Lisa's Hope

Ok, thank you! I did try this and didn't make it through the first fast day. I did however make it so far today and feel so good about it!! I am a member of a facebook forum that is giving me so much crap about this diet. How I shouldn't do it and it can lead to bad behavior like anorexia and bulimia. Really??? UHG.. I've never like to vomit and I love food too much to have an anorexia problem. Anyway, I think fasting is good for the body. I hope I succeed in this. I really just want to make my goal and feel healthy. I've come too far not to make it. Also, I think I can live with this for the rest of my life. I'm a little worried that I may get too many calories on feast days. Thanks again for all of the support and help!

I'd like to join the group as well after the required two weeks of fasting. Let me know if that is possible.

Sounds as if you are ready! I'm doing well so far. Usually at this time I have an iced coffee so I'm missing that but I can have one tomorrow. How many calories are you allowing yourself on feast days? Keep in touch with me and we can do this together! Lord knows I need all the encouragement I can get.

Thank you so much! I'm having a small cup of coffee. Had a Protein shake for Breakfast only because I love them and they make me feel wonderful. I won't eat again until tonight. The shake has 21 grams of protein and 170 calories. Myoplex Lite. I was drinking premier shakes but am out of them. :/ I appreciate all the encouragement!

I definately won't give up. The numbers do drive me. I'm the kind of person unfortunately where it is all or nothing. I am happy about my accomplishments. I want that normal BMI though. My ultimate goal is 150. At 154 I will be a normal BMI barely. I just have worked so hard as we all have and I won't settle for less! Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions and advice. I appreciate it so much!

Well, I hope it helps the scale move at least a little. I have a lot of skin as well. I know if I could have it taken off I would probably be at goal!

You guys are soooo helpful!! Thank you. I am glad I'm back on vertical sleeve talk. I've been on facebook for awhile but with not that support from the sleevers group I'm on. Of course, I belong to several but reading the comments from ladies that have been there and who have struggled helps me tremendously. I've not been able to get to goal and you guys have given me great advice. As I stated on my other post, I'm definately trying the 5.2 diet again. Monday is going to be my first fast day. What do you guys eat usually on those days? Do you just drink protien drinks?

Oh and I do use myfitnesspal! It really helps keep things in perspective for me! I love it.

Thank you so much! I'm definately trying this 5.2 diet again starting fasting on Monday and Thursday. I hope it works for me. I will keep my calories under 1500 on feast days and see how it works. Once I do this for a couple of weeks, I would like to join the vets group on here for the 5.2 diet plan. Thank you for all of your support!

Thank you for sharing this. I have researched the 5.2 diet. On your feast days, do you eat just 1200 calories or more? I'm wondering because the book says 2000. I don't think we can eat that much.

Thank you so much for sharing!!! I appreciate it so much. I do try to stay under 1200 calories. I do however, drink caffiene! I know I shouldn't but It is the highlight of my day. I too drink premier Protein shakes. I'm starting now to drink them twice a day and eat one meal in the evening to see if that helps. When i walk, it is usually 2 miles. Sometimes, 1 1/2 miles. Thanks again. I appreciate any input I can get. I'm 5'6" and hope to get to 150. That would put me at a 23 24 BMI.

Thank you so much Chimera! Yes, you completely understand how I feel at this moment. I had forgot we had our surgery on the same day last year. I just want to be a normal BMI. I am tracking everything using my fitness pal. Seems some say eat good carbs then others say don't eat any carbs. I really don't know what else to do but do the best I can and wait it out. I sometimes feel like I want to go on the liquid fast to see how much I can lose! LOL You have done amazing as well!!! We are right there together girl. Keep in touch with me. Did you join the MaySleevers on FB? We've had a group on there over a year. A lot of people are stalled and can't seem to get to goal right now. I am grateful though for how far I have come! Thanks to all of you for the compliments! I have to post side by side pics just to remind myself of how far I really have come.

Oh and thank you!

I'm 5'6"

I keep telling myself if I hadn't gained that 25 extra pounds when I had to have my thyroid ablated because hyperthyroidism a year before I decided I had to have surgery intervention to lose this weight, I would be at my goal right now. After my thyroid was ablated, I gained 25-30 pounds in 3 months. Not my fault, mind you. I had no metabolism. I had to start on synthroid and get regulated and the weight gain stopped but not before I hit almost 300 pounds! It has been so difficult to get the scale to move. I'm so close!! Just can't get there. I've tried everything. The pouch test, going back to basics, the 5.2 diet. Ugh... I'm just tired. I realize I've done great but I want that 24 BMI and that 150 on the scale. I'm 5'6" and I want to get there. I'm 169 right now. I keep gaining and losing two pounds. Since my one year surgeversary, I've not really lost anything. I'm 15 months out andI have to do something. No, I don't exercise everyday but I do walk 3 to 4 times a week. I have a bad back with bulging disc and stenosis so I have to be careful as to what kind of exercise I do. Ok.. just ranting and praying that one day I will get to goal.

