Angie, You are looking FABULOUS! Keep up the great work. I definitely know what you mean about stalling. My body has been in a certain routine for months now. I will lose about 10 pounds and then stall for a few weeks. I have only lost 1 pound in the last two weeks. But just as I reach the end of my rope, my body will finally give in and release a few more pounds. It's frustrating, but I've gotten used to it, I guess. Thanks for finding the tips though! We can always use some encouragement! JA 270/169/135?

So... I've been a bit frustrated because I can't seem to hit the very elusive century club... plus, recently... for the first time, I actually gained 2.5 pounds in a week... ack - that freaked me out!!! So, I'm re-focusing and have posted the 10 rules (which I posted here a couple of days ago) at home and at work! I also like to do some picture comparisons to help keep me motivated... seeing how far I've come, really helps me keep focused... here's the latest one. Me shortly after surgery (13 July 2004) and then again on 14 March 2005: http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie//images/13jul04-14mar05.jpg I found this in http://www.bariatriceating.com, in the Post-Op section and thought it would be something good for all of us to read Angie http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie 280/188/145~150 one day soon ;) ----- Stallers What happened? Do you feel as if the wheels fell off your car while you were cruising the freeway? One minute you're losing 10 pounds a week and suddenly you haven't lost a single pound in an entire month! Relax... welcome to what everyone calls a 'plateau'. After dropping a large amount of weight your body is trying to preserve it's comfortable blanket of fat and is doing what it can to stop the massive weight loss. This is where all the old self doubt creeps in, and we jump to the conclusion that we are going to be the only one who doesn't lose weight with this surgery. Don't worry, if you keep on track, getting in plenty of protein, keeping your carb count low, and drinking copious amounts of water to flush your body, you will continue to lose, albeit in smaller but still steady amounts over the next months. Every little bit adds to your total and gets you closer to goal. My surgeon makes it clear that the first hundred pounds is his job, but the rest is up to us. Now is where that plan for high protein, low carbs, and vitamins comes into play. You were supposed to initiate a change in your relationship with food during the last phase, but you can regroup now and pick up the pace. Calculate your protein needs; you need roughly a little more than half a gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight. A woman who should weight about 145 pounds needs about 83 grams of protein a day to maintain good health. (The actual calculation is 'Ideal Weight' ÷ 2.2 × 1.25grams of protein = Protein Needs). If you can't physically eat this much protein, which would entail eating 10-12 ounces of chicken, fish, eggs or cheese a day, you will need to find protein supplements that you like in order to give yourself that protein boost. If you go for months without adequate protein you will get very tired, have little energy and experience extended hair loss. Stick to your plan and the weight will slowly start to come off again and you will begin to feel strong and very mu*****ontrol. Now is also a great time to start moving around and getting some exercise if you didn't bother while you were losing quickly and it all seemed a bit too easy. Your body can move more freely after dropping such a large amount of weight, and getting your metabolism up and running will increase your weight loss and make you even stronger. Stallers 7months12months

You go, girl! Keep up the great work! JA

WOW party time for you!

Got this on e-mail and HAD to share! Angie http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie ----- 10 SIMPLE BUT CRITICAL RULES TO ENSURE YOUR SUCCESS 1. EAT THREE SMALL MEALS PER DAY. Make good choices and supplement between meal cravings with a protein shake. 2. EAT ONLY GOOD SOLID FOOD. Healthy foods will fill you up faster than junk food. Likewise, solid, dense protein foods will keep you full longer than quick burning carbohydrate foods. 3. EAT SLOWLY, SENSE FULLNESS AND THEN STOP. Remember this is a tool. Let it work for you. 4. THERE MUST BE NO EATING BETWEEN MEALS. Grazing behavior can easily add over 1000 calories a day to your intake. 5. TAKE NO LIQUIDS WITH THE MEAL. Liquids will empty solids from your pouch quickly and you will feel hungry sooner. Drinking after a full meal may also induce vomiting. 6. ALL LIQUIDS MUST BE ZERO CALORIES (except protein supplements). Liquids pass right through the small stomach and do not produce a feeling of fullness. It is easy to consume several hundred to a thousand calories a day by drinking alcohol, fruit juice or other non-diet beverages. 7. EXERCISE FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EVERY DAY. Regular physical activity will keep your weight loss going, reduce stress and help you feel better all around. It will also help you maintain your weight loss in the long run because it helps to rebuild muscle which has a positive affect on metabolism. 8. CONSUME YOUR PROTEIN. You need to get in at least 80 grams of protein a day. Some specialists in nutrition suggest you get a minimum of 100 grams of protein per day depending on your build. Taking in adequate amounts of protein will help prevent fluid retention, muscle loss and will definitely keep hunger at bay. Patients who consume adequate amounts of protein for their body size will enjoy a much greater weight loss. 9. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. This may by taken in the form of any non-calorie, non-carbonated beverage. Try Crystal Lite, Diet Snapple drinks or decaffeinated coffee or tea. Aim for a MINIMUM of 64 ounces of water per day. Keep a bottle or glass of water within reach at all times as a reminder to sip. Blend a 64 ounce pitcher of Crystal Lite with 3-4 scoops of Nectar and keep in the fridge for all day sipping... takes care of protein and water in one fell swoop. 10. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS RELIGIOUSLY. This includes a multivitamin with adequate iron and B-12, and calcium (not carbonate) supplement. These are vital to your staying healthy in the long term. ciao Susan Maria http://www.BariatricEating.com