coops

I will be 4 years out in July - I never reached my surgeon's goal; albeit it just a few pounds short (although it was a high goal in the first instance that kept me in an over weight BMI) and I am about 20lbs away from a personal 'OMG' goal... but I have never had a regain of more than a few pounds that I can account for eg holiday or christmas. Not sure if this helps... I personally think that because I have never gotten to my sweet spot on the scale I have remained super viligilant and therefore not regained. I dunno? Sounds to me that you are doing great though.... size US 2/4 would be just fine in my world...lol!

Sheila, the Stella series is absolutely my fav welsh one ... soooo funny because it is so welsh! I don't sound as welsh as they do... sometimes I wish I did. I really do link my identity to being welsh! Florinda, great to hear from you - the drive sounds amazing, as does the new fella! I really hope you two have a good future; sounds promising so far... will you go back to your friends house after the drive? Cathy glad you are in the new house and that you have started to make it a home... I am sure you will be very happy there! Well, I completely smashed the fast day, as I intended to do... fab me eh! No rewards on the scale... even the new one hates me...lol. Fasting again tomo. I've made a new 'rule' for me and hubs - no eating after 9.30/10pm! I am not much of a snacker per se, but Steve is... and if he is eating, I will sometimes join him. And as I want to be extra vigilant, I think this new rule will help us both... it will also mean that I get at least a 12hr fast, sometimes more every day. I really want to see a new low and make my surgeon's goal... I am really bored of the same ole numbers bouncing around! On the complications with the sleeve thing after so many years out... it wasn't even on my radar until Susan said anything. I am not worried or concerned at all... if I get indigestion, then I get indigestion... same as pre sleeve. Sheryl, don't take this the wrong way, but do you think you are worrying because you heard Susan's story and it concerned you? Your doc is happy - and that is a positive thing... try not to get too stressed about the what ifs?! Hope everyone else is good...

I'm fasting today... gonna smash it! I don't know gamegirl... how far out is she? If no one wants a new member on this thread, perhaps a new one could be started and closed?

Hahaha - Sheryl, Wales might not be the best place to hear 'spoken English' it is more Wenglish! But still, we'd love to see you here! If you can watch 'Stella' (a welsh comedy) that will give you a, albeit very stereotypical, idea of Wales... and it is hysterical too!

Just had an interesting convo with the hubby... he too is having 'problems' with the scale... it is saying that he has put on 6lbs in a few days! Even though is jeans are looser... hmmm! He also had to weigh my son.. for his boxing... and H has put on weight too! Even though he clearly hasn't! - H needs to keep a check on his weight cos of his boxing matches. Looks like it might not be 'me' after all! So, on his instructions I am ordering a new set of scales - these are 4 years old and they have had a lot of hammer!

Loving that idea Cathy - two Mother's Days! lol... I can just see there faces! My son would probably say something like 'How about NO!?!' lol! Busy week for you next week but all good - hoping the move is swift and relatively pain free! Keep us posted! x

I hate to say this, as I am a 'scale watcher' but try not to put all the emphasis on the numbers that the pesky scale reads to you. This is not the only way to measure success. I agree with Griffan, look at how your clothes fit too - and if you haven't done already, take measurements... they are a good indication of you reducing your body mass and will probably change even when the scale doesn't! I am nearly 4 years out now and still not at surgeon's goal - albeit just pounds away! Does that mean I am not a success? Does that mean, that just because the scale doesn't read a certain number then I have failed? Urm, hell no! I have improved the quality and longevity of my life ten fold... and I consider that a huge success and a big two fingers to the number on the scale. I have gone from a UK 24 - UK 12 in that time and I am often told that I 'do not' look my weight! I am also told that I shouldn't lose any more... even though my BMI is still overweight. I have encounter many many long and painful stalls; the longest being nearly two years in duration but I still went down a dress size in that time. I am currently in another one - 6 mths since my scale has moved. I continue to 'tick the right boxes' but my body will do what it wants when it wants. I am also in the throws of early menopause, and I think the hormone imbalance has something to do with it too - but I am no doctor and this is just my 'feelings' on the matter - I might be wrong? Sorry for the long reply, but I just wanted you guys to know that you are doing nothing WRONG! Just go with your surgeon's post op recommendations/plan and stick with it. This is a commitment for life - a permanent solution that will help you get healthy, and that means happy! Stay with it, trust yourself and your intuition and you'll see yourself get healthy. Good luck!

