coops

So last week I had a week of the gym - I have been mentally and physically exhausted. Work continues to be intense and it is wearing me down. Luckily, we only have two weeks left in school before we break for the summer holidays. I intend to go to the gym n the day then; taking advantage on no work routine (I will do work at home, but I also intend to take some well needed head rest!).
I go on holiday in a month... 2 weeks in Cyprus with the husband! My kids are old enough to leave at home now and they don't want to come with us! As much as I am looking forward to it, however, I am also dreading it. I will have to but all new swim wear.
After I lost my weight and stabilised (albeit not at target weight) I had a TT and on holidays post TT I was brave enough to wear a bikini. Now, I have the old feelings of 'I am two fat to wear a bikini', even though I know I am not 'really'. I feel that since I have gained weight, I have lost the body confidence I worked so hard to get. Although I tell myself that I am still looking ok, the voice is getting quieter and quieter!
I know that that sounds totally irrational and that I shouldn't let the scale dictate how I feel and perceive myself, but I can't seem to help it. I suppose I am getting beyond frustrated that no matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of the regain!
The only thing that helps, is knowing that I am not alone... and popping on here now and again, really helps.

Feel free to share your experiences or words of guidance.
x

Jess,
thank you for your insight... I really hadn't considered myself 'normal' but you're right; a lot of women gain weight as they go through the menopause - I've seen it some of my friends. And, the similar theme seems to be all around the middle - where mine has gone. I just get frustrated, especially when my doc says that I should not be gaining just because I am going through the menopause! I have been going through it for 8 years now, so I suppose when we apply the 'normal' logic I am doing ok.
However, I don't like it.... I don't like feeling and looking 'round' again! Even though I am no where near my starting weight, I am starting to feel the same feeling towards myself as I did when I was 238lbs. I know I have to work on my head space... something I continually fight with; always have done.
x

A little update - two of the four pounds I put on since joining the gym have come off... I am really enjoying the classes and moving more. Not seeing any change in my clothes, but I know it is early days. However, I have seen an improvement.... I have a Fitbit and before the gym my resting heart rate was 65, now it goes between 59-61. So even though the scale isn't being kind I am liking that internal improvement that moving has given me to date... I am hoping that as time goes on my resting heart rate stays in the 50s.
I honestly think stress is really tampering with my weight too... the stress levels in work just keeping getting higher and higher. It is a melting pot of madness now. Two teachers are on long term sick due to work related stress (and these are seasoned, fantastic teachers!), kind of sums it up to me.
Anyway, I will keep on keeping on... my mantra for the last 7 years isn't gonna change anytime soon,,,lol

Hope you are all well - keep us updated and lets do this together!

So the weight loss isn't going great... in fact, I have put on another two pounds... this is a bit annoying as it doesn't reflect my eating habits. I haven't been 'perfect' but I also haven't been over eating and binging on junk food either! But hey-ho!
I have just joined my local gym, so I am going to try a few different classes and see which ones I like the most. Did my induction yesterday and enjoyed going on the treadmill again and getting a sweat on. Perhaps, I just need to move more and increase the quality of exercise - perhaps just walking isn't enough?

Anyway, I will let you know.

If anyone has any handy hints, please share... cheers!

Just a quick update... I completed my 5 day liquid/soft food and felt it went well. My hubby joined me and he was also surprised at how he 'functioned' on it - including 3 training sessions.
The results, for me, weren't what I wanted on the scale... I lost half a pound! I was really disappointed. Hubby on the other had lost 10lb. Hmmm, that just isn't fair...lol! But, as I have said before, I will keep on keeping on!
Then, on Saturday whilst walking the dog, I tripped on his lead and landed on my right knee cap. Wow! The pain was incredible and made me feel sick. Needless to say, I am now hobbling along using crutches - luckily there is nothing broken or fractured so it is just a case of rest and letting the swelling and bruising go down. Not great for activity levels though!

