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Had my abdominoplasty/belt lipectomy on Monday Sept 21st. Went very smoothly. Surgery lasted 6 hours. I am one week out. I feel veeeery tight but the pain is not that bad. It will be 3 weeks before i can return to work, 6 weeks before I can excercise and a few months till Ill feel normal....BUT SOOOOOO SOOOOO WORTH IT!  The pictures show the amazing difference. I will be having my brachioplasty (arms) and skin removal...and breasts done in 6 months. If you have any questions...feel free.

Well i'm 2 months from my 2 year mark and I refuse to reach that point without being at GOAL!
I am dying to have a Tummy Tuck and that serves as my major motivation everyday on my way to the gym. I fell into a huge plateau when I started dating my current boyfriend. It was pretty much the typical "new dating" scenario. After feeling so great about losing 100 lbs I met someone, started going out, eating out...basically I fell off of the strict wls diet. After 6 months of losing no weight I got back on the train and kick started my weight loss again. It's really unrealistic for me to count every fat gram. calorie, protein and carb that I eat so I basically stick to a simple plan. ONLY eat protein 5-6 days a week. That means Turkey, tuna, low fat cheeses, lean pork, lean beef all week long. I eat 3-4 portions of veggies and keep a bottled water with me at all times. I know these all sound like simple rules you always followed after surgery-but after you lose so much weight in the beggining you feel like you can eat everything again. Not true. If I eat rice, pasta, potatoes, grits...I DO gain. A huge reason for my plateau was alcohol consuption too. I was not an alcoholic-lol But wine became a regular part of the evening and that was adding like 300 calories to my day! SO now I limit drinking to ONE night a week, and I stick to Vodka with lime or Similar. I was never drinking sugary drinks (they did and still do make me sick) but what i didnt realize was that liquor turns into glucose in your system-and if you dont burn that it affects you just like eating bread does!
I try to work out 4 days a week. 45 mins to an hour of cardio seems to be working. but I really do want to start weight training-and plan on adding that in soon.

SO basically I consume nothing from the pantry-Everything in there has more carbs than protein! and as much as I love granola bars and crackers...if I eat them I only crave more. When I abstain I truly don't crave them as much.

What I eat regularly: Foods LOW on the Glycemic Index (foods that don't turn to glucose/sugar in your body)
Shrimp   Turkey    Lean Steaks-Filet, Flank, palomilla    Grilled Chicken    Tuna/Canned Chicken    Broccoli   Lettuce Cauliflour    Egg Beaters  Sharp Cheese Turkey Bacon,   Turkey Sausage  

I developed a crazy sweet tooth after surgery-and was eating chocolate for a while there-but now when I crave something sweet--I slice and apple and spread a little Peanut butter on it--That is actually soooooo good and does the trick

Another tip-alot of times when you think you are hungry-You really just might be thirsty! Try drinking a big glass of water-that helps me sooo much

I guess I'll update soon when I reach goal!

 Here is my new meal plan my nutritionist mapped out for me in order to kick start my weightloss and get these last 35 lbs off of my frame! 

Protein Goal: 140 grms

Carbohydrate Limit: 65 grms

Fat Limit: 50 grms

Total Calories Goal: 1200

Bkfast-No more than 245 Calories No less than 4 oz protein

Lunch-No more than 350 Calories No less than 4oz protein

Dinner-No more than 405 Calories No less than 6 oz protein

Snacks-2 a day No more than 250 cals

5 serving of Carbs a day (fruit, milk, bread, veggies)

20 servings of protein a day (meat, poultry, cheese, fish)

4 servings of Fat a day (olivve oil, margarine, flaxseed)

60 oz Water a day

Excercise: burning 400-500 calories per day

Official weight 176.

I am still not at goal but i have never been happier. I went in to see my nutritionist Barbara Correll this week and we re-asessed my situation. It was weird telling her about how much my life has changed since surgery. I got divorced, started dating, now im with someone seriously again. I go out 3-5 nights a week. Dance all night, work all day... but basically thats where the problem is. So here are some new goals to focus on

New goals:

Limit eating out to 3 times a week.