I am just over a year out from a BL and TT - I'll be 4 years post sleeve in July. My reasons for getting rid of the excess skin and overall droppiness of the mid section was that it didn't look like my face! I had the body of an 80 year old and a face of a 40 year old... it was so discouraging, I didn't really feel the benefit of losing all my weight. Now it has gone, especially the tummy area., I am a lot more mobile and can (when energy levels permit) do high cardio work outs; I don't have the overhang flapping around and pulling my back. Back pain and a recurrent groin injury have both gone since... I feel like my body is properly aligned, if that makes sense? I think because I paid for all my surgeries, I am more inclined to 'fight' to keep the weight off and to continue to lose (not at surgeon's goal, still, but not giving up either). I don't take any of this for granted... it is hard work, but that's ok... So yea, there are plenty of different reasons why people maintain and regain... it is a mix up really!

Just as a side note, I'd thought I would share this... I have thrown out all my 'fat pants'! My underwear draw is now fully of pretty knickers, some even with lace on! I even have two, yes you read that right, two sets of bra and knickers! There you go ladies, I've said it...lol! x

Yes, I am looking forward to hearing about the book too - funny, I just re read the original to see if I was 'doing it wrong' - not lost a pound in 6mths!Dec I reached my all time low and I can't get down there again...top of my bounce again now, even after being super dooper... this is getting old! I hate these long stalls... I don't mind slow loss... but the stall is doing my head in again! Sheila, good to hear from you... with my eating and your work outs we have it sussed...lol... chin up my lovely. Let's hope the funk, funks off soon for you... it is an awful feeling. Dee... do vent away! I also get what you mean by the 'thin suit' - I quite like not being recognise by certain peeps! It is a pity you couldn't do a pit stop over Wales... I would buy you a coffee... skinny of course! Keep us up to date on you! Hope everyone else is ok... we gotta keep going girls, the only way is forward! x

I don't think it will take off here in the UK... I don't know of any support groups, I've never been offered the opportunity of attending one.

I did it... no tea or coffee in work! yey me... just gotta get through tonight now! I. Can. Do. This!

Oh girls! I had such a blast... just as predicted... laughter, cider and dancing! Such fun. Really lifted my spirits too! Totally ignored any sort of 'diet ideas' lol! Today I woke, fresh faced with no hangover...lol! Lucky girl, right there. I've been really hungry today though, and I've enjoyed a day of nibbling on whatever I fancied, which is unlike me! So, fasting tomo! I'm gonna try to kick the teas and coffees on my fast days to see of that helps move the scale a bit?

So today, as a way to release the frustration I am going out with some friends... wearing the new jeans (skinny UK12)! We are going to have a spot to eat, then some ciders, a bit of dancing will probably following all combined with plenty of giggling! This is my remedy to combat the stresses and frustrations that I am currently feeling - and all of it will be guilt free as I am giving myself permission to 'go for it'! Happy Star Wars day...lol

we are the opposite Sheryl. I bought jeans and couldn't find a top...lol!

Oppps - Sorry Cathy, I knew there was a delay in you moving into the new house... lost my sense of time!

