I'm always being asked how or what I did to get to where I am now. I'm always happy to answer any questions anyone brings to me, because I completely understand. I mean, I've been through it - the ups, the downs, the in-betweens... and I had even considered writing up a huge novel-like post to spell it all out.

But life got in the way, and here I am today.

Time got away from me and my project fell off the map. That's okay because I think that made the picture in my mind that I was trying to canvass a lot more clear. I'm seeing the forest for the trees now - and I have to tell you, the secret of my success is far more simple than I ever thought.

Finally early this morning as I was getting ready for work I started to simplify all the things I did that worked for me, and here is what I came up with:

• The 5 P's to my success: Positivity. Patience. Persistence. Push Fluids. Protein First.
  

• Minding my Q's: Quit the Salt. Quit the Sugar. Quit the Excuses. Quit the Denial.
  

• Avoiding the C's: Candy, Crackers, Cakes, chocolate, Cookies, chips, popCorn, iceCream.
  

When it comes down to it, these are the things that got me to where I am today. Seriously, nothing more and nothing less. I mean sure, I worked out and a lot - but I've got that covered with Persistence AND Quit the Excuses...

Blessings to you all. You'll get there, just keep doing all the right things!! I know, I say that all the time, and you ask - "well, what's that"?? Now, I've got "All the right things" written out on your screen.

THE KEYS OF SUCCESS.doc

^{Thanks so much, I love reading your posts, you have helped me tremendously!}

Love it!....Now tell us all a little more...When you managed to meet your goal did you have the skin removal surgery and if so was there more than one or did you do it all at once? Did you self-pay or did your insr. pay? I look at the old you and see me...and I look at the new you and see me 25 yrs...ago

But my arms have wings and my thighs will have hang overs I'm sure...I have a hernia that I am looking fwd to having repaired after a time and I think my health insr. will also pay for the tummy tuck at that point, but then you'll have a thinner structure with wings and hang overs...gotta make some concessions to get those fixed....also how was the pain associated with the plastics? Healing time etc...

Thanks for your wisdom and experience

THanks!!! I needed that!!!

Love it!....Now tell us all a little more...When you managed to meet your goal did you have the skin removal surgery and if so was there more than one or did you do it all at once? Did you self-pay or did your insr. pay? I look at the old you and see me...and I look at the new you and see me 25 yrs...ago

But my arms have wings and my thighs will have hang overs I'm sure...I have a hernia that I am looking fwd to having repaired after a time and I think my health insr. will also pay for the tummy tuck at that point, but then you'll have a thinner structure with wings and hang overs...gotta make some concessions to get those fixed....also how was the pain associated with the plastics? Healing time etc...

Thanks for your wisdom and experience

Hi there Gramaof4

You know, I was very fortunate that my skin has very little issues. I do have some, but I am blessed to say it's not much of a concern for me.

I've had 2 seperate Plastic Surgeries (Well 3 with the 2nd one done in 2 sessions) and the first one was a Breast Augmentation on 8/25/11. My boobies were sad! I felt extremely self conscious about them. They held up GREAT for up to the last 25 Lbs I lost. I stayed a D cup all the up until that and so strange, they shrunk down to about a B at that point. They looked like half full sand bags. Ugh!

Anyway I started with around a 44D and ended up with 34 B/C cup size. Now I'm a 34/36 DDD (F). Yeah, seriously... thank goodness you can't really tell. But these pupps are humungous!! I love em though. LOL!!!

Then in November (4th & 18th) I had contouring procedures performed. They did my knees, inner/outter thighs, hips and waist. I have to tell you, it's very painful and I ended up looking like I got smashed in a vice grip. However once those wounds healed and I was able to walk again (yes I actually could not walk for days) I started to see that the results would absolutely please me. I followed all my post op instructions and I'm happy to say the skin looks great. Again, I do have loose skin, but for me it is tolerable.

I do plan to have skin removal surgery someday. I want to have the total body lift, and I also want to have my arms tightened up. However, according to my very talented Surgeon (both said the same thing) that weight loss patient results come out best when waiting a few years time at goal before removing excess skin. My wish is to use Dr. Katzen, FACS in Southern California. I've seen his work and I'd say he's the best in California for weight loss patients skin removal.

