AmberFL

I wasn’t going to say anything, but honestly… I feel a little hurt by this post. At one point, I was 325 pounds. I wanted a baby more than anything, so I worked hard, lost 100 pounds through diet, and was finally able to get pregnant with my first child. After I had my second, my weight climbed back up to 297. I wasn’t the mom I knew I could be. I couldn’t play with my kids like I wanted to, I didn’t have the energy to care for them the way they deserved, and I knew I was setting a bad example with the way we ate. So I made a change. I got the surgery, fixed my eating habits, and got my butt in the gym. And now? I can do it all — and then some. My daughter tells me almost every day how happy she is that I lost the weight and can play with her and her brother. That hits me right in the heart. I didn’t just do this for me — I did it for them. And I’m so proud of that!

I am going to tag @Lilia_90 her story is similar and she might have some good insight!

You are definitely not alone! I still meet with my dietitian every month. I had gotten down to around 163–165 lbs, but after my BA, my weight went up to 175 and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get back below that. I’ve tried strict tracking, changing my macros, hitting 10k+ steps a day, lifting regularly… all of it. When I told my dietitian this, she said that this might be where my body is happiest. At this point, I think my body is just really happy here. I feel strong, my clothes fit great, my workouts feel solid, and honestly I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. Focusing less on the number and more on how I feel has helped me so much. There are so many other ways to measure progress besides the scale!

🤣😂 this is hilarious! Glad you got a new suit! Boobies contained! LOL

it is sooooo wierd! I remember going to American Eagle and finding pants...then having to ask the associate for a size 4 and I was so embarrassed thinking that she was looking at me like I was crazy asking for that size. I still think of myself larger

@AngieNM I can seriously relate to this so much. I still have to really fight to get out of my own head some days. When people look at me now, I automatically assume the worst, because when I was bigger, people would either stare or act like I didn’t exist. It really does mess with your mind. My past plays a big part too. My ex-husband used to make awful comments about my body, and that stuff sticks with you. It’s something I’ve had to really work through in my current relationship, to make sure that I didn't bring the insecurities and the fear into the relationship. Family What I do, is text my bestie, who also had the VSG and send her a pic so she can hype me up! She will do the same to me. or if I am struggling with my food choices, lack of workouts ect, she is there for me as I am for her.

I need some new fresh meal prep Ideas! My goal is to hit a minimum of 160g protein and 1700 calories. Anyone have some good breakfast and lunch ideas for a gal who works in an office? Hit me with some recipes!

@summerseeker that sounds so good! I love both foods! @WendyJane I haven't made those in a long time, I forget about them. I will have to give that one a go with a piece of homemade sourdough bread on the side yummo!

sameeeeee! I pass out so I don't drink if I am trying to stay awake lol

Agreed we need both! BTW I did not do cardio after my leg days this week! Hoping for a bigger peach 🤣

hahaha! the struggle for me 😂🤣

@SpartanMaker I have never personally experienced one but a male friend had one due to the amounts of the mountain dew he consumed and omgsh- A big burley man crying was tough. Now I drink water like a fish! haha! There are days where I eat the 130-140g in protein i.e the weekends when I indulge on not so great stuff lol Speaking of Atkins, I have friends that do strict carnivore and they tried to give me the benefits of it, but the kidney stones and not being able to have bowel movement did not sound appealing!

@WendyJane Thank you for your comment. I strength train quite a bit and I have been playing with the amount of protein that is suitable for my body. I noticed that If I drop lower on protein my body cannot handle my workouts and I am not building muscle. I tinker between 170-177lbs so this is actually okay. I do follow a whole foods diet. Lots of veggies, fruit, eggs, avocado ect...heck I even eat a piece of sourdough bread that I make with some kerrygold butter as my pre-workout meal. I have spoken to my primary doc, nutritionist and my surgeon and they are not concerned with the amount of protein that I am eating. My typical day is: pre-workout is sourdough bread and butter, after workout I make my profee, breakfast a few hours later is 1 egg, 1/2C egg whites, Turkey breakfast patty and cheese. Lunch is always a lean meat and lots of veggies, dinner is some sort of meat, veggie and carb like air fried potatoes, something like that. Snacks typically range from jerky, Greek yogurt with berries, string cheese, sometimes chips if I am feeling sassy lol My only thing I cannot eat is shellfish because I am allergic otherwise I am open to anything! @SpartanMaker I rarely eat red meat, my protein mostly comes from lean meats, eggs, protein powder in my iced coffee things like that. I will say I like eating this way, I feel good, my recovery is easier, and it helps with the cravings. When I don't eat enough of the good stuff (i.e weekends are a struggle for me) I get off course and not just a little but a lot. I was looking at overnight oats for my weekends! I haven't had them in a long time and I figured it would be good after my long runs. So I will definitely give those a go! I like the simplicity of that breakfast! Soups after a workout probably are great for you since you run long distances- what kind of soups do you eat? Love Greek Yogurt with berries and granola. I just found this granola from Magic Spoon and its delish!

@Mspretty86 I know it becomes daunting and discouraging but you will be happy that you took it slow and not working out. You paid a lot of money for this and this is an investment! Just take care of them and they will look so good for a long time!

