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Good for you!! Sometimes it feels so hard in the moment because a) its yummy and you spent money on it. But I have learned it is just not worth it and feel more proud of myself for throwing it away! Hubby threw the rest of the puffed wheat away! Hooray for supportive partners!

I can relate to the guilt/binge cycle. It is something I struggled with before surgery and sometimes still struggle with, although I have made leaps and bounds over the last 2.5 years. I have realized that it isn't the odd indulgence that made me gain weight, it was indulging all the time. And even though we can not rely on others to affirm us, it certainly doesn't hurt when you get a once over from someone else!! I know it definitely gives me a little boost! I also weigh daily to keep myself accountable. I am loving reading that so many of us, especially us old timers, are being very conscious about it. Before, I would have just hid the scale and been in denial, slowly feeling all my clothes get tighter and tighter, but pretending like nothing was happening. I would say I typically have a 3-4 lbs bounce range, mostly because my weight fluctuates a lot with my cycle. And I have always been fine with that. This last Christmas my weight jumped up slightly because I let myself over-indulge, but once I was back to my regular routine and watching what I ate, the weight came off over the course of a few weeks. My last gain was related to medication. The bad, I gained 7 lbs in 3 weeks. The good...it stopped at 7 lbs, I didn't hide my scale and I didn't give up and I am slowly working it back off! Congratulations on getting it back off! That is the key, being conscious of it before it gets out of control!

So well put!

Healthy, sure! One can wish though! It is puffed wheat, corn syrup, cocoa, brown sugar and butter, that's it, melted and mixed together then pressed into a pan. They left it here, so of course I just ate another piece today. Ugh I have not self control. Sure it is my normal day, but I really didn't need it! I think I will try to convince my hubby to throw the rest of it out!

And Cheri, I noticed your username too, very funny!! PS, How do you change it?? I can't seem to figure it out for the life of me!

Hooray, that is terrific!!

I am lucky, my children were very young when I had my sleeve (15 months and 3), so really, the way Mommy eats is just the way Mommy eats. I also do something similar to Laura. At supper, everyone is eating what I am eating, except I make the rest of the family a side like potatoes or rice. But everyone is eating chicken and I take lots of veggies, so my plate looks pretty full. But like I said, my kids are still young (4 and 6) and really don't pay much attention!

I made it through my fast day yesterday at just over 600 calories. I was doing really well, but we ended up having company for supper and they brought puffed wheat cake for dessert. I don't love puffed wheat, but I did not want to be rude either, so I had a small piece. But it still was a success overall! I was down this morning back to the lowest I have been since starting 5:2. And even though I am expecting a bounce, I am excited that my holidays didn't mess me up!

Well, I made it back from my vacation. I ate a ridiculous amount of food well away but also did a lot of walking and hiking (and carrying tired kids!). I really expected a gain on the scale, but weighed this morning and was a 1 lb lighter than when I left! Still not at the lowest I got to during all of this, but down from what I was. So I started on June 19th, and M2G, I still am bouncing around on the scale. I am down overall, but still bouncing. As of this morning, I am down a total of 3.8lbs and weighed in at 143. So I have about 5 more pounds to go to get to where I was, but I wouldn't mind getting a few pounds lighter, maybe around 135lbs (PS, I am only 5'2.5", do that puts in barely within a normal BMI). So I have concluded that I am pretty much the slowest loser here! But, admittedly, I am not trying super hard on my non-fast days. Maybe if I did, I would be down a little more, but my mind is just not in the right mode. I am OK "dieting" on my fast days, but I do not want to be "dieting" every single day. I will see..... Today I am fasting because I was away. I normally fast Monday and Thursday, but didn't either of those days, so I am going to today. So far, it is almost noon and I haven't eaten yet and haven't felt super hungry, so that is OK. I have to get groceries as I don't have all my fasting go to's in the house since we were away. I tried to read through all the posts on here, and everyone is doing so amazing!! Have a great day everyone!

I had to look back when I started, and it was June 19th Starting weight 146.8lbs Current Weight 144.0 lbs Lost 2.8lbs I had dropped down to 140.6 lbs and stayed there for a few days, but whenever I am mid-cycle, I start to bounce around A LOT!! Was down at 142.8 yesterday, up to 144 this morning. So that is where I am right now! Hopefully it will keep going down. Everyone is doing so amazing, congratulations!

Laura, I just mixed it in with my yogurt this morning. It makes the yogurt pretty thick, but the texture was not too bad and the taste was fine...if you have ever had ground flax seed, that is all it tastes like, pretty mild, slightly nutty. They also have recipes, you can make it in a smoothie or into a pancake. I might try that as well, but I haven't bought a bag for myself yet. And it is really filling! I was so full after eating it, I didn't eat again all morning. The only thing is you have to make sure you drink a lot of Water all day when you are taking it or it can have to opposite effect. Another thread would be a good idea, although I am not doing that great, but hey, what can I do!

