Update and Tip - 152lbs down

Hello everyone, I have been so busy with work and the family I haven't been on here nearly as regularly as I would like. Thought I would give a quick update and pass along a tip that I think is helping me lose weight. First the tip: I was drinking a ton of diet green tea for the longest time. It tasted great to me and was a large portion of my water intake every day. Then I read somewhere about the negative effects of caffeine, so I wanted to try an experiment. While drinking the tea, I was losing about 2lbs a week consistently (see profile). Not exactly a plateau, but it takes a while to lose 300lbs two at a time! The first week I went caffeine-free I lost 6lbs, the second week 5lbs. It could be a fluke, but I am off the caffeine until I hit goal just in case. Have any of you heard about or noticed that you lose much faster if you don't drink caffeine? As far as my update, I am still lifting weights three times a week and walking on the off days whenever possible. I really enjoy the exercising and feel so much better about myself. I am down 152lbs since my surgery in March, a little over halfway. My biggest fear at the moment is plastic surgery. Man I don't want to have to do that. I need to start working out my stomach muscles by doing sit-ups and crunches, but I just haven't been able to yet. Doesn't make sense because I love the other weightlifting I am doing, but for some reason just can't get started on the old stomach. Last week I did some clothes shopping as they were getting way too big. I have gone from size 62 pants to size 46, and from 6X shirts to 3X and sometimes 2X. I went through all my old clothes to get rid of them and was amazed at how big they were. It was a real weird feeling, sort of emotional. Never underestimate the psychological aspects of this journey. I still cannot get it through my head that this weight isn't coming back. It is hard to get rid of the "fat clothes" when every time you have lost weight in your entire life it comes back double. It is exciting to think that I may be getting close to shopping in a regular store and leave the Big and Tall stores forever. That will be AWESOME! Hope everyone is doing great! Chris S.

Chris, You have done really well! I really need to get motivated with the exercize thing.. Just cant seem to do it yet!! I do walk a mile or 2 a few days a week but thats about it! My kids keep me so busy, I feel like I dont have time for me..Maybe just an excuse!! I have never heard that about caffeine but theres got to be a good reason why they dont want us to drink it!! I drink about 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day and its not de-caff!! I think Im gonna take your advice and give up the caffeine and see what happens. It seems my weight loss has slowed quite a bit too so maybe theres something to it! I know for the first few months after surgery I was drinking de-caff, so what do we have to lose...but the weight!! I will give this a shot to and we can see if it works!! Keep up the good work! Patti

Chris, I also drink green tea but only two to three cups a day. My nutritionist says that 2 cups will help with the weight loss but who knows. I am not a scale person so I wouldn't be able to tell if giving it up would help. Besides it's the only caffeine I get other then an occcasional iced coffee. I need some caffeine to keep me sane...lol. I am glad it is working for you. Congratulations! You look wonderful and I like the new tile floor....lol

Chris! You have done awsome!!! Wow!!! I bet shopping was a great experience!! I drin**** tea...I will have to do your experiment and let you know!!! Enjoy!! Michelle www.active.com/donate/tntwpawv/michelleuschock

Hey CHris, WOW! You are doing awesome! CONGRATS! You asked about caffeine - my surgeon's instructions were to avoid caffeine, because they say it prevents optimum hydration. Or I could have caffeine, but if so I should add the same quantity of non-caff liquids that day to make up for it. I had to cut that latte-a-day habit real quick! Even decaf coffee still is only 97% decaffeinated, and when I get the occasional decaf latte (I used to ask WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT? HEH now I know!) it gives me a caffeine buzz just from that little bit. Great to read your update - keep it up! Kat C