Georgia

And we cant make it without you!!!! DON'T LOSE HOPE! Its very hard for all of us during holidays, anyway, so dont feel bad at yourself. Take a SMALL goal and push hard toward that one and then move on. I get overwhelmed if I look too far range. And I have a bag of really good Christmas cookies staring at me right now on my 2nd fast day. I have persevered so far but I've also saved some so I can enjoy tomorrow!!!!! LOL

Susan, again, I agree with Kim. I regained almost 30 pounds and was on the point of totally losing it. You CAN re lose that weight. I did and many others here have and are still doing it. I would def give 5:2 a real shot and track, track, track what goes in your mouth. I know, fore, I had to finally realize that I COULDNOT and never would be able to eat higher calories in a day and/or junk (believe me I was eating whole bags of mini powdered donuts in one sitting!) without gaining. Now that I've refocused and am really WORKING It, I find it much easier to maintain and keep the weight off. I believe you can too!!!!!!! Go, Girl! We will help you!!!!

Susan, I am in full agreement with Kim and Daisy. We, a group of truly dedicated longer term sleevers, began this group because we desperately needed to find something that worked for us and that was 5:2. In doing that, we became fast friends and confidants. In every way imaginable! . Knowing that I could "bare my soul" to this group whom I've never met face to face but linked heartbeats with has been life changing for me physically and I will say, sometimes emotionally. Yes, there are others who need help and we willingly offer it On Other Threads And will continue. This place has become sacred to us. I would hate for that to change. I, personally, hope that we maintain the integrity of our group as it is.

Thanks, Kathy, I'm a proud granny too. Hang tough!

JEALOUS! Six! I have 3 girls 3, 8 and 11. Joy undiluted! Good work on fluids. I don't have problems with liquid but Protein another story. I don't know whether to worry or not since I seem to be in good health my bloodwork is always good and I think I get enough for my age but. Like you,Linda, I like goal! Intend to stay there this time. Soldier on, Friend!

Congrats to you OD! 5:2 has truly been a life and "sleeve" saver for me too! It's now a way of life and I don't stress about things like before now that I know I CAN and will lose/maintain. With a firm plan and program, knowing how much I can eat and logging everything, keeps me on the straight and narrow. Well, most of the time! Yes, I do allow myself the occasional treat and enjoy myself when out and about and I think that's what it is all about! Learning to live a good, healthy lifestyle and enjoying life!

Sounds like you've taken the proverbial "bull by the horns", Lynda! This time of the year it's very easy to "slip" some. I was iced in at my house for three days last week and let me tell you, it was NOT pretty! LOL Back on track now - and still in low bounce range but want to lose that last pound before Christmas so I'm there with you, Girlfriend! Hold that line!!

Yep! Fully and totally agree!

You look great!! And you ARE a success!!!!

Your pic shows an error I think

Welcome! Just as a side note, 4:3 hasn't shown any more results I believe than 5:2. And you might have greater success at sticking to 5:2 to get acclimated. Just a thought!! It's well worth it for me. I got to thinking yesterday. I've dropped 35 pounds since June using this lifestyle AND easily maintain! Go for it!!!!

My fitness pal and I have a Fitbit One that synch together.

Okay, winding up first fast day. At 460 right now. FINALLY, had a thaw today and warmed above freezing so lots of the ice melted and now tonight will re freeze and be black ice in the morning drive! . Man, I was glad to get back to routine today! Still inside my bounce and hopefully, drop a couple today because it has been "snow days" eating plan too long! Lol. Really enjoyed our little "shut in" with the two Grands, though, since we didn't get to see them for last two or three weeks.

Okay, Kim. Thought of you when I saw this Winter Vegetable and SPELT soup! Looks yummy.

So, true, Brown. Globe, yours is something most haven't experienced but I agree. The only way is to just take it one day at a time and deal with one thing at a time. Thoughts and hugs today!

Ahh, I'm so thinking of you today! Man, sometimes you just get slapped around from life, don't you? And I truly understand the work scenario. Yep, put on our "face" and off we go! Hoping this is a better week for you on all fronts! And yes, love my fitbit "smiles"! Lol

Man, I wish I had an answer for this! I truly wonder why some metabolisms work so differently. I have two friends who are exactly like you and Brown. One truly eats like a bird! No weight loss. One fights for weeks for every single pound lost. And they have done everything. Higher carbs. Lower carbs. 5:2. Exercise. No WLS because not truly morbid obese but the ongoing struggle!!! Wow! I'm truly hoping and praying for the best for you. Physically, mentally, emotionally. You have a tremendous amount on your plate, so to speak, and want you to know you are on my mind.

Lord, help us

I think most of us here are going to have to just "hang on" through this month. Too many interruptions of schedules, too many reasons to cheat. I did great through Thanksgiving but sitting in the house and vegging is killing me. We can do this! I'm like Laura. If I can maintain and follow 5:2 I will be very happy.

I can understand your frustration. I would be too! Not sure what the answer is but I would not worry overly about too much protein and maybe your body just hasn't/doesn't like to let go and you need to stick with low cal/exercise strictly for a little longer. I would def talk to the nutritionist.

Well, Pals, we are in the middle of the apocalyptic ice storm aftermath here! Now I to second day of house bound with lots of food! You know. You HAVE to have all this food to get you through it! Both grand girls are here too because Mom, the Nurse, has been staying at job til she can get home on the roads. Let's see- I've made chicken noodle (lots of big fat noodles) soup, biscuits and gravy, BBQ meat, girls made red velvet cupcakes and they DID have SF icing. . I've eaten four! Need I say more! . Heaven help us all! Ha!

Yep, we have snacks in the break room but we have a fridge too so I stack my snacks in there and try hard to ignore!! Some days if there are donuts, um, I don't ignore. Lol

Love this, FYE! In this day and age few "make it work" at all. It is work. Not doubt about it. I love my guy and just celebrated FORTY years but I actually think this was one of our hardest because it was a big year of change on a lot of fronts.

Sure or if just something small, a mini babybel cheese has 50. NSA fudge bar 40 . One extra lean turkey frank 50, sliced veggies and spreadable laughing cow cheese wedge only about 35-45.

I agree, Ms skinny, since anything that is eaten in excess can be,ultimately, bad for you. The bars, in and of themselves, serve a purpose, but for me, it make me want to eat MORE. I have to really watch them including my 90 calorie Fiber One bars. I could eat them all day if I let myself. I have cut almost all snacking out. I allow myself a mini babybel between breakfast and lunch usually and after dinner I will allow myself a WW or NSA ice cream bar as a treat. 60 or 40 calories. Last night, however, I wanted salty and peanut butter so indulged myself with the PB filled HK Anderson morsels that I DEF have to stay away from overall. I am a meat eater so I always have meat and love cheese so I have a lot of that. When I say a lot, remember my overall calorie count on most days does not approach 1100-1200 and two days 500. As CGJ stated, I am very aware NOW of regain possibilities and I like my new self too much to allow that again. I am comfortably into a 4/6 bottom and medium top. I weigh less now than I did 45 years ago. And I am, cross my fingers, toes, legs, eyes, HEALTHY! It's a "work it, Girl" approach we each have to find for ourselves. We are all beautifully and wondrously different and it's not a cookie cutter approach for any of us. I know for me - having a close knit group to keep motivated and help motivate helps tremendously.