Finally lost my 10%

Well, I made it. I was slow losing my first 37 lbs, but I did it. The surgeon was ready to lap band me in July, but insurance required a 10% loss. They promised to mail off my packet tomorrow or Monday. I'm hoping for a date in a couple of weeks and then I need to do liquids for 2 weeks. I'll probably be whining here; I don't like to suffer in silence!!! 

My new recumbent bike speeded things up for me. I do 25 min a day. This only burns 120 calories, but it seemed to rev me up pretty well and it doesn't hurt my joints. I named her Big Bertha and we are BFFs.

Tomato juice or V8 juice makes me feel full, as does protein and fiber. Carbs do make me hungrier when I eat too many of them. This is common dietary wisdom, but I never BELIEVED it before. I am liking soy nuts and they stay with me. I'm a big fan of Crystal Light Ruby Red Grapefruit. I like several of the whey protein powders; my surgeon requires that they have less than 8 Gm of carbs, less than 3 Gm of fat and more than 20 Gm of protein per serving. So I'll do fine on the protein shakes. I like them, although I get hungry again after 2 1/2 hrs.

I have lots of measuring things and small containers with lids. I feel like I'm ready for surgery. People at work have been really nice about supporting me and I have quilting friends that will do ANYTHING for me. My kids are far away and my husband is pretty neutral about this. He's seen me fail so many different weight loss things, but he'll do what needs to be done.

Anyway, I'm eager to join you losers!!! Once I lose 23 more lbs, I'll be skinnier than I've been in many years and that will be fun. My goals are to dance with my son at his fancy wedding next Sept and to get on a plane to visit my daughter in LA, but I'm really trying to improve the quality of MY life. Tired of lugging another whole person around every time I move.

Yayyyy for you!! 10 percent is amazing!!

There's no stopping you now!!

Ronda, I am so excited for you!  YEAH!  That bike has really paid off for you.  I think we are better off for having had to spend time trying to lose weight before the surgery.  It gives us a lot of time to figure things out, try different products, etc to see what works for us.  For some of us, to give up some habits like cigs, soda, caffeine, unhealthy food choices.  And to really look into why we are eating and how we can deal with things in new ways.  It seems that so many people have just gotten or about to get there surgery in about the same time frame as I remember me and you both kind of appearing on this board around the same time and it is a very exciting and wonderful time for all of us.  CONGRATS ON LOSING THAT 10%!  You are going to do awesome.  You have already worked on so many pieces of the puzzle. 

I could not be happier for you. 

Thanks Donna, several of you had surgery in Oct and I was feeling left out, so I think you inspired me to get down to business and LOSE the lbs!!! I'm so pleased with the people on this forum. You guys are great. I really really want all of us to succeed.
 
I agree that we've learned some stuff in the pre op phase. People keep asking me, "if you're losing weight now, why do you need surgery?" I tell them, "I for SURE will not be able to keep this up. I can't stay focused and disciplined for months and years at a time. I want some HELP!"

I'm going to have to cycle a lot to keep these lbs off, but I halfway enjoy it.

YAY YOU!!!  37lbs is great!! 
I agree that having to lose a bit of weight before surgery is a good thing, although I didnt think so when I started out.  It did, tho, give me time to learn how to eat the good things, time to give up old habits, and to just know that, with enough determination, I could do anything.  And I hear over and over again, "if you were able to lose 80lbs before surgery, why did you have the surgery?"  My standard answer is always..."WLS is a tool, only a tool, to HELP maintain weight loss.  It is NOT a magic bullet.  If I could have "done it on my own", as you say, I wouldnt have gotten up to 423lbs".  That usually shuts them up.
Anyway Ronda, good on you for riding that bike.  And sticking to your diet!  I promise you, when you get the surgery, it will be easier.  There is a light at the end of your tunnel, and its not a train!!!
April

Wow!  You are doing just great.  I think you are right about the need to take time to figure things out.  The bike sounds like it was your key to get to the surgery.  And I totally agree with the "tool" concept - it will help us, but we still have to make decisions.

We are getting there!  So happy for you and can't wait until we hear your date is set.

Go, Ruby, Go!! You are doing so well!! Keep up the awesome work. You are going to dance like an angel at your son's wedding!

This board is really cool. I get so EXCITED when you guys have surgery and do fine. I was just sick when Laura didn't get surgery and has to do something else. This is an unexpectedly STRONG source of support. Very cool.

Pattie, I love the Cookie Monster avatar you have and Laura's dog with the toupee, but I love the shining faces too. It's all good.

I actually didn't go crazy once I made my goal and sent my papers off. I am finally learning that binging never ends well and isn't worth the lbs. And it only took me 57 1/2 yrs. I'm a SLOW learner....

Happy Halloween. Lots of cute costumes at work. I'm in an orange T shirt with black jacket. It's all I could manage. Maybe next year! 

Congrats on that 10%!!!  Your date will be here before you know it!!!

Congrats, that really is an accomplishment!  Good luck on you continued journey.