Hi everyone!
It has been so long since I have stopped by.  I don't even know where to begin.  Things have been going really good.  I have lost 111 lbs since July and 150 total.  Kind of nuts! I wear a size 12  and large shirts.  It is crazy that I have actually gotten to the point where I can walk into any store and buy things.  I don't but I can.  My eating has been less than ideal.  I got into the bad habit of eating snacky food and not paying attention to my protien amounts.  I had no idea how many calories or grams of protien I was taking in.  Today I downloaded the livestrong iphone app and I have been checking my calories and I was very suprised to find out that I am eating quite a few calories.  Its 6:30 and I have already had about 1500.  I haven't lost any weight in the last month or so.  It feels like I hit the 180s and it halted. I feel really good at this weight.  I would like to see goal (150 lbs) which is what, 36 lbs away, but honestly if I could get a tummy tuck at this point (I have "shrinkles" like you wouldnt believe.  I look like a melted wax figure!!! It's gross...thank God for Spanx!) , I would be happy at this weight.  My BMI is in the 20s amazing since I started out at like 54! I don't work out as much as I should but I am 10x more active than I used to be.  I walk, go for hikes, take the stairs, just overall way more active.  I really want to settle at a weight that is comfortable and allows me to eat like a "normal" person.  Problem is, I am not a normal person and my compulsion to eat is still there.  Sometimes at work I get so stressed I get frantic looking for food.  Luckily I can usually calm myself with some coffee, gum, or ativan :) But the desire/need to eat is still there.  That is the part of all of this that really freaks me out.  I still want to eat and think about food all the time.  I woke up the other day thinking about the peanut butter m&ms on the table on the other side of the room.  I got up and ate some.  At 7:30 in the morning! WTF!! I was talking to my mother in law who is 10 yrs post op and she looked at me like I was crazy.  For her, the surgery switched something in her that makes her never think about food.  That did not happen for me.  I have been considering counseling to help deal with the issues.  I haven't gone to a support group since November and I am really going to try to get childcare so I can go next Tuesday.  I think the support has been the missing part of the equation. It is amazing how much more aware I have been today by watching what I eat and coming to the message board.  It has been great checking in on all of your guys progress. It is amazing what this surgery has done for us! It has been such a blessing and I am so thankful.  I feel like I have my life back.  I was missing out on so much! I can chase after my kids, hold them on my lap, and be the mom they deserve.  I still struggle with my issues but its getting better.  Keep up the good work guys!  

You guys I did it again! I completely fell off the wagon and have been eating carbs!!!!!!! I have such a problem with this! I lost weight going on the 5 day pouch test. Did better than expected. Then once I am tempted with something I lose all control! I don't want to be one of those statistics showing that they gained all the weight back after losing it all. :(

By the way have any of you read how many people regain the weight after WLS? I have not been able to find this information.

I am getting scared. I gained 3 of the lbs I lost on the 5 day test back! I screwed up the other day and thought I was eating sugarfree pudding and it ended up being normal pudding! I was so disappointed in myself. It started a cycle of carbs. I ate a cinnamon roll, popcorn, some chips, and some breaded shrimp! And I have been eating larger amounts still. :( 

I'm trying to get back on eating just protein. I really crave things that are bad though. I would love to dive into a big bowl of fried rice right now. :( Ugh... 

Valerie

PLEASE GOD HELP ME GET PAST THIS! I want to weigh 135 for life!!!! And I am so close to reaching it. I just want to make it happen and have it stay off! 



Boo! I am so mad at myself!!!! 

 I have been in the same boat for the last month and a half!!  I just found out I have a cyst on my ovary and then had a "cycle" of like one day....  So I 'm hoping that is what has been holding me back on the scale. I get in about 1100-1200 cal.  I finally saw some relief movement this weekend. I am down 1.3/4 lbs  from my initial low weight a month and a half ago. I am hoping that now that i am more closely monitoring intake and numbers it will continue to move!!!  I am looking forward to the warmer weather so I can try and make more of an effort to work out!! Excuses excuses lol... I applaud you for all your hard work with the work outs!!! I wish I had your energy!! Keep up the great work!!!