This week I have gone back to a liquid/soft food diet similar to post op... my portions are larger than post op as my sleeve is now mature. So far, I have not lost an ounce - clearly I am disappointed by this as I would of liked to see the scale move, if only a little. I will continue with it for another day; I originally give myself a 5 day target and will see that through. Although, I have not seen a loss (yet - I remain hopeful as I am defo in calorie deficit) I have learnt things about my eating habits. Firstly, I don't 'need' to eat just because it is lunch time, dinner time etc. Just having liquids through the day has been a real reminder that my hunger is not 'real' per se. I have realised that a lot of the time it is head hunger. The other thing I have learnt is that I have not been drinking enough Water and I have increased this over the last week. I eat half a bowl of porridge in the evening and I can't finish the portion I give myself, which isn't a large portion! This is a good thing and has made me realise that I have been testing my sleeve and, on occasion, over eating for its capacity. I have also began to understand that I don't 'need' the food I thought I did for my body and mind to function. I am still working long hours without huge fatigue from a lack of food that I thought I would have. I am tired, beyond tired most days, but this is because I am working 10-16 hours week days and also working at least one day on the weekend.
I haven't managed to do any form of work out, however, I do at least 10,000 steps a day, average this week is 12,000. I do realise that I need to do more but with my work load so high at the moment I am fighting time.
Basically, with or without weight loss this has been a positive week for me as I feel I am re learning eating habits that I gained post op. Hopefully I will see a loss soon!

Hello all,
I haven't been around for a long ole time and thought I would drop by.

My sleeve will be 7 years old in July. Over the last year, I - like so many others it would appear - have started to regain; it is 14lbs at the moment. I can honestly say it isn't by eating crap food all day everyday. My diet is 85% clean and 15% rubbish. After being sleeved I turned into a food 'snob' and still don't eat a lot of processed foods and junk. Obviously I am not perfect either! One thing that has really changed though is my exercise habits. I went from being really active and strong to not doing a lot. The only real exercise I do now is walking, which as much as I enjoy, doesn't make me sweat and ache like the other types of exercise I used to do. I need to work on this.

Another area of my life that has changed in the last 18mths is work - I am a teacher and my work load has increased (with a small promotion). I work between 10-16 hrs a day weekdays and sometimes on a Sunday. I refuse to work on a Saturday! So this has really impacted on my free time and also my stress levels. I also have had a lot of stress in my home life, which I feel is lessening a little now. However, I feel totally exhausted 90% of the time. I have been to the docs and am getting my bloods tested for cortisol and thyroid next week.
I am finding it really hard to juggle work, home life, the house, caring for elderly parents and then finding the energy and motivation to move faster than a walk! Does anyone else feel like this? How do I overcome it?

I have tried to lose the regain - trying all sorts of different methods (low carb, 5:2, 16:8, low sugar etc) - over the last 4 mths but no joy. The only thing I haven't tried is the pouch reset, which I am contemplating, I have noticed that I can eat more these days, if I chose to, so I am mindful of that and I still use a small plate to control my portions.
If you have done the pouch reset, what was your experience?

One thing I have been thinking about is being resleeved - if I could ever afford it (I was self pay as I am in the UK). Has anyone had this done? What are the results? Is it worth the money.

I feel that I am at a weird cross roads... at 46 I am 'ok' with me. But I know I could be fitter and stronger. What I worry about is regaining all the weight that I have lost.

Any thoughts are welcome!

I posted about this too... I didn't get much feedback either! I was wondering if the reason that I had stopped losing weight was done to the hormones? I have asked older sleevers who went through the menopause at the average age if it affected their weight loss and it hasn't seemed to ... a lot of the ladies I asked were at or ver near goal and a normal BMI...
I hate it; hate the fact that it is early; hate the way they make me feel; hate the mood swings... you get the picture!

So last week I had a week of the gym - I have been mentally and physically exhausted. Work continues to be intense and it is wearing me down. Luckily, we only have two weeks left in school before we break for the summer holidays. I intend to go to the gym n the day then; taking advantage on no work routine (I will do work at home, but I also intend to take some well needed head rest!).
I go on holiday in a month... 2 weeks in Cyprus with the husband! My kids are old enough to leave at home now and they don't want to come with us! As much as I am looking forward to it, however, I am also dreading it. I will have to but all new swim wear.
After I lost my weight and stabilised (albeit not at target weight) I had a TT and on holidays post TT I was brave enough to wear a bikini. Now, I have the old feelings of 'I am two fat to wear a bikini', even though I know I am not 'really'. I feel that since I have gained weight, I have lost the body confidence I worked so hard to get. Although I tell myself that I am still looking ok, the voice is getting quieter and quieter!
I know that that sounds totally irrational and that I shouldn't let the scale dictate how I feel and perceive myself, but I can't seem to help it. I suppose I am getting beyond frustrated that no matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of the regain!
The only thing that helps, is knowing that I am not alone... and popping on here now and again, really helps.

