Cookouts and 2 family reunions this summer

[Shanny 70]

Hi everyone! I'm so glad this forum is here because I think we have some issues that other sleevers won't understand. I want to formally introduce myself. I'm Shanny, 35 from Baltimore. I started at 5'2" and 247 pounds. Now, I'm 169.4 pounds, and my goal is 145.

I'm less than 30 pounds from my goal and boy is it getting harder to stay on track! Between all the cookouts and now I have 2 family reunions this summer...how long am I supposed to resist homemade barbeque? This is so hard! Most of my people don't know that I had surgery. They just think I started dieting and exercising. I told them a year ago that I had to get in shape, so to them I've been on track for a year and they can see the results. On the same token, my peoples get offended if you don't eat. The last cookout I went to I didn't eat anything. My girl's aunt was like, "What's wrong with you? You can't eat our food now?" I didn't mean to offend anyone, it's just that there was NOTHING there I could eat. I can only digest chicken , and the only kind they had was fried. I can't eat fried foods. Grease makes me throw up and breading gives me horrible indigestion. So, to make everyone happy, I got a small plate and picked off of it. I felt like crap afterward because it didn't agree with me. I dont' want to hurt anyone's feelings but I'm trying to do the right thing.

Another thing that's bothering me is the fact that I'm losing my shape. My butt is GONE! It's still there, but it's so much lower. It's only round at the bottom. My hips are so much smaller, too. I have great waist definition and my boobs are still there (although I went down a cup size). I'm not liking my lower half anymore. ONe of my white friends who I hadn't seen in awhile said to me, "OMG, my butt is bigger than yours. You look great!" I had to remind her that I'm black and that's in insult. If anyone has some suggestions to get my butt back besides eating grits and mashed potatoes, I"m game. I've been doing butt exercises and I walk constantly but everything I do is just making it smaller. Of course my people, most of which are big boned, keep telling me I'm getting too skinny. Lord, it's not easy.

I'm just trying to make myself happy and healthy. I wish I could tell my body where to take the fat from, but it doesn't work that way.

Okay, I've talked enough. Just wanted to get that out.

[wishes 125]

Time and time again, I have heard the fat will readjust itself after you stop losing.

However, I totally understand about the cookouts and family reunions. I lucked out this year because I am in Michigan for the summer. But before I have used a couple good excuses because I have had GERD for years and my family knows sometimes I just can't eat all the greasy foods, so I just fill my plate with the sides like greens, coleslaw, and biscuits and chow down. You can always get a little on your plate and make trips back up to make it look like your eating more. Also, don't be afraid to bring some of your own food like shredded chicken to the bbqs and just say you are trying to get rid of it.

[Lisha 1]

Hi there,

I don't really have any suggestions regarding your shape, as I've yet to have surgery. I've had a big butt since I can remember (was called big booty girl in the 5th grade) and the thought of it disappearing is bizarre and I can't even wrap my head around it. We'll see what happens post surgery. I will say that I'm going to be a little sad if it does disappear.

In terms of cookouts and your family reunions, I suggest you bring something to the cookout that you can eat and share it with your family. For example I don't eat meat, so when I go to cookouts I bring a few Boca burgers and Portobello mushroom caps to put on the grill. I bring them as part of my contribution to the cookout, and I also have something I can eat. There's always a couple people interested in the Boca burgers and Portobello mushrooms are always a big hit.

[Nikkeystar 12]

Hi everyone! I'm so glad this forum is here because I think we have some issues that other sleevers won't understand. I want to formally introduce myself. I'm Shanny, 35 from Baltimore. I started at 5'2" and 247 pounds. Now, I'm 169.4 pounds, and my goal is 145.

I'm less than 30 pounds from my goal and boy is it getting harder to stay on track! Between all the cookouts and now I have 2 family reunions this summer...how long am I supposed to resist homemade barbeque? This is so hard! Most of my people don't know that I had surgery. They just think I started dieting and exercising. I told them a year ago that I had to get in shape, so to them I've been on track for a year and they can see the results. On the same token, my peoples get offended if you don't eat. The last cookout I went to I didn't eat anything. My girl's aunt was like, "What's wrong with you? You can't eat our food now?" I didn't mean to offend anyone, it's just that there was NOTHING there I could eat. I can only digest chicken , and the only kind they had was fried. I can't eat fried foods. Grease makes me throw up and breading gives me horrible indigestion. So, to make everyone happy, I got a small plate and picked off of it. I felt like crap afterward because it didn't agree with me. I dont' want to hurt anyone's feelings but I'm trying to do the right thing.

Another thing that's bothering me is the fact that I'm losing my shape. My butt is GONE! It's still there, but it's so much lower. It's only round at the bottom. My hips are so much smaller, too. I have great waist definition and my boobs are still there (although I went down a cup size). I'm not liking my lower half anymore. ONe of my white friends who I hadn't seen in awhile said to me, "OMG, my butt is bigger than yours. You look great!" I had to remind her that I'm black and that's in insult. If anyone has some suggestions to get my butt back besides eating grits and mashed potatoes, I"m game. I've been doing butt exercises and I walk constantly but everything I do is just making it smaller. Of course my people, most of which are big boned, keep telling me I'm getting too skinny. Lord, it's not easy.

I'm just trying to make myself happy and healthy. I wish I could tell my body where to take the fat from, but it doesn't work that way.

Okay, I've talked enough. Just wanted to get that out.

I don't have any advice as far as the cookouts are concerned because pretty much everyone knows that I've had surgery.

As far as your butt goes have you tired squats and taking the steps or walking up hills?

[Shanny 70]

I don't have any advice as far as the cookouts are concerned because pretty much everyone knows that I've had surgery.

As far as your butt goes have you tired squats and taking the steps or walking up hills?

I've tried everything. Squats, walking uphill, stepper, eliptical, butt exercises, swimming.... Everything I try just makes my butt smaller. The fat wants out - I'm trying to keep it in!