15 months

good morning everyone  so i stepped on the scale on the morning of the 22nd -- and i gained a pound last month -- oh well it was bound to happen -- it won't get me down -- it won't dictate how i live this month -- i've had 14 months of losing and only 1 month of gain -- i'm still ahead of the game -- and i know i have already lost enough weight to keep me satisfied -- i'm not looking to lose or gain weight right now -- i'm looking to maintain -- and if i go 5 lbs in either direction then that's just fine with me -- i have already suceeded -- i suceeded in the first month when i lost weight -- just knowing that if i do the right things and pay attention to what i'm doing then i'll be ok -- i have never had a goal weight -- my surgeon has never had a goal weight for me -- so how could i possibly be a failure?? i can only be a sucess :****ep my plan simple -- if i don't buy it at the store then it's not in the house and then we can't eat it -- simple -- there is no pasta to cook up in a hurry -- there is no rice to cook in a hurry -- all foods that are just high in carbs and pack on the pounds -- i bought a loaf of bread one week -- put 2 slices into sandwich bags and froze it -- now if i want a grilled cheese i just pull out 2 slices instead of having a whole loaf sit on the counter and thinking i have to eat it all before it goes bad -- it's not going bad in the freezer and it's there when i really want it -- i buy fruit ****tail and fruit cups from wal-mart that are made with splenda and really cuts down on the sugars and calories -- ross likes the south beach diet cereal bars for snacks in work -- i find that those are the lowest in sugar and highest in protein -- i read the BACK of all labels and not the fronts -- alot of foods are naturally fat free -- but they advertise it on the label and people automatically think 'oh that's good for me' and in reality if you read the back it's not all the good -- i will admit that i am addicted to hard candy these days -- always always always have candy on me -- it's sugar free -- but it's still candy --  i never ate this much candy when i was fat lol and wheat thins -- those evil little things!! i eat too many -- they make me sick -- i feel like crap -- i go and buy more -- STUPID -- but sometimes ya just need something that makes a crunch noise -- i also buy those quaker little rice cake thingys -- the flavored ones -- 90 cals a package -- about 8 sugars  i have not had any complications or concerns about this surgery  i had surgery on 11/22/06 home on 11/24/06 driving on 11/27/06 back to work on 12/18/06 to a physical job and i never looked back  i will never complain about WLS - -i CHOSE to have this surgery -- i WANTED this surgery  shopping for clothes that fit is a pain in the butt at times -- i do not want ANGEL written across my butt -- i want plain jeans -- something simple -- no glitter or designs -- i'm not 16 anymore  i try very hard to respond to everyone that sends me a msg -- right now my schedule is tight -- i work 7 days or nights a week -- go to school 3 days a week -- go to school 1 night a week -- but i will get back to you  i chose to wear sweat pants today -- it's not a thing i have to do anymore -- it is now a choice -- well actually ross has to do laundry and my favorite jeans are dirty  i actually read a menu in a restaurant now -- i pay attention to what comes with my plate -- i do not get the salad anymore -- we do not get the bread on the table -- and we ask for 'to go' boxes right away -- that way we don't sit  there and pick while we are talking - -and try to say you dont' want anything to drink -- you just get strange little looks -- and no i dont' wan****er either -- i said 'no thank you' now go get my food!! i do not drink with my meals or for a half hour after my meals - -sometimes longer if i eat alot -- there just isnt' any room for liquids sometimes  i drink at least 64 oz a day -- probably more than 115 oz a day -- 1 50oz bottle during school and 1 64oz bottle during work -- and then just glasses of iced tea when i'm home -- plus my shake in the morning is 15 oz --  i'll pace myself -- school is 8 hours long so i have 50oz in that time frame -- then i go to work after and that is 5 hours every night and i'll drink 64oz of iced tea in work -- i also keep this simple -- if i drink enough then i will not be dehydrated -- dehydration is painful -- you don't want to be dehydrated -- caffiene will dehydrate you -- this is why after a night of drinking alcohol you are sooooo thirsty the next day --the caffiene in the alcohol is dehydrating you  --  i take my vitamins every day -- every single day -- no excuses -- they are in individual containers already out for me every morning -- i carry them around with me until we get something to drink and take them right away -- even before getting dressed -- first things first -- vitamins are important  exercise -- right now i don't have time for structured exercise -- but i walk the dogs every morning -- about 15 minutes -- i lug around about 40 lbs of books 3 times a week -- and i sit on my butt in work  and that's about how i live my life right now --i'd rather stop at Wawa and get a fruit cup than go to Burger King for a bacon double cheeseburger plain -- and yes, sometimes i miss burger king -- but i know where i got with burger king -- right over to PA hospital in Philly for WLS  if you are newly out of surgery or just contemplating surgery -- listen to your surgical team -- follow their directions and advice first -- they have your medical records and know what path you should be taking -- don't rush into solid foods -- this is major surgery and your stomach needs to heal -- it's going to take a little while for those stitches to heal inside of you -- people tend to forget that because they can't see those wounds and stitches and staples -- but they are there  there is no way around the insurance requirements -- just do the 6 month diet or whatever and get it out of the way -- don't waste anymore time trying to get around the system -- you have to play their little game in order to get them on your side -- and also don't get testing done unless your own surgeon asks for it -- each surgeon wants different tests done -- dont' waste time and money just cuz someone else had to have a certain test done -- and some tests have to be done within a certain time frame  -- please listen to your own surgical team -- don't buy stuff off the web just cuz everyone else does -- the money could add up quickly -- go to support groups and maybe someone there is passing around something they bought and found out they don't like it -- now you can get it for free -- go to the vitamin stores or the GNC stores and ask them for free samples also -- i got some samples from my local GNC store before i had surgery -- i  also got free samples from our nutritionist -- ask around before you spend a bundle of money -- always do what works best for you -- not someone else -- we are all individuals  good luck to everyone  take care off to work now roberta

Roberta, That was quite a post - and it was all so very true.  Congrats on being on the "maintaining" portion of your life, and succeeding!   Thanks for all the info! Pam

YOU GUYS JUST ROCK GOOD TO SEE U POST ON THE BOARD AGAIN. HUGS, JACKI

Hi Roberta, You have been an Inspiration to me, and everyone on this board.  I have followed all your posts since I have become a member.  You have done an excellent job!!!  Maintaining is the hardest job, and if are doing that, then you should be really proud of yourself.  I hope for continued success on your journey!!!!

That is a fantastic post! Bravo to you, you're an inspiration. If you're looking for jean**** Macy's. I'm in the "I'm not 16 anymore" mind frame too, and I buy Liz Claiborne or the generic Style & Co. jeans. All the best to you!