amylynns

@Luna222---Oh goodness, I can't imagine having a fireball shot! I attempted eating a fireball jawbreaker once and it burned my belly bad! I'm guessing your pouch didn't like that very well!

I lost 2 more pounds finally. I'd been the same since we got back from Hawaii, which was June 9th!

We bought ourselves 2 bikes and have been riding, LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Easy on my joints and great exercise!!

We ended up buying the kids all new bikes too! So we've been going out on some family rides too. We don't get as much exercise when everyone goes though.....too many of us riding through residential areas just doesn't work. Haha. We don't have any good bike trails near us. We're planning on getting a bike rack so we can at least take a few of us at a time to some trails.

I suppose I'd better get some work done....dreary, rainy morning. Not feeling like working!

I have a funny one. I decided to have a Margarita last Saturday night. I got roaring drunk with a single Margarita. I had to strip my clothes off as I was perspiring profusely and had to go to bed pronto. The sugar in the drink also may have caused it but I had not been this drunk since college. Good to know, I'll have to have a single sip from now on.

Funny!!! I've tried a few drinks here and there also. I cannot do the "sweet" drinks anymore! Whew! And yes, I got crazy drunk very quick, but it also didn't last long for me. My metabolism is so fast, it just went right through me, LOL!

Last weekend we took our 21yr old daughters and their guys out for dinner and drinks. Had a blast! The one guy had a chocolate stout beer. I tried a little and was delicious!! I always have liked beer, just not the cheap stuff, LOL. I like the local made stuff, or imported "fancy" beers. I drank the WHOLE big glass of this beer and didn't get nauseous at all! I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, LOL!!

My surgeon says no alcohol, like EVER....but I figure maybe once a month I can indulge in a little bit!

Can't remember if I've told you all my new favorite Breakfast. I was getting really tired of eggs, although they keep me nice and full all morning.

So I'm switching it up to this: I bought frozen blueberries and frozen sliced strawberries. I put about 3/4 of a cup of them in a bowl in the frig at night. Then in the morning add about 1/2-3/4 cup of plain ( I know, nasty by itself) greek yogurt. I got the Chobani (?) Only 6g of sugar, no fat, (that's for a full serving, which I don't have, so less than 6g of sugar)

I'm never ready to eat right away, so I bring this bowl of half frozen fruit & yogurt to work. Then about 8:15-8:30 the fruit has de-frosted and it leaves a super yummy Syrup in the yogurt. Stir it up well and you have naturally flavored greek yogurt! Then for a little crunch, I sprinkle on about 2TBS of dry steel cut oats! More protein! It is SO yummy!!! I can usually eat about 1/2-3/4 of it, so the rest I save for a little snack later on in the day if I need one.

@Bronxmerci---You look great!!! And a size 8!! How wonderful!!!

I'm in about an 11/12, which for me, I haven't seen that size since before my 1st baby and she's 21 now. Crazy!!

I just ordered a new swimsuit and had to do some measuring to see which size to get. I'm cautiously ordering the 12, but it's so hard to believe I can wear that size, I'm scared to order it! I'm running out of time before our Hawaii trip and I need to find a swimsuit!

My issue with finding one in a store is that I really need a DDD cup, and I want a tankini top with a bit of a skirt for the bottom. My thighs are icky and I like to hide the worst part of them.

Lands End is the best bet, but SOOOO expensive. But worth it if they fit well! Now I have to decide between black and a dark pink. Hmmm...

I bought my swim top from fig leaves and it fits perfectly! Bra sized swim! I am hh and have a hard time finding things too. Best of luck!

The size 12 fit perfect! I LOVE it!! Holds "the girls" up great!! The bottom has a tummy control thing too, so holds in my shaky belly really well! :-)

@Beni-- The time of "the poof" was a great time though! I love the 80's and 90's!!

Oh, I hear you on the boob pain! I never expected this I guess! I still have a lot of breast tissue...it's just deflated! LOL! I went from about a 40/42 DDD to a 32/34 DDD. Can't believe I'm still a DDD, but there's so much tissue I have to tuck in!

Brett just told me the other night my shoulder area is skin & bones. We were just laying in bed and he was rubbing my shoulder/arm and said, "Babe, do me a favor? Start lifting the arm weights we have here. I'm concerned how your bones just stick out." Sweetheart....worried, but I'm like, "Yes! I have bones! Not fat!"

But I do agree and know I need to build up some muscle. I don't want to look the other extreme, anorexic. (although I surely don't think I'm at that point!)