Very frustrated with the scale. How much calories is everyone eating while exercising? Is 1300 to 1400 calories to much. Some days I am doing 2 hours or more of exercise and burning over 1100 calories or more a day. My protein is between 80 to 100 gms a day and drinking 8 glasses of water a day. When I workout I have a 32 oz of water with me and drink all of it during my workout.
Sunday workout. 65 min on elipitical, burn 780 calories, 5.71 miles then 40 min on treadmill hills level 14 burn 285 calories and 1.81 miles. Then I relax in the whirlpool for 20 minutes that felt good. Still weigh the same as yesterday 172.2

Well got my ball workout in 100 push ups, 200 sit ups and 200 sitting twist with weighted balls while watching aliens in the attic with the kids today

I do eat some carbs here is what I ate today so far

multigrain cheerios with skim milk and bananna
Orange (in the car on the way to gym to give me fuel for my workout)
Eas protein shake
power crunch protein bar
rotisserie chicken with no skin and only white meat
small order of mashed potates made with skim milk
peas
kosher dill pickle only has 5 calories
lettuce, cucumber, shredded carrots, american cheese no dressing
popcorn with i can't believe its not butter spray has no calories or fat
2 sugar free popsicles for both only 30 calories.

Saturday I did 65 min on the elipitical and 40 min on the treadmill. I usually can 65 min on the treadmill if I am not doing the weight machines. Which I just start the weight machines yesterday and today I didn't do them give my body a rest for a day. Just did cardio. Still got to to do my ball exercises yet. I do them at home usually sit ups and push ups and sometimes sitting twist with a weighted ball.

I hate plateau's after 5 weeks of no gym do to my hysterectomy I was like I got to get moving again. And that is what I been doing since last week Saturday. I also getting in my 8 glasses of water in a day plus all the protein as well. I just feel 1400 calories is to much after having the gastric bypass.

Friday's workout 65 min Eliptical 799 calories, 5.81 miles, 45 min weight machines did 2 sets some I did 25 reps and others I did 10 reps. then 35 min on the treadmill 234 calories 1.48 miles.

While watching days of our lives I did 100 push ups, 200 sit ups, 200 side twist all on the ball and sat the rest time watching days. Also had a salad with no dressing for lunch. For dinner I am having bbq chicken breast, baked potato both on the grill and some type of vegetable. And no I don't eat the skin off the chicken. And for breakfast I had multi grain cheerios with skim milk, bannana and had a protein bar and protein shake so far today. Not bad day of eating or exercise
Thursday workout 65 min elipitical 739 calories, 5.25 miles, 65 min treadmill up to level 13 on hills 426 calories, 2.75 miles. Then ball workout 100 push ups, 200 sit ups and 200 sitting twist on ball

I could post all the way back to Saturday 3/20/10 but that would get long. Just want to see what my exercise is and what I am eating. Getting anywhere from 80 to 100 gms of protein and 64 oz of water. The scale start to drop to 169.4 after a day or so at the gym but now it is back up to 172.2 just seems I can't get out of the 170's. Am I eating to much? I am tired of looking at this wrinkle up skin and flab on my body. Trying my best to tone it up as much as possible. I know this isn't going to happen over night. I am struggling with body image. I still see myself as this obese person.

I think if you look at JULY boards everyone in in the same boat losing 3 to 5 lbs then the same pounds come back... I mean I have less than 33 lbs but I titter back and forth.. I think eveyones body is different my girl friend that have surgery weight didn't stabilize till 24 months after surgery... But check your measurements I have dropped two pants sizes one more pant size I will be at my goal of  size13/14 .... inches are still coming off... if  your losing inches then .. your body is not in a stall.. just re-adjusting.. but you are right about the journal.. it helps you stay focus and on track... I know everybody doesn't weight their food or measure but I do.. this helps to keep in mind that I can never go out the boundary's in which I should be eating.. I would have never did this years ago but it helps.. I measure exactly the serving sizes I should eat.. and I keep me full just right when I do this.. I did try what my nutritionist told me to do.. straight protein and up my exercise.. lost 4 lbs this week... but of course its coming close to that time of month(mother nature).. those same pounds will come back I cant lose weight that time of month.. but you are still doing we'll ..check your measurements..
LUV & HUGS