Just an update

I haven't posted here, but thought I should. I lost 55 lbs before surgery. Since surgery on 11/25/04 I've lost almost 90 lbs. I feel great, am riding a bicycle (outside, on the road). I've gone down 14 sizes in pants from a 66 to 52 and from a 6X to a 3X in shirts. I feel great, energy is up, and I don't get those stares from people like I used to. I can now sit in pretty much any type of booth at a restaurant, which I couldn't fit in any before. I eat 3 meals a day plus my shake. Usually I have lunch which most of the time is about a cup of high protein/low carb pasta. Around 330 or 4 I have a couple of WASA crackerbread with seafood spread or chicken salad, or I'll just have some soy crisps (yummy). Dinner is usually a small peice of fish or chicken something. I find that protein bars help (especially Powerbar Carb Select). And I prefer the Atkins shake mix with 1% milk. I've had some minor problems, right after surgery I had an abcess which opened the suture, and took over 6 weeks to heal. Then last month I had cellulitis in a smilar spot, but that has healed up now. Other than that, no real difficulties. At first I had to learn what my limit was on eating, and I threw up a couple times when I had too much, but I can judge pretty well now. I don't eat sugarry foods, and try to watch the carb intake. I ride my bicycle 2-3 times a week, and use my home gym when I can. I attend support meetings once a month and find that really helpful, and i like helpinbg those just getting started in the process. Ultimately, this has helped to save my life. I was on a road to death faster than I should, and now I feel like I have my life back. Hope this helps, thanks for reading.

Mike ~ Wow! You are doing awesome!!! You have such disipline... something I struggle with regularly. I had surgery the day after you and have lost 72 pounds. I know how you feel to accomplish daily things that we struggled with before surgery... it always brings a smile to my face! Keep up the great work! Take care, Jessica

Great Job Mike. I'm just getting back to the gym. I quit going because of alergies; and work schedule. Man, I can't believe how hard it was to ride a bike for 25 minutes after not doing it for a month. But, now to get back there and lose the next few pounds. mark g.