enjoythetime

@@lisacaron Yep, sugar free, just as I requested, I want honest feedback and you provided it and I appreciate that! I'm happy where I'm at right now, