Lila21

Coops, I'm sorry to hear life is beating you up! Sometimes when things are tough, I just try to maintain and do no more than that. Things are really crazy for me right now, too. I've been under a ton of stress and trying to make some really important decisions, so I'm just trying to hold on right now :-) !!! When things are like that, I think it's good to step back and not beat ourselves up for how close we are to meeting all our goals. Having said that, I think this article might make you feel like your glass is half full. This lady doesn't weigh too much less than we do (well, especially not much less than you!), and she's really tiny. http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/ It really motivated me to continue to work on fitness and worry less about the scale. Maybe you can do the same? You have made such great strides, and in truth, your glass is 99% full with less than 10 lbs to lose. Just worry about maintaining right now (keep exercising a bit, and keep eating healthy even if you aren't tracking your food). That's what I am doing and seems to keep the scale on an even keel, even if it's not going down. I hope that helps! You deserve to feel great, and I hope you can just step back and Celebrate all that you've accomplished!

Dorrie, you *do* look great! I just noticed your pic! Sooo slender! WAY TO GOOOOO!!!! Meg, congrats on losing while at sea! How awesome! Love it that you are focusing more on veggies--it feels so good to know you are getting in all your nutrients the way nature intended :-)

A lot of people retain water after surgery. Be patient, work your sleeve, and you will do great!!! Don't worry :-))

Awww, thanks for the encouragment, Coops! Down 1 lb, 24 to go!!! Sorry, you can't workout, but I think it's good to take a break from working out sometimes, and especially if you are injured. You'll get back to it, I know!!!

GT: Sending you big hugs!!! I am sorry everything is piling up like that! I hate it when things get overwhelming. Try not to make yourself feel guilty about eating some bread --really, it's no big deal in the grand scheme of things! As to your friend, try not to assume what she is thinking. Every time I assume that I know what someone is thinking, I turn out to be wrong. Reach out to her and tell her you miss her. She might surprise you! Sending you good thoughts!!! Remember that you are awesome, and this too, shall pass!

My tip is protein first! At about the 6 month mark, you'll be able to eat more carbs than you think, and at that point the "protein first" rule becomes very important. Also, expect that you may have stalls or plateaus, and be prepared for things to slow down the closer you get to your goal weight. Finally, my tip is to really enjoy and appreciate the weight you have lost. I am not to my goal yet (with 25 lbs to go), but I fully appreciate how much better I feel, and I take advantage of my far greater health. I think that if I focused on the "25 lbs to go" rather than the 125 lbs lost, I'd feel discouraged right now. As it is, I feel pretty great and I just ran my first half-marathon!

I hear you! I read the posts where people have lost all their weight in what seems like a miracle month, and I still struggle along. I think there are a few people who are so lucky, but I'd say it's still a lot of work for must of us. Honestly, if you just looked at my stats, it looks like I've been pretty successful. I've lost 125 lbs, but I *still* have 25 lbs to go, and the number doesn't show how much work I've put in or the amount of exercise, counting and careful work it has taken to get here. I think it's better not to compare ourselves to others because there's always someone who is losing faster or slower than us. You can do this, the important thing is just not to give up!

Coops, I'm glad you are feeling better! As GT says, it's a journey! I, too, am really trying to focus right now, and I'm really watching my diet more closely. It's surprising how many calories you can still get in via slider foods if you aren't counting your calories. I am trying to plan my meals on the weekends so I don't get too sidetracked during the week. Otherwise, I end up "grabbing" things that aren't nearly healthy enough. Last night I made a lovely piece of salmon and sauteed a little spinach with a tsp of olive oil and a few tsps. of goat cheese--a perfect sleeve meal! Anyhoo.... has anyone heard of stikK.com? I am going to try it, I think. You stake some money on whether you meet a goal or not, and if you don't make that goal, you lose the money (goes to a charity). It's an interesting premise, founded on research that people do much better if they have some "skin in the game." I'll give it a shot and let you know how it turns out! I am now 25 lbs away from my original goal, i'd really like to close that gap by the end of the summer! It seems like a lot to lose over a short time, but I think I can do it if I really focus. Mostly, what I've found over the last 6 months is that work stress seems to take precedence over everything else, and once I get stressed I tend to lose focus on my weight-loss goals. That seems a little off-kilter, so I'm going to try to find a better balance!

awesome! thank you for sharing!!!

Foxbins, do you mind sharing who you went to? I would love those results! Was reading this thread after looking at a picture of my turkey neck!!!

I agree with the other folks who say you guys are looking great! I know your frustration because I am 17 months out and still have about 25 lbs to lose. I continue to lose, just very slowly, and I suggest that as your goal. Don't be discouraged, but do continue with your healthy habits so that you lose a few lbs a month. It will add up eventually!

I think it really depends heavily on genetics, sorry to say! I will probably want some kind of lift or tummy tuck, but I have skin that just doesn't stretch back that well. However, if you have more resilient skin, you might be fine. It might also have to do with how sensitive you are to the extra skin. I think some people wear spanx and get on with their lives, while others feel that it really bothers them. For me, I feel like it might be worth it to get surgery, but I am still on the fence!

Oh, also, Coops: I want to PUNCH that nurse! There is nothing more infuriating than someone in the medical field who doesn't get how complex weight and metabolism are. Really, someday, when we understand it better, we are going to look back on this arcane "calories in, calories out" B.S. with the same kind of disdain that we do the concept that the world is flat. I mean.... really.... sheesh!

Hey guys, I didn't realize I hadn't checked in for soooo long! So much going on at work and at home. Everything keeps changing around me (work restructuring), and I've been training for this half marathon for a while, and ended up with a minor injury to work out before the half.... so things were a bit hectic. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling, Coops! I send you the biggest hug across the pond. I wish I could just wave a magic wand and make it better because no one deserves it more than you! I hope that doing some writing helps you feel better. One REALLY important part about that kind of journalling is to find a really private place to do it and to keep the notebook. You have to feel absolutely safe or you won't be able to let go and let things out. I used to keep my journal where my boyfriend could read it, and I found that once I moved it to a secret hidden location ( :-)) I was a lot more free with my words! FYE, I know what you mean about that fine balance. It's amazing how delicate it is.... for me, I find that stress really throws me off, and I've had it in spades these last couple of months. However, the good news is that I've still lost a few pounds in the last month. Not a lot, but something! Also, I finished my half marathon. I ran it pretty slowly, but I did it!!! I almost cried when I looked at the photos and realized that I could not have ever done this a year and a half ago. It made me feel so proud to know that my hard work was paying off in allowing me to fulfill one of my dreams. I know I have a ways to go, but this was a big motivator. I highly recommend taking on a physical challenge for those of you who are feeling down about not reaching your goal weight yet. This was such a boost! When you take on a physical challenge (that you know you could never ever have done at 300 lbs), it really makes you realize how far you have come!

Hey Coops, sorry to hear you are experiencing the end of semester CRUD! Ugh! I say get as much rest as you can! When I'm feeling super crappy and I don't really feel like eating healthy, I will usually also get one of those Odwalla super juices just so I get some good healing Vitamins in my system. I don't know if they have those over there, but I bet you have something comparable. Don't worry about eating the sweets, it's no biggie! Just make sure you get in a good amount of Water to help flush your system out. I hope you feel better soon!!! GT: any more updates on the crossfit? Loving hearing about this!