feedyoureye

Sweet, sorry you have a case of the blues. Things will change, they always do. Be kind to yourself. So lucky for your kids you got to stay home for them until school! Hope whatever you will be doing you will end up loving! Meet some lovely people. Stayed the same weight today. Better than gaining! This new year/low has stuck for 3 days now. Thats definitely a good thing!

I've been saying that all day!

Finished for the day...except my SF strawberry tea. Went OK, a little over, around 570. I had some cravings, but came out pretty clean.

I have taken up birding and photography. I have been going on more hikes, and river walks at wildlife refuges and other natural parks in northern California. It is really spectacular. There is so much to this world that I have never seen before.I had the opportunity to hike in the South Island, New Zealand a few years ago. Lots of hiking up Glacier valleys and lots of beaches. I'm sure I could do much more now post WLS! My husband has taken up adventure motorcycling and is game to go out with me for some adventure.

I agree with this. This is a time of change. Observe, learn, and work that sleeve. You also have to start to get some rules for the future in place for after the loss. You here them here all the time. Drink your Water, but not during or shortly after your meals. Protein first Start formulating lower carb dishes that you like. Try Vegetarian, or Organic eating now and then. More veggies! Find ways to move that you like! I took up belly dancing, Urban walking and bird watching photography (Nature walking and hiking). I'm getting my friends involved so they might want to go with me sometimes, but I will go by myself as well because its just so darned fun I can't wait to get out and look around!) I joined a gym.... My dance classes are held there, and in the rest of my time I can lift weights, or take yoga, or experiment with the other fitness things they offer. I took 6 weeks of Tango there once... all included in my gym fees. (It is a rock climbing gym... I no longer rock climb, but the gym is so beautiful, with 3 story rock walls inside!) Find the joy! Don't expect the sleeve to do everything for you... IT IS ONLY ONE OF THE TOOLS YOU WILL NEED IN YOUR TOOL BOX!!.

sounds divine!

I definitely think having a supportive positive community that understands your struggle is a huge plus! In so many ways! Thanks all!

No biggie, just noticed....

Congratulations! Silly question here for all... she has had her surgery for 24 months, I always think that my surgery dates relate to two years of having the sleeve, counts as 2 years anniversary, Like my birthday.... when I was born, It wasn't my first birthday until a year had passed.... just askin' ....

I have lost about 90%, will get to 100% this year I think. It is trial and error to a degree, Honestly, what has worked for me after a 22 pound regain last year and LOTS of long stalls, are Southbeach phase one (I'm a vegetarian and that worked pretty good to knock off 5 pounds) Then I started the 5:2 which is a semi fast for two days a week...would not recommend this until you are at least a year out though. You are not out of the honeymoon yet, but it has done the trick for me.... I think the most important thing for me is to stay accountable all the time. I even write down what I eat on vacation, just so I remain conscious of what Im doing even if Im eating what I want. I wear a fitbit, and keep track of my activity as well. When left to my own devices, I eat too much, and move too little to keep this body. My Dr also asked me if I would be happy losing 50 pounds. I said yes, but 90 would be better. I am now at 82. He did not even want to set a goal for me so I would not be disappointed in my final weight. Research shows that at three years sleevers keep off less than 75% EWL. I have seen too many people here lose 100% of their weight to think it is not possible. Keeping it off is also hard to do for many and a much longer job.

I am at 2 1/2 years and am not at goal yet. I am almost there though, and think I will get there soon. The main losing period is said to be 18 months, so keep up the good work. Some of us are using the 5:2 plan to get off the last pounds, or regain... working pretty good for most of us. Don't give up! This process is a learning experience, finding what works in the long run.

That is so cool Jane, I'm having some of those experiences as well. Like a whole new world to discover.

OMG, went into the office and there was cake, and the secretary makes this popcorn with coconut oil and honey... she made TWO bowls full today. I ran out of there fast.

I'm fasting today too. Mon and Ths. ESA carb control in my iced decaf until dinner tonight. I am dreaming of cookies today. Devil be gone!!!!

I hope you guys don't mind... I just sent off an email to carorees at the 5:2 website/forums telling her a little bit about our group. Shes the one who is doing the questionnaire. She is a medical writer and has lost 50kgs herself. She is a moderator on the site. I gave her our group address, I guess she can read it, I'm not sure if outsiders can read it or not. I will let you know if she comments on my email.

I will have to look closer....

http://www.52fastdiet.co.uk/the-5-2-lab-f10/questionnaire-results-first-look-interesting-t7857.html a little 5:2 research-what is the dif between slow and fast losers on 5:2

I went to a family potluck last weekend. There was a family friend there that I haven't seen in a while. He said "When did you get so tall?" I thought it was because I was wearing heels, but then I figured out he was saying (in a nice way) that I wasn't so WIDE. It was cute!

Hurray Cheri! I so can't wait to get to goal... and on to the job of maintinance. I have NEVER made goal during weight loss attempts. I am 60 freaking years old, and have been dieting from the age of 8. I am so excited to get there this time. I have achieved many things in my life, but this one thing, I have never reached.... I have been a failure....(In my own mind). The two pound loss stuck again today, and down another .2 . In the groove... no doubt a stall is around the corner, but not today!

Thats what I did as well. I actually had piles of protein drinks that tasted bad, but I drank them for the protein... medicine. Didn't want to waste the hard earned money spent as well. Now just about everything tastes good.

There is a point where many may: have more capacity to eat more food/stomach relaxes get their hunger back weight loss slows or stops start gaining weight reach goal and navigate maintenance are past the "honeymoon" usually past a year or more may be earlier find themselves in a new "stage" different from the beginning stages after WLS finding the old methods used to take off weight may or may not work are finding a way to stay the same weight after gaining or losing too much the issues are no usually longer about what Protein drink to buy, the three week stall, the funny taste of food, gas pain, eating in public, hair loss, insurance approval..... come to the conclusion that the process NEVER ends, it is a lifetime of learning and doing and sharing and counting and moving... and that is the new normal. Realizing what is meant by "the sleeve is a tool" and it is only part of the process, you can gain all your weight back if you don't start forming a new life and just resting from the work and eating "normally" after getting to goal will result in weight gain for many. These are some of the issues I see arising for "vets" and distinguishes them from "newbies"... which we all were once... You can't know how the sleeve and the rest of the body and mind will be until you experience it for yourself over time. 1-2-3-5 years later, things change. We don't know about 10 years because there just aren't many out there with current style sleeves to talk to. But some at 6 months are getting some of this experience, I think after a year or two you really see the Vet issues even clearer. Some don't come back here, so hopefully they are doing great, are living life and not gaining or losing too much.... the ones of us that are still here are experiencing the stuff listed above... some are having NO problems at all. I love my sleeve and my life, and at this time (2 1/2 years out) I am still not at goal, but very close and believe I will make it to goal pretty soon, and have some plans on how to maintain I think I can follow. Taking the long view has been very helpful for me....If I took the view that if I didn't lose all my weight by 6 months without pulling all my hair out or I was a failure if I didn't lose 30 pounds in the first month, then this experience would have been hell. I have some good support friends here that have been here for years... we chug along together, and check in often, share research, worries and challenges, and we will share the pleasure of accomplishment as well. I plan on staying in contact during maintenance when I get there. Maintenance may well be the most difficult part of this journey. Keeping the weight off is the trick. Someone here said it best... reaching goal at 3 years feels just as good at reaching goal at 6 months. Who cares as long as you get there!