Elaine E

I had surgery on Dec. 4th, and I am doing good. I have lost 64 pounds, but the best part is the improvement to my health. My sleep apnea is gone. My blood pressure and blood sugar levels are back in the normal range. I feel better than I have in years. I spend 3 to 4 days a week at the gym taking classes or running on the treadmill. On the bad side, my sweet cravings have returned. I feel like I am constantly craving chocolate!! I try to feed the cravings with fruit or sugar free pudding, but I fail more often than not. Learning to eat healthy is by far the hardest part of this process.

My first suggestion is to get a personal trainer. They are wonderful at teaching you how to use the machines and teaching you correct form. They also know how to push you to the next level. Next, try new things until you find something that you love. For example I joined a gym that lets me take unlimited classes for free. So one day a week I tried a new class (zumba, figure 8, belly dancing, kickboxing, yoga, etc), until I found the classes that I enjoyed. I never imagined that I would love kickboxing and body combat classes, but now they are the highlight of my week.

Congratulations! It's great you are having a pain free recovery. Even though you feel great, follow your doctor's advice and don't try to rush your recovery. Remember you just had surgery and you body (especially your stomach) needs time to heal. Trust your doctor, you will lose the weight in the time that is right for your body. It took about a week for me to start to see the scale move and then the pounds just seemed to melt off the first month (lost 30 pounds in month one). Then no weight loss for two weeks as my body adjusted to the change. I have started loosing again, but only a few pounds per week.

I have only told my family and two friends. I am a very private person, and don't believe in discussing my personal choices with anyone that ask. So, I just tell them about my healthy diet and exercise plan.