WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

HI VERA... THIS IS A GREAT POST.. THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT IN THE DECEMBER BOARD... WE ALL NEED TO KEEP SHORT ACCOUNTS... LETS SEE I AM 10 WEEKS OUT MY THREE MONTH GOAL IS ON MARCH 6TH.. I WANTED TO TRY FOR -75... AND I BELIEVE I WILL MAKE IT SINCE TODAY I AM AT -76 I HAD A PRETTY RUFF FIRST 8 WEEKS HEALTH WISE... BUT I GOT OVER THE HUMP... AND I HAVE BEEN FEELING GREAT THESE LAST TWO WEEKS. I HAVE LOTS OF ENERGY... AND I AM JUST PLAN HAPPY!! I HAVE CLEANED OUT MY CLOSET AND IT FELT SO GOOD TO BAG UP THOSE CLOTHES... BUT THEN I FELT BAD.. BECAUSE I KNEW IN MY HEART THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE OUT THERE TO WEAR THEM... AND I WISH THEY COULD HAVE THE WLS TOO. THE FUNNIEST THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING... MY GLASSES ARE TO LOSE.. SO I HAVE TO GO HAVE THEM TIGHTENED... THE STRESS ON MY BLADDER IS LESS WITH THE WEIGHT GONE.... SO I AM LESS LEAKIE... AND MY DENTURE PLATE IS LOSE BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT LOSS IN THE GUMS... MY NEXT GOAL WAS -100 AT SIX MONTHS... I WILL KEEP THIS GOAL FOR NOW.... BUT I THINK IN A MONTH I WILL REVALUATE THAT ONE. I DO NEED TO WORK HARDER ON MY EXERCISE... I DON'T GET ON MY BIKE AS MUCH AS I SHOULD.. I KEEP TELLING MYSELF TO GET UP 30MIN EARLIER TO RIDE BEFORE WORK.... BUT USUALLY IT IS IN THE EVENING WHEN I GET IT DONE. EACH DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING... AND EACH DAY IS A NEW CHALLANGE.. I WISH YOU EACH THE BEST OF THESE TODAY... BONBON

Hey Vera, I have asked several people, including my surgeon, why my back hurt so bad and no one could give me a real answer. So THANK YOU, THANK YOU . I can now go to my pcp and ask for some therapy, cause this is killing me. It really hurts when I stand, sit or lay for long periods of time. So when I go to bed I am getting virtually no sleep after 3-4 hours. I have only set one goal for my self and I know that it will be awhile before I reach it. When I first went to see my surgeon his nurse asked me how much weight I wanted to loose. I told her I did not care how many pounds I lost I just wanted to get into a size 14 jeans that I could button, zip and sit comfortablly in them. I have NEVER worn that size. I am in a size 22 pants now so we will see how long the 14 takes. Thank you for being such a great encourager. Have a good night, Bekki Hufham

Hi Vera, Every 10 pounds loss just thrills me. I guess I want to get below 200 next, I weigh 226 today. But I know I will be excited to see 220, 210 and 200. My final goal is 136. It sounds like a lot of u**** a 2 weeks period were we did not lose. I was so relieved to read that in others that posted under your post. I had pulled a muscle and could not exercise for 2 weeks. As soon as I returned to exercising I started losing again. I too have slowed down on counting my protein grams, drinking my water, and even exercising. I now have 3 pieces of exercise equipment at home, but as of today I have decided to return to the gym on Monday. I don't work outside of the home right now (although that is one of my goals - to return to work). So being able to get out of the house and going to the gym should improve my mental outlook and my body. I have severe lower back problems and they are improving, but just a little too slow. I'm on 1/2 the prescription pain meds compared to before my surgery on 12-21-04. I'm still hoping that when I lose enough weight that my back pain will subside. Thanks for this post. Mary S.

Every 10 pounds is a milestone for me. I started at 294 and have been excited to be under 290, 280, 270, 260, 250 and NOW 240 !!! I look forward to making the next 10 and I pray that the weight continues to come off. My biggest worry is that the weight loss will stop, before I reach a "normal" weight. I know surgery is not the "cure-all" but I am so hoping to be normal from this. I work out at the gym three times a week and I do free weights at home in the evenings. Nothing too strenuous, as I am trying not to gain too much muscle, just to tone up. I haven't set a "long-term" goal, because I am afraid to set one that is too low and then be disappointed not to reach it? Is there anyone else who worries that the surgery will stop working? Karen G 12/15/04 294/240/??? (normal?)

So happy everyone has posted! So glad! So far, everyone is doing well. Bon Bon, I hope you share with us all how you have lost -75# in 3 months! Waiting.... Well, lets keep this going, and I am happy that someone is benefitting from our information... all of it. Vera, Team Encourager 343/298/? 12/20/04 LAP RNY Proximal -46

Hey Vera, Your doing great! Setting new goals is the fun part because that means you've accomplished a goal. I've slowed down quite a bit also. I really did a number on my knee today sledding in the snow. I've been having a hard time finding time to go to the gym. When you have a young family, it feels impossible with homework, dinner, baths, etc. My newest goal: I want to weigh less than my husband (205) by 3/15/05 which would be my three month anniversary. I'm losing so slow now - I hope I make it. My other goal is to make it under 190 by my 37th birthday which is April 8th. Today I fit into a tight 16 in pants! I'm having a hard time getting rid of that butt! But I'm out of the 18's and 20's. Keep up the great work! Hugs Candy 266/216/139 -50 (week 10)

Hi Vera-- We have alot in common. Pre-op ht, wt, and surgery week. I'm also a psychologist. I enjoyed reading your profile. Keep up the good work!!!! Cheri Vera 12/23/04 LAP RNY 345/294 (week 10)

I'm also from IL. Southern IL. Cheri

Hi, Vera I don't post very often, but I do love to read your posts. They are very inspirational. I've had my surgery on 12/6/05 and as of today I lost 50 pounds. It could be better, but hey when did I ever lose 50 pounds in less than 3 months Personally I have not set any interim goals. My ultimate goal is to be 140 pounds. I am so much happier now and it's little things that I am constantly marveling at, like going to the movies and not having to squeeze into a seat, but just plopping down into it, sitting in a restaurant booth and having a lot of space in front of you. I bought a pair of jeans with a belt with a rhinestone buckle yesterday. That basically made me almost giddy. I have not worn a belt for the longest time. I admit, I've been spending a lot of money at Lane Bryant. They constantly have sales and I have been buying smaller pants and very few tops, I have quite a few smaller sized tops in my closet. I got a job offer and I am switching jobs in 1 week. When I was interviewing, I was pulling out jackets out of my closet that I have not been able to wear for years, some of them still had tags. It's such a marvel, how our whole attitude changes when we feel better about ourselves. I want to dress up, I want to wear hills, I don't want to hide any more. My exercising however, has been nonexistent. I even nibbled on some Birthday cake and was dissapointed that I didn't dump My husband works out of town, so I always rush to pick up my son after work and I am not done with house chores until 9 p.m. I am looking forward to spring and walking while it's still light. Thanks for posting such a great topic