Deb, I know you have to fight the fibromyalgia to get the exercise in every week but I want to congratulate you for fighting the good fight! I'm sure it would be easy just to forget about the exercise but I know it is better for your condition to get in that activity. I admire you for doing so! CeCe

Britt, We all know how frustrating it can be to work hard and not have the scale show your efforts. I don't know about you but it was at that point that I would tend to rebel and eat larger portions or more unhealthy food out of anger at the scale, myself, etc. Of course, that was the time I needed to work my program even harder to see real results. So, again I'm offering the advice of patience - something this keeps popping up in my posts but advice I find the hardest to take heed myself! I know it's hard to stay off the scale too but be gentle with yourself as far as acceptance while holding yourself to working your program. However, don't get discouraged if you don't do a certain number of liquid days. Those are TOUGH and might lead to a feeling of deprivation. So, listen to your body, don't listen to the negative voice inside or at least argue the positive when you "hear" the nagging!!! Britt, I have all the confidence in the world that you will reach 140 again and soon. Just don't allow the pressure to get there delay your journey. In life, I've learned that it's the pressure that I put on myself that places the biggest obstacles in my path. We are here for you and completely understand what you are going through. Hugs to you, Britt. Don't panic!!!! My stats are basically the same this week. My lowest weight was 130.25 which means a BMI of 22.4. I went back to work today and did all my lower body work. The only weight I used for upper was a 9 pound body bar so it was easy! I still don't raise my arms over my head. One breast is still swollen and the other must be totally normal now. So, I'm looking a little lopsided! I'm a little self-conscious about that but from what I read, it's fairly normal! CeCe CeCe

Hello November buddies, This has been a really bad week for me, with the death of my brother-in-law. So naturally, my eating was horrible and I did not get my drinking in like I should have. I only had one session with the PT and that was last Monday. But the scale wasn't too bad this morning. And I am determined to get back to it this week. With that being said, here goes: Starting weight, day of surgery = 312.4 Last week = 187.4 This week = 189.0 Loss this week = +1.6 Total loss = 123.4 Current BMI = 31.4 Hope we ALL have a better week, Deidrah

We were told by one of our nurses that we weren't suppose to give blood at all after WLS. I haven't been able to give blood for a really long time because it won't come out fast enough. Deb

I had my RMR tested today with the Body Gem device at my local YMCA. After speaking with a few people who are familiar with these #'s I have made a few adjustments - with my lifestyle and activity level. Here are the #"s RMR was 1570 I said my lifestyle which equals 1.8 mets 1570 (RMR) X .190 (FACTOR) = 298.3 298.3 + 1570 = 1868.3 (TOTAL ENERGY EXPENDITURE BEFORE EXERCISE) 2100 (# of calories on average burned per week with exercise) 300 (calories on aver per day burned per day with exercise) 300 (calories burned per day) + 1868 (total energy before exercise ) = 2168 (TOTAL ENERGY METABOLISM) So if I do not exercise I should take in 1868 to maintain my weight. If I do exercise I should take in 2168 to maintain my weight. I had the test done last on 9/20/07 at my surgeons office using the Ree/Vue indirect caloricmeter... the results then were maintenance zone was 1973 to 2564 weight loss zone was 1579 to 1973 So according to this new test ... If I want to lose I should eat between 868 - 1168 calories??? I don't know ... So confusing!!!!!!! But those are the numbers. I will havet o talk to a few people and do a bit more research and see what I find. What people are suggesting ... * Eat at my RMR 1570 - to lose than once where I am at where I want to be slowly add to find my *sweet spot* the # where *I* maintain. * Calorie Cycling - * My nutritionist says whatever i am eatting currently subtract 500 calories a day to lose. hugs, Britt