Poll: Month 5 How Was It?

My Fellow Marchers: How was this month compared to last month? Notice any changes in any aspect of your wls journey? Things I have noticed: I had a long stall for about 3 weeks. It is now flying off once again! Thank goodness! I am not as hungry as I was in my 4th month. Thank goodness! As a matter of fact I forget to eat! LOL!! My hair has thinned out more. I am using Nioxin for this. I am fitting into much smaller sizes now. My exercising is so much easier now that they weight isn't there anymore. The compliments are really starting to come at me. What about any of you . . . .? Melanie 232/160/130ish

Melanie, Things are going good this month. I thought I was in a stall earlier this month, so I upped my exercise. However, I got out the calendar and things have been moving along just fine. I don't know why I freak out for no reason (of course, I always think I have a reason). My energy level is higher than I've ever known it to be. And my hair has almost quit falling out. It's definitely on the thin side, tho. Having this surgery is one of the best decisions that I have made. I wish I had had the courage to do it sooner, before I gained so much! Becky

Melanie, Like you I was in a stall and now the weight has started to fall off again...I am so grateful and relieved!! I am walking 20 miles a week and will increase it more as the weeks move on and I get closer to my marathon date in January. I am also not nearly as hungry but am making sure I get at least my minimum protein in a day. I find getting my water in to be much easier this month. I am in a solid size 14 and many of those are getting too big so i figure come October dh better save some cash to redo my wardrobe til Christmas gets here!! I love getting compliments. Take care, Michelle www.active.com/donate/tntwpawv/michelleuschock

I had a 3-4 week stall, too, and just as I was starting to fret, it began coming off again. I have lost 73 lbs. and need to lose 45 more to be at the recommended BMI. I can't believe how wonderful this has been and I haven't had a single moment of regret. I feel so much better it's unbelieveble! I have just noticed my hair coming out the past two weeks. What is Nioxin, is it prescription? Does anyone know about hair loss--I thought it was just due to protein changes, but I have worked hard to get plenty of protein. About 3 weeks ago, I started having more bloating, cramping and bouts of constipation. I think I get enough water. I did notice it once right after having cottage cheese, so got some generic lactaid this week and it seems to be better. Haven't decided for sure that it is lactose intolerance, but plan to go without the lactaid a few times and see if it starts again. Everything is so much easier for me. I haven't struggled with hunger and, in fact, usually seem to eat just because I am supposed to. I have noticed in the past two weeks, though, that if I don't eat within about 15 or so of feeling hungry, my stomach begins to cramp worse than hunger pains ever did before. Oh, yes, this is weird and I wonder if anyone else has experienced it--occasionally I may swallow too quickly or not chew well enough and I feel the pressure in my stomach. Within seconds, I start sneezing repeatedly for a couple of minutes until the pressure subsides. I wonder if the stomach bone is connected to the nose bone!--LOL I assumed it was coincidence the first couple of times, but it has happened about 4 more times. Good luck!

It is so strange!! Sometimes when I eat, I sneeze repeatedly and sound as though I have a terrible cold for about 30 minutes. It is the strangest thing I have ever experienced. Cheri 235/159/135

Well I was in a stall for about 3-4 weeks myself. I thought oh well, I'll be a size 18, which isn't that bad since I was a size 28. But just this week the weight has started coming off again. I started taking a protein supplement in the morning. I felt I wasn't getting enough protein. I still have a terrible time eating meat, eggs, etc...Since I'm gone 10 hours a day commuting and working I don't eat very much. I don't exercise which I know isn't good but I just don't have the time but on the weekends. When I get home from work around 10Pm or later I'm so tired I usually find myself asleep on the couch and get up and go to bed to start the day all over again. My hair is slowing down falling out finally. It's still coming out but not in gobs. I'm taking 2 biotin daily. The Nioxin and my scalp did not like each other at all. I also use the protein enriched Pantene shampoo/conditioner. I have now lost a total of 81 lbs and still going..... Deborah W. 298/207/170

Well.... I must say one thing. This is also the first best thing I have ever done in my life. I wish I had done this years ago. I too have been stalled for around 3 and a half weeks....fortunatly the scales are moving again slowly. I have noticed though when not losing the weight I would have seen move on the scale I saw that I have moved down one more size YEAH! I have more energy and it gets better with every day. I have went back to school and I am striving to do my best at work when possible. My hair loss hasnt really been that bad.....it does end though so don't fret! I go for my 6 month {even though I want be officially 6 months until Sept. 2nd} next Friday the 26th. I can't wait to see what the doc.s scales say then. Oh and BTW....my official weight loss is .......Drum ROll PLEASEEEEEEEE.. 105 POUNDS!! Life is great. I cant wait to see what the next six months hold for me. IF there anything like the first six then I am out for a long great RIDE!! Becky 390/377/285/??? consult/pre-op/right now/ whats NEXT!!

WOW! We should all be on cloud 9! How nice to see such fabulous progress!! Aren't we all feeling so proud right now! It is about time!!!! Anyone else experiancing miracles . . . ? Melanie

Weight loss was more sporadic last month, i'd lose a few, stall, repeat. My hair decided to make a mass exodus too, it's traumatic to see my long (mid-back length) hair coming out in LOCKS and clogging the shower drain! I want to cut it but my hubby is begging me to keep it at least until he gets home from the desert. (October) But on the upside I have gone down to a regular (non W) 18 so I know I'm getting smaller even if the #'s on the scale aren't moving as quickly. I can even squeeze into a few (loose-fit) regular 16's, and I am definitely a 14/16 in tops. (bottom-heavy, always have been) Finally made it to onederland, spent a week going in and out of it, but then lost 5 lbs in a few days and can kiss that 200 goodbye forever! I'm only 4 lbs. from no longer being obese, I'll just be overweight! That'll be my goal for my 5 month anniversary (the 31st). I am taking TaeKwonDo lessons and while the push-ups are kicking my butt, I'm enjoying it immensely. I can sprint and keep up with the class, and am amazed at my flexibility--I could kick my 6 foot 3 friend in the head if I really wanted to, lol... (I tried, no contact of course) Looking forward to belt testing next month. I would never in a million years thought I would be doing this kind of thing pre-op! Michelle 277/194/150?

HI-Jack! Jsut wanted to say HI Michelle. Great to see you at the dinner last month. I don't know if you have heard already but there is another getr together at the same place Sept. 8th. Hope you can make it. Becky