Anyway, we need to pay off my previous surgeries first before worrying about anything more right now.

Here's a link to my Plastics journey, in case you have some time: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/21967-my-plastics-journey-my-first-one-of-several/

Wishing you well!!

I'm always being asked how or what I did to get to where I am now. I'm always happy to answer any questions anyone brings to me, because I completely understand. I mean, I've been through it - the ups, the downs, the in-betweens... and I had even considered writing up a huge novel-like post to spell it all out. But life got in the way, and here I am today. Time got away from me and my project fell off the map. That's okay because I think that made the picture in my mind that I was trying to canvass a lot more clear. I'm seeing the forest for the trees now - and I have to tell you, the secret of my success is far more simple than I ever thought. Finally early this morning as I was getting ready for work I started to simplify all the things I did that worked for me, and here is what I came up with:

• The 5 P's to my success: Positivity. Patience. Persistence. Push Fluids. Protein First.

• Minding my Q's: Quit the Salt. Quit the Sugar. Quit the Excuses. Quit the Denial.

• Avoiding the C's: Candy, Crackers, Cakes, chocolate, Cookies, chips, popCorn, iceCream.

When it comes down to it, these are the things that got me to where I am today. Seriously, nothing more and nothing less. I mean sure, I worked out and a lot - but I've got that covered with Persistence AND Quit the Excuses... Blessings to you all. You'll get there, just keep doing all the right things!! I know, I say that all the time, and you ask - "well, what's that"?? Now, I've got "All the right things" written out on your screen.

Thank you! You do look great! I hope to someday be where you are!

Love it! Thank you so much for sharing your positivity with the forum. I always really enjoy reading your posts and can find quite a lot of inspiration!

Miss Diva...Thank you for your inspiration....hopefully you don't mind but I'm going to print this out and post it on my fridge and the wall of my office.

But I have a question for you...

When did you start working out? Was that something you adopted as you lost weight? Or did you exercise when you were heavy? I know you are a gym rat and workout alot...I'm trying to figure out how you get to that point.

Thanks

Your posts are always great. Thank you so much!

Miss Diva...Thank you for your inspiration....hopefully you don't mind but I'm going to print this out and post it on my fridge and the wall of my office.

But I have a question for you...

When did you start working out? Was that something you adopted as you lost weight? Or did you exercise when you were heavy? I know you are a gym rat and workout alot...I'm trying to figure out how you get to that point.

Thanks

Hi Vickie, the truth is I've been working out practically my whole life. My family has always been physically driven, we all love sports and are very athletic. I can't tell you why I enjoy it so much, but I really do - but again I didn't start late in life. I've always been this way. In fact the reason I ran my knees out so young was because even though I was over 300 Lbs I was walking like I was 150. So sad, but you know what I enjoyed it and I never regret it.

This doesn't mean that you will never grow an appreciation for fitness, I've seen countless here who've done just that!! I suggest starting small. Walking up to about 8 weeks post op, bumping up time and speed as time go on. Then from there perhaps see if you like running? The Couch to 5K is an amazing plan. Find things you enjoy and definitely don't push yourself too much early out or you will probably get burnt out.

Good luck!!

Love your posts! I LOVE the P's and Q's...GOD help me with the C's LOL!!!

Love your posts! I LOVE the P's and Q's...GOD help me with the C's LOL!!!

I know that's right!!! I'm going to start praying whenever I get the urge... I'm so serious!

FYI: I have created the Rules on a Word Doc file (you can find it at the bottom of my first post). Trust me, I have printed it out myself so I can paste it up to always look at. Stay strong Sleevers!!!

LilMissDiva, I noticed you said you stay away from crackers...I'm seriously struggling calorie-wise and crackers are a life saver for me. My NUT has me eating baked whole wheat/grain crackers. Please advise me on this. I will be 6 weeks this Monday and I need help with food, recipes etc!!

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Terri, I do personally eat Whole Grain Saltines. When I'm being good, these are really the only crackers I will allow myself. They also seem to be more filling than any other cracker I've tried. I do however stay FAR FAR AWAY from Ritz!!! Those things are the Devils Work!!

I always look forward to ur posts Irene. U have a really good heart. I like ur P's and C's. Your feedback to others are from the heart. Keep up the wonderful things u do. U bring smiles to everyone including me!