I love that you embarrassed your boys! Haha!! I agree, we could have had such a blast if we were this fit when they were younger. At least my Hannah is getting to enjoy my fit self!

@leag78---I feel your frustration. I also do get tired of Water. I put fresh lemon in mine everyday, but I still get tired of that. I have to stay away from artificial sweetners as much as possible, so crystal light products are out.

I drink ice tea on occasion, that helps. My surgeon says no caffeine though, so I have to watch that. I wasn't sure why the no caffeine rule. I asked at my last appointment and they said too much can lead to dehydration. I had an issue with this just a few days before my last appointment. I had been drinking diet Snapple and regular ice tea a lot for about a week. I started noticing my urine (sorry, TMI) was smelling really strong and I had an aching in my kidney area.

After telling my Dr. about this, and ruling out a UTI, he said it was because of the over use of caffeine. It had started causing dehydration and starting effecting my kidney. So I increased Water ALOT and that quickly took care of things.

I also miss carbonation. I had checked out those ICE drinks too and had to quickly say no! But I had taken just a sip of my son's soda one day and I was instantly in pain. (my pouch area actually had a burning sensation) NOT worth the carbonation!

It is all a life changing process, so we just have to take each day as it comes and learn from each other as much as we can.

Sometimes, even though we know the right answer, it's good to hear validation from others!

@@amylynns

Perhaps you are still in Hawaii time (slower and lazier). Also, if Brett has a bug you may also be developing one of those summer colds. That will drain your energy.

Aren't fries the devil? I cannot handle more then one or two. Not sure if it gets stuck or it's the fat. Fried food is certainly not good. However, I can eat chickpeas with olive oil and balsamic vinegar without a problem. A good tablespoon of olive oil and I am fine. Perhaps it's the kind of fat. I am not organized enough to figure it out. I figure fries are not great for you so my family will just have to have less of them.

It's going to be so fun shopping for a wedding dress. What styles do you like? You probably will have to try all sorts because with your new shape it's like you are another person. What looked good before my not anymore. We are literally new people. Even my mother can't begin to understand how this is possible.

Ooops! I see I never answered this post!

Wedding dresses....I have NO clue!! I see dresses I like, but I just don't have a clue what my new body will look good in! We went dress shopping with my step daughter (to be..) and I LOVED the ones she was picking! But I can't do the same thing!! They were to me, what I'd call, classic? I'll try and find a picture of something I'm drawn to. Lace is what I'm liking, which is totally different than when I got married the 1st time, way back in 1992! LOL! I wanted the big ball type gown then. But I want something more sleek, simpler this time. Especially since it's my 2nd marriage I guess.

This is very close to the one my step daughter is getting: http://www.allurebridals.com/products/9220

I don't think I could do something quite that fitted....I don't know. But I love the lace and the open back.

I had a moment of panic the other day. We picked a wedding date of May 20th, 2017. ( I know...a long way away, but I love the month of May, not too hot/cold) and we can't do 2016 because my step daughter is getting married June 2016 and we don't want to have ours before hers. SO anyway....I was thinking 2017 is so far away---"What if I'm fat again by then!" Ugh....had to talk through that with my therapist yesterday! I'm going to sabotage myself if I think like that! I've proven to myself already that I CAN do this, as long as I DO what I'm supposed to do!!

I need to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts! So I decided I'm going to start saving $$ and if all goes well, I will treat myself to a breast lift BEFORE my wedding!! So a good goal to keep in mind!!

@Beni--That is awesome Beni!!! I feel the same way--cannot believe I've lost this weight!

I also can't believe it's been almost 9 months!!?? Really?? Seems like just a couple months ago we were all going in for surgery!!!

I am still at 158/159. I haven't really lost since we got home from Hawaii. Not sure why--although I've still had a lot of exhaustion, so I haven't worked out like I need to. I am just whipped by 8PM. I've gone to the pool a few evenings with my 9yr old. But I don't really swim, just hang out with her in the Water, LOL. My boys (15 and 18) were surprisingly upset when I was taking her to the pool! They both said, "Wow...you never went with us to the pool, Mom." I had to explain to them that when they were that age, I was very obese, and I wasn't comfortable going to the pool. I apologized for not being able to do the things with them I SO wanted to do! Makes me so sad what I missed out with them...

