isntsheclever

rizabonita and kellythestar
That was just straight up negative.
I think the op brings up a good point. I often find it EXTREMELY demoralizing to read the "I've only lost 50lbs in 2 months, what's wrong with me?" posts. They make me feel like a failure.
She's not trying to make anyone feel bad. She may be pointing out that some people's expectations aren't based on reality...

Lol. We are not cows! I think I need to buy a timer and set it before I start a meal. The timer goes off and whatever isn't finished gets thrown away...!!

Thanks for all of the encouragement, guys. I know what I need to do. I'm just having a hard time making myself do what I need to do. I'm sure that's very frustrating to hear. Lol. I feel like I'm just as bad as those "I had surgery 12 hours ago, when can I eat a Big Mac?" questions. D'oh!
I do think it's time to get back to the structured eating from before. Protein Shake for Breakfast, some sort of Protein morning snack, etc.
Again, thanks for the encouragement!!

First off, hugs to you. I didn't realize my addiction to food until I had 85% of my stomach removed. I knew I enjoyed eating and strongly disliked exercise. I now realize I am a food addict. I still think about food a lot, and my next meal, but the sleeve has given me (or taken from me) the ability to consume the amounts I previously had. 55 lbs is still something to be extremely proud of!
I need to focus more on cutting out the Snacks (even though they're protein) and just focus on 3 meals. I think it is the Snacks that are slowing my WL down.
Hang in there. You've still got the tool built inside you...can can totally do this!

I believe in many cases here there may be a misdiagnosis. It is not head hunger, but just plain out HUNGER. With this surgery most of us fall into a 'anorexic' type of thinking. Oh Lord, if I eat one bite over 700, 800, 1000 calories a day I'm going to get fat again. If you had anyone else other than a WLS person tell you that they led a normal life and only consumed 800 calories a day, you would say that there was something wrong with their thinking. Living the rest of our lives in starvation is not feasible. After all the excess fat is gone the body is going to HAVE to have some fuel to burn. If it does not get it from what you consume it will start to burn its own muscles and vital organs. I have upped my calories to 1000 and actually consume closer to 1200 a day. I am finding it almost impossible to function on less than that now. I am still actively losing and I only have 5# of excess weight left. My body is obviously needing this. I would also like to note that generally I do not exercise. If you do, you are going to need more. When I have a hard day, I have to eat more or I will literally get faint. So I guess I took the long way around to say this; we were not told we would NEVER be hungry again. If you are feeling hungry maybe your body is trying to tell you something...FEED ME!! Remember being anorexic is just as dangerous as being fat. We were not looking to trade one eating disorder for another. Just keep it in check. Add a 100 extra calories a day in the form of a good quality fat/protein combo and see how much better you feel.

Yep, a third voice chiming in! I think that it's important that you tweak your diet until it's ideal for your body. That means you'll still lose weight, hopefully at the same pace, but you'll feel better mentally about food. That helps immensely with controlling the urge to binge or graze on less than ideal options.
I was really surprised to find that my body gave me such a large window to work with during the loss phase. There was no real difference in my loss pattern when I added in twice as many calories and carbs a day, but mentally it was a complete breakthrough.
Don't be afraid to go back to basics, tracking those calories and searching for the right diet for your body. It doesn't matter if someone else does things differently. What matters is that you find something that works for you. If you can't do that, maintenance will be a struggle.
Real fats. Real sugar. Good quality carbs. These things all help us feel more satisfied with what we're eating. Moderation is key, so start experimenting.
Good luck,
~Cheri

Here goes. This is my first time back on VST in MONTHS! I'm struggling. I'm over 13 months out and have only lost about 55lbs. I started my journey at 345lbs. Got down to 279lbs, and now I'm back up to 289lbs. I am a real-life WLS failure. I don't exercise. I eat things I shouldn't. I keep food in front of me for long periods of time, so that I end up grazing all day. Basically, I break all the rules. I'm not asking WHY I'm not losing weight. I'm just trying to see if there's anyone out there who was in a situation similar to mine and was able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and ended up being a success... I can't relate to all the people (seemingly everyone on here) who get full after a few tbsp of food and who love to exercise all day. Is there anyone out there who can relate to this?

