I need to do this, no matter what

[Micoxv 276]

Good day at work today even if I start to have a sleeping problem as I wake up at 4 or 5 am ready to go...the upside is that I don't feel tired yet. I am trying to do an hour of elliptical a day to release the stress and to sleep better . Let's see if it works. Purées are a challenge. Tonight I tried to eat at the same time with my wife , daughter and in-laws parents. Big mistake. They eat so fast!!! On top of that my daughter was not in her best behavior (happens a lot when the grandparents are around ) so a lot of stress . My sleeve did not like this and made me pay with a huge pressure on my chest for about 30 minutes where I thought I would not be able to breathe anymore. Lesson learned. Lost another pound today so all good. I did dust off a lot of clothes over the weekend that I was not able to wear before (with 30 pounds extra) and almost everything fits. This is so great! I made a list of 10 objectives before the surgery, linked to losing weight and I am determined to reach them, even if I have modified a few slightly since the surgery. I am wondering if everyone made such a list and more importantly if you are sticking to it.

[chrisredjeep 357]

I did not make a list but I had several things in my mind . One of the most important ones for me was to be able to look after my little grand daughter. I don't think I could do that and be fun grandma at my original weight. I also wanted to feel better about myself and how I wanted my life to be. The clothes of course,, it has been thrilling going down into smaller sizes and being able to shop in normal shops. This op has made me a better person, not so grumpy and tired now !

[Micoxv 276]

I did not make a list but I had several things in my mind . One of the most important ones for me was to be able to look after my little grand daughter. I don't think I could do that and be fun grandma at my original weight. I also wanted to feel better about myself and how I wanted my life to be. The clothes of course,, it has been thrilling going down into smaller sizes and being able to shop in normal shops. This op has made me a better person, not so grumpy and tired now !

The list helps me to focus and I placed it on a strategic place (fridge door ). I thought it could be useful but I never end up in front of it anymore like I used to with regular diet. My first objective is to be there for my loved ones. My father died at 57 years old from a heart attack. He had the worst habits ever (smoking, drinking, eating junk food) and I am not following this path. Being a better (mood), healthier person and more dynamic is a great benefit from the surgery.

I added a few more things such as:

Running a 5k, 10k and half Marathon... for now.

Bicycle rides with my daughter.

Playing rugby again with veterans from my former team.

Riding a bike again (HD Fatboy of course ).

Diving (i used to but not easy to find equipment with my size).

Parachutism (I have to try this at least once).

Take the middle seat on planes without freaking out.

Being comfortable in swimming suit on the beach.

Going from beer belly to 6 pack.(long way to go, but I have a lot of hope since I've seen a guy reaching this on the forum!)

Prove to myself that nothing is impossible.

[Micoxv 276]

Another 5 am automatic wake up. Elliptical bike, shower, coffee and shake. Ready to go for the day . Protein lunch again, lots of liquids. I ate some avocado tonight. It went well on the sleeve. I am doing my 10.000 steps a day on top of the gym. It helps I am sure. People at work are worried about me as they see me losing weight and don't dare to ask with what happened. Tomorrow it will be a month. It is so painful and unfair.

I realized the reason why I am so reluctant to share my surgery with colleagues is that I am simply ashamed. Ashamed of having to do the VSG as result of the failure of all my former diets , of not being able to control my hunger and stomach. "The easy way out" as many people that did not go through this journey would judge me. Therefore I prefer to stay quiet and avoid any comments about my weight loss. I don't know if it makes sense or if I should be more opened, but right now this is the best I can do. I am so grateful to be able to share my feelings on this forum as I can express myself.

[kaitlynm 335]

I would keep the surgery to yourself and this forum. Everyone has opinions, and many are not scientifically based. Others will be jealous of your weight loss, you just tend to get a lot of strange reactions. I told some people and now I wish I hadn't. Just tell people you are working out and eating lots of Protein while restricting calories. No lies there.

[Micoxv 276]

I would keep the surgery to yourself and this forum. Everyone has opinions, and many are not scientifically based. Others will be jealous of your weight loss, you just tend to get a lot of strange reactions. I told some people and now I wish I hadn't. Just tell people you are working out and eating lots of Protein while restricting calories. No lies there.

I think you are right. No lies and no need to tell your entire life either. With the loss of my son, many people do not dare to talk to me anyway.

The best part of the VSG is that I can focus on myself and my progress. It helps a lot to focus on other things, since my social life is on pause mode for now.

I am very careful with my new little buddy sleeve as it decides for both of us what I can and can't eat and I certainly don't want to push or upset it.

[chrisredjeep 357]

Im with Kaitlynm on this one. I completely understand that you feel ashamed that you had to have the surgery to be successful. I was exactly the same. I have told very few people about the surgery because I do not want to hear Oh you took the easy way out. It was not an easy option, and I do find some days are harder than others. However I am very glad I did take this road, and I am sure you feel the same. Let them think what they like, you did this for you and yours, so stick to it. You are doing great!

[Micoxv 276]

Don't get me wrong. I embrace this change with all I have. That is the best thing I've done for me. It is just that I know I could lose weight on my own. I never knew how to keep it off though.

[Micoxv 276]

I just come back from my appointment with my so called nutritionist. We had a huge argument. At first she confused me by telling me to stay on liquid 2 weeks more when I am already 2 weeks doing it. Then she said I was taking too much Proteins per day (90-100 g) to which I answer that first of all, I do sport and I don't want to lose muscle. Proteins give me the energy I need and I don't feel tired. I also told her I drink 2 liters of Water a day, so plenty to not expose my kidneys. Then she was not coherent on the kind of purées and Soups I could drink. Very frustrating. She recommended to drink plenty of fresh tropical fruits juice (yeah, I can take the blender with me at work). I asked her about the high sugar content and she admitted it was a downside but plenty of vitamins.... To which I answer I take Vitamins and minerals everyday.... Painful and waste of time. I believe I will follow other recommendations I found from hospitals and doctors on the Internet. I left the room when she suggested to replace cardio with yoga.

[Micoxv 276]

I would like to share a couple of pics after on month total and 35 lbs down.

2 weeks diet and 2 weeks on the sleeve. Not to goal (still a long road) but definitely an improvement, at least in my mind.

Have a great day!!!

[Micoxv 276]

Lovely day in Barcelona today. After a 30 minutes elliptical bike session, I went to the natural history museum with my daughter followed by a long walk on the seaside and reached my 10000 steps. I tried some hummus at lunch and a cream of zucchini, asparagus and potatoes tonight. Lovely. No pressure on the sleeve. I notice that my weight loss is slowing down a bit and vary now every two days, and I am comfortable with it. I still lose some size even the days the weight remains the same. Everything is great within this sleeve journey!

[chrisredjeep 357]

Looking good there. Glad you are doing well. I have been in Stratford on Avon this weekend with my other half. Loads of walking and going up steps etc. no problem for me now !

[Micoxv 276]

Is that not amazing how things are getting easier when we lose the extra weight? I have been able to complete a "boot camp hiking" program on my elliptical bike and burnt over 1000 calories, on top of my walk today (intense as I went shopping in a huge outdoor outlet with my wife who is skinny and walks very very fast [emoji4]. Tried the blender for juice today and everything went well. smoothies are just easy on the sleeve. I tried very red tomatoes and later on watermelon. Delicious!

[chrisredjeep 357]

I will have to give the smoothies a go. The watermelon sounds delicious

[Micoxv 276]

It is! Not quite the season yet but we were able to get some from south of Spain that were actually ok.