How are we doing? (Yet again!)

Karen,
I always enjoy your posts. You are one of the people here who give me inspiration and who I trust for giving kind words and who always seems to think the best of all...you are a sweetheart and I appreciate you! 1. SURGERY DATE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT: October 17th 2007, 5', 207lbs
2.CURRENT WEIGHT AND LBS. LOSTt: 133 lbs. about 74 lbs

3. MAIN SOURCE OF PROTEIN: protein shakes, yogurt, cottage cheese, ham and cheese rolls, peanut butter, only very moist chicken and fish. Beef sometimes.

4.WATER CONSUMPTION?: I am very bad about plain water. I drink decaf tea and decaf coffee. My surgeon told me to count all decaf liquids as "water."

5. ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH VITAMINS? Some weeks I do better than others.

6.WHAT VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS ARE YOU TAKING?
Multivitamin( chewable Centrum Silver), calcium +V D, iron, and liquid zinc, and B12.
7. ANY HAIR LOSS? YES!!!!! Lots! At about 4 months out, and if I did better with my vitamins, I think it may grow back faster/better. It has stopped falling out and I am waiting for it to grow back.

8. WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE ARE YOU DOING? I walk my treadmill when I am being a good girl. I put the miles on at work also.

9. WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES? Taking my Vitamins, eating carbs that are not good for me. Eating in the evening.

10. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WHOLE WLS EXPERIENCE? Love it, love it!  Would do it again. My only big problem was my job...I have since quit and have a new one...trouble was related to me having my surgery and the people I worked for being jerks.

11. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR "WOW" MOMENTS? I feel small! I fit in the bathtub! I can wear cute clothes! I let my husband pick me up! I can run up the stairs! Many many more!
12. DO YOU HAVE AN "ISSUE" WITH SLEEPING? Yes, a big one. On a good night I get 5 hours, most nights I get 3-4. I take medication to sleep...my problem is staying asleep. I have chronic pain (no one can say why for sure, think it may be scar tissue pain from esophageal surgeries) and that is prob what wakes me up...

13. OK, we're being open sisters here....ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONSTIPATION? Sometimes, no difference from before or after. Thanks, Cheryl

Aloha you cute little elf! When I see your picture I can imagine an elf hat on you at Christmastime....such a darling face!

Thank you for your sweet words.......made me feel so good.

Your story is also inspiring! 130 lbs. is awesome! Having your husband pick you up, and running up the stairs is something we all can cheer about because it was such an impossibility just a short time ago.

I'm sorry that your work situation was affected by your weight loss. People can be so cruel and unthinking when they feel intimidated by someone's stunning success. It's sad. I rejoice in my sisters successes and can't imagine making anyone feel badly.

Yep, me too on the "staying asleep" thing. Getting to sleep...no problem, but waking at 2:00 and thinking Oh No......am I up for the day?? I know that sleep is when our bodies do their healing work, and I long to have 7 or 8 hours for those little workers to do their thing as I sleep!

Big hug to you, my dear one, for sharing your wonderful story here.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen, You & all the OFF members are such great role-models!!!   The further I get out from surgery, the more I realize that I must hold myself accountable.   This is the perfect chance to self-evaluate & readjust as necessary for success!    Thanks for doing this for us & with us. 1. SURGERY DATE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT: 7/11/07, 228.5 pounds, 5'3" 2.CURRENT WEIGHT AND LBS. LOSTt: 150.5 pounds,   78# lost since surgery, 99.5# lost in 18 months.   *** I need to lose 1/2 pound to reach my Doctor's Goal ! 3. MAIN SOURCE OF PROTEIN: Cottage Cheese, Premier Protein Shakes, Fish, Chicken, Beef, Turkey Rolls  (I spread a little softened cream chees on sliced turkey, sprinkle dried cranberries on top, roll it & eat it pronto!) 4.WATER CONSUMPTION?:  64 oz daily - more when it's hot & when I exercise much. 5. ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH VITAMINS? Yes, I keep vitamins in a weekly " pill box" and a water bottle right on my desk at work or on the kitchen counter on weekends. 6.WHAT VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS ARE YOU TAKING?  Calcium Citrate with D & Magnesium 3 x daily, iron, Kirkland Chewable Children's Multipurpose Vitamins 4 daily (is this too many?  They taste so yummy!).   I also take B-12 & Biotin daily. 7. ANY HAIR LOSS? Never, guess I'm just lucky. 8. WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE ARE YOU DOING? Walking, bike riding, eliptical, cardioglide - about 4 days a week.   9. WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES?  Grazing - my pouch seems to have no limits if I just graze.  Crackers seem to be a weekness - with grazing techniques (I have decades of experience) I'm able to eat more than you would think possible for a wls patient.  Time to remeber that wls is just a TOOL & I must work the tool - NO MORE GRAZING! 10. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WHOLE WLS EXPERIENCE?  I am thrilled.  I wish I had given myself permission to ask for help 10 or 20 years ago! 11. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR "WOW" MOMENTS?  I have posted many, but this is what comes to mind today:   I feel comfortable in my own skin.   Before, I was uncomfortable, just sitting on a comfy couch.   I always wanted to put my legs up, with 100% support for my legs.  Still, my back would ache.     Now, I just feel "right" - no pain, no discomfort, it feels so good! 12. DO YOU HAVE AN "ISSUE" WITH SLEEPING?   Yes & No.   I sometimes am wakefull at night, but I told myself years ago (I've always been this way) that I wouldn't worry about it.   I will read in bed (DH doesn't mind the light), hop on the computer, watch tv or even practice piano (did I mention my DH is a saint?).   When I'm tired, I go back to bed & fall asleep.   I've told myself I'll never take meds to sleep, but who knows what the future holds? 13. OK, we're being open sisters here....ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONSTIPATION? Yes, but not related to the surgery.    When I skip a couple of days, I take Miramax & that really helps.    Since I went back to work, the problem seems to have disappeared.  I think it's because I go to the salad bar almost every day (We have free meals where I work - sometimes I get fish, chicken, soup, etc, but if I don't like the selection I go for the salad bar.