Hi friends!! Just wanted to post my 15 months progression pics. I am currently 167. I am 14 pounds from my goal of 154 which will give me a normal BMI of 25. I wish I could get to 145 but I think that is a dream!! It has really been hard the last 3 months. This weight is crawling off. I know I will reach goal but it may take me until the end of my 2nd year out. That is ok though. I started out at 294 and to date I have lost 126 pounds. I'm so grateful!!! I'm having a lot of back issues and finally had an MRI two weeks ago that showed 9 bulging disc, two protruding in my spinal cord, benign tumor, bone spurs, spinal stenosis. This MRI was of my neck and middle back. I still have to get thelower back scanned. I know that if I had not gotten this weight off, it could be worse!! Right now, I have no idea how I would be able to carry the weight I use to carry. I know that being that much overweight is probably what put my back in this shape. I need plastics bad!!! I have sagging skin everywhere! I really want my tummy done and my breast lifted. I need my arms done as well but I think I can live with them. Not that I want to but I will have to pay for these surgeries as I had to pay for my WLS. So I think it may be another year before I can get this all done. Ok, take care friends!! You guys rock!

Hey Guys! I'm forteen months out and am 20 pounds from goal. I've lost 120 pounds and my surgery was 5/21/12. I really need a TT and breast lift but have no idea where to start. I was self pay for my surgery because my insurance had an exclusion on wls!! Insurance sucks! My husband's employer pays 1400.00 a month for our insurance and it pays terribly. Anyway, anyone have any information on the cost of a breast lift and TT? I don't think I will need a body lift. I do have skin but it isn't too bad. I think a normal TT will do. Anyone here had them both at the same time? Would love to hear about your experience. Any information will be appreciated!!

They look great!!! I need a lift so badly. Thanks for sharing. Gives me some idea what I'm heading into. If you don't mind me asking, how much did this cost you? You may have posted but I've not read every comment. So envious! LOL

I have to bring her back every once in awhile... Just got done watching "Extreme Weight Loss". I always feel so inspired when I watch that show. This lady was about the size I was when I had surgery. She was 290 and I was 294. She got down to 149 and then gained 32 pounds back in 3 weeks!!!! She eventually lost it but so scary how she gained it back so quickly. I know it would take alot for us to gain that much weight back in such a short time but still...... I felt her pain. She had such emotional problems. I could relate to her so much. The pain she felt from her past. The pain I felt when I would aways turn to food as a child because I always felt abandoned. Long story and I won't go there but it made me cry. Made me want more than ever to get off this last bit of weight and to exercise and be healthy!! I'm glad I have this tool to help me but my WORST nightmare would be to gain back this weight. Chris made her wear a back pack with all the weight she had lost ( 109 pounds) and hike down the Grand Canyon. I know it had to be so emotional for her. I just wanted to break down and cry when she took that weight off her back when she made it down the canyon. WOW.. I just can't stress enough how blessed I feel. Even with all of the problems I have right now with my back, GERD, Bile Reflux, Gastritis... Still... I never want to feel the way I did at 294 pounds.. the lady below was so sad and broken. I have to look at her every once and awhile and remember and not to go back. Then... there is me now....

Congratulations! That is awesome!! I want to weigh 155 so bad!!! I'm not 174 and I can't get any more off!!! SO FRUSTRATING. Lost 120 pounds and can't do it. You stats are almost like mine.

Hi, The topic should read "last 20 pounds" not "pound".. ugghh.. I hate when I do that. It has been awhile since I posted. Still no loss in 2 months. I'm 14 months out tomorrow. I really didn't know that the last 20 pounds were going to be so hard to get off. When I began this journey, I never thought I would make it into the 170's after starting out at 300. Well, nearly 300. CLOSE ENOUGH! I am so grateful for my loss and wonder why I'm not happy right where I am but I'm really not. MY BMI is 28 and I'm still considered "overweight". In order to be considered a "normal" weight, I need to be between 150-154. Losing lately has been so hard. I know my body is happy where it is. I'm in a size 10-12 but mostly 12's. I just wondered if any of you have any suggestions on how to get this weight loss started again. I've tried the pouch test but honestly when I start eating again, it comes back. Maybe just need to up my exercise a bit. I have to admit I'm not exercising enough. Thanks for any advice from you sleevers that are at goal!! I really would like to join you! Below are some of my latest pics... still no difference than the last. :/