Everyone heals differently.

Today is surgery day. We'll be leaving in 30 minutes. I'm hoping there are no complications and that I can lose this weight for good.
I won't ever forget how it is- the stigma associated with obesity, not to meantion the health issues and depression.
I vow not to ever lose the humility and empathy that being this big has helped create. It is one very endearing quality that we all have.
See ya on the other side.

People forget that as you lose weight you need less calories. So just because you're eating a certain amount of calories right now doesn't mean you'll be eating more down the line. It doesn't work exactly like that...
I do agree that 900-1600 is a Peru big range. What happens on the 1600 days that doesn't happen on the 900 days?
Don't focus on comparing your numbers. Focus on eating what you're supposed to, in quantities that leave you feeling satisfied and energized.

People forget that as you lose weight you need less calories. So just because you're eating a certain amount of calories right now doesn't mean you'll be eating more down the line. It doesn't work exactly like that...
I do agree that 900-1600 is a Peru big range. What happens on the 1600 days that doesn't happen on the 900 days?
Don't focus on comparing your numbers. Focus on eating what you're supposed to, in quantities that leave you feeling satisfied and energized.

I would LOVE to hear more tricks for quieting head hunger!!

I can't even explain how happy I am to hear that I am not the only person who still actually gets hungry! I thought I was all alone!! <3

I can't even explain how happy I am to hear that I am not the only person who still actually gets hungry! I thought I was all alone!! <3

I want to do a 5k. I was supposed to do one last week, but it fell through. I wouldn't have been able to run it though. I have the C25K app on my phone... I just don't use it...
I also want to get on a plane (coach) and not feel like I'm spilling over into a strangers personal space.
I also want to do a triathlon by the time I'm 30. I have 2 years.

A stall is not necessarily a bad thing. It happens for a reason. Your body is going through major changes, and sometimes it needs to stall in order to keep healthy. Just because the numbers on the scale aren't dropping doesn't mean that other positive things aren't happening inside your body.
Focus on keeping up your calories (don't try and starve your way out of a stall), eat plenty of Protein, and drink plenty of Water. Then, like emily said above, just move on. Let your body do what it needs to do. Be happy. Be peaceful. Be grateful.

What's killing me about this whole thread is that people are getting so upset. Everyone is accusing everyone else of 'attacking.' You know what it makes me feel like? It makes me feel like I can't be honest, or express a differing opinion, without people accusing me of being a bully (or worse). I have NEVER set out to bully anyone EVER. I have NEVER told anyone that they are a bad person just because they have a different opinion than I do. We are all adults and should be able to have an open discussion without people getting upset because someone else is trying to come at the situation from a different point of view. You don't agree with me? Cool. Let's talk about it. Maybe we can each learn something. I'm not going to call you a bully because you think I'm wrong.
VST is usually such a wonderful place full of information and the experiences of many different people. I miss that...

I'm doing well. I'm actually having a lot of fun on this surgery! I'm 3 months in and 1/3 of the way to goal. Not that I expect to keep up the pace, but I think it's a heck of a start! I wish you guys tons and tons of luck and I'm here to answer any questions that I can!

I love this! This is EXACTLY how I feel! I want all of us to be open because "we" are in the minority. The majority if the obese population isn't having surgery. And no, not every obese person should get surgery. But I hate the idea of people suffering in silence due to misinformation or embarrassment. If more of us were open about our choice and refused to allow others make us feel badly for making the hard choice and taking control of our lives and our health...perhaps we could make a difference.

Honestly, I will tell anyone who asks. I think it needs to be more accepted. Yes, there are people who judge me. Yes, there are negative people. But I don't care (I have to work at this). I'm proud of my decision to make my life better.
Anyone who is less than happy for me...their feelings say more about them then it does about me.

uh...so if I don't agree with the topic I should just keep it to myself....sorry but no. I have a right to post my opinion just like you do. You don't have to agree with it, I'm okay with that.

Honestly, I will tell anyone who asks. I think it needs to be more accepted. Yes, there are people who judge me. Yes, there are negative people. But I don't care (I have to work at this). I'm proud of my decision to make my life better.
Anyone who is less than happy for me...their feelings say more about them then it does about me.