How are we doing?

Aloha Eileen........You are another real success story. After five years you are still maintaining almost all of your weight loss. That is so great. I hear you when you talk about stress eating....that used to be the worst for me, too. Something goes wrong........where's that half gallon of chocolate chip mint ice cream?????

You are very faithful about your water......and I'll bet a lot of your gain IS from water retention. I wish you didn't have any continuing health problems, but it seems that you will be dealing with a couple of them for life. I would bet though that you'd rather be 187 lbs. and some pain to deal with than to be 347 with pain AND all the other stuff that goes along with obesity.

I know you have had a rough year. Maybe you should try antidepressants like I have. They sure made a difference...I didn't really realize it until I'd been taking them for a couple months. I hope the new year has good things in store for you.

Thanks for sharing.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

I am now on an antidepressant. Too early to tell any difference. My psychologist (she couldn't prescribe, only suggest) said I was severely depressed after she did the test. No foolin' (for want of a stronger word).

I think this is a great idea!!! 
 
1. Surgery date & weight/height at surgery: I did not have surgery.  I started on my weight loss journey on Nov 7th 2007.  My highest recorded weight was 308 (but I feel sure I was actually about15-20 lbs heavier)

2. Current weight and lbs. lost: My last weigh in was 144.7 (or 8)......I just had surgery and am all swollen so I know I'm up a few lbs put it's all temporary.

3. Main source of protein: I eat a very diverse diet so I get protein from lots of sources but mostly from Chicken, Fish, Whey Protein Powder, Soy Milk or Yogurt, Lentils/Beans, Cottage Cheese.....I try to hit 80 grams minimum daily and up to 100.

4. How much water are you getting in?: GALLONS!  Well it feels like gallons....it's probably closer to a little more than a gallon.

5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? I've never been very good at taking daily vitamins but I think I'm doing ok.  (since I didn't have wls I have no absorption issues).

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking?  Currently using a product by VitaMedica because of my recent surgeries but when not in surgery mode I'm fine with One-A-Day Women's with some added Flaxseed oil, Vit C, and D...


7. Any medical problems? Nope not really.  I no have High Blood Pressure and do not take meds anymore.  I no longer have aches and pains in my knees, feet and back.  Other than recovering from plastic surgery I feel FANTASTIC!

8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Yes, I normally do at least 60 mins cardio 6 days a week (either a walk in the morning and evening, or a long bike ride in the morning) and I do strength training with free weights 3 nights a week (basically the "body for life" workout plan).

9. What are your current challenges? Recovering from surgery.  This not only stresses the body, it stresses emotions in the house and of course I cannot work out like I would normally so I get creative with finding ways to at least get 30 mins of walking around the house.  I give myself 1-2 weeks of not worrying about it but at the 2 week mark I will push myself to get outside and do at least a walk.....(it's good for my dog too)...but there is no way I can do a bike ride for at least 3-4 months after this surgery.

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? Again I didn't have surgery but the whole losing weight thing has been the BEST thing I've ever done for myself!!

11. What are some of your "wow" moments?  I've had a lot!  I remember fitting into the airplane seat one year ago and having to pull the seat belt smaller....that felt great!
I remember the first day I weighed less than Matthew!  First time in almost 20 years that I could say that!
Trying on jeans and expecting to be a size 10 and fitting into a size 8 which were a little loose was a big memorable WOW for me.
Recently buying a dress (size 8) and bring it home only to have Matthew say it looked too big and I might need a size smaller.  That never happened before!
All the reactions from people who find out I've lost about 165 lbs and the shocked/surprised look on their face....I love it! 
Going on the Dr. Oz website and calculating my "real age" and finding out it is about 12 years younger than my calendar age. 
Pushing or challenging myself to do new things and finding out I can do them now!

It is true what I've heard for so many years..........."nothing tastes as good as thin feels"!!!!!    I'd just add that nothing tastes as good as being thin and healthy feels!!!! 

