Tiffykins

I eat 3 meals a day. No protein supplements, and occasionally I have a snack mid-afternoon. It's usually crackers with cream cheese, or deli meat with cream cheese. I stay full for a long, long time. Like today, I went and worked out at the gym, came home made some tuna salad with pickles and miracle whip, I ate 3 ounces with 1 saltine cracker, and was stuffed. That was 1.5 hours ago, and I'll eat again at 2:30 when the kiddo gets home from school, and I make him a snack, then I'll have dinner.

The only time I get over 800 calories a day is if candy/junk food which I admit to doing a couple of times a week.

Best wishes for tomorrow Shontel ! ! !

I can barely close in on 800 calories a day, and I know that I need to get to at least 1000 so I can maintain.

During the weight loss stage (the time until you get to goal), I was told to stick with 600-800 calories per day. Now, that I'm supposed to be maintaining, I need to hit 1000 calories.

Increasing your calories can be simply adding another protein drink. You are staying the guidelines of caloric intake, and unfortunately most everyone hits a stall around the 2nd to 4th week. Increase your water intake and see if that helps get the scale going. Don't get too discouraged, stalls happen, they suck but stick with your program.

Dang it, I don't know why the pics won't show up now, they were earlier. I guess I'll have to upload them through photobucket. . .

It's definitely different than dieting once you get past the all too necessary post-op diet. Once you're regular food, you can enjoy just about anything you desire just in smaller quantities. My entire relationship with food has changed, and I am more normal now than I have ever been.

Great success Shontel ! ! ! I hope 2010 brings you more success, and great blessings.

That's so wonderful. You did great through the holidays. I understand about the "creeper" food coming back up. It's not a normal vomitting episode, it's just such a weird sensation.

Hope you have a good New Year ! ! !

So very happy to hear you got some relief. Take care of yourself, and keep us posted.

Oh Shontel, I'll be praying for you. I hope they are able to get you some relief.

Thank you bunches. I'm 6.5 months post-op.

My revision was done on June 3rd, 2009.

I've checked out her webpage several times, but nothing has inspired me enough to whip up any of the recipes. If you try any of them, let us know what you think.

Those are great goals, and you'll reach them.

You have the perfect outlook on this life changing surgery. My fave thing to do is cross my legs without having to kind of lean to the side of the chair. It felt great, and you'll find an assortment of things along the way that totally amaze you ! ! !

My training program says that if you can do 3 sets of 12 reps at a certain amount of weight with no resistance, or it's extremely easy to do those 3 reps of 12, then you need to increase the weight amount.

I, too, have been doing a lot of reflecting lately. All of these changes are fabulous, and there are many more to come.

Great job on your loss so far. You're are doing fabulous.

Thanks DeeDee. With the food police situation, I don't know if anyone here can tell, but I'm a bit snarky/sarcastic. I just make this siren sound, and tell him that he needs to remember he's only a cop when he goes to work.

I know in my heart of hearts that he is simply concerned, but I'm so irritated.

There's other stuff going on that has me frustrated beyond belief right now. Staying positive has been a challenge, and staying on track has proven difficult for me.

I still have some bad habits that even the sleeve can't break, and that's why I can't decide if I'm going to beat myself over this stall or just live with it, accept it, and enjoy this normalcy.

Whatever happens, I know that I'm successful, and will continue to grow mentally, physically and emotionally through this journey.

Thanks for your encouragement and support.

I agree with everything DeeDee stated. The first couple of months is a big adjustment. I would say around the 3 month mark, I got a good rhythm down and started really feeling better, and more energetic.

I'm praying for you, and please keep us posted on your progress when you are able to do so.

Congrats DeeDee. . . I, too, was in denial with just "how big" I was. I see pictures from last year at this time, and my jaw just drops. So, I understand how you feel.

I ran into a couple of customers from my insurance agency that haven't seen me since surgery because I resigned in July. They didn't recognize me, and one of the ladies said "you're half the size you were" and did a little karate chop move down the middle of me. I just smiled, and said thank you.

Yes, you need to take more pictures, and get you some goal clothes. I bought a pair of size 12's last night. I'm hoping to get back to the gym after the first of the year when we get back from vacation. I have to lose this tummy fat because it's holding me back size wise.

Good job on getting moving. I love Hip Hop Abs at home. I joined the Y because they have free child watch, but I try to go when the kiddo is in school.

Keep up the great work ! ! !

I hope you have an amazing time on the cruise, and if you can't post before surgery, best wishes, and I'll be on the look-out for an update ! ! ! Enjoy yourself, and be safe in your travels.

Barb, you'll get there, and I'll attest to the fact that it is a wonderful to steer clear of the "fat girl" section of the stores.

You should go back and buy that sweater as goal sweater. I had a pair of jeans in my closet, a size 18 (not 18W) Levi's. They were my goal jeans, and one day when I thought I could squeeze into them, I pulled them out of the closet to find they were TOO BIG. Those jeans, and my entire old wardrobe is in 6/39gallon lawn and leaf bags waiting for spring to get here so I can sell them for new clothes ! ! !

You'll get there, and you will feel fabulous.

Excellent news ! ! ! I'm glad you had a great day. There's many more to come, just wait until you have something crunchy, it was better than sex ! ! ! Okay, maybe not better, but close to it.