@Mspretty86 my right side gave me ish too, My doc said because it had a thicker muscle, that they had to cut more into it. It took the longest to drop and get even with my left. its still not as soft as my left side. The hardest part mentally was not able to work out. It drove me bananas! It worried me that I would lose all that I worked hard for, but muscle memory is real and you will get right back to it when you get back to working out! You go through stages, but Im sure you look amazing!

@SleeveToBypass2023 welcome back!! was wondering where you were!! I had to dig DEEP but I am back on track! I lost my determination for a min, but I have talked to some friends who are on this fitness journey and it figured out what the root of all of it was. I was scared. After the weightloss, the breast augmentation and all the things- the negative and positive attention was freaking me out so I was sabotaging myself, trying to hide behind food. But I am better than that. Just keep repeating my "why" and I got my ish together and I feel much better!!!! How are you doing?!

I post here for advice, encouragement and always get such uplifting/helpful comments. I just need this to get out to my bari-fam! I am 15months post op. I have done well, got down to my goal weight fairly quickly, made leaps on my fitness journey and just pretty proud of how far I have come. Lately, body dysmorphia is really rearing its ugly head and I am not dealing with it well. I am punishing myself with binge eating...All of April has just sucked a$$ for me. I am maintaining, continuing my workouts, my days are great then I go home at night, I grab a few chips, leads to some sweets, leads to some bread and butter, ect....do I eat a ton of it? No but I don't feel good when I eat it. Last week, I went on a week long drinking fiasco- I used to drink...a lot pre-surgery- Last night I ate Jack in the box tacos.. you know those disgusting delicious mini tacos and my feel like garbage today! I am letting my emotional eating get the best of me and I am struggling to get back. I woke up at 5 walked on my treadmill at 10incline 3.8speed but at the end of the day you cannot exercise a shitty diet. I wake up every single day and tell myself okay new day lets get back on track. And every single day I just cannot seem to get my ish together when I am at home. I am getting rid of all the bad snacks and getting everyone on the healthy train. I am trying and I am so terrified that I will get back to 300lbs again. Looking at the mirror, I see how big I am, I see the tummy, I see the hanging skin, I see everything negative when in reality I probably look fine. Not sure what I am looking for outta this post, but I needed to get it out and not hide my food struggles because I did that and it lead to me hiding food and getting up to 300lbs.

@Dub stretch! Even for 5min before and afterwards, I have been there where I can even sit hahha! You got this!!

@SpartanMaker I will give that a go then- I am always willing to try anything. I don't want to stay too stagnant

@SpartanMaker I have never done crossfit so I am not sure if it is like that, I just did research online to find what works. But it is fair to mention that these workouts were based on the beginning of my journey. It has been a good starter to get into form, getting used to those exercises, and finding what works. Its rare I do superset now or only if I am on a time crunch. Now I will spend 30-45min lifting heavy. I have seen better results doing cardio afterwards than doing before. When I was at the beginning of my journey I would start with cardio and end with strength, It wasn't until I switched it up I noticed a difference in my body composition. Maybe that is not the same for everyone? However, now that I am a year plus out I am curious if I switched it again if I notice a different. I am going to do this experiment and get back to you! I also eat anywhere from 150-175g of protein a day, so maybe that has something to do with it? @Bypass2Freedom I can also add what I do now in order to gain more muscle if you want. I'm not ripped but my arms gets lots of compliments HAHAH!

This is something I’ve grown so passionate about — becoming the fittest, strongest version of myself! One of my goals has been about feeling fit, looking strong, and proving to myself that I can do hard things. One of my favorite compliments is when someone hears my weight loss journey and tells me: “You don’t even look like you’ve ever weighed over 300 lbs.” That one hits me so deep. That just tells me that every drop of sweat, every literal tear, every moment of self-doubt that I had to push through. reminds me that this journey is all WORTH IT. Here’s my current weekly routine: Mon/Wed/Fri – Lower body days focused on growing the glutes (my booty is a major work in progress but hey, we’re getting a little hump 😂) Tues/Thurs – Upper body strength training Saturday – Long walk/run with my pup (around 5.5 miles) Sunday – Active rest (still aiming for 10k+ steps some way somehow) Although I will say there are days where we do not do anything but hang out at home and watch movies. Very rare but sometimes needed! Each strength day has minimum of 30min of cardio Also, I wanted to share the Google Doc of workouts I made when I first started this journey! It really helped keep me consistent and definitely played a big part in toning up. I still add to it too! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H5JdcB6dXU3gAx0mf2QrzG2ZvscRlnVF3xjBfx8M74A/edit?usp=sharing The journey is not easy but damn its worth it!!

Okay maybe I am the minority? But I drink zero cal sodas- I didn't until I was over a year out and it started with me being super tired on a hot day- and a crisp Cherry coke zero sounded good. So I drank it, survived and it was delicious! I drink them very very sparingly but I do drink soda water almost everyday. I like flavored Hop waters too. Especially those times where I am snacky and I don't need to eat I will sip on a soda water and its delicious!

girl you rock it!! You work effing hard!

girl you can now!! your teeny!

I love this!! something that I am coming to terms with that the number on the scale is just a number, I have been battling with oh I'm too thin I need to gain weight well once I gained the weight after my BA I am not happy. But I still wear the same size, I can exercise the same, I look better with bewbies, that I need to be okay that my body is happy and healthy at this point. I just need to keep doing what I'm doing and stop sabotaging myself or giving myself negative thoughts. I am so proud of you!!