You are doing awesome! I did not realize that you had lost that much already!

My Mom was having major issues and started using a product called Nutracleanse. Don't let the name scare you, you it is just: Nutracleanse is made from these Natural Organic Ingredients : Flax Seed Psyllium Husk Dandelion Root Powder Burdock Root Powder Fenugreek Seed Powder My mom swears by it and I have actually started trying, but only used it this morning, so I cannot comment much. It is a Canadian product, but I found it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/NutraCleanse-2-2Lb-Nutra-Cleanse-NutriCleanse/dp/B009DR9PES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374341297&sr=8-1&keywords=nutracleanse And here is their website for more information: http://nutracleanse.biz/nutracleanse-product/

I always love your opinion!! And the people that don't are the people that just don't want to hear the answers! And OP, don't worry about the post, I think it is a very valid question, in both ways that it was answered!

I am just bouncing around right now, so a little frustrating. Fast, lose, normal day, back up. Don't get me wrong, still happy to be down a little bit, but thoroughly annoyed with the bounce! And we leave tomorrow on holidays and I know I won't be fasting any days while we are gone, so we will see how that goes!! Coops, that is AWESOME!! I can't express how frickin' happy I am for you!!!!!!

I'll be honest, most of the time I don't even read them anymore. It is very repetitive and lots of the same stuff over and over again. And most of the time, the ones I do read, I am always concerned because so many people are looking for a magic answer, and the sleeve is not that.

It really can be difficult. I am like Laura, I have a lot of issues around food and will eat until sick, even now, after going through surgery. I have had to set up my environment for success. I cannot keep any trigger foods in the house or I will eat them. I have been for counseling as well, and it does really help. I am lucky, I live in Canada where I can access services that are covered under health care. I am glad that you have insurance now that you have the options to really take care of yourself! Good for you for taking the opportunities to do what you can for yourself!

You look fabulous!!

Swizzly, you are beautiful and your body is amazing!! I love seeing pictures, it makes me feel so much more connected!

I haven't tried this yet, but plan on it! It says it makes 3 servings, but I am not sure how big a serving would be. I have tried cauliflower bread sticks, and they are a decent substitute. Cauliflower Fried Rice Ingredients 1/2 head of raw cauliflower, grated (about 3.5, loosley packed) 3 green onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 2-3 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 - 1 tsp. garlic salt 3 eggs beaten oil Pork, chicken or shrimp, cooked (optional) Directions In a wok or large skillet, heat eough oil to cover bottome of pan. Fry minced garlic and white part of onions for approximately 1 minute. Add cauliflower and fry for approximately 5 minutes stirring constantly. Add soy sauce, garlic salt, green onion tops amd meat (optional) and stir until mixed. Push mixture to side of pan. Add more oil if necessary, and scramble eggs in empty side of pan until done but still moist. Stirr eggs into "rice" and remove from heat. Serves 3 as a side dish. Number of Servings: 3, each serving is Nutritional Info Servings Per Recipe: 3 Amount Per Serving Calories: 155.4 Total Fat: 9.8 g Cholesterol: 212.5 mg Sodium: 869.6 mg Total Carbs: 8.7 g Dietary Fiber: 3.0 g Protein: 9.5 g http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=586165

I am actually part of the group, but I cannot get access with my Samsung Tablet, it says I do not have permission. I have to do everything from my desktop.

That is great reply M2G! I have to say at no point have I ever regretted getting this surgery done. Like M2G said, I would have never been able to maintain this weight loss if it wasn't for the sleeve. And I would have never gotten to the weight I got to either. I have never been this weight in my adult life, and honestly I may have been 12 or 13 when I weighed this amount, if I am lucky! Yes, I have to be diligent and yes I have to watch what I eat. But in reality, there are very few people on this planet that can truly eat whatever they want and not gain weight. Of course it is not without struggles, and I think everyone needs to go into this surgery with their eyes wide open. I love The World According to Eggface, and her quote that is my favorite is "WLS is not a do-over (repeat the same mistake, get the same outcome). WLS is a do-better (make lasting changes that you can live with for a lifetime) I happily wear my rose colored glasses still because without them and my sleeve, I could not have accomplished anything!

That is terrific!! Plus you probably sweated those 500 calories away!!

I notice the restriction more on the fast days. I feel starving and feel like I could eat a ton, but then I can't. I can still eat a small chicken breast and some veggies no problem though. And only came in at 384 calories yesterday. Usually I have a snack if I am that low, but I didn't feel like it yesterday. And I am still a bit of a fast eater, but usually know when to stop. Fast days are a little hard because I am actually hungry when I eat, so then I tend to eat a lot faster than I normally would.

If I could, I would give you a giant hug and jump around with you because I am sure that is what you were doing when you saw that number on the scale!!!