It's a new day! Please please read!!!

Hello everyone, well it seems we are all in the same boat - nibbling. What to do?? I don't have the answer that's for sure, but I do know one thing, at least for me, this is the story of my life. It has been almost a year since we've all had this surgery. We've done well, some faster losers than others, but basically we are losing. Are we getting too full of ourselves, too comfortable, too too?? I don't know - again - but I do know that I am giving myself more liberty on things than I did. I don't want to fail at this. I can't. I'm 63 years old, there is nothing else out there that I haven't tried, this is it for me. I have to make it work - I will make it work. So what does it mean when people say 'use your tool'? No really, what does that mean? Pay attention to when you're full?? Someone explain, and then let's do it. We can do this, we've invested alot in it, our time, our emotions. Chips and carbs are a problem. You know why, at least for me, they go down so dang easy. I never ever ever throw up on chips. I do on chicken. So what do you think I would rather eat?? Yup, the chips. But the answer here for me is to find another subsitute for the chicken instead of chips. So I did get a fantastic recipe off this board from Courtney (I think it was Courtney) who suggested cottage cheese, jello, cool whip, cheesecake pudding, pineapple mixed up, and oh my go**** is totally yummy and I do eat it alot. I will give the recipe more specifically if you want, although it's not much just mix stuff. But I also add bananas. So this is my new best friend. But I miss the crunch!! So as Betsy said, let's do this together, let's get behind each other and get excited again, get positive, get doing it!! Look, we could have, according to some people, at least another 9 months of losing! Now it is taking a little more work on our part, but we'll do it, we can do it. Shireen, are you reading this honey! You, and so many on this board, are so young and beautiful, you have so much life and fun ahead of you, you have this fantastic opportunity, you CAN DO IT. YOU WILL DO IT. Barb, you have a fantastic life ahead of you, you know you do!! Things are going to be so great for you, just hang in there!! And for those of us that are in the not so young years, this is our chance, we've done it all, we've failed, we have this opportunity, WE CAN DO IT. WE WILL DO IT. Okay, there's our mantra. Got it?? Let's go. Let's have a good weekend. Let's be in control. Now, I have noticed by the way that OH isn't sending responses to my email for some reason, so I will keep checking back and seeing who is behind me and with me on this new 'we can do it' mindset!! You know I love you all - you have been inspirations to me at different time in my journey, and always so helpful. I want us to make it - all of us. love donna

Ok Donna Im behind you!!! Ive been really lax in the exercise department. Ive decided since my family left this am , I will use my free time to really clean the house and exercise. Who knows maybe ill drop a few lbs while they are gone instead of gaining like I would have done in the past. The other issue is night shift for two weeks. I cant eat as well at night my body just doesnt want to take it so ill try to stick to protein drinks to help me out there instead of junk. I have been a whirling dirvish in the yard so ill just keep that up the flower beds are beautiful and the grass was fertilized this am that should give me mowing to do a couple of times a week. Woo Hoo. We are going to lose these last few lbs. My doc does say you can lose up to 18 months out though im hoping to reach goal by one year. Lets hear it for Sept losers. Tammy O

You're so right. I still have a hard time eating most meat, it gets stuck and I hate that feeling so ultimately I end up throwing up. On the other hand I can eat peanutbutter filled pretzels with no problem and then I tell myself that at least there's protein in it. I am happy to say that I haven't had any refined sugar since surgery, but I make up for it in fatty foods. I also find that lately I consume all my calories at night, I don't eat a bloody thing all day, then I consume 500 calories when I get home. My weight loss this month is at an all time low and I still have 27lbs to lose. On a positive note (at least for my ego), the most beautiful boy (he was in his late 20's if that) tried to pick me up yesterday. He had dark skin and hair and the most amazing steel blue eyes (yummy), and he was totally serious and I was totally flattered! One of his friends is working in my building and he stopped by to talk to him. I was walking through the area and stopped to talk to his friend, on my way back by he stopped me and said "so Tommy tells me your very nice so apparently you have the whole package, you know good personality, great body and a beautiful face. " I said to him you better watch out handsome I'm old enough to be your mama . Honestly it made my night. I guess the next time I want those damn pretzels, I should remember how good that compliment felt. Anyway pumpkin, I'm with you, back to the we can do it mindset. I'm in control of my own destiny and I don't want to go back. I've done it too many times in the past. Micha

Hi Micha, yeah, I remember, we have always been eating twins!! We have the same issues. Funny too, I know I don't take it many calories really, but it sure doesn't speed up weight loss!! So there goes that theory - less in, more out!! So --- a beautiful boy!! That sounds very interesting!! What a boost. Its always nice to get an unexpected compliment. The best I've gotten lately was when I asked for a senior discount at the movie the young woman said, could I see ID, you don't look like a senior!! I wanted to kiss her - but of course I refrained!! And yes, Micha, let's get our minds in line but I have come to realize these are demons that I will always be fighting. We knew that going in, that this wasn't the silver bullet. But you know what, we can do it! We took such a risk having this surgery we knew it would be hard. So let's do it!!! love you Micha donna

Donna Senior discount you crack me up! You always seem to cheer me up, thank you! Micha

Hi Donna!! Thanks for the great post! I havent been on in the last few days,,not feeling the best. Really weak and tired,,, I have to be honest,,I have not exercised at all since this surgery!! I would probably be at goal if I had, since I have lost so well! But I have made up my mind that this week the walking and the exercise begins. I have got to get on the ball. I agree about the chips. Meat makes me sick, salad makes me sick,,at least until today. I have found the salad mix in the bag is the culprit,,fresh stuff does ok. So, Im changing some eating patterns here. I love Doritos,,and popcorn, ana the sugar free ice cream bars. But I gotta get more protein and less junk. Funny how old habits die hard isnt it?? So,,Monday morning when I get up, its protein with my coffee,,and a walk first thing! Thanks for the encouragement you all,,,I love this board!! You guys are so postive and its good to know we are all in this together!! Gotta go take another nap,,really tired rightnow. I go to the doc Wednesday for my 10 month checkup and labs,,be interesting to see what is going on here. Have a great Evening!

Betsy, call your doctor, honey! love donna

Hi Everybody I have decided to "try" (being the operative word here ) to push myself more. The past couple of days I decided to add another protein drink into my liquid intake. I have to admit that I wasn't getting a whole lot in. Yesterday was about 90 gm. I have noticed that since I have doubled my spoonfuls of Liquid Protein I have dropped 2 pounds ! I was beginning to think that my weight loss would be about 2 pounds a month....happy it is dropping but not happy that slowly. I am 10 pounds away from the Century mark from pre-surgery weight. I have been walking but that didn't seem to help much. So I am trying to get in at least 90 gm of protein a day and see what that does. What is your daily protein intake ? Sandy