Hi Everyone: It's Friday so it's time for another episode of Jesse's Journal. Today is a great day and a grand celebration. It took 36 weeks of dedication, desire and hard work and I can finally say that I weigh 200 pounds on the nose. That's a 173 pound loss from my pre-surgery weight of 373 pounds. I'm 53 pounds past my surgeon's goal and 25 pounds past my famous high school playing weight. I know that although I have reached a important milestone, the journey is far from over. The real work begins now. Now that the weight loss has slowed down my resolve to maintain the basic tenents of Protein, Water and Exercise must become stronger. I'm now in the gym 6 days a week and have managed to increase my intake of protein and water. I'm feeling great, have tons of energy and the summer body is about there. I am determined to be one of the most successful weight loss surgery patients ever! I believe that you have to maintain a mindset that you will be successful and use bumps in the road as challenges that will be dealt with and overcome the challenges to strenghten your resolve. Do not give in or give up. Just keep pushing forward and success will happen. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. Till next time, Jesse 373/200/-173

Carol, Your body might be in starvation mode with that amount of calories at so far out (700).. I am currently going into the maintaining part because I made goal a month ago, but am still losing weight and am 4 lbs past Dr's goal... Here is my typical day: AM 2 cups coffee 2 packet slpenda 4 tblsp french vanilla creamer, made with splenda Breakfast 1/2 large egg scrambled 1/2 piece of wheat toast with butter Snack 1 oz honey roasted peanuts Lunch 1/2 cup diet frozen meal, either lean cusinie, weigh****chers Dinner 1/4 cup chicken, meat or pork 1/4 cup veggies or rice or potato or a mixture of both Snack 1 cup fruit or 1/2 cup ice cream Right now and for the past 2 months I have been averaging between 1,000-1,200 calories... I don't count carbs or fat and try to keep my protein above 50 grams... I also don't drink with my meals and wait 30 min's before my meal and 1 hr after my meal to start to drink anything.. Your body just might be playing catch up... I'm sure the weightloss will kick back in hang in there! Take Care, Kim

I am in the same boat. I have 30 more to go and things have slowed down drastically and I am extremely active as well. Part of the reason is that I just found out my new resting metabolic rate which is now 1250 as opposed to 1800 only 3 months ago. The heavier you are, the higher the rate. So, it's become harder and harder to lose the weight since I'm not burning as many calories as before and yet I'm eating about the same. I'm still losing, but it's like pulling teeth. here's a sample day of what I eat: br: Total Protein, 3/4 cup 1 extra small banna 3-4 oz of nonfat milk lunch: 1 slice wheat bread 2 oz of ham or turkey lunchmeat 1 slice of cheese 1 pickle or 1 cup of grapes 3 pretzel rods or 1 serv. of bbq soy crisps dinner: 3 oz of a meat 1 serv. of potato very small salad. snacks: Eddy's Grand light ice cream or 1 PB Cookie. All told, I usually average about 1050 calories a day, sometimes more sometimes less. I'm training for a bike a thon and I run 3.5 miles about 3x a week and yet still the weight loss has slowed... I can only attribute it to the metabolism slowing down as well.

Ok guys, heres a poll....I'm having trouble losing my last 45 lbs. I have stepped up my walking and my excercise, I drink2 protien shakes a day starting yesterday and I get plenty water, up to a gallon a day. So my thoughts are I am not eating something right. Can you guys give me a listing of what a typical daily menu is for ya'll? thanks a heap, Im anxious to compare mine to ya'lls to see where I am going wrong. Do you watch your carbs, fat, etc.? Waiting for your replys... Carol lap rny 9--23-03 258/168/120?

Hi JulieAnn, My hair seems to be falling out again also. I thought it had slowed way down during the last month or 2 but now it seems to be comming out full force again. Like you, I had VERY thick hair to start with so it hasnt been a major concern till now. When I pull it back, my ponytail is only half the size around that it was pre op. I did read a post last week on the main message boards about a product from HSN called Andrew Lessmans Healthy hair, nails and skin, I havent bought any yet but I am going to give it a try I think. Good luck!!!