Aloha to our special OFFer who didn' have surgery, and is doing fabulously!! I am in awe of you. I tried so hard to lose weight when I was over 300 lbs. and nothing worked. You have obviously found the road to success that works for you, and that is so encouraging.

You are following your rules so faithfully, and I know that that is part of why you are so successful. You and I have lost about the same amount of weight, and I know how it feels NOT to be carrying around that 165 lbs. of FAT!! A new life, for sure.

Oh how I wish I could get the energy to get back to exercising. I especially need the weight training for my loose skin....my arms, and upper legs for sure. You are an inspiration!!

Thank you so much for sharing, and for being a part of the OFF.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Karen,
Thanks for the kind words.

I try to be faithful to my exercise not just because it is important while losing weight but because it is so important on going to keep my cardio strong and to keep strong muscles and bones.  I'm sure you'll get back to it too.  When I got a little unfocused with exercise a few months ago (after moving to a new house) I finally said I need to at least do 30 mins of cardio every morning and that was just the start I needed because I went back to my 70-90 min bike rides every morning and have been loving them!   Can't wait till I can ride again....for now I'll have to just walk (I'll try walking the dog on the weekend..maybe!).

Thanks again for the kinds words and for all the inspirational postings you share with us.

TTFN
Ruth

1. Surgery date & weight/height at surgery: Sept. 15, 2009. 5'6", 292lbs at surgery

2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 247.4...total lost 105.6lbs

3. Main source of protein: beef, shrimp, protein drinks, Greek yogurt, cheese

4. How much water are you getting in? 80 - 100oz daily when I'm home. If I get out of pocket, sometimes only 60 or so.

5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Religiously with Vits, haven't missed a dose. Water gets low some days, especially if I leave the house. I still am not in the habit of carrying water with me.

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Calcium, Multi-vit, D3, B-50 complex, Iron, Magnesium oxide and stool softeners.

7. Any medical problems? None related to WLS. I no longer take meds for high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol. My knee pain has gotten a little better but I still have to take meds daily for them. I'm hoping I didn't do irrepairable damage to them both before surgery.

8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Not enough. Now that the pinched nerve in my neck is under control again I'll be going back to water aerobics. I've been walking more when the knees allow it.

9. What are your current challenges? Exercise

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? Wish I hadn't waited so long! But then again I don't think my head was in the right place any earlier so this is probably the right time in my life for this. As others have said, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I have had NO bad days. No pain, no nausea, no vomiting, etc. that I was told to expect. So far every food I've tried had gone down very well and stayed there! Hard scrambled eggs and ice cold anything are the only 2 things my pouch doesn't care for but she tolerates them both.

11. What are some of your "wow" moments? There have been so many already. Besides the smaller clothes.....I can put on my socks and tie my shoes without help, I no longer get out of breath, my knees are better so I can stand in lines and walk around stores now when there was no way I could do that before. My car has gotten bigger! I sit lower in the seat, have had to move the seat forward and move all the mirrors. Watching the scale going lower and hitting numbers I haven't seen since I was in my 20's. Finally weighing less than DH....and he's a full foot taller than I am! But the best is DH mentions daily, just out of the blue, something about me being smaller. It's like it's such a surprise to him he just has to say something!

Aloha Dee.....

You are doing such a great job and I predict your future weight loss will continue to be steady until you are where you want to be.

It took me awhile too to begin carrying water with me all the time. Now I feel naked without my water bottle closeby. I refill it often in stores with water fountains during the day.

It always makes me so grateful for people like you who have been taking meds for various conditions....high BP, cholesterol, diabetes....are off them all!! I had a friend who was taking a lot of those meds, and only two months after WLS she was med-free.

Love your WOW moments, too. You are lucky to have a hubby who is supportive and actually gives you compliments. That's a keeper!! Ha!

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I hope you stick around so we can all go along with your on your journey downward into health, happiness, and freedom in your body.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen