Little Pre-Holiday Update

Well, I've been on and off without a computer until Santa came a little early and brought me a new one earlier this week. Woohoo!! My house is being renovated one wall at a time, and we spent early December without a bedroom or dining room, thanks to hardwood floor refinishing and wall painting. We can now safely move about the house for the most part (just don't open any closets, because stuff will explode!), and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The best gift I'm getting this Christmas is my new weight - I started this journey weighing in at 295 pounds as of the day of my surgery on 8/1/2006. I am happy to report that I am now weighing in at 191 pounds - for a total loss of 104 pounds. I can't tell you how exciting it is. I still struggle to get the protein and water in, and I have forgotten my vitamins a couple of times, but I just feel a thousand times better than I did 5 months ago - and I didn't know that I didn't feel well then! To all of you who have been so wonderful and supportive, I thank you for helping me on the journey. Happy holidays to all of you!

merry christmas anna!!!! what a wonderful gift to yourself and your family i'm soooooooooo proud of you!!!! love ya roberta

hey anna thats onderful, keep up the great work in 2007!!! hope you enjoy your new puter and that the home renovations are all finished up soon. have a wonderful holiday hugs, jacki

Hi Anna! That's super about your weight loss - 100 lbs in 5 months WOW! I am down 28.2 lbs as of this AM in 7 weeks. I feel great too! I am starting to have trouble getting all the protein in as well and I forget my vitamins sometimes too (like this AM for example). Today I had my shake this morning so at least 35 protein grams are down. Your home renovations will be worth it when you see the finished product. Are you seeing any hair loss? What are you doing about your loose skin??? That's the thing I fear the most but so far I am wearing lots of shapers to firm my body out! Have a great holiday! Hugs, Sheri

Sheri~ Check with your doctor, but I was told that your body can only absorb between 20-25 grams of protein per serving. Some people in our support group were having shakes that had 40 grams of protein per shake, they were wasting 20 grams of that, you just pee it right out. Maybe you are on different instructions, but do check that out before you count your protein at the end of the day I am on my way now to the Vitamin Shoppe to try and find the protein shots someone was talking about yesterday on here, they are like a glass vial, and had 25 grams I think? I am going now! I need to get more protein in for sure! Have a great day and Happy Holidays if we don't talk before then. Michelle Brennan

Wow, Sheri! You're doing great. I am starting to see significant hair loss now - only in the past couple of weeks. That's a little scary for me, but it grows back (I hope!). I have a big, hangy belly, of which I am not too fond, but I am hoping to get it surgically removed. The protein is a big thing - I am eating protein bars, trying to get in a can of tuna fish every day (the 3 oz can), and mixing the shakes when I can. You can't really absorb more than 30 grams at a time, so even when I have something super high in protein, I know I'm still only getting the 30 grams. Keep up the great work, and have a wonderful holiday season!

Hello Anna.. welcome to the New Jersey board ! My name is Timmy Ray and I am two years out today.. with a total of 255 pounds loss. For me.. especially when I made the transition from .. protein drinks to protein from mostly food sources.... I had to learn what I LIKED... what I could tolerate.. and come up with a plan. Vitamins for me were no problem.... (I am a bit unique in that I chose ten childrens chewable - think Generic Flintstones vitamins) .. five in the morning and five at night... others use a couple Centrium cut in half to help absorbing..... vitamins are not so difficult there are several routes to get your daily vitamins.. As for protein... Meat... turkey lunchmeat... Beef Jerky.. Eggs (boiled.. scrambled... added to pasta.. whatever)... Yogurt (I buy the Stop and Shop with about 9 grams of sugar... avoid sugar rather than lowfat as the fat doesnt absorb but the sugar in yogurt can make you dump if your suseptable)... Cheese. Milk. Protein bars (try www.n101.com for ideas) peanut butter...yogurt... italian meatballs.... tuna fish canned..... chicken canned.... Chili (wendys chili is an excellent choice if you are stuck having to go fast food... many many people use the Wendys chili connection when out and needing fast food protein)... For ME... aiming at 5 to 7 small meals.... of 10-15 grams each meal makes it easier. Yes I still do the protein drink supplement at times... but .. 2 yogurts is about 10-18 grams of protein 2 eggs is about 15 grams or more protein a glass of milk is about 8 grams (fortified Skim plus has 11 grams a glass) a glass of milk plus protein powder is about 30 grams.. 11 for the milk and about 20 for a scoop of protein powder... 3-4 pieces of lean beef jerky is about 15 grams A serving of chili with meat and beans varies but is about.... 20 plus grams its ESPECIALLY important to remember : Often you wont FEEL like eating but especially at first you have to train yourself... small meals several times a day really helps.... Dont forget the water... if you dont already carry a water bottle ... I love the Generic Walmart Crystal lite drink mix.. but even just pure water is excellent.... I hope its helped? God bless and keep you Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Timmy Ray

Thank you all so much, and Timmy Ray - thank you an enormous amount for your valuable advice! Your information has been so helpful! I know I couldn't have done it without all of you guys. Thanks so much for being here for me.

Well anna, happy new year to you, and congrats on all the new stuff and your weight. I know what you mean by "renovating" we had our kitchen done, and the eating out, the stuffing everything anyplace it would fit. We are still going through boxes. If you like the hardwood floors, and how they were done. Mabe I could get a name of the person doing your floors. We are thinking of that for the dinning room. I also want to congrat you on your weight. Great job, you have to be very proud of yourself. Take care my friend. Bridget k. "nobetterwomen".