BobBayCityMI

As time has gone on, I only weight once a week and I notice that weight loss comes in three and four pound chunks. Used to bother me, but now, as long as I am eating well and exercising, all is good! But, oh, how I know that WTF feeling when I stay level for two or three weeks. Wow. And then the loss hits and yippee! Now I am stable, so a bit of loss is a surprise. In fact, gaining a bit has become normal, but I know it is from the exercise, not the eating.

It is odd, but I have become a fashion aware guy. I actually wear ties to work almost every day, and I do care about how I look. That said, goodness I love JC Penney and getting things at 70% off! I never, ever spend full price for anything, and yet I receive compliments about my appearance. For me it was tough to get used to looking nice, not buying XXXL things so big that they hung on me. I still have troubles thinking I need an XL long to go over my belly, and I do not. I have bought big stuff since I was a rotund tot and went to Sears with my mom to shop in the "Husky" section, as they used to call it. But no more. Even my feet are more narrow! A regular large fits me nicely. 16 necks for dress shirts are so much easier to find, and no longer do I have to settle for those damn one color shirts. I even wore a shirt with *gulp* horizontal stripes ! This is a part of the good that comes with weighing more what I should, and, dang it all, I am going to look good!

I am now 5 pounds under my original goal, and I will probably go further. It is not bad for me as it is a reasonable loss encouraged by a solid work out program. My only concern is that I usually average under 1200 calories per day simply because I am not hungry and do not find much food to be desirable. I agree about the PB as it is something that goes down easily and burps up nice. I continue to have some days of better eating than others, and my acid problem flares up on occasion. But, you know, compared to how miserable and disgusting I felt 150+ pounds ago, I will take this problem any day!

Well, when I look at it honestly, a best friend of mine "died": overeating, and eating to medicate. Today, as most days, I will average around 1200 calories. Yes, I miss food at times, but I find that is when I am not taking care of the other parts of me, mainly exercise and prayer. But, for me, it is also maintaining an attitude of gratitude that today I can make choices, see my shoes, actually look down and see my "junk" (sorry, but it's true), fit into regular seats, not sweat because I sneezed, and realize that today I can make food my friend, not an opponent. Realize that this is 15 months out and sometimes I have rough days and fall into pity parties that I cannot eat normally, even though I never really did! My portions are reasonable. And I eat SLOW (chew chew chew, swallow, wait). Sometimes I even take a small walk around the house mid meal. For breakfast I have something healthy and Fiber filled, such as oatmeal with a small (2 oz) piece of Protein. Mid morning is my snack, usually a protein shake made with soy milk as regular, even skim, milk does not sit well. lunch is 3-4 ounces of protein and a light carb topped off with a little bit of fruit. Mid afternoon is often a Greek yogurt. Pre-workout I have a banana. For dinner it varies, but usually a solid (yet varied, chicken, to beef, to fish) 2-4 ounces of protein, 1/3 cup of a carb, and a veggie of some kind. Evening I have a treat of 1/3 cup of ice cream, or maybe some Nilla wafers with a small glass of OJ. Suggestion: instead of looking and concentrating on what is not a part of your life and potentially falling into the "poor mes," look at what is, and what may be, and just what great things will happen if you keep on your chosen path of changing into a healthy lifestyle.

Basically I am not limited to anything food wise, but I chew chew chew and eat VERY slowly. I also go against the suggestion of not drinking while eating; I often have small sips of water. Now, that said, there are days when some things go down well, but the very next day they do not. I do not eat spicy foods often, usually just a small mouthful. Also, stringy veggies can be problematic. It is an ever on-going process, but so far my limits are simply amounts and not to eat too fast.

Just wanted to say hello to all my previous friends and hello to new. I am now 15 months into my journey and down about 150 pounds. From a 48-50 pants, to a 38, and not even a snug 38. I am working out with a personal trainer and feeling good. Only problems I have is occasional acid reflux-type symptoms. I am off all meds except vitamins. Still have occasional energy issues, but this too is off and on. If anything, I do not eat enough. Too often I have 1200 cals a day or less, and this is not healthy. But I do keep my protein levels up and solid. If you want to shoot me a message, please do! Always happy to see others succeed!

More and more I am learning that there is not really anything that is poisonous for me, as long as moderation is kept in mind. Chocolate and Chex-mix are my Siren's call. But a little bit is ok...it really is. I choose not to have many things, like soda, but that is becasue it now tastes awful to me. Moderation...a good mantra.

Put pictures on my profile of my 9 month update. Not nearly as cute as Tiffy, but I am kind of happy with the results!

Gas is an awesome bi-product of Beans. OK...so I am a guy. Pull my finger and run. In all honesty. beans and me do not agree. And it is not the flatulence. I have trouble with the clumping in my belly after I eat them. Then I get the slimes and it is the skin that is causing the major problems. Last time I tried to have some beans I spent 30 minutes spitting into the sink until I cleared them all out. Now, for me, no problems with tortillas. I have to take very small bites, chew chew chew, swallow, and wait a bit for the next bite. Plus is do not subscribe to the "no Water during meals" mantra. I take very small sips and it helps to keep the slide greased. Good luck!