Focusing on really working out-burning 400-500 calories a day.

Focus on taking my vitamins, iron, calcium, and vitamin C (I apparently forgot about iron oops!)the good news is I can take capsules now!

My goal before plastics is 140. She thinks my body fat will be low enough by then. SO I need to lose another 35-40 lbs by christmas. Thats 10 lbs a month and I think its veeerrry do-able. SO I am back to eating to lose...instead of eating to maintain. I have to limit my breads to 2 servings a week. Thats the only real major change I have to make. I dont drink while I eat, smoke, drink sodas or any of that. But i hve to cut the alcohol out completely until goal (which is going ot be very hard for me) and get really focused again. I am really eager to get there so I am going to work as hard as possible!

Official weight 184.7

    I am down 110 lbs from my surgery date and a total of 130 lbs from my highest weight.  Whenever I start to feel discouraged I simply think about those numbers and it helps me keep things in perspective.  I still have about 45 more pounds to reach my personal goal...and of course start to figure out plastics. I went from a sie 24, xxl--down to size 14 and m-l tops.
    In general wls has been pretty simple. the weight really fell off during the first 6 months and the last few have really slowed down but i think by upping the cardio and cutting out the wine (lol) i should be able to get the rest off in the next 3-4 months! I have learned it really does take a lot of will power to have long term success!

My life has changed in more ways than imaginable. I can honestly say that i feel like a new person...confident, attractive and much more at peace in general...and that is really the best part. I have spent the last few months really reassesing where I am in my life-and have really spent the time making up for all of the experiences I missed out on previously, with the weight on. Sometimes I get so angry at myself for ever even letting myself get there-but its all part of the process I guess.

Some discoveries...
1. Greasy foods still make me dump-anything cooked in oil really
2. Sugar does not!-So i have to be realllly careful about sweets (and yes i still crave them sometimes)
3. Its reallly important to watch the carbs, I always lose weight when I cut them mostly out.
4. Willpower is a neccesity!!!

We are having a little Excercise-athon over on the 20s board. So I thought I would keep track here

1/21/08-45 mins Elliptical
1/22/08-20 mins Elliptical
               23 mins Treadmill
1/23/08-0 Way Tired
1/24/08-30 mins Elliptical
1/25/08-0 Happy hour ruined me
1/26/08-75 mins Walking all of Tampa
1/27/08-0 Recovering
1/28/08-30 mins elliptical
                25 min arms

Total----278mins

FINALLY I am in Onederland! The scale officially read 198.3 This morning. I still cannot believe that in less than 5 months I have lost 96 pounds. I know that by the 20th it be 100 lbs off. Truthfully I am down 117 from my highest of 315. I feel like a different person, and everyone that I run into can't seem to believe it. My friend Allen hadnt seen me in over 2 years and when he did the other day he said "Wow you are so skinny!" Can you believe it?? I got called skinny!!! wow. Anyway this month has crazy. I have been partying way too much and I am starting to feel it. I usually always head out on Fridays or Staurdays, but everyone has been home for Christmas break and I have used that as an excuse to head out every night. Well Im getting pretty tired now and feel the effects so I went today and re-filled on my Liquid Vitamins, B-12s, and bought a few new protein sample packs so I can hurry up and get these last 60 lbs off-so i can have plastics. because the loose skin is HORRIBLE! Its under my arms, around my belly, under my ribs and now my inner thighs are starting to gather. I feel ike excercise just doesnt help...cuz its SKIN...i don't know what to do,  even my boobs are not just smaller, they have literally deflated and the skin is still left. So sad and probably TMI lol.

Well I have found out what my new addiction is, and no its not alcohol, even though I do drink, it has not been a problem for me whatsoever-I guess I am lucky? Anyway...It's shopping! I have had to buy all new clothes, but mostly stick to dresses and shoes. I figure dresses will last longer than buying jeans and such cuz I can wear them through a couple of sizes. Mostly I have been wearing larges and sometimes an XL if its from juniors. I bought my first size 14 pants yesterday-ahh its so nice.

