Hi everyone who is having surgery in October 2014. We can start a new topic for those of us who have had surgery already.

This is the spot were we will all end up, were we'll share our stories and recovery. It will be a new dawn for so many of us. Let's stay close as united we will conquer anything that comes our way!

BEST WISHES GLADIATORS

A couple of the shirts I got from Kohl's :-) I didn't take pics of the others, I will soon! Lol, even after losing all this weight, I'm still stuck on wearing my leggings and boots! Some things never change lol

A couple of the shirts I got from Kohl's :-) I didn't take pics of the others, I will soon! Lol, even after losing all this weight, I'm still stuck on wearing my leggings and boots! Some things never change lol

Very cute. I'm still stuck on leggings and boots too lol.

@@freelyme, you look great. I love the shirt! Beautiful outfit.

Luna- those shirts really show your figure. Hot stuff!

Glorious day in Philly for a walk!!! I felt like Forrest Gump . I just kept walking and walking. My fitbit said I went 9.25 miles!

@@Shadow427 Any luck on the clothes shopping?

@@freelyme

You look fantastic 87 pounds is so much weight. Imagine achieving that before surgery. How wonderful.

We all have a journey and we all have made such wonderful progress. Both as individuals and as a group we are true Gladiators. As we look at our before and after pictures or catch a glimpse on the mirror, lets stop for a moment and "smell the flowers" as our accomplishments are absolutely worthy of celebration. Freaking unbelievable, REALLY!

WE ROCK GLADIATORS!

Beni --- I did. But nothing "springy". I stopped into Lane Bryant to see what was on sale... And they had a bunch of stuff for $6.99. I got 3 sweaters in size 14. I'm currently 18-20. They should be good for next Fall!!

@@Shadow427

I have found some things here and there but I am trying to discipline myself because many of the things I purchased in the past 3 months are already too big including the 3 pairs of size regular 16 jeans. Even the new shoes are falling off my feet. I am getting by with a belt and moving buttons on pants. Even though my weight is very, very slow moving my shape is changing. The exercise is helping. The odd thing is my shoulders are super narrow now. It's almost like the weight is leaving from the top down. My rings, which I have not worn in decades now fit. My middle is still a bit Santa Claus like in proportion. Must work those abs. Right now I have none. I was lying on a mat at this class and we were supposed to rock our bodies to a sitting position. Nope, wasn't going to happen. I am starting with planks but only from the knees as I can not mustard full body planks, YET ! Well, I can, but only for a couple seconds.

I have a couple second hand apps that I buy from and wanted to share

Threadflip

Thredup

Twice

And wish, wish is new items but very inexpensive.

I went back to the hotel I stated at last year just to get a picture in front of the painting I really liked last year. Wow!! So crazy how much my life has changed!!

Oh yes and my boyfriend set his new PR for his marathon time! I'm so proud :-) 2:57:27 :-) he was introducing me to some people and one guys said "damn!! See the fast guys get the hot chicks!!" It made me giggle. And my boyfriend smiled and said, yep!

@pinkpolkadot

You are the hot chick for sure. Always were but now the myopic world can see it. I am so happy for you and how much healthier you are now. We forget but all that extra weight actually depresses us and it's not all in our heads, obesity and depression go hand and hand. I think its because we simply can't move as much and our bodies need it just like air. I like to think of when I'm outdoors in the sun = Vitamin D in production. When I'm moving=endorphins in production. Both happy pills

My next major goal is hitting 179 (8 pounds away) because that hat's when my BMI will be below 30. I will no longer be obese. I am no longer morbid obese because I am below BMI 35. Now I am focusing on the next step. It has been slow going but I have made some adjustments. This is what has worked.

1. Exercise at least 30 minutes everyday (only Sunday off as long as I do some activity that involves moving for 30 min.) On three days I do 1 hour of exercise with 30 min. of cardio and then weights or machines or floor work not forgetting stretches.

2. Slow down with my meals. I was getting too fast again. I don't learn!

3. Stop snacking. Because I eat too fast I get satisfied quickly but because it's not enough in a couple hours, I'm in need of a little something. Even though I eat healthy, the calories add up. This requires eating my meals at the right hours not when ever, which is how I usually float. Also, I find that grazing allows to eat too big of a portion. I can eat a bite every 5 minutes for a long time. I must have the food on my plate and no extra around to add later. Remember 3 meals and a snack. The rest of the time I try hot tea, sugar free drinks (love diet Snapple Peach) or Water with a slice of lemon.

4. Drink more. Sometimes hunger is actually thirst.

I had gained 3 pounds with my poor habits but I have lost them again and I'm moving on. Just a little hiccup.

Remember the most famous man in the world "Stay thirsty my friend" advertising campaign, I'm going with

"Stay healthy my friend."

Such a successful group. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago when I joined you all back in October. I was super excited about surgery and the new possibilities and I was petrified because it was major surgery. I haven't been much of a poster here, but I've been reading posts almost everyday and it is what has gotten me to where I am today. So, thank you all!

I am very excited. This morning I hit a major milestone and made it to onederland. I'm down 87 pounds. I'm having trouble comprehending that.

Happy Tuesday!

I had my 6 month check up yesterday. I'll be back in a bit to report how that went but wanted to post a silly picture with my daughter and I from yesterday. Someone thought we were sistets, haha!!

Dang! Why can't I figure out how to rotate my pictures!?

Oh, I guess it did rotate it, hehe.