What are your 1 year goals?

Dear Michael, Congratulations on the bike riding--I've been holding off on that. I don't know if I want to get a recumbant bike or a regular one. I'll probably wait until spring now since it is starting to turn cold here. I'd love to get to the point where I can ride my bike for my quickie errands--save on gas and use up calories! Best of luck, Sally

I would have liked to have been in Onederland, but I need to lose 25 lbs to do that, which is a little unrealistic...... so I've decided that Onederland could be my Christmas present to myself.... and if Christmas comes early, well then HURRAH! Karen 356/225/???

I am hope to be under 200 pounds by November 15.

My anniversary date is 11-22 I started at 369 and as of this moment I'm hanging around 225. My doc's original goal for me per the insurance charts is 150 as I'm 5'10", however during my last discussion with him we decided 170-180 would be more attainable given my build, etc. and if I have plastics I should then drop to close to the 150 mark. I'd be very happy to finally reach the 170-180 range. Currently my goals are: To go longer than 6 weeks without a stricture. I've just had #5 stretched out on 9-22 (happy 10 month). My current weight goal is to reach 200 (would love to do by 11-22, but if I'm not such is life). Once I reached 300 I've been taking it in 50 pound chunks. I'd prefer to make the 6 weeks + without a stricture more than the weight goal. chelle

Dear Chelle, I'm so soory to hear about all the strictures! Do they know why you are having such a problem with them? Good luck with the six weeks stricture free! I was a bit surprised to read your doctor's first goal. I don't know how old you are or how long you've been overweight, but that is pretty aggressive. My surgeon has my goal at 170 and I'm only 5'5". That is still 30 pounds more than the chart, but since I have been SMO most of my life, I don't expect to get down to 140. I really didn't expect to ever be less than 250 to be honest. Of course, if the weight comes off, I'll be a happy camper, but I figure 170 is a good pre-plastics goal. Best of luck for the next six weeks. Sally

Hi Sally Thanks. Only reason for having them is that my body likes to create scar tissue it seems. From what the nurse told me I'm the only one having this much of an issue. Most people are stretched at most a couple of times and its good. I'm thinking this may be a genetic thing for me as my mom had her lower intenstines removed due to ulcerated colitis and is routinely stretched every 3-4 months. Did this possibility occur to me when I was considering this....nope! It doesn't change anything I'd still have the surgery. I'm 35 and have been overweight for about 1/2 of life right now. I thought 150 was incredibly aggressive, but he also stated when he gave me that goal that the insurance charts can be way off for many people. With that I wasn't too worried and figured as the weight came off the goal would adjust. He may also have set what he has for me since pre-surgery my fat to muscle ratio had been 60% muscle. Thanks again chelle

I know Im late, but my goal is to be under 200lbs. This may or may not happen. I have about 30lbs to go. i have been losing slow along and I may come up 10lbs short. but I will be thankful for any lose. Some days I lose two pounds a day for nothing at all. My ultimate goal is about 175lbs. but I will settle for 185lbs. Reneka

Dear Reneka, I too wanted to be under 200 by 1 year out but that isn't going to happen. Maybe by the new year--if I get my munching at night under control. I worry that my body is getting comfortable now and doesn't want to lose any more. But I still have about 55 pounds to go. Or even worse--that I am going to have to up my exercise to get to goal! I hate exercising--even though I do it. I sure don't want to have to do yet more of it Good luck on reaching your goals, Sally

It is hard to believe that we're fast approaching our one year "re-birthday" as I call it. I am 16 pounds above my goal and weight loss has all but stopped the past 4 months. I keep bobbling between the same 3 pounds but I'm ok with that since I dropped all of my weight in the first 6 months and have had this time to mentally catch up to my body. I am scheduled for PS on the 17th which is 1 year and 1 week since WLS. The PS said that she would get about 15 pounds off of me with the surgery so even though I may not make my goal by 1 year, I know I will make it there someday soon. Congrats to all of you!

Sally; I too came from the "I hate exercise" camp, but in March, I joined a new gym that was a little expensive, but really nice. The environment was a place I wanted to be, it was clean, didn't have any strange smells, unlimited clean towels, a salon, a cafe, etc. I was spending a little out of my means to be there, so that kept me motivated to go at the start. Now, six months later, I'm at the gym at least 5 days/week and my body has completely changed. And, when I travel, I take my workout gear with me and actually use it while I'm gone. Working out has really helped me with skin issues. In August, I was starting to see some "elephant skin" going on with my thighs, so I increased my weight training on my quads. In 10 weeks, there's been a marked improvement and I'm hoping in another 10 weeks, I'll look normal. So, get out there and find exercises you enjoy and track your progress. When you start seeing results from the exercise, it's very easy to stay motivated and start loving it. Blessings, Jennifer