Ok - I am going to have a weight related rant... the f***ing scale is not being my friend and I don't like it... there... I've said it! I am at the stage - again - whereby I am getting fed up of 'doing it right' and not getting the rewards... this is hard! I know I've been under the weather with a cold, sore throat, cough, blocked sinus bla bla bla... and yes very busy and stressed in work bla bla bla and yes I haven't been to the 'gym' for a few weeks bla bla bla.. but I have been spot on with my 5:2! My scale is bouncing around the place and I am so frustrated I could scream! They reckon it is 80% what you eat and 20% how you move to lose weight... so why the hell aren't I losing? I know I don't have 'that much' left to lose... but I really need to get under 11 stone... I need to reach my goal because I don't like the feeling of a 'failure' - even though logically I know that I haven't failed... I know that I am looking ok and health wise is good - they say focus on clothing... well to get into a smaller size, then surely weight has to go???? Obviously! Therefore I need to get rid of some more weight. Lets not forget, I ain't looking for the beech body of 2014 - I am only 5 2 and a relatively small frame - I want and need the scales and my clothing to reflect that. If I was being a clown and eating sh*te then fair enough, but I am not. I'm not looking for sympathy or a talking to, just need a place to spout this stuff with folk who actually get it. When I speak to my friends and family...they just say, well look how far you've come... etc, which is lovely but not productive. Some say eat less; join Slimming World (a current craze in work); exercise more... etc! PLEASE don't patronise me! If lack of will power, lazy behaviour or bad eating was the issue then, c'mon, I'd have given myself a good talking to by now and tried to correct it. I seriously can't tick anymore boxes...FFS! I really 'grates my cheese' that my body won't respond to how I want it to... it doesn't want to help my head and shed that last 20 odd pounds. Rant over... for now!

Sheila, good to hear from you -you must be so proud of those girls! Big cwtches to them! It is hard work running around after the family isn't it... worth the energy don't get me wrong... sometimes it is nice not to have anything to do though! Cathy - yipeeee... hope you are settling into your new home. Glad things have gone through ok ... just the unpacking and making everything 'right' now! How did the top fit? Any pics? Dee - chin up *best British accent* but seriously, do vent... that is what we are here for. I hope you are ok - cwtches my lovely. Sarsa - hope hubby is ok... how is he recovering after his op Sheryl, Kim, Georgia, Denise, Brown, Chimera, Florinda who have I missed? Keep fighting the good fight... we are all growing and getting stronger whether we know it or not!

second fast day completed today - all good! Had a low cal day yesterday too... my appetite seems to have gone at the moment, so I am going to take full advantage of that. Might be because my sinuses are really playing me up!

Georgia, I hope things are ok when you get home... love the pic of you on the beech... wish I was sat there too! Pretty disturbing about Susan's post... not comfortable reading for anyone who might be involved!

Back in work after the Easter break and I feel like I've been run over - goodness me! What a day! And fasting today... so far so good... chicken salad for tea, so that will keep me to my allowance!

Yey - Cathy that is a lush photo - and yea, had a great afternoon... really good to chat in person!! Thank you! 'Til next time x

Sheryl, you'd be just fine... folk would probably love your accent as it is!

Good for you Dee - c'mon, lets re-boot together! And I lurve the way you said cwtches...shamazeballs! x

thanks Georgia... starting to feel better about myself now - wouldn't go so far as tiny, but smaller...lol... still want to shift at least another 14lbs though, but the last bit of me is reluctant to budge. Not been great with 5:2 this week - had some low cal days; over 500 but under 1000. My daughter is really poorly at the moment. She has a nasty viral infection that is really taking its toll on her. I am also busy with work; went in for two days and I have a fair bit of admin to do before we start back on Monday so I don't think that I will get a proper fast in now. When I am back in work I will be able to do a proper fast day... just need the scale to get back to the lowest number - still in my bounce range at the moment - and then I am hoping to break a new number. By the end of May work related stress will be less as our year 11 exam kids would have left us and that will give me some free time to do paper work and marking in school instead of at home... that means I will have more time, and hopefully energy, to go to the gym etc. I've been looking at holidays and would love to go away feeling chuffed that I've reached a good weight for me, basically under 11 stone or 154lb... that would certainly help me rock my two piece with confidence! On the topic of curry - I am not a huge fan of curry, but I do make my own which is scrummy. I use the spices that I like and the quantity that is good for my taste buds - quorn or chicken is the best for me. The family enjoy it too! When I use the quorn it makes a great 5:2 meal - we don't have rice, I do the cauliflower rice ....hmm, starting to fancy it now I am typing it! Looking forward to meeting Cathy tomo - gonna have a coffee, peruse the shops and a good ole natter... happy days! Enjoy Friday everyone!