I have been dating. It's the one thing I reaaaaallly felt like I missed out on with the weight, but Ill be honest it's tough! So far i am yet to meet someone I am really compatible with and have already felt some heartache. Now I know its only been aout 2 months since I have been "officially" single and its going to get better, I just had high hopes I guess. But I really, honestly don't know how to "date" or play the games...but im learning hehe. Oh well. The whole Gastric issue has come up with a few guys, but I dont usually say anything when I first meet someone. No one has been too shocked, usually its like "Oh thats cool you have lost so much" but no suprising reactions.  Im just pretty self-concious without my clothes on, but hey I figure everyone is and plastics arent too far off.

My New Years resolutions include, getting to goal, obviously, Getting back on Track with Vitamins, Excercising, but basically just really focusing on ME and getting to know myself and strengthening my friendships.

Well almost 4 months...and still going pretty strong. I weighed in tonight at 206.5  Oficially 87.5 pounds down since surgery. I have only lost about 12 pounds in the last month, so my weight loss has definitely slowed down. It is probably due to a couple of things, such as the major improvement in my social life lol.  It has definitely caused me to decrease my workouts and focus, but I am trying to get back on track.

I learned why you should take your  vitamins-cuz you will feel CRAPPY if you don't. I had a few really stressful weeks where I slacked on them and was just popping in a few viactive chewables. They will NOT cut it! SO as soon as I got back on my Oasis liquid and B12 I started feeling MUCH BETTER.

So the stress was most definitely due to the ending of my marriage. It's been coming and my fellow wls 20-somethings have seen my recent posts (and been so helpful) but the drama of him moving out etc.. caused some major lapses in my routine and christmas will def be hard, but ill get through it. I NEVER thought I would be going through so many transitions at one time in my life, but everything happens for a reason right? I am sure all of this will eventually result in my making some major realizations about life in general. 

I am 71 pounds from goal and looking foward to the rest of my journey. Only 7 more pounds until I am in ONEderland...cant wait

Wow 3 months has FLOWN by. I feel like I had surgery yesterday and yet its been a full 14 weeks and I have lost 78 pounds! I still can't believe that number. I am 81 pounds from my goal weight of 135...half way there in only 3 months...insane.
My life has changed dramatically already. I feel so much better about myself. 
Clothes: can now shop in Misses and sometimes even in the Juniors Dept! I was at Target yesterday and I tried on a XL Erin fetherston dress...and it was TOO BIG! I bought a gorgeous blue ELLE mini-bubble dress in an XL from the Juniors dept-and really i could have fit into a Large! That is still totally insane to me. I have been shopping in Lane bryant since I was 14 and I am thrilled I will never have to buy another "Plus Size" item again in my life.I was wearing 24-26 pants and skirts the week before surgery. My 20's are falling off now and i am about 10 lbs away from gettin my booty into a cute little size 16 gap mini skirt Carly has already shrunk out of. 
Body: I wont lie...I am not exactly a graceful shrinking violet...lol. I am totally going to need a tummy tuck...i could probably already wear 2 sizes smaller if it wasnt for the gross abount of skin that hangs at the bottom of my abdomen and below my ribs...but all in due time. the sonner I get to goal the sooner I can start to plan those changes. my arms are definietly saggy but i can't really imagine doing them I just need to start trying to build some muscle there. 
Social Life: AMAZING. I never ever ever would go to clubs anymore...it was just too embarassing. I could fit through the crowds, I was afraid to dance-because i might knock someone over, really :( . Now, i am out several times a week! I dance, go to bars, dinner with the girls, hit the gym at least 3 times a week. It still completely amazes me that guys hit on me, want to dance with me, buy me a drink?!...before they wouldnt even make eye contact with me...seriously--it's like when you are obese they are afraid to even talk to you, someone else might see. It's actually funny because technically I still AM obese, but for some reason I fit in so much more now. 
My clients don't usually see me for 4-6 weeks at a time---they are all amazed at how different I look each time they come in. One lady told me the other day, "Oh my God, there is so much less of  you behind the chair!" It sounds so weird but I dont cover her anymore!