After 9 months of work and losing 130 pounds, I am down to a 36 BMI. But, for me, that is very much like being skinny. I doubt if I will go much lower.

Hi all. Hope you all are well. Between life getting in the way, exercising (yes, really!), and just not being online, I have not posted for quite a while. But I am doing quite good. I broke the 130-135 pound barrier. Last time I weighted myself I was 252. Wow. Whoda ever thunk it? And my energy is feeling much better. I have a 5K jog race goal for early June, and a 10K race goal for late August (at a Flint,MI, race called the Crim). Hope all are well!

Ah...a topic near and dear to my heart...or other places. They can be interchageable, ya know! Honestly, the only problem I was careful about was, well, position. I was very careful not to put a strain or undue pressure on the operation area. Felt like a Baptist. Or the Catholic I am. But it was worth it...weight loss has created a larger sexual appetitie in me. And I guess that means I am not the only one happy!

Tiffy comes through again! I use soy milk for mine and it keeps the lactose intolerance down. Not that my intolerance is bad, but why tempt fate? I am still having at least one protein shake per day. The less gritty the better! And like real food, I have to go very slow and sip and stay away from gulping. Last week took two BIG swigs of OJ and paid the price for about 45 minutes, on the water closet, not knowing which end would open up first. Hated it!

My main dilemma lately has been not wanting to eat. Had my six month check-up yesterday and I am doing so well in many areas. My weight is down 115 pounds, my vitamins and blood levels are very good, BP was 130/70. I mean, wow! But I am averaging less than 1000 cals per day. All told, I should be at 1400, but nothing sounds good to eat! I will stand in front of the fridge, like in the days of old, and stare. Now it is not how much I can pull out and consume, but more that nothing looks or sounds good. Any suggestions? My therapist suggested that it may be because it takes so much "effort" and time to eat right that it has lost the appeal it once had. Might be some truth to that.

Goodness, no. I am just the opposite. I have very good sleeping patterns; too good. My energy level is still below what I had hoped for, and I can go to bed at 7:30 to 8 and can sleep soundly until 5:30 the next morning. Sleeping drugs scare me as I am afraid of any addiction to that type of thing. I no longer snore, and it is a solid sleep. I wish you well.

I take very small sips of water as I eat. I know, not supposed to, but I do. It just makes things go down easier, and I feel feel just fine about doing this. I also need to burp a bit as I eat, and sometimes get up and walk just a bit, and this makes it easier on me. I figure water is just important to my eating sanely. It takes me 20-30 minutes to eat a "full" meal as it is, and the water greases the pipes and helps things "slide" down just a bit better. I love being a rabble-rouser. :biggrin0:

Holy poop the bed, Agnes! Way to go, my friend. I can relate to the good feeling, the healthiness. And two pounds to being overweight made me smile. I will ALWAYS be overweight according to those asinine scales and measurements, but I know how much better I feel. Once again, congrats! :biggrin0:

I have no problems with people at social functions. I have found that they are most accepting of my changes. They almost all know what I had to do for me, and they are quite supportive. But they are shocked at the small volumes I eat now. Been a long time since someone has not looked to me to finish something off. And when I save just a bit of room for a bite or two of dessert, well, that's a shocker! Now, more often, I get the oddest stares from wait staffs at eateries, mostly when I ask for the children's menu. They look at me and am sure they think, "Big guy...kid's menu? What's wrong with this picture?" But my hospital gave me a very nice wallet-sized card and I can simply show them that. It explains I had bariatric surgery and that is why I want to eat smaller portions. And sometimes even the smaller portions are too big, so when I ask for a container, well, shocks them even more. But, tough. I found that Bob Evan's (a local chain) actually charges MORE for adults eating from the kid's menu. Now I just talk to the manager, and no problems. It's important to be an advocate for myself!

First, get off the damn scale. I know that sounds rough, but a scale can be an inaccurate measure of success. Those scales are not the be-all, end-all to weight loss, just an occasional barometer to know how things are going. I weigh maybe once per month. Twice if I just want to do a mid-month progress check. A good poop or two and you'll be fine! I speak from experience :bananajump: Now, that being said, you are doing great! One day at a time, chew chew chew, get your Vitamins, and make sure that Protein gets down! Look for those NSVs (non-scale victories) to bolster your changes. You'll be fine!

My biggest frustration is eating something one day and it is fine. Eating the very same thing the next day and problems. I have to constantly remind myself to slow down, chew-chew-chew, and take very small bites. Sipping water is still a problem, especially after working out when I want a lot! Goodness, we are so unique! It is good t see others have the same problems I do. Does not make them right, but sure does make me feel much less an oddity!

Crossed the 100 pound threshold. Got a tat to mark the occasion. Take a look and see! It's in my albums. Now, I am getting to the point of needing new clothes. Poor me. :001_rolleyes:

The more weight I lose, the more massages are helping to rid my body of those icky toxins I have built up. I am blessed that I found a very good deep tissue massage therapist to push those icky knots out of me. Anyone else have things they do to physically feel better as the weight comes off? Yes, exercise, but maybe non-traditional avenues?