Globetrotter

Hi all - One year ago I was in the best shape of my life, exercising 6x a week, running, lifiting, dancing, yoga, you name it. I was still watching my carbs, tracking everything in my online tracker. Then I lost my job, broke up with my boyfriend, and went through a serious depression. 2012 was NOT my year. So, I stopped going to the gym, stopped tracking my food, stopped coming here for support, and just fell off a cliff. Looking at it in writing, it appears to have been more of a suicide than sabotage. At any rate, I want to get back to that feeling of strength and health. I was at 165 lbs a year ago, still 15 lbs shy of surgeon's goal. I am currently approx 185 lbs BUT ... this week I started tracking my food again, watching my carbs, exercising, and coming back here So my question is this: does anyone know if doing a "reset" works? I mean, returning to a post-op lifestyle in order to jumpstart weight loss again. I am eating 700 cals a day, <30g carbs, >60g Protein, 60 oz Water. I'm doing a minimum of 30 minutes cardio every day plus yoga. I do not have a functioning scale at the moment so have no numbers yet to see if it is working. Does it work? I accept that there are genetic factors at play, but I really want to see south of 130 pounds (I'm 5'3"). I'm 2.5 years out, with 50 lbs to lose. I figure if I can just get to and maintain 130, plastics will take care of the rest.

And these are just a few of the head issues that accompany the "easy way out" we took Made it to 1330 cals and 117g protein yesterday, a personal best, and am scared sh!tless to have eaten so much.

Hmm wonder what it is about ice cream, it does that to me too ... I wonder if it is because it is such a pure injection of sugar? Kinda like the dessert version of a needle full of heroin right in the jugular ... when I first discovered it I was about a year and a half post-op and I decided since I was such a vigilant calorie counter and exerciser, that I would go to the locally celebrated ice cream shop for a baby scoop ... by the time bite #3 had been swallowed I knew something was W.R.O.N.G. I barely made it home and it felt just like in college after a too *successful* frat party. bleeeeaargh Being an idiot/food addict, a few months later I tried it again, only to have the same reaction. So, ice cream is no longer my favorite go-to dessert. I've switched to dark chocolate truffles

Fiddle, I want your playlist!!!!

It is really funny how anxious successful weight loss makes other people. I'm not sure if it is because of the premium put on appearance fitting a narrow (pun intended) mold, or if it is because we revere success and goal achievement so much, but I can be in a group of people of both or either sexes and they will inevitably start talking about weight fitness and eating. I never bring it up, they always do. And the way they do it is interesting too, they do it in a sort of anxious way, turning to me for ... what? advice? approval? They look at me like they are start-ups and I'm Warren Buffet. I think the biggest creepy thing though has been the fitness girls who I have never sought out, who I do not seek out now, but who have come out of the wood work. As though I have passed some gauntlet/secret handshake and they are admitting me to the secret circle, it's wierd to go running with them, I'm paranoid like - do they have me along just so passing strangers will see one fitness queen and one chubbette?

This is just a little moan here ... I'm trying something new this week, eating more than twice as much in calories, from 700 to 1645 as part of IIFYM - eating over my TDEE, and since Protein powders and bars are a rare precious commodity around here, I have to attempt to get all my calories from food and I learned something - It's haaaaaard!! I haven't stopped eating all day and I'm nowhere near done and I'm still going to be short of target by a good 200 cals. Getting a "high" calorie count and maintaining moderate carbs (<45) is haaaaaarddddd! And exhausting on the jaw :/

I did 1330 cals and 117g protein yesterday, a personal best, but it's scary to eat that much! Especially when I am exercising daily and apparently *gaining* weight and am still obese

I too had it as the anaesthesia and pain meds wore off, I also think it is a result of our obesity sitting on those nerves, pinching them, and as we lose weight our bodies adjust. I also think sometimes excess energy can seem like restless leg syndrome, I know the difference for sure, but now that I am lighter and more fit I have times where I've just got SO much energy, and my body just CRAVES activity and MUST MOVE. 60 seconds of intense jumping jacks usually helps.