Feel free to share your experiences or words of guidance.
x

Cheri,
Firstly, you look amazing - beautiful inside and out!
This is a great post and I hope a lot of peeps read it and take your message away. A great inspiration to us long termers and newbies alike.
You know we are sleeve sisters, being sleeved just days apart even though we are different sides of the planet! And we were both slow losers - thank you for all the support you gave me over the years and still do!
I have to admit though, I am one of the ones who can eat a lot more than I did in the early days; even at 2yrs post op my sleeve was tighter than it is today. However, it still have decent restriction, which I am pleased about. I do sometimes wish it was tighter though, especially when I know that I am eating through boredom/emotional-soothing/head hunger etc.
Keep flying the flag my lovely... and thank you for this post!
x

Bellaboom, that makes a lot of sense! x

Did you ever think, maybe it's time to give up the diet mentality? I have personally decided to let that all go and embraced Intuitive Eating, which finally gave me my health back and I have been able to maintain my weight well and no longer obsess about it all.

You say you are exhausted. Have you considered you are not giving your body enough fuel? No to mention the mental energy it requires to think about weight and constantly worry and judge yourself. When I dieted or restricted my food intake I was EXHAUSTED. all the time.

Because that lifestyle- it's tiring as hell.

Hello,
revising to the sleeve is a very personal decision and one that you really need to put a lot of thought into. It is a commitment that you give yourself for life because, as you rightly said, it is permanent. And that is exactly why I chose it.
I too am 7 years out - I was a real slow loser and never met my target weight - I was a pound from my surgeon's target weight at one point, but never reached my personal one. Does that matter? No! Not at all. Over the last 18mths I have experienced some gain though. Now, that does matter as it is really bothering me - I am sure you can understand that! But I also went into early menopause and I am sure that this is part of my regain (even though my doc says not!).
I am desperately trying to lose the regain. Eating sensibly and exercising again - I suppose I got a little complacent too, but not in a 'shovel all the junk into my mouth' kinda way. But I did stop exercising to the intensity I was, preferring long walks that didn't help with weight loss but helped mentally - where I live there is some beautiful scenery! So I am back in the gym, doing harder classes and sweating more!
I have to dedicate time for 'me' and allow myself to do the exercise that I used to love.
This weight loss malarkey is a complicated ole thing and we are all so very different. What works for one, doesn't work for another.
Good luck in whatever you chose.

Cheri,
Firstly, you look amazing - beautiful inside and out!
This is a great post and I hope a lot of peeps read it and take your message away. A great inspiration to us long termers and newbies alike.
You know we are sleeve sisters, being sleeved just days apart even though we are different sides of the planet! And we were both slow losers - thank you for all the support you gave me over the years and still do!
I have to admit though, I am one of the ones who can eat a lot more than I did in the early days; even at 2yrs post op my sleeve was tighter than it is today. However, it still have decent restriction, which I am pleased about. I do sometimes wish it was tighter though, especially when I know that I am eating through boredom/emotional-soothing/head hunger etc.
Keep flying the flag my lovely... and thank you for this post!
x

Cheri,
Firstly, you look amazing - beautiful inside and out!
This is a great post and I hope a lot of peeps read it and take your message away. A great inspiration to us long termers and newbies alike.
You know we are sleeve sisters, being sleeved just days apart even though we are different sides of the planet! And we were both slow losers - thank you for all the support you gave me over the years and still do!
I have to admit though, I am one of the ones who can eat a lot more than I did in the early days; even at 2yrs post op my sleeve was tighter than it is today. However, it still have decent restriction, which I am pleased about. I do sometimes wish it was tighter though, especially when I know that I am eating through boredom/emotional-soothing/head hunger etc.
Keep flying the flag my lovely... and thank you for this post!
x

