Get a fitbit to annoy you all day. I have mine vibrate to remind me to get up and move. Plus I love the little fireworks when I reach my 10,000 steps.

Number one tip: THROW IT OUT! Growing up in a working class family it is instilled in you not to throw food out, don't waste food, clean your plate. It took a lot of retraining to toss certain leftovers in the trash. Now, I am not talking about healthy food options that keep well--by all means save them and eat them again. I am talking about our less than stellar choices--like chipotle with rice, or street cart food, or anything over indulgent you may order in a restaurant. It's okay to indulge once in a while, but if you are keeping the leftovers and eating it for the next few days then you just turned you little treat into an entire week of no progress.

Egad, woman! Hope you are doing alright now---side note, your food looked enviously delicious.

Congrats!!! Amazing success! **Btw, have the same red dress!**

I had Emblem Health - GHI. Mine required me to go to a nutritionist monthly for 6 months before surgery. I also was not allowed to gain anything in those 6 months and was expected to lose atleast 5% of my body weight. In addition to all the other medical clearances (psych, gastro, pulmonary,cardio) I had to attend one hospital run bariatric support group. My first doctor's appointment was in October 2017, my surgery was April 27, 2018--so almost exactly six months.

I am incredibly sorry. I wish you and your family peace. I hope Andrew is at peace as well.