I mailed myself my good digital scale before I left the states but I don't think it is fancy enough to measure body fat. I got in 1330 cals yesterday, with 117g protein - a personal best. It also just so happens I was able to put in 2 hours at the gym and the only reason I stopped at 2 hours was because it was getting late and it was moonless and I'd forgotten my flashlight. 30 min non-stop max heart elliptical, 30 min HIIT treadmill, full upper body weights rotation, yoga stretching.

I am 5'3", 192 lbs. That is, by any measure, still obese.

Yep, what Aries and AmandaRae said ^

Fiddle, I'm surprised you haven't gone Paleo yet, your caloric and protein needs coupled with your energy output are right in line with their ethos which is, our bodies haven't really changed much in the last 20,000 years and still operate at optimum levels when fed high protein in a grazing style. As for your protein and caloric needs - man I don't know, but I guess hourly grazing is probably the only way you are going to get it all in, but then, how will you get in your Water? Or have you abandoned the don't drink 30 minutes before and after eating policy?

I got my sleeve nearly 3 years ago, I have yet to reach goal, and have gained back 25 lbs. I exhibit every symptom of Hashimotos. I have researched treatments and have discovered that the typical drug doctors put you on only treats T4, not T3, which is where a lot of the issue is with Hashimotos. Until the 1950s dessicated porcine thyroid was used, which does address T4 and T3 and T1, that is why you have Hashimoto people taking the typical drug and still feeling exhausted etc. if I start taking a thyroid med, will I be able to lose weight? I know it won't *make* me lose weight, but perhaps it could remove some of the road blocks? I am faithful with my fitness and nutrition and still have 60 lbs to lose yet my body just won't budge.

I was told 4 years ago that I would someday develop Hashimotos, I now exhibit every single symptom of Hashimotos except for the hoarse voice. I am committed and faithful to my fitness and nutrition yet, even though I am still very fat, I haven't lost a pound. I am a research analyst and so of course have done my homework and see that many doctors treat only for T4 deficiency when it is really more complex than that, with T3 needing to be addressed as well. If I were to be treated for my thyroid, would that kick start my weight loss?

These fruity flavors sound great for summer, can they be made into iced tea coolers, or can they only be shakes?

Well, she has heard our advice, 3 pages of it, but you know how it is - people can advise and advise but until someone hits their personal rock bottom, they won't change the situation. This man has used her and abused her but until she's ready to make the change ... hopefully the therapist can help her see that he is a user and toxic to her recovery.

before I started strength training that would have meant 189g of protein, NOW (grumble grumble) it means 195g protein (WTF). Either way, I am just not able to hit those numbers, I've been TDEE/IIFYMing for over 2 weeks now and can barely muster 1150/1200 cals and about 95g protein. Sadly it is very easy to hit and exceed the carb #, I average about 70g carbs daily *hangs head* IM STARTED TO GET REALLY FRUSTRATED AND DEPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry Lipstick, sometimes I get my threads confused, especially when the same people reply on those other threads. On other threads I have mentioned my wierd circumstances, how I am deployed and do not have a lot of food options. I'm averaging about 1100 calories a day now, about 95g protein, so still pretty short of IIFYM goals. I've been recommitted to fitness and nutrition 5 weeks now, and IIFYM for over 2 weeks now and ... I'm up 5 pounds v_v, :C It really sucks. You would have thought that a fat out of shape body would be thrilled to lose weight, would take any opportunity to lose, but you would be wrong. I work out 6 days a week, strength training, cardio, keeping the heart rate optimum. committed to water intake, calories/carbs/protein, and my reward is to gain 5 pounds and feel fatter then when I started and to not even make any gains at the gym, it's 5 weeks later and I'm running for 4 minutes instead of 2, whoop-de-doo.

Haha, curds and whey! Little Miss Muffet was a sleever!

