Well here's an update.

Down to 245. I guess that makes 120lbs lost. I still maintain a fairly strict diet. High Protein, low carbs, fairly low fat. I have a weakness for Gatorade, watermelon, and about once every two or three weeks, I MAY get a Cheerwine (for the NC peeps) slushy. I try to keep things in the 1000-1100 calorie range until I hit the weight I want to be at, then will adjust from there to maintain.

I havent hammered down a true diet yet, but over the course of a day I may eat a pack of Lance cashews, which is a meal for me now, a boiled egg, maybe a half a chicken breast, or whole one over the course of two meals, and some green vegetables (broccoli is a favorite), or Beans of some sort, and generally some Water and a 32oz Gatorade. I don't necessarily eat those foods every day, especially since eggs add a lot of calories, as do the cashews.

I eat a lot of beans, chicken, cashews, and quinoa. Those are pretty much staples in my diet. I try to shy away from beef, but will occasionally grab something from a chinese place with mixed vegetables as a rare treat about once a month. No bread, no candy, no sweets. Once or twice a month I may grab a sweet tea while at a restaurant, old habit, and I never drink it, and don't know why I order it. Occasionally, at my bi-weekly Men's group before work every other Thursday, I'll get grits, an egg over easy, and add a little butter. I eat maybe 1/4-1/2c cooked grits, and all the egg.

I run occasionally. Can't sit still any more. Hate to sit at home. Have to be doing SOMETHING. Got a couple issues to straighten out post marriage and will join the YMCA. Basically, I don't have a checking account (weird, I know), and need to set one up in order to have my payment drafted from the account to pay the YMCA. They don't take debit card, and I wasn't paying 3 months up front right now with cash, as Im still paying off some of the ex's debts that she miraculously racked up in my name.

As far as weightloss.... I went down 100lbs quick, like 3 months or so, then stopped for a few weeks. I went down another 5 or so, and stopped again for a week or so, and now down another 15, and slowed again. Not worried, it will come off. I haven't really tried pushing it yet. I have 15 pounds until I reach my goal weight. My focus then will be to tighten up what I have and rebuild some muscle, and see where I am. I may try to continue to lose more weight while trying to build. I know adding muscle will add weight so I want to try to even them both out. I also mean by adding muscle I mean not trying to get ripped, but just building some strength back to an acceptable level. I'm not weak, but I have gotten a little weaker through the process, enough to notice, but it may just be because Im active again and doing stuff I haven't done in years.

Goal is 230. Over weight by the charts, but a number my surgeon and nutritionist agreed on since I'm pretty broad in the shoulders and hips. My hip bones stick out as is where I am now.

The start....

And now.... here's a cheesey mirror selfy showing my progress... excuse the dirty mirror. I had all the kids this weekend and havent cleaned the bathroom since they left. Apparently toothpaste is supposed to go elsewhere besides your mouth and the sink.

You look fantastic! Great job.

You have done fantastic.....I have not hammered down a diet either and have not thought about it much....Really want to keep all this simple if I can.....I stand out enough by how much I eat....So eating extremely healthy like health nuts is not my thing....I am sure the weight loss will slow down for me as well and probably has...But I know it will happen this year or next.....Just moving at my own speed.....what ever that speed is....lol

Great difference in your photos...You deserve this...

Congrats, you've done well!!

I forgot to add, my surgery date was 3/18/2013

hey guy

love your pics

120 lbs gone, gone, gone - but not forgotten!!!

you are continueing to do great with your food plan

going to the Y also!!!

not wanting to stay home (totally get that)

everything you said sounds wonderful

so happy for you

keep up the good job (i know you will )

kathy

120lbs gone! Wow, great transformation and so quick! You should be very proud of all your hard work, keep it up, you look great!

I forgot to add' date=' my surgery date was 3/18/2013[/quote']

I have question do u have any trouble keep food down or liquids cause I kinda am am 4 months post op does it get better can u drink normal now or is it still small sips can u eat and drink same time sorry if am asking a lot I'm just so miserable I love the way I look but I feel like am sick thank you