Hello,
revising to the sleeve is a very personal decision and one that you really need to put a lot of thought into. It is a commitment that you give yourself for life because, as you rightly said, it is permanent. And that is exactly why I chose it.
I too am 7 years out - I was a real slow loser and never met my target weight - I was a pound from my surgeon's target weight at one point, but never reached my personal one. Does that matter? No! Not at all. Over the last 18mths I have experienced some gain though. Now, that does matter as it is really bothering me - I am sure you can understand that! But I also went into early menopause and I am sure that this is part of my regain (even though my doc says not!).
I am desperately trying to lose the regain. Eating sensibly and exercising again - I suppose I got a little complacent too, but not in a 'shovel all the junk into my mouth' kinda way. But I did stop exercising to the intensity I was, preferring long walks that didn't help with weight loss but helped mentally - where I live there is some beautiful scenery! So I am back in the gym, doing harder classes and sweating more!
I have to dedicate time for 'me' and allow myself to do the exercise that I used to love.
This weight loss malarkey is a complicated ole thing and we are all so very different. What works for one, doesn't work for another.
Good luck in whatever you chose.

So last week I had a week of the gym - I have been mentally and physically exhausted. Work continues to be intense and it is wearing me down. Luckily, we only have two weeks left in school before we break for the summer holidays. I intend to go to the gym n the day then; taking advantage on no work routine (I will do work at home, but I also intend to take some well needed head rest!).
I go on holiday in a month... 2 weeks in Cyprus with the husband! My kids are old enough to leave at home now and they don't want to come with us! As much as I am looking forward to it, however, I am also dreading it. I will have to but all new swim wear.
After I lost my weight and stabilised (albeit not at target weight) I had a TT and on holidays post TT I was brave enough to wear a bikini. Now, I have the old feelings of 'I am two fat to wear a bikini', even though I know I am not 'really'. I feel that since I have gained weight, I have lost the body confidence I worked so hard to get. Although I tell myself that I am still looking ok, the voice is getting quieter and quieter!
I know that that sounds totally irrational and that I shouldn't let the scale dictate how I feel and perceive myself, but I can't seem to help it. I suppose I am getting beyond frustrated that no matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of the regain!
The only thing that helps, is knowing that I am not alone... and popping on here now and again, really helps.

Feel free to share your experiences or words of guidance.
x

Jess,
thank you for your insight... I really hadn't considered myself 'normal' but you're right; a lot of women gain weight as they go through the menopause - I've seen it some of my friends. And, the similar theme seems to be all around the middle - where mine has gone. I just get frustrated, especially when my doc says that I should not be gaining just because I am going through the menopause! I have been going through it for 8 years now, so I suppose when we apply the 'normal' logic I am doing ok.
However, I don't like it.... I don't like feeling and looking 'round' again! Even though I am no where near my starting weight, I am starting to feel the same feeling towards myself as I did when I was 238lbs. I know I have to work on my head space... something I continually fight with; always have done.
x

Cheri,
Firstly, you look amazing - beautiful inside and out!
This is a great post and I hope a lot of peeps read it and take your message away. A great inspiration to us long termers and newbies alike.
You know we are sleeve sisters, being sleeved just days apart even though we are different sides of the planet! And we were both slow losers - thank you for all the support you gave me over the years and still do!
I have to admit though, I am one of the ones who can eat a lot more than I did in the early days; even at 2yrs post op my sleeve was tighter than it is today. However, it still have decent restriction, which I am pleased about. I do sometimes wish it was tighter though, especially when I know that I am eating through boredom/emotional-soothing/head hunger etc.
Keep flying the flag my lovely... and thank you for this post!
x

Hello,
revising to the sleeve is a very personal decision and one that you really need to put a lot of thought into. It is a commitment that you give yourself for life because, as you rightly said, it is permanent. And that is exactly why I chose it.
I too am 7 years out - I was a real slow loser and never met my target weight - I was a pound from my surgeon's target weight at one point, but never reached my personal one. Does that matter? No! Not at all. Over the last 18mths I have experienced some gain though. Now, that does matter as it is really bothering me - I am sure you can understand that! But I also went into early menopause and I am sure that this is part of my regain (even though my doc says not!).
I am desperately trying to lose the regain. Eating sensibly and exercising again - I suppose I got a little complacent too, but not in a 'shovel all the junk into my mouth' kinda way. But I did stop exercising to the intensity I was, preferring long walks that didn't help with weight loss but helped mentally - where I live there is some beautiful scenery! So I am back in the gym, doing harder classes and sweating more!
I have to dedicate time for 'me' and allow myself to do the exercise that I used to love.
This weight loss malarkey is a complicated ole thing and we are all so very different. What works for one, doesn't work for another.
Good luck in whatever you chose.