Hello all, I am approaching my 3rd surgiversary and this brings up a lot of emotions. First of all, I have yet to make it to goal, this is crushing and something I still very much want. I have been through a pretty tough year; since last April I have lost my job, broke up with my boyfriend, went on unemployment, had to have my gallbladder removed without insurance so racked up shocking medical debt, lost my Father suddenly, lost our home suddenly, at the same time as those two last events my Mother lost her job and is now a homeless penniless widow living in what used to be our home until the new owners arrive. I have deployed to a warzone now, and the IRS is coming after me for something I had no control over and was not my fault. So, during all that, I have gained 30 lbs. In the last week I have begun trying to return to post-op eating: severe calorie restriction/carb restriction etc. I am down 5 lbs in 6 days so, it must be working, but my frustration at having gained at all is terrible. I'm not a "normal" person when it comes to food and I need to understand and accept that. I have thought, "I would rather be eating" at some really inappropriate times. I also have realized that my mind had never really accepted that I wasn't a shockingly enormous person anymore; my interpersonal behavior is still suspiscious, resentful, timid, and easily crushed. I sometimes, even a year ago when I was the fittest I've ever been, would still physically behave as though I were morbidly obese; getting up from the floor, bracing a knee, even the way I put on my pants or sat in a chair, behaving as though there was a phantom suit of flesh around me. So, clearly, just because time has passed and the losses have been (mostly) made, doesn't mean one has fully grasped or come to terms with the state of things. I worry/obsess over my need to complete my loss journey, I still have a solid 65 lbs to lose, 5'3" and 125 pounds is a reasonable goal to me, it is (sadly) in no way too thin ... I worry about my metabolism, the slowness with which I lose weight, there is a thread in here about losing too much weight, I know it's a legitimate problem for some people but puh-lease! If only! Champagne problems imho ... Breakfast today - Protein shake lunch - baked fish dinner - chicken breast, veggie medley snack - Jerky So here I am, flawed, trying, a little depressed, a little hopeless, but still with a flickering flame ...

Lisalu - if only that photo were accurate! That photo was taken exactly one year ago - when I was working out 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, and dancing in workshops almost every wknd. Shortly after that blue dress photo was taken my world took many devastating turns and, a year later, I'm 25 lbs heavier and soft as a veal. 5 weeks ago I recommitted myself to fitness and nutrition, weights cardio severe calorie restriction, low carbs, and it did nothing. So I tried this IIFYM thing, upping my calories and protein and carbs too but still keeping them moderate, and still nothing. No, I take that back - I'm UP 5 pounds. So, pretty bummed.

I am nearly 3 years out and still do not experience authentic body hunger. I have conditioned myself to recognize my new cues of hunger, an empty shriveled balloon feeling in my stomach, sudden manic energy, the inability to concentrate, but physical hunger nope. Head hunger on the other hand ... an aspect that I continue to attempt to understand and do battle with daily. When I feel myself losing that battle I do something that probably isn't the healthiest but it works - I get some of whatever I'm craving, stand there with a fork in one hand, a bottle of dish soap in the other, and take one or two big luscious bites, savoring them deeply and slowly, and before I can think twice - pour dish soap over the remaining portion, thereby making the decision for me.

It is so tricky to gauge size because of all the extra skin blubber. Before my Year of Horrors, I was a really fit 165 pounds and was able to pour myself into a pair of vintage Levis in a size 10, but I could tell that without the blubber gut of excess raisin skin, and the contouring that needs to be done on my flanks and the shriveled pudding skin of my inner thighs, I could tell that I easily had 10 pounds of skin and tissue that could be removed and I would have been a 6 or an 8. And pants that fit my legs nicely don't begin to fit my hips stomach and waist. Even those size 10 Levis gave me crazy muffin pudge and FUPA biforcation, they had to be worn with an empire waisted tunic :C

Sounds like you might need to get a better therapist or one that specializes in eating disorders/body dysmorphia.

Well I could just chew through leather, I'm so ticked and jealous!! I continue my ecxercise, upping my weights, upping my cardio, and I'm UP on the GD MUTHAFU**ING SCALE!! I was *up* 3 pounds, am now up 5!! *sob*