Cindy Martin

Hi Camella, I am six months out and have been experiencing a lot of the same things. I think we have an internal battle that fights all the change. At first it's very exciting and new, then reality sinks in. You still have problems in your life, you still have issues you have to deal with. Anxiety is still there. Family and work still pulls on you, so on and so on. I am realizing though that I am developing better skills at dealing with life. I can't say I'm perfect yet, but I am getting better. To me that's a major positive. I will keep treading forward until I get it right. You hang in there, it will get better if you keep the faith and keep trying. Do whatever you have to in order to stay motivated. Cindy

Lawrence-Thank you so much for posting. I't so strange how close I am to the way you think. Like you, I realize you have to find your own way of being healthy, both physically and emotionally. I will never diet again. I actually hate that word. This journey for me is to be positive and healthy as I can be without the self-hate mentality. Best of luck to you.

Very inspirational. You are an example of what the sleeve can do. Great job.

I love my sleeve, (Peanut). He treats me awesome. A great helper is he. Carbs on the other hand, are my worst enemy, at least anything except green veggie carbs. I love the fact I have lost 95#s. I'm ecstatic my health has improved to the point I feel 10 years younger, and I'm not exaggerating. I started incorporating carbs back into my life about 2 months ago, as recommended by my physician. Healthy carbs of course, but still carbs. I have struggled ever since. I don't know why my body reacts to carbohydrates the way they do, but the impact is horrific. I am definitely not one of those lucky people who can eat what they want and walk away. I won't bore you with all the details of the last 2 months, but I will tell you I have had to come to grips with the fact I need to say goodbye forever, to carbs. I will continue to eat strawberries, no more than 3 at a time. All the green veggies I want, and that's it. I know this will put my weight loss back on track, just really sad it has to be this way in my life. I honestly felt once my diabetes went into remission my body would not crave them as much. WRONG!!! I would love to hear how carbs effect others on here. Please chime in. I want to start a group called "Living without carbs, Whaahahah!" lol Think anyone would join me?

This is not a fun problem to have, but I am so glad I'm not alone. Thank you guys.

I have lost 66% of my fat over goal, which is 180. I'm pretty happy with that. I have not lost in almost 2 months, but am very encouraged I will eventually lose the rest. I do walk every day and have now added dance music to my routines.

I agree that everyone is different; you have to decide what is best for your body. Nut's and physicians have such a varied opinion of what we should eat it is so confusing. I believe everyone needs to find out what works for them and stick to it. I've read and heard NUT say you have to have carbs, and then I hear and read what keglenne said about carbs are cocaine, which I agree with completely on that one. I just know I can't live with them and lose weight. BTW: I have been in a stall for 7 weeks since I added carbs back in my life. That's proof enough for me. Anyhow, I will see in couple weeks how much I lose.

When I eat more than about 20-25 carbs a day I crave food for hours. To be completely honest it is like a drug effect on me. I realize we have "head-hunger", I'm not disputing that. However, I know the difference. For the past month I have been experimenting trying to figure out if it's carb sensitivity or head hunger. The end results showed me when I do very low carb for 3-4 days I don't think about food all day. I can see chips, donuts, candy, and any kind of goodie and pass it up without difficulty. Now, when I start eating more carbs, like a half banana in my shake in the morning. I do fine the first hour, then start craving. I will have a whole wheat slice of bread at lunch, ok little more cravings. dinner, I will have a SF pudding, or 1/4 baked potato. OMG! out of control again. During low carb days I lose excess Water, and inches. I feel great. Higher carb days, like today, feel like crap. All I can think about is more food. I ate carbs all day and just felt out of control. This was a controlled experiment, so I could really tell the difference, even though it was amateur, it showed me how my body reacts. Tomorrow morning is a new day, low carb lifestyle day.

HW: 324 SW: 285 CW: 229 Total loss 95 lbs, since surgery ttl loss 56 lbs. I have been in a stall for 3 1/2 weeks. This is my first stall though. Has been discouraging, but I know it's a necessary evil. grrrrrrr

9.0.....now 5.3

Beef Jerky has saved me many a times.

Beef Jerky has saved me many a times.

HW 324 SW 285 5.08.13 CW 229 TODAY AFTER FIRST 3 WEEK STALL

HW 324 SW 285 CW 230====SLEEVED 5.8.13

I get the Gladiator with black cherry because it's lower sugar and carbs. The guy at Smoothie King told me the strawberry is a concentrate and it has added sugar so I did not opt for that.

I've lost a total of 88 lbs and 49 since surgery 5-8-13. I'm so proud of myself for what I have accomplished. I have worked hard at eating right and exercise throughout my journey. I've been taking all my meds and vitamins as prescribed, until recently. Now, since I've gotten a little comfortable I've become a bit too relaxed with my responsibilities with my sleeve. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the new energy, compliments, clothes that fit. OMG! This list is long; but it's time to wake up. I have never had a stall before, believe it or not, but I have not lost weight in the last week. I don't believe I am in a stall now; I think it's due to overeating and not working out as much in the past week and half. This bad moment started when I decided to enroll in school to get my BA of Behavior Science degree. I'm so excited and welcome the opportunity, but I definitely feel the stress of it all. I notice that I started craving foods I don't normally eat. I was hungry more often, but that was acceptable to indulge because I had worked so hard and deserved a mini break and reward. WRONG WAY THINKING!!! Now, I crave everything and never feel satisfied. I have let the "carb monster" back into my life and it's HELL!. I'm not beating myself up though, because I knew this might happen and I'm prepared. Tomorrow is a new day. I am going to do 20 carbs a day for 2 weeks and then no more than 40 a day from now on. I know I can tolerate a splurge moment from time to time and it not bother me, but that's it. I have let myself be talked into a false sense of security about my weight control. I am almost 4 months out and thought it would be longer before this happened, but I'm glad it did so I can nip in the bud right now. I have also quit posting and reading the 2 forums I look to for support. That is another no-no. Even though I'm starting low-carb tomorrow and this will help with the cravings; I realize this is not the only problem. I have let myself get sucked into food being my comforter again. I've worked so hard to change that habit, and with good success until now. I would love to hear what others have done in the past that have helped you deal with your anxiety and/or stress. I realize there's no magic bullet, but sometimes you can really learn from others experiences and solutions. Thank you for listening. I don't want lectures, please, I just need support and prayers.

Just try and remember why you want this so bad. Lord know I remember how hard it was for me. I had to do 4 weeks pre-op, but it really prepared me for after surgery. Wishing you the best

I usually always share a meal with my family. Other than that it is not usually worth it to go out.

same here as Inelson796

Just wanted to post a question as to who has been doing the Ketogenic diet, or Atkins? I know everyone is doing lower carb, but I also know that if you don't have carbs you really need to have some fat in your diet. The outline my doc gave me was very low fat and very low carb. Without some fat in my diet I have absolutely no energy. Please!, tell me your thoughts and experiences.

I am almost 9 weeks out and I tried chicken for the third time tonight. Owwwwwwwww! I even cooked the chicken via crock pot to make sure the chicken was cooked to death and still hurt. I thought, for the first time, that I was going to throw the chicken up. Felt like bricks in my stomach. I can eat any other kind of meat, except chicken. That is so weird to me. Has anyone else had this problem? Just curious to find out if I'm the only odd duck.