I thank God everyday I have this amazing tool in my life. I don't feel deprived or anxious about food, I eat pretty much whatever I want but small portions still and I try to keep the breads, pasta and rice to a minimum.  Thanksgiving was tough, I grazed a lot more than I wanted too but I have forgiven myself and gotten over it. 

I usually include some "Lessons Learned," and I think i only have one major one since my last post. This is not a "diet" I used to think of every diet before this as a temporary deprivation from the foods I liked. I know that is not the case now. If I am reallllly craving something, I EAT IT. I was DYING for a taco bell nacho for 3 days (I know so bad!) I finally bought a nacho supreme friday night. I got literally 2 chips in...and then i was OVER IT. Thats how it is now...so then I picked off the rest of the beef and called it a night. At Thanksgiving I was wanting a piece of pie so badly....I dipped a spoon in the pumpkin pie-savored the flavor and moved on. Maybe i am lucky, that my self control always kicks in after I get a taste...but I didnt go to bed dreaming about that pie and the slice I didn't get to taste....How great is that...Finally!

Ok so its been a busy few weeks and I in much need of an update...So it's gonna be a long one! hehe

Well I experienced my  first  "stall" in my weight loss and it almost killed me! I was at 247 for 3 weeks in a row, and obviously didn't make my reach goal by October as i had hoped...but lets note that as lesson 1 of the many i have learned in the last 2 months 1. BE PATIENT. It was so hard for me to understand how I could be working out EVERYDAY and yet still not losing!? Well i really don't know the reason but I guess maybe my body freaked out a little after losing so much initially...but any way I spent the last 2 weeks traveling for work and Vacationing, I thought for sure that i wouldnt have lost because I SUCKED at getting in my protein and didnt hit the gym...but low and behold I weighed myself on 10/30/07 and I was officially at 236. Thats a total of 58 lbs in 10 weeks. Not too bad...considering I was on a cruise! But that's where lesson 2 comes in...2. YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO EAT AFTER SURGERY. I had these grand fantasies that I would never ever be hungry again, all bad foods would make me dump, and I would never crave all the bad stuff anymore...NOT TRUE. I was shocked by the fact that I actually got hungry! I don't know where I got the notion it would never happen again, but it was weird. So how did I deal...I realized lesson 3...3. Its all MENTAL...YOU MUST MAKE GOOD CHOICES>>>FOREVER. I ate 3 meals everyday on that trip...and even some snacks but it was all about making good choices at dinners and at the buffets.  I would get yogurt,fruit, eggs or cornbeef at breakfast. (Instead of sausage, bacon, breads or danishes). At lunch I would pick out Grilled fish, or chicken, bunless burgers, Potatoes, veggies (instead of the fries, fried foods, caseroles, rices, and dressings) At dinner I ate 3 or 4 courses everynight...but SMALL PORTIONS and SMALL BITES. I had amazing new foods...Lobster, Quail, Eggplant Lasagna, Soups, Steaks...I just skipped the rice, and rolls every night. I even tried a few sugar free desserts (of course by the end I could only get in about a bite!)  But the point is...you will still be normal. I will still be able to enjoy good foods...I just can't overindulge anymore, and honestly that Is a HUGE relief for me. I can actually order what I LIKE now instead of what will fill me up. Its actually  a pretty freeing feeling...and everyone else likes it cuz they know they will get half of  my food! hehe


Some Personal Lessons I have Learned:
1.I can eat more than I thought... about a 1/2 cup of food(less if i have to really chew it though-like chicken or steak)...and a whole meatball at Olive garden if you give me 45 mins.
2.Fried food makes me naseous-even if I peel the breading off...so NO GO 
3.I cannnnnoooot eat french fries
4.Milk makes me nauseous
5.Im not supposed to eat salads yet....but a few bites doesnt bother me so I will probably be ready sooner
6. I used to get a HORRIBLE pain in my chest every time i ate... so I needed to SLOOOOOW down. So now I take baby, baby bites and I tada no pain...DUH
7. I am NOT endorsing it...but i can drink. Nothing more than vodka...but it still works. My tolerance is about the same....pretty low so a double does the job. 
8. I am LOVING going out again...dancing has never been so fun!