Aloha my favorite computer guru!!

Jan, thank you so much for your detailed progress report! That is the kind of stuff that makes for inspiring people, and giving them a real idea of how this tool works.

I LOVE the ham/cream cheese/dried cranberry idea! That is going to be on my menu starting today.

I've heard that the people who do gain their weight back do it because they graze all day, but on BAD STUFF!! I've started grazing a bit, too, but more because I don't want to lose anymore. My latest discovery which I LOVE is Newman's soy crisps...they actually have 7 grams of protein per serving and are wonderful!! I'm guessing your crackers are whole grain and good for you. Funny how we get these "passions." For months mine was peanuts.....had them every night....a bunch!! For some reason that craving has gone away.

Your husband is a saint!! LOL........I'm guessing you are going to keep him. I never thought I'd take anything to help me sleep either, but without anything at all...I don't think I would ever go to sleep.

Your connection between having no problem with constipation and eating salad is sure a reminder for us to eat veggies. I often forget to do that.

Big hugs to you, friend.....for sharing so deeply with us!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Karen, my friend! Not much has changed over the past year in terms of my statistics and food habits but here goes. 1. SURGERY DATE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT: Nov 7, 2005, 292 lbs, 5'7" 2. CURRENT WEIGHT AND LBS. LOST:  136lbs  / 156 lbs lost 3. MAIN SOURCE OF PROTEIN: 1 shake a day, any seafood, poultry, pork tenderloin, protein powder added to pudding and yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese 4.WATER CONSUMPTION?: 110-130 oz a day 5. ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH VITAMINS? Yes, without fail 6.WHAT VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS ARE YOU TAKING? 2 Centrum Children's chewables a day, B12 1000 mcg SL / d, Citracal Creamy Bites 2 / day (I'm almost out - hurry Bariatric Advantage!), Vit D 1000 mcg / day, chewable iron 58 mg twice a day, chewable Vit C 500 mg twice a day (with the iron), biotin 2000 mcg SL / d, 7. ANY HAIR LOSS? No, still thin, always was and always will be 8. WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE ARE YOU DOING? Only usual activities of daily living 9. WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES? Still recovering from a foot ulcer  10. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WHOLE WLS EXPERIENCE? Best thing I've ever done; put me back in the world of the living 11. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR "WOW" MOMENTS? Just being able to do normal activities without sweating, huffing, puffing, being in pain (back, knees); on the vanity side - wearing a size 6! 12. DO YOU HAVE AN "ISSUE" WITH SLEEPING? No problems at all; I fall asleep on a dime and stay asleep until the alarm goes off; 13. OK, we're being open sisters here....ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONSTIPATION? Oh, I sure did early on for the first 12-18 months. Stool softeners and fiber tabs required daily. Now, I tend to have diarrhea. Absolutely no constipation!

Aloha dear Kathy, and it is SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!

I love having you come in and tell us your story since you are quite a ways away from surgery, and are doing fabulously! We need to know that this tool can KEEP us thin and we do not need to revert to old patterns of gaining it all back. Thank you dear one, for giving us that.

You are the QUEEN of drinking water.....IMHO!! LOL That is a LOT of water, and I only wish I could drink that much. I don't think people realize how critical drinking water is. My surgeon says that dehydration is THE MOST COMMON reason for WLS peeps to come into the ER. Our bodies just need MORE water than the regular person for our tool to be efficient.

Interesting vitamins you take. I, too, take Vit. D every day even though I am out in the sun a lot. Reports just the past few days say that Vit. D is one of the best things you can do to ward off heart problems. That's good enough for me to keep it among my daily vitamins.

