Georgia

I havent posted any pics in a long time (other than the skirts last week!) and have just gotten brave enough again. Lol Actually felling pretty good about myself right now and need to save the shots for when I dont! Ha! I will never be a SMALL person - I'm 5'8" and right now weigh 165 but size 10 feels good and size 20 looks like a distant memory!!! Ha!

Swizzly, just don't get carried away on the food part! lol Else, your fasting is in vain! Ha! Enjoy! Laura, we are almost identical in weight. And weighing this morning down another two lbs! 165! I havent seen that number in MANY months! Sexy, I guess I adjusted to low carb "brain wise" but I definitely get low blood sugar and VERY TIRED. I didn't realize how tired I actual was until I switched to 5:2. I have so much more energy and focus its really kind of strange. Even though I am eating a lot less calories, I am eating healthier and more balanced I believe. Also strangely enough, I actually kind of look forward to my fast days. I know, I'M WEIRD! Think its just because I am so glad to finally be on a good path again. Went through many months of depression and I believe a lot was because I felt I was floundering Healthwise, thinking I had somewhat "wasted" my sleeve. Which is load of crap! I was reading a comment from a guy on the "How many at goal Vet" thread and it hit me - we ARE at goal even if a few pounds above on a scale. Most all of us have drastically changed our lifestyles, dropped medications, lost LOTS of weight! GOAL is a state of mind!!! We need to start believing it! (Did I sound like Dr. Phil?)

I know the sheer joy of accomplishment makes GOAL seem really exciting but as I read your status, I was taken back by how we think GOAL is only a number on a scale. With only eight pounds from where you want to be on the scale, it almost seems laughable to say you arent there, doesn't it? Coming where we all came from to where we are now - WE ARE AT GOAL! Healthy in body and spirit - life to look forward to in a way we never did before! Boy, how proud of yourself can you be? Keep it up! I have no doubt those 8 lbs will be lost but in my mind! GOAL!!!!!!

Super sweeties, Tu and Thurs work best for me. I really don't worry about how much Protein as opposed to healthy food on fast day but if you have eggs, chicken, turkey, tuna, cheese, Protein Shake, Protein Powder you should be able to get your protein. At 3 years out, I really don't count stuff other than NOW calories, carbs, healthy. I DO eat my protein first and usually have chicken or lean turkey franks on normal days as well as salads, guacamole, skin milk cheese like babybel or laughing cow.

Yes, I notice it but I am not really small. 5'8". And since I HAD been comfortably in size 8 and now in 10/12 I relish the feeling. Trying to lose the additional 10 lbs to get back to goal!!

Thanks, FYE. I think it is because I had been eating so much junk (sugar) and "bulked up". What it's done for me is give me renewed hope in the ability to LOSE and maintain, though. I've not found anything about it difficult maybe because I was READY for change but its encouraging to find something that seems to fit right now, if you know what I mean.

So first fast day is done and Weighing today the scale says the same but that still means I'm down 9 pounds in two weeks as of today so I think that's awesome and by the way Siri type this for me. love to all. enjoy your week

Okay update scale stayed the same today after my first fast day of the week but that still means I'm down 9 pounds in two weeks. that's awesome carry-on. And I'm driving so Siri type this for me Smile

7pm and I'm at 320 calories. I'm gonna finish out the day with some cantaloupe! And PRAY the scale rewards me tomorrow.

Called the 5:2 diet on the veterans forum

Okay started posting my 5:2 comments on FYEs 5:2 forum. So far today so good. Really FAST day on a fast day!

Wow! This day! Who's had time to worry about calories?!! Lol. 2:15 pm and 170 calories into my 500. Didnt even stop to breathe until about noon! At least you don't think about hunger but not hungry anyway! . Happy Tuesday!

Laura, me too. They are true pencils and others are straight. Luckily, I have no butt or hips. Carry my weight upper body which is the worst place health wise. That's why I went for sleeve. Swizzly, no new Coops pic but I'm sure she WILL soon, right Coops.

Read somewhere on VST today, fellow sleever not losing weight but losing dress sizes with body changes. Well, I'm the opposite, pretty much same weight (within 5 lbs) from late last summer. Worn size 8 skirt regularly with ease. Then up and down 5-8 lbs all fall, winter and now size 10-12. So, I cleaned out a closet today and had a lot of last summers clothes stored and havent gotten out yet. Took the plunge and tried on the skirts. Feel some better. And the point is, size is just a number. 3 out of 5 size 8s fit, one 10 didnt fit, one 12 felt as tight as one of the 8s! lol And my skirts I just bought a couple months ago in 12 cause I was bigger are now loose and probably gonna have to be taken up. THAT'S why I need a good maintenance plan! Ha! size 8 size 10 size 8 size 12!

For those of us 2+ years out(meat 3) life is very different for the "honeymoon" early sleeve stage. You def eat much more easily and maintaining is not a walk in the park. I, too, NEVER logged, worried, did much work and successfully lost 100 lbs in 71/2 pounds to reach goal weight. Slid along for a year or so, gradually allowing myself the luxury of bad carbs, junk, etc and let me tell you, they WILL lovingly slide right on down and you WILL gain. Of course, we all knew this was a tool. Of course, we understood that it would change but realistically, unless you have some approach to maintenance whether exercise (lots), stringent adherence to Protein only and very low carb or choose an in between its up to us. For me, 5:2 Or IF gives me that. It doesn't feel like a diet and is very healthy (as proven by studies) overall for your body. I feel better, in control, losing the regained weight, and have plan in mind. Oh and BTW, lost 7 lbs in week 1/2 even with 6 "normal" days in between. And those normal are HEALTHY EATING. As Hilary Clinton said, "It takes a village." Grateful for my VST village.

3 years out this month. Lost 100 and reached goal at 8 mos. Easy Peasy. Maintenance not so much. Added back too many bad carbs and picked up pounds over a year or so. Have lost all but about 10 lbs. Doing 5:2 eating plan for last two weeks and seem to be able to lose and maintain this easily. Think I've finally found maintenance plan fore and gained a LOT of insight into ME during last few months. I am still a junk food addict if I let it so I won't anymore. Amazingly, the great restriction is still there IF I MANAGE it. Sliders will def defeat you if allowed. VERY happy with where I am but will be happier back at goal and my size 8 skirts. (Now 10-12). #headthing

Coops and FYE, I agree. Might do 4:3 this week just to see if I like for a while til get back to goal. Like FYE, I'm liking the fact that I consciously eat less and can't eat more on NF days and logging everything has really kept on track. Good week to all. Lets do this ! And Kristie, welcome!

Sounds like you have it down. Recommend two main meals with a snack mid day if possible. Think the concept is length of time your body has between meals to burn fat. Good luck

Never too late! Welcome!

Congrats, Renee! You are exactly where I was and SHOULD BE. Working on it. About 10 mo pounds to be back to goal range. I'm like you and FYI, been through many "eating plans" and then sleeve came along and changed my life. 3 years out and glad to be here. I think that's what is working for me right now because as someone said earlier today you get to where it is constantly on your mind and you find yourself wanting to eat or graze all the time. Having A period of real Rest From food has made me really conscious of what goes into my mouth and the fear of regain makes me really think twice about when and what!