haven't needed to vent, but now....

 Thanks. You are my vision of a woman warrior. You wouldn't take crap from anyone and with your athletic skill, you could beat the crap out of them literally. I am growing thicker skin (metaphorically) to get past the comments that hurt me.

Wendy, I received  simliar comments 20 lbs ago, such as "You don't need to lose more weight" "Where is it going to come from?" "You look fine.". I just kept on plugging away, because I knew that I could get down to a normal BMI. In addition, my PCP thought that I should aim for 110 lbs.  When I saw you in Feb., you certainly didn't look weak and tired. You are doing all the positive things that you need to do, to get yourself down to a normal BMI.

As far as the middle weight, I found that was the last to go, and aerobic exercise helps to burn the fat. Keep on with the weight training, yoga, and going to the gym. You are doing GREAT. So what, if you are obsessed. I know that I am, and it helps me to be successful. If I wasn't obsessive about exercise, tracking my food, weighing myself, etc., I wouldn't have made it to 110 lbs.

I think your friend might be jealous. Is she overweight??? My true friends didn't make comments like that. They were always complimentary and said that I looked great.

Just went back and read some of the other comments. LOL!!! I remember, when my panties were hanging down my non-existent butt. I found that I like Vanity Fair Hipsters, but sometimes it difficult to find my size 5 in the neutral colors.

Your hair will come back. Mine has been coming back in for the past couple of months. Just keep on with the protein, and the new growth will be great. My hairdresser said that the new hair is coming in, very soft and fine. My hair grows really fast, so I noticed some thinning for awhile, but everything is starting to return to normal.

I am hoping for some redistribution, because my arms and legs are a mess. It would truly be worse, if I had not been doing weight training, so keep it up.

Now, people tell me that I look like a different person, and I reply, "I feel like a different person." As I was going down in weight, people often told me that I looked good and my color looked normal, and they never would have guessed that I had  WLS. I think your "friend" is a bit jealous.

(((HUGS))).

Gail

 Gail, thanks. You are focused and inspiring. I think you are having fun with your new body and athleticism. I am continuing to exercise. This past week, I upped some of the weights on the machines, since it was getting too easy. I flop around in yoga, but figure anything is better than nothing and it will get easier with fewer pounds to balance in crazy poses.

I never thought I would get this close to my first goal so soon. My surgeon suggested 160, but I think that was so his stats would look good. It's only about 1 pound a week lately, but that is so much better than anything in my past.

The weight loss definitely slows down, but with weight training, you are building muscle, and this will increase your metabolism and increase the number of calories/day that you will be able to eat.

I flop around in my Pilates class, but like you, it is better than doing nothing.

Try to mix up your exercise routine, so that your body doesn't get used to the same exercises. Every time that I work out with my trainer, the exercises are different. Increase the weights, as they become easier to work out with. The last few reps should be difficult. If the last few reps are not difficult, then it is time to increase the weight.

Hope to see you soon,

Gail

Another point is that the "norm" is 20 lbs overweight.  I don't think we know what normal should look like anymore.

Good point Price!

 So true, Price. I can now buy clothes at Costco, which was one of my goals. I think I blend in pretty well at any mall or grocery store in America. It's fun.

I am getting this all the time!   I am basically done losing weight....and 5lbs below goal....but frankly I am tired of defending myself!   I just nod and tell them that my doctor says I am healthy and then I say nothing more.  I started this about 20lbs ago!   The conversation can't go any farther if I won't participate 

 Lori, thanks. I like the reminder that I can choose not to respond to any comments. Just nod and say, "thanks for sharing" (trying not to use a snarky tone).

Oy Wendy!  When you were here in February you looked fantastic.  I was truly amazed at how strong and vibrant you looked.  You've done a great job with your recovery.  You just keep going and if this friend asks you again, tell her that the comments are not helpful because your doctor has told you that he'll let you know when it's time to stop losing.  Tell her that you are going through all of this so that you don't have to worry about diabetes, heart disease etc, so the decision about your final size is up to your doctor.  If someone tells you something that is off the wall, you can always look at them and ask them if they think that what they're saying is really helpful to you.  That generally stops them cold.  I like that you're standing up for yourself.  YAY Wendy!

I once had a boss that walked into my office and started spouting crap at me.  I climbed onto my chair, then up on my desk (praying it wouldn't break).  I looked down at him and very clearly said, "you may not ever speak to me in that tone of voice or in that way again.  If you ever do, I am walking out immediately with no notice".  I stared for a few moments, then climbed down and resumed my work.  I phoned his partner and told him that if his partner ever dared speak to me again in that fashion, I was through and suggested he go out and purchase a muzzle immediately.  He never did take up that tone with me again!

Be grateful for your hairloss.  Dr. Baggs says the hair loss stops when the rapid weight loss phase is over.  You just go for it all girlfriend!  It all comes back in just fine later on.

I hope I get to see you soon!  :)