Life for me at 7 years is pretty similar to life at 2, 4 or 5 years post op. It's still maintenance. For me, it's been pretty simple. Eat the program most of the time so you can be flexible when you want. Don't graze. Basically, you know what made you fat, Cheri, so don't do that. So I don't.
What will people ask? Loose skin, have it. Much less than I had early on. It rebounds enormously in years one and two post goal. I never wear Shapewear. Want plastics, don't need them. Have a little panni, but in anything but the sheerest leggings it's pretty flat. I'm not bothered anymore.
Restriction is still really strong, but many sleeved shorter times than me say they can eat more than me. Half a burger, I'm out. One slice of pizza, few ounces of Protein, or a cup of Soup or chili - that's it. My hunger never returned.
I'm 5'1" and 116 pounds but I solidly stick between 116-118. I had surgery at 242, started researching the sleeve in late 2009 weighing 286 pounds. I'm down 126 from my surgery date.
My diabetes resolved post op. No more high blood pressure or cholesterol.
I was a slow loser. Slow loss is still loss, I firmly disbelieve that one year nonsense as I took 17 months to reach my initial goal.
Keep pushing, no matter how long it takes you to get there. I had later loss, after a sleeve baby. Your sleeve will work however long you do.
Cheers, and here's to sleeve success. Mine's been amazing.
Cheri

My thought is this--

CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE NORMAL!!!

studies show post menopause women gain 1.5-2lbs a year and most women gain an average of 12lbs in the 6 years following menopause.

Not saying whether you should or shouldn't work to lose those pounds, but MOST normal weight women have the same struggle. It's not you. And it may not be the sign of a slippery slope. It may just be. NORMAL.

I do believe there's a difference between health pounds and vanity pounds and all regain isn't the same. Some isn't the end of the world as long as you are still eating well and your health is good.

Hey Cheri!
Yea, a mini reunion for sure... good to hear from you! Are you back in the States permanently now? How have you keeping? It is so reassuring to see the 'old' faces isn't it; and to see that we all have the same or similar struggles. I always appreciated your advise and words of wisdom and encouragement. Stay in touch x

A little update - two of the four pounds I put on since joining the gym have come off... I am really enjoying the classes and moving more. Not seeing any change in my clothes, but I know it is early days. However, I have seen an improvement.... I have a Fitbit and before the gym my resting heart rate was 65, now it goes between 59-61. So even though the scale isn't being kind I am liking that internal improvement that moving has given me to date... I am hoping that as time goes on my resting heart rate stays in the 50s.
I honestly think stress is really tampering with my weight too... the stress levels in work just keeping getting higher and higher. It is a melting pot of madness now. Two teachers are on long term sick due to work related stress (and these are seasoned, fantastic teachers!), kind of sums it up to me.
Anyway, I will keep on keeping on... my mantra for the last 7 years isn't gonna change anytime soon,,,lol

Hope you are all well - keep us updated and lets do this together!

Wow, coops and UK Cathy and MichiganChic - like a tiny reunion!
I saw this and had to say hello. Sorry to hear about the regain struggles. I think over the years (I'm coming up on 7) we've all gone up or down a bit. It's whether or not we let it slide into 50, 60, back to where we started. We don't. It's times of stress that get me, like when my father passed years back. I put on 20. Took a bit to take it off. No exercise, I'm still rotten on that, kudos to you that do it, you're better than me.
I'm actually quite small now. Partly due to medication. It's odd, what becomes normal. Just being a little person and people assuming you've always been that way. I had my gallbladder out earlier this year. My husband retired after 23 years in the military. That about sums up my eventful life.
Hope you're all well. You were a great support early on, truly.
Cheri