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Checking in today because I don't want to lose the good part of a week if I start Friday. Starting challenge weight:156.6 Goal weight: 145 I'm SUPER excited because if I do this, I will be at my ultimate goal weight!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!! I'm going to work my butt off this month & get there by the 4th of July!!!

I only lost 1 pound this week thanks to my period, but hey....that put me at my challenge goal weight.... 156.6

Does anyone see a therapist regularly for their eating issues? I am considering contacting one in our area that specializes in eating disorders. I've done amazingly so far - I've lost 120+pounds in 8 months - but I feel the "honeymoon period" wearing off and I catch myself really feeling vulnerable and feeling like I could just as easily slip back into self-destructive eating patterns. In some ways I feel like it my be naive of me to think that I can do this without some support in coping with my life-long unhealthy eating. Surgery (as you all well know) does not "cure" food additions or unhealthy relationships with food. So....what do you think? Is there anyone who does or has met with a therapist while losing weight, nearing goal, after being at goal? It is crazy, but the closer to goal I get (only 12 pounds away!!!) the more vulnerable I feel.....

Good point! I guess it's good to know I'm not the only one feeling this way

Yes, I have this happen to me sometimes. I notice it more when my blood sugar gets low or maybe I havent' eaten much at all that day.

Yes! I actually did that too. Somewhere between weeks 6 & 7 the intervals got distracting to me and I just started running as far/long as I could without it.

Do you track your foods "religiously"? That helps me. I use myfitnesspal and track every SINGLE thing I eat. I also have shared my logs with my friends so they can view them, and knowing that they see them too keeps me more accountable. Also sometimes I just have to avoid 100% those "trigger" foods (for me chips, pretzels, etc). I won't even keep them in my house. If my husband wants chips, he buys kinds he knows I don't like ....lol.

I started couch to 5k at about 4 months post op. I knew I wanted to go to the gym but felt very intimidated with all of the equipment so the treadmill seemed like the least intimidating thing to me. That is how I started my journey with running. I stuck to the plan on the app to start with and have my first 5k coming up in 10 days! I'm super excited and very nervous. I plan to keep working and train for a 1/2 marathon and marathon. I agree though, running does put stress on your joints. My knees are sometimes achy after a run where I have never really had any trouble before. Nothing unmanageable, but you have to take rest days especially when you are beginning.

Thank you! I appreciate it! I am actually super self-conscious of my arms! lol. I have done nothing specific to tone them. I run which does work your arms a little, but nothing targeted. I do things like the elliptical, cycling, zumba, yoga, but again, nothing really targeted for arms. Once I hit my goal weight I want to start strength training to tone them.

Amazing! Great job!

Have you all seen this blog post? It hit me like a ton of bricks and definitely got me a little teary-eyed. Ok, I literally cried after reading it. I know exactly how she feels and I needed this reminder. Even though we have come so far, it is super easy to get caught up in how "ugly" the excess skin is, or how we're not at "goal" or whatever your particular hang up might be. This is awesome.....http://imperfectlife.net/ilovemyuglybody/ I know I personally don't think enough about the awesome gifts my new body has given me, including better chances at a longer, healthier life. As far as I know this person didn't have surgery, but no matter how you lose large amounts of weight, you still face the same issues. Please, please read this blog post if you are getting discouraged or just need a little perspective!

Nope, correction.... I just looked at her website and she did, indeed, have gastric bypass.... http://imperfectlife.net/

I try to keep to 40 carbs/day and it is totally do-able. However, I would say bananas are pretty much out of the picture.... lol

Oh lord, I hope so!!!! I am super self-conscious of my flabby arms with the excess skin. Let's hope some good targeted strength training will help.

Congratule You!!!! What is MFP? MFP = Myfitnesspal It is a website (www.myfitnesspal.com) or app on your phone that allows you to track all of your food and exercise and connect with others like social media so you can cheer each other on. A lot of people on here use it I believe.

Yes! I never ran a day in my life and in February started using the Couch to 5K app. I'm running my first 5K on June 1st and am now training for my first 1/2 marathon. I think it was a great tool. I knew I wanted to go to the gym but was so intimidated.....treadmill seemed like the safest place to start. I just downloaded the app and started one day. Now I run 4 times a week for about 3 miles each time. Give it a shot!

Great post! I definitely have felt each of those things you said!

You look amazing! And also younger which is a nice added bonus!

Nice job!

Thank you! "tiny" is definitely not something I'm used to getting called.

Ok, so I finally get to post my LBD! I've been following this since I was pre-op. Now I'm posting at 8 months post op and down 120 pounds....12 to go until goal. And here's my first LBD....

Thanks for the kind words everyone. :-) It means a lot to me and is very encouraging because this last leg of the weight loss is TOUGH! lol.... For those who have asked, I try to stick as much as possible to my numbers..... it's pretty simple.... no more than 40g of carbs, at least 65g of Protein, and at least 10 8-oz glasses of Water each day. Also, I track every single thing I eat or drink in MFP. That has really kept me accountable and taught me a lot about nutrition. I've also learned a lot about myself. For example, I know that some sleevers are able to have a little treat here and there and keep it under control. I learned that I am NOT one of those people. food for me is a complete addiction and if I give myself an inch I WILL take a mile. So for that reason, I avoid my trigger foods like the plague (fried foods, chocolate, chips, pizza, pretzels, etc). It is just something that I have accepted. As far as exercise, I run a lot. I'm training for a 1/2 marathon now so I run about 4 times a week. Then I will fill in a day here or there with a class (zumba, spinning, etc) or some time on the elliptical. Pretty straightforward. I would like to start some strength training once I hit goal to start and tone up my arms and legs a little bit. Again, thank you all for your kindness and encouragement!!!