We went to Wisconsin Dells last week for 4 days with ALL 7 kids. Whew! It was a bit stressful with all the kids, LOL, but we had a blast. I felt totally comfortable walking around in my swimsuit. We played ALOT of volleyball at the resort we stayed at. (It was on the "quiet" side of the lake at the Dells, SO nice!) It was so nice not wanting to sit out while the family did fun things. We rented a pontoon and pulled a tube behind it. I wasn't going to do it because Brett's main goal was to get whoever was on it, OFF of it! But the kids talked me into it---it was fun, but I didn't last nearly as long as the kids did on it! I have ZERO arm strength! Couldn't hold onto the handles long at all.

@joankrie--I've never heard of that diet? Are you getting plenty of Protein? I know I get really "shakey" if I don't. That's odd, I've never heard of that happening with someone who's had the surgery. Did your surgeon say what causes this? What kind of surgery would you be having if they had to?

@Shadow427---Whoohoo!!! Great job!!!

Have a great Holiday weekend! Pretty excited about a 3 day weekend!!

That is awesome!! Good for you! It will be an on going learning process figuring out what foods B-) you'll tolerate. I'm still learning! Yes, you will live and feel amazing!!!

I went and bought new pants again tonight. Down another size. Could have bought the next size smaller even, but they were a bit more snug than I was comfortable in. So much fun buying clothes now! So even though the scale hasn't been moving I'm still shrinking so I'll take that!

@Brian88ss--Doing well here! I haven't lost any weight since we got back from Hawaii on June 9th though. Kind of bummed, but then again---I hit "my goal" of 160.( actually back and forth between 158/159 now) So I'm alright being at this weight, but would like to lose 5-10 more as a nice cushion, LOL.

I haven't been working out as much as I'd like to lately. It's just been a super busy time for us and I need to remember to make ME TIME a priority!

How are you doing with your recovery??? Hopefully everything is going well!!

Wow, what a lazy weekend we had! I'm pretty much ticked at myself for being as lazy as I was!! We didn't even get a walk in!? WTH?

Oh--I guess Saturday we went wedding dress shopping with Brett's daughter. (Her wedding in June 2016) So that was fun!! She didn't say yes to a dress yet, but she's getting closer!! I was keeping my eye open for dresses that I like for me too.. We actually like some of the same styles, but then again--I have NO clue what will look good on this new body of mine!!? Guess I'll just have to end up trying some on at some point to see what looks good.

I have been oddly exhausted since we got home from Hawaii. Not really sure why??? It's been 3 weeks (seems longer than that) and I feel like I could sleep all day if I had the chance! I've been very careful about getting my Protein and Vitamins in. Haven't been journaling 100%, but I eat a lot of the same meals, and I know how much Protein is in them. I'm going to be extra good about journaling this week and see if I'm missing something. I also haven't lost ONE pound since being home. I've been stuck right at 158/159. I feel like it's a bit of a mind thing!? Like 160 was my goal in my head, and now my body doesn't want to go lower!

I also wondered if my Vit D. level could be low? I got SO Much natural Vit D in Hawaii and I haven't really been out enjoying the sun much since we've been home. I still take my Vit D pills, but maybe my body is just going through withdrawl of the natural stuff. I had tanned before we went to Hawaii (just twice a week for about 3 weeks--I KNOW, tanning beds are SO BAD) just to get a base tan so I didn't fry in Hawaii. I was thinking maybe I should try going once a week to see if that would even help? I have a friend who's Dr. recommended a tanning bed for Vit D therapy? I had never heard of that!?

Anyway---I'm all by my lonesome this morning at work. Brett woke up at 3AM with horrible stomach and body aches. I was sweating and he was FREEZING! He wasn't hot with a fever, his body was COLD!? So weird! He snuggled up next to me, which felt good to be since I was hot. He told me this morning that he had extreme pain from his breast line all the way down his legs for about 2 hours. No clue what that would be??

He's staying home today.

I suppose I should get some work done.....

@dc0520--Way to go on your 5K! You look great!!!!

@smiley922---Look at you! Hot Mama!!!

@Beni--Fries have done it for me too. I always pick 3-4 of the crispiest I can find, which helps, but best for me to just skip them.

For sleep help--I always recommend Melatonin. All natural. I get it at Wal-mart. I get the cherry or strawberry flavor, 5mg. They just dissolve in your mouth. I've taken them for years, after being on Ambien CR for 2 years and hating the morning grogginess from it. I had a therapist recommend the melatonin. I take the 2, get in bed, read for about 20 minutes and I'm out. My biggest problem was falling asleep and staying asleep once I finally did fall asleep, LOL! This stuff works like a champ!! Once in a while I'll wake up during the night and need to read for 5 or 10 minutes. But that's if I have some major stuff on my brain. And NO grogginess in the morning. I've even taken another one at 2 or 3:00 in the morning and still had no problems in the morning.

