Wow, I can't believe how much better I feel. I don't post here often but wish everyone well on this journey. I love feeling full after 1/2 a sandwich, love that a calzone can last me through 3 lunches. At the same time, I don't really enjoy going out to dinner so much because I hate spending money like that when I really can't each much.My kids love it though, because they get my leftovers!

Fight the good fight and never stop!

and almost 35# lost, for  total incuding pre-surg loss of 55! WooHoo! While I'm certainly not breaking any speedloss records, it's been pretty steady and I am thrilled! I have gone from a 30/32 and 28's down to a size 22. My goal for the next few weeks is to hang in there with the exercise and fly to NV for a wedding without a set-belt extender! I had to use one last Oct on a flight to GA, and it was embarrassing, to say the least. I had purchased it on eBay and carried it in my camera bag, so I don't think anyone but my husband knew I had it, but embarrassing nonetheless.

Solid foods are challenging and chicken is the worst offender. Seems I can tolerate most everything else at this point, except chicken! Even turkey is fine! Crunchy stuff is the best, maybe because I chew it so carefully, not sure. Steering clear of most breads and sugars, although crackers are a big help when the tum is feeling off.

I am walking about 3 miles, 4 times a week or so, more when I can, and less occasionally. I do need to start doing some wt. lifting as my arms are looking REALLY loose and flabby. I am also going to order the t-tapp skin brushing brush and instructions as that helped years ago with the loose skin, a lot. I course I had 20 years more elasticity in my skin back then!

Oh! A milestone....I drive a teeny 93 Mitsubishi Mirage to and from school. The reason for this is because it's 1.5 hours and a whole lot of miles ech way and that little bomb gets 43mpg! We have a minivan for the family that would put me in the poorhouse if I had to use that for the drive to school every day! Anyway, I had only been wearing the shoulder belt because I couldn't fasten the lapbelt. I know, not smart, but had to do it. I can now fasten it with room to spare!!!!! WooHoo! I am Safer And Slimmer!

And doing AWESOME!!!! I got the epidural and cannot cannot cannot believe how pain-free the whole thing was! Seriously! No surgery or incision pain whatsoever! I did have some serious gas pain where it would settle in my left shoulder, but that gets better with movement, and is okay unless I try to lie flat. So I borrowed a recliner for a few days until the rest of that gas works it's way out of my system. I have not taken a single pain pill though! Dr. Moon Rocks the House!

OMGosh! I can't believe it's here. I should be sleeping but who could sleep????!! I am packed and ready, casseroles made for the family, kids clothes laid out for a week, bills paid, just waiting for hubby to snag some stamps. I am READY! And hungry! Heee...after a day on all clear liquids, I guess I should be. It's funny though, it's not a feeling I'm all that familiar with- being hungry. I'm a boredom-stress eater, not a hunger eater. It will be nice though to not feel those urges for awhile while I learn new strategies to deal with the hunger and boredom.

Weeeee! Here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!