Let's Be Friends - Introduce yourself!

Name Tanya

Age 44 yrs young!

Location Bklyn, NY

Starting weight 366

Goal weight 150, so far, will see when I get there!

Where I am in the surgery process 7months post op

Best thing about weight loss Everything! I've become a gym rat! When did that happen?

Worst thing about weight loss Stalls & comparing myself to other people 

Favorite type of exercise bike riding & walking

Current goal I just hit it. 100lbs lost today, next goal being light enough to ride the foldup bike I bought.

Other Information Working a rotating 12 hour shift makes it difficult to carve out a workout routine & a life! but somehow I manage cuz I like how I feel. I like fitting into movie theater seats & not have to put the arms up. I manage to part with my old bigger clothes & put them in a clothing bin hoping someone else will find a use for them. As I get smaller & maybe more confident I'll try those yoga classes they have at the gym & try zumba too & I'd like to try kayaking it looks really fun!

Congrats on losing 100 pounds, Tanya!  That's amazing!! 

Thank-you so much!

Hey, I'll play!!!!

Name: Devon

Age:50

Location: SF East Bay

Height:5'7"

Starting Weight: 278 (highest)

Goal Weight: 170

Where I am in the Surgery Process: 3 years post op next week! Dealing with moderate regain.

Best thing about weight loss: Regained health, clothes, feeling sooooo much better, activity level, flexibility, and...If it wasn't for WLS I wouldn't understand the depth of my food issues. That is probably the singular most wonderful outcome - I get how addict like my relationship with certain foods is.

Worst thing about weight loss: not one damned thing! Oh, there are times that I can't eat as much of something as I'd like.... Oh wait, that's a good thing - though sometimes it doesn't seem that way! LOL! Food demons.....

Favorite Type of Exercise: Resistance training, weight lifting, elliptical

Current Goal: Body fat under 20%.

Other Information: I'm one of those that has had no complications - no issues whatsoever. Sailed to goal without a single stall. I felt like I had the answers that I needed for me to be successful - and in a sense I did, but I didn't understand the depth of my food issues and old habits sneaked back in and I didn't have a good maintenance plan or support. I've changed that and am working with a medical WL program that supports my VSG lifestyle, monitors my weekly progress and is developing with me a long term and sustainable food plan that I will be able to follow for a lifetime.

My belief: Weight loss is easy. Identifying, accepting, owning, and embracing the habits and causes that got me to obese, not so much. Weight loss is temporary. My relationship with food is forever. Have to work that relationship every day or it comes back and bites me in the ass.

I love your last statement...so TRUE!  Good luck. xoxo

Thank you I appreciate that you did this.

Jenelle

40

Georgia5'2 3/4

283

140

I have been psych approved, 1 last appt with my nutritionist, then just wait for approval.

I use to be smaller then life and food took control, but the best thing to me will be to no longer have HTN and to be at a healthier state.

The worst thing for me will be? Hmmmm, I will have to get back to you on this answer.

Elliptical, it is as if I am climbing and running to a smaller weight.

Currently I would like to complete all the steps my insurance requires for approval.

I ask ALOT of questions.

Name --  Kathy--Friends call me Kat
Age   --  45
Location -- Tucson
Height --  5'6"
Starting Weight -- 295
Goal Weight -- 165
Where I am in the Surgery Process -- At least 4 months out( doing 6 month diet follow with PCP)
Best thing about weight loss -- Be able to keep up with kids and grandkids That would be what I look forward to.
Worst thing about weight loss -- Not sure yet
Favorite Type of Exercise -- Jury is still out on this one...Hard to exercise with my pain issues.
Current Goal -- Make to surgery
Other Information -- I am a mom of 5 with 3 still at home and 2 grandchildren. Married to my husband for 12 years (2nd marriage). I have Fibromyalgia and arthritis which complicates the exercise part of all this. I am hoping that the surgery will at least let me tolerate some exercise. I hope to make friends here so if you wanna chat and help each other in the process feel free to add me as your friend and message me anytime.   Kat

This is one of the best threads I've seen!  I love it!  I'm at work so I'll have to read them all during lunch, but excited to do so!  

About me:

Name:  Shannon

Age: 37

Location: Chicago

Height: 5' 4"

Starting Weight: Currently I'm about 320

Goal Weight: 160 - I should be 140 but I'd like to keep some curves.

Where I am in the Surgery Process: Approved, surgery scheduled for 12/31 - Yes, New Year's Eve! Perfect timing! :)

Best thing about weight loss: Not feeling tight and uncomfortable in my own skin, not being concerned if I'll fit; in clothes, seats, aisles, anywhere/everywhere, having the energy to be the superwoman I want to be, looking on the outside how I feel on the inside, not having food control my every thought process, being content with small portions of food, being able to wear heels and boots, not having to wear a wide width shoe anymore, the list is endless!

Worst thing about weight loss: As of right now nothing, but I will say the process to get here is tedious and exhausting.  Also, protein shakes suck ass....except for the Chike coffee so far - OMG that is the best one ever!

Favorite Type of Exercise:  My husband and I like to walk - haven't done much lately though.  I'd love to take up yoga, also start seeing a trainer - I was seeing one a while back when I joined WW but he was pricey.  My job has a wellness center where they have just started offering personal training sessions - definitely looking into those!

Current Goal: To be able to get through the Pre-op diet without cheating.  I start on the 17th and my two weeks falls through Christmas - we make tamales (I'm Irish but with Hispanic family) - and all the cookies I'll be baking.  Gotta think of the big picture!

Other Information: So much!  But I won't bore you with details lol - 2 kids, 20 and 18.  On my second marriage - I love this man to death.  Still friends with my ex husband, very close to his family, we all spend the holidays together - and it is always a good time! Seriously lol People always look at me like I've got 3 heads when I mention it.   I have a lot of stressors - but I love my life, my family, my job, my friends.  I try to always look for the best in every situation, overly logical at times, and research the crap out of everything before I take a leap.  

Could always use a new friend, especially who understands what this is like and what we're going through.  My email is available for anyone interested!  

Have a fabulous day!  Looking forward to reading everyone else's later!

Great Post!

Name Sammy

Age 34

Location New Bern NC, Birthplace of Pepsi Cola and original capital of NC

Height 6'1"

Starting Weight 478+

Goal Weight 225

Where I am in the Surgery Process A few days shy of 1 month Post Op

Best thing about weight loss Feeling better and being able to stand and walk for longer periods of time.

Worst thing about weight loss Must go with the majority here and definitely say clothes.

Favorite Type of Exercise Walking, so far

Current Goal Staying on Plan and continue to learn my new sleeve.

Other Information I am married to my wonderful wife Beth of 5 years. She went blind about 7 years ago do to a condition called Pseudotumor Cerebri. One of my primary reasons to have the VSG was to be able to live longer and physically be able to care for my lovely bride.

Hi Sammy. I see you are right up the road from me. I'm from Chocowinity. Its good to see someone close by. I will enjoy keeping up with your progress. 

Keisha