I love the size 6!! Could you ever imagine you would be able to slip into a Size 6 anything when you were at your highest weight?? A size 6 wouldn't have fit on my arm!! LOL Now, I can wear size 8 jeans!! Tis a miracle indeed!!

You are so blessed with being a sleeper! I wonder why some have no problems in that area and others of us struggle so. I am happy for you!!

Thanks, darling friend, for coming in and sharing with us. We miss you!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Guess "the old lady" will put in her stats:
1. Aug. 17, 2007 303 lbs. 5'3"
2. 217 lbs. 86 gone forever
3. chicken, ground turkey, fish and shrimp, s/f pudding
with extra protein, cottage cheese, peanut butter.
4. 64 plus oz. every day, mostly crystal lite, but at least 20 oz. of plain water. A cup of decaf before breakfast.
5. Faithfully every single day.
6. 2 Flintstones complete, calcium citrate with vit. d (4 tablets each day), biotin.
7. Yes, have very thin and fine hair, lost a lot at about
4 months, but it has come back nicely.
8. Ride recumbent bike for 30-32 min. 4.5 miles 3 X a week, go to pool and do water walking for 1/2 hr. 3 X a week, lift 2 lbs. weights twice a week.
9. Challenges -- oh my! Grazing..... it has been a problem for the last three months, that's why I haven't lost like I should. Now am doing my 3 small meals and 1 snack and no other eating in between...was hard to get back on track. Can't have ice cream of any kind in the house.....it calls to me continually.
10. I feel like I have added 20 yrs to my life expectancy. I only wish I would have done this sooner. I have a NEW LIFE.
11. Am off all diabetes meds and blood pressure meds.
Love to shop for new clothes. People are always telling me how good I look - gosh I must have looked awful before....LOL! Just walking makes me happy.
12. Sleep like a baby every nite from 10:30 until 6 a.m.
Altho' once in a while my mind won't shut off and I have to pop a tylenol PM but that's very seldom. Lay down to rest every afternoon, sometimes I sleep, but usually not, just rest.
13. No problems there - usually eat a couple prunes every day and try to get high fibre foods in and I'm okay.

Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Pat

Aloha Pat....and thanks so much for jumping in and letting us follow along on your process. You are doing an OUTSTANDING job of using your tool. I can't wait til you drop below the 200 mark......for some reason that line seems to be stickie but once it's crossed, the body somehow gives up the ghost and lets us lose freely again. 200 was my barrier for so long....and when I finally saw the 198...it was celebration day!

Me, too, on ice cream being my bugaboo! I have given in to the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and bars.....they are only 110 calories and I can have a couple each day and feel like a bad girl on one hand, but on the other know that I'm not cheating too badly.

I LOVE that you are off diabetes and blood pressure meds! That seems to happen to so many people and tells me that weight loss IS contributing to our living longer, more quality lives.....what a blessing!

Keep up the great work, and thanks again for sharing with us frequently. You ARE a valued sister in here.........***smack***

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Kathy!  So glad to see you on here!  Like I have told you before in the past, you inspired me so much when I was researching and waiting and to see you today (Thursday).  You look great as usual and all the changes in your life these past two years have not changed you.  Glad you stopped in and posted.  It made me realize that I should not stay away also.  Maybe someone needs to see my face again....hope so. When I read about you at first I only dreamed of being small like you.  Now it is a reality.  Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes back then and your encouragement.

1. SURGERY DATE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT: 9/29/04, 306/5'4" 2.CURRENT WEIGHT AND LBS. LOSTt: 146 current/160 lbs. lost 3. MAIN SOURCE OF PROTEIN: 3 protein shakes daily, chicken, turkey, yogurt, tuna, eggs, shrimp, peanuts 4.WATER CONSUMPTION?: Approx. 50 oz. a day. I need to improve. 5. ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH VITAMINS? Yes 6.WHAT VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS ARE YOU TAKING? 2 adult Centrum chewables, magnesium, B12 sublinqual daily, Vit. B-100, dry Vit. A (50,000 iu daily), dry Vit. D, dry Vit E, 8 chewable irons, zinc, CoQ10, 4 chewable BA calcium citrate, Vit C 7. ANY HAIR LOSS? Lost at 6 months out, but hair is still thin. 8. WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE ARE YOU DOING? Go to gym 4 or 5 times a week, treadmill and weight machines. 9. WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES? bread at restaurants 10. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WHOLE WLS EXPERIENCE? Love it. Wish I had done it sooner. 11. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR "WOW" MOMENTS? Getting rid of a cpap machine that I had used for 5 years!  Seeing friends and not being recognized.  12. DO YOU HAVE AN "ISSUE" WITH SLEEPING? Yes, major problem. 13. OK, we're being open sisters here....ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONSTIPATION? Yes, but magnesium helps.