I've never had a "horrible" dumping experience. I'll get really nauseous if I eat too much, too fast, or don't chew my food fast enough.

It passes within about 20-30 mins.

If I eat something with too much sugar or fat, I'll get really warm, face gets red, heart races....for about 10 mins. It's not pleasant by any means, but I've never had to throw up, or the other end, LOL. I know a lot of people do though.

You just have to be careful with what you eat. Every time I've had one of these bad experiences, it simply means, I WON'T eat whatever it was that caused it!! It is NOT worth it to feel yucky!

It's a life change for sure!! But SOOOOOOO worth it to lose the weight! For my first 5-6 months, I was pretty miserable, so many things made my nauseous. I questioned my decision, but once I really figured out how to deal with my feisty stomach pouch and things calmed down, I would MOST DEFINITELY do it again!! No regrets at all!!

I won't lie to you--it is a whole new challenge with food. At least for me it was. Instead of being obsessed with my next meal and what I was going to eat, it's now, "Crap, guess I should eat something today?!" But NOTHING sounded good, no cravings, nothing. I simply eat to nourish my body now. I CANNOT use food as a coping mechanism, so I'm forced to deal with my feelings and work through them, rather than stuff them with food!

It's a good thing! But just a new challenge!

Good luck to you!!!

@Luna222--Oh my gosh!! So scary!!! So glad you're ok! So now what? No more pills?

When I started back on my meds, my head felt like I was in a fish bowl for a few days, but that's about it. I think mine is a time release one too! But if I miss a dose, it's not a good deal! I get very anxious and my stomach does flip flips, gets nauseous. It took me a while once to figure out that I had missed a dose and that's what was happening.

Damn meds!

@smiley922---Whoohooo!!!! Awesome job!! That is just amazing!!

@PinkPolkadot619--I might try that! It's getting more loose as the day goes on! Bad, stretched out fabric! WOW!

@India928---Good luck to you!!!

I've also had the band, I definitely wish I'd just done the bypass from the beginning. The band was just not a good deal. Although I know it works for some. I just ended up with complications, but had lost 85 over the first 2 years. Then ended up gaining most of it back the last 2 years I had it.

I chose the bypass for a couple reasons. 1) I was told with my reflux, it was the best option and 2) my weakness Is sweets and with the bypass, high sugar foods are difficult to digest. Unfortunately I STILL have reflux. They're a bit baffled as to why. I still have a hiatal hernia, which I thought would also be gone, but.....nope. So I'm taking 2 different meds for it, but I still have it most everyday.

BUT....I cannot eat much for sweets, which is a good thing for me!!

I've lost 91 pounds since October 2014. So it's working!

Oh, for crying out loud!!

I wore a different, NEW, skirt (long, maxi type skirt) today and it's falling down too!!

Geesh!!! One of my lady customers came in while I was pulling it up and she says, "I have that same skirt! It's falling down, isn't it?!" She said she had to buy a size smaller than she normally wears with these type of skirts.

Good to know! I of course tossed the tags and receipt...duh. Maybe I can have someone take it in a bit.

I had ALOT of nausea off/on for the first 6 months. I still have it if I eat too much, too quickly, don't chew enough, or drink with my meal....

In the beginning, I had to go back to soft/mushie foods for about 2 weeks, even though I'd been advanced to meats, etc.

I lived on cottage cheese for several days. It's the only thing that didn't make me sick.

Hang in there!

Make sure you're chewing well, eating very slowly, not drinking with your meal,etc.

@PinkPolkadot619---Wine at dinner is what I was missing. The first time I tried anything, it burned my stomach. So it was a long time before I tried again. Then at Olive Garden one night I tried their little sample they give of wine. The sample lasted me throughout dinner. It was a perfect amount. Didn't get sick at all.

Way to go on your 5K!! That is awesome!! You look great!!! :D

@PinkPolkadot619-My Dr. actually said try not to drink any alcohol at all. But once in a great while is alright, depending how I tolerate it.

I can only drink room temp Water. I am 8 months out and still have nausea issues if I drink too much, too quickly, or too cold. :-)

The dressing I mentioned is by Kraft. I'm a die hard Hidden Valley Ranch girl but....way too many calories. Once in a while I treat myself to it. But not often!