Where Have I Been?!?!

Yes, it has been a loooooooooooooooong time since I have come round these parts. I have just been super busy and frankly I have avoided this place since I have been cheating and making poor food choices... but enough of the confessional. How are you guys? Please everyone, post a short update on yourself here. I miss you all and truely do want to know how each of you are doing (with the WLS and in life). Me? WLS: Like I said, I have been making terrible choices. I was down to 172 at my lowest and am back up to 185 now. Eeeek. Perhaps this is what spured my visit here today. I would like to rededicate myself to the cause. This is a tool, and I would like to start using it again. In Life: Things are going really well, I got promoted at work and I have been having a grand time with some dear friends who I have met recently... I would still like to find a man to date and have been working on that, but if you are single, you know how HARD that all is. How are you all? Any tips on how to stop eating and start making good food choices?

Mary~ so good to see you again! Have missed you! I too have been not here as much as I should. Wls life is good. I reached my goal of 142. Which was 100 lbs since surgery and am still toning to help the loose skin situatution. Like i told the others I just got done doing a fitness challange at the gym I go to and final results where lost 3 lbs and 7 more inches and now can do 23 regular sit ups and 25 push ups and my flexibilty stretched 3 more inches. Work is still there. Working two jobs and loving them both. Recently single but i think I am enjoying it. I know it sounds odd. But its true. As far as tips go, make sure to drink lots of water and dont forget to exercise. I know there are times when I have gone back to the basics and its helped me refocus. I hope this helps and hope to hear from you soon!!! Great to see you again! Suzette

Mary. Great to hear from you. I wondered what had happened. Remember, the boards are a good way to keep yourself from straying too much. I am down to 177 from a high of 337. I've lost 160 lbs. and it feels great. I have a plastic surgery consult today. It is my second and will probably be the dr. I'll go with because he's way cheaper than the first one from what I've heard. I'm self-pay, so $$$ counts. They both are both the same skill level. If you want to truly get back on track, see the Plateau Buster, back to basics diet posts. I put the diet on there. I go back to it when I stray too much. I'm starting tomorrow. Some others already did. It's a great way to de-carb yourself so you don't crave them. Mostly protein. If you stick to it, you can take the weight off easily. Glad you're happy. Keep posting. Karla

HI Mary, It sounds like life is treating you well. Congrats on the work promotion. I cannot imagine what it would be like to have to date these days. I started dating my hubby when I was 17 years old, which means we have been together 18 years. Have you tried any of the online dating services. I have heard that EHarmony is a good one. I had lost 117 pounds before becoming pregnant. I have gained with the pregnancy but I am totally ok with the gain. I am due in July with a girl and her name is Faith. Right now, I eat all the time. I am constantly hungry. I feel actual hunger pains. I had to get up last night at midnight and get something to eat b/c I was starving. I can focus on not eating after I am done being pregnant, nursing and having babies. Are you doing protein shakes? They always helped me stay on track. I had not been doing so many b/c of the pregnancy and artificial sweeteners. Well, all my blood levels seem to be tanking with the pregnancy so I started the shakes again yesterday. I have a post a few below yours with a link to some Easter photos and a shot of my belly if you would like to check them out. I never thought I would love a big belly but I sure am enjoying this one. God Bless! Jen

Hi Mary, Welcome back! Sounds like your doing great in life itself congratulations on your promotion! That's wondeful. As far as making bad choices I think we've all been there lately and coming here is a good way to make yourself accountable to what you're eating. Even if you don't post it with the others you think about it. Start making sure you get in your water and protein and cutting the carbs. I have gone from 245 to as low as 142 but I'm maintaining at 144 since Dec. I'd still like to lose another 10lbs or so but I'm happy with where I am. Don't beat yourself up over your eating. Hugs, Anna

Welcome back Mary!!!!!!!! Please don't stress too much. Know that others are in the same boat. I was down to 212 for the January get together and this morning I weigh in at 222! Norma is doing a back to basics/Plataeu Post which started yesterday.... I'm sure you're welcome to join in still! Life for me has been interesting. I was promoted at work from regular crew member to team leader and it is quite interesting being the boss. My relationship with girls in general has changed also- no longer the fat/chubby friend who isn't a threat I guess. Everything is strained.... BUT I still have my Hunny Bunny We're going strong even with the distance. Drink your water today, Honey! Jaci

Hey!!!!!!!! Welcome back I am doing well. I am down to 127 pounds from a high of 273. I am 'lucky' or maybe (unlucky) in that I still can't 'eat'. By the time I finish whatever 'protein' I have - I'm 'full'. My protein portions are still about 1/4 to 1/2 cup. I had a personal goal weight of 135; but have surpassed that. My surgeon says not to get concerned unless I get below 120 - so I'm not worrying about it. In a weak moment, I said yes to my family and we got a puppy (we already have a 9 year old lab/retriever - Jake). Jordan Alex (basset/beagle mix) joined the Reinharts about a month ago. Life has not been the same since he joined the family and Jake would really like him to GO BACK - LOL I hope you stick around We need you............. Rose from PA

Hi! So glad you came back, we all need accountability... I am MIA most days, too.. just run out of time, but somedays it is out of "shame" WLS: I am making decent choices most of the time. I still think I'm lacking in protein, and I need to fix that. I was at 215, this morning... had been down to 207 right before Christmas... have been bouncing around 211-215 for months. I did recommit myself to going to the gym, and I've been taking a group weight training class & turbo kick... I love it, and can feel myself getting stronger. I really just want to make that scale move. I am planning to start the back to basics tomorrow with a few other gals... you are more than welcome to start with us... just have to focus. In Life: I know how hard it is to be single, but you know... I've had so much more opportunity since having surgery... I'm having fun. I am seeing a guy I adore, we've had some rough patches, but I remind myself it is a learning process, and it takes time... Get yourself out there!!! I had resorted to online matchmakers... there are lots of sights out there... I found mine in eHarmony... and am happy with what I found there... you get rejections, but I think it helps to "toughen" you a little and when you do find one you like, and he likes you... it feels so great! Well, I'm sure glad you're back... now stay, if you can! Again, you are more than welcome to get back to basics tomorrow... ***hugs*** Angela

Mary, awesome to see your doing ok..... I have been great total lost 122-125 go back and forth food choices are hard I eat way to many carbs..... I am at a good weight for myself I have had my first round of plastics the lower body lift and it took a lot out of me. I will be going back for the arms and boobs at the end of summer when I am fully back to myself. I agree with what the DR's say now that you should do plastics after 18 mos I did it at 12 and probebly wasn't quite ready for the additional stress to my body after a year of so many changes. It is wonderful to see your shining smile keep us updated. Tori