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I am so in for May! Current weight: 172 Surgical status: 10 months post-sleeve Personal goals: Get to 165 this month! Find a new hobby. Increase daily walking to 15,000 steps.

I have a few boards related to goals on Pinterest, one particularly for things I want to accomplish, new hobbies I want to try, etc. I also keep a "goal journal" where I can write in more depth about things that motivate me and what new actions I want to take. Now my next goal is to actually start DOING stuff and not just writing about what I want to do!

Yes! This has been a huge emotional win for me. I don't feel "singled out" as the lone fatty in my group of friends or business associates any more. I'm less self conscious and more confident in my skin, which helps too!

I am so grateful to do nothing today. I've had some sort of crud for over a week -- sore throat, almost no voice, wracking cough, fatigue -- and it's really messing with my workout schedule. ?

26. 5 things that make me happy 1. My cats (I'm a crazy cat lady, and they delight me) 2. Watching the sunrise 3. Game night with my friends 4. My hubby's terrible jokes 5. Traveling somewhere I've never been

NSV - I'm weaning off my antidepressants! This is directly related to my surgery, eating better, and exercising. I have so much ENERGY and life is full of hope and potential. It's no longer a drag. I'm so excited at the possibility of being med free!

Yes to a May challenge! I've enjoyed participating and reading the great responses. Very inspiring! (And thank you for posting the April challenge!)

B-side: I don't take photos but wish I did. It's fun to document. I always remember when I'm halfway done...

Gained two pounds after my Nashville trip. The food was amazing (especially Chauhan Masala House, highly recommended!) but I'm back to my mostly boring eating plan and 16:8 fasting. Already down one of the two pounds. #22. Five year dream plan! To finish remodeling our house, which has been a labor of "love" for 13 years. Then take a trip to New Zealand for our 20th anniversary. Oh, and to be a size 6, but I'm flexible on that one.

@seaforest could you share your avocado and lemon dressing recipe? I think I'm going to make a salad tonight.

@DanaC84 Thank you so much! I plan to have a blast! ❤️

Heading to Nashville for a long weekend with some friends, will "pay it forward" when we stop for coffee. In other news, I made my weight loss goal for the month already! Down 5 pounds to 175. I've adjusted my final goal to 140. I think I can do this, it's just going to take some time.

There is no 16!

#15. Treat yo' self. I'm getting a mani pedi today! So excited because my hands and feet are like a goblin's right now...

I had extreme pain that felt like a really bad side stitch for about a month to a month and a half after surgery. I don't know if that's what you're experiencing, but the pain does get better I just had to be gentle with myself. If yours feels like it's getting worse or you notice any redness or swelling around your incisions, call your surgeon's office. Best wishes on healing!

I don't think you have to go to the gym unless you want to do some heavy lifting or use a machine you don't have at home. There are lots of great at-home workouts you can do. I like to use Fitness Blender's HIIT videos on YouTube or do some Pilates (Blogilates is fun but HARD) or yoga videos. None of these require any equipment. That said, don't let the gym intimidate you! Everyone has to start somewhere and good on you for wanting to go. If you can afford it, I recommend paying for some sessions with a trainer. They can help you learn the ropes and create a workout plan for you. I go to the gym twice a week and lift weights so I don't use any machines beyond the squat rack, but you can always ask a gym employee for a tour. When I started going to the gym years ago, I went to a women's only gym -- that took away some of the intimidation factor for me. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you're enjoying it! Good luck, you got this!

Excellent, thank you @DeeberLee!

I've heard a lot of great things about Built Bars. Where do you get them?

Pure Protein chocolate peanut butter is the one I eat most often, it's really tasty. I LOVE Power Crunch Triple Chocolate but they have a lot more sugar and less protein, so I treat them like dessert and have them very rarely.

#13. About to head outside for my first walk of the day. Hoping it doesn't rain. Also, I started IF this week (16:8) and my weight is going down more quickly. It's like sorcery!

Protein bars make me hella gassy for some reason.

I had this, and never really lost my hunger. It's why I'm only down 67 pounds instead of 100 at 8 months out. I got a wake up call when I didn't lose weight at all for several months and I had to start being much stricter. I weigh and track everything I put in my mouth, I don't eat gluten or processed foods, I drink at least 70 oz. of water daily, I eat sugar once in a blue moon (usually a piece of dark chocolate) and I exercise like a fiend. All to make up for those months when the weight should have been falling off of me but I was eating whatever I wanted. It's definitely not too late for you at 2.5 months out. Just go back to your plan, eat slowly, track your calories, and don't chase fullness. We should only be eating until we're satisfied, if we eat to fullness we've already eaten too much. You got this!

Think of therapy as another tool in your toolbox for weight loss and general well being. I am in remission from depression (diagnosed in 2007) but I still check in with my therapist from time to time when I feel I need it. I am able to talk through issues with an objective and sympathetic person and that is invaluable. I did get a little down after my surgery because I wasn't losing weight as fast as everyone else here, and she helped me through it.

11. Make a meal for one. Done and done. I usually just cook for myself and let my husband fend for himself.

I don't understand your friends, but I'm guessing it can be chalked up to jealousy. When I was fat, one of my friends had weight loss surgery and all I experienced for her was intense joy. She was RADIANT with happiness. How could I not be thrilled for her? In fact, she is the reason I decided to have the surgery myself, because -- while it didn't change her personality -- she became an even better version of herself. She did more things, explored more, took charge more often. I was in awe. Maybe your friends are afraid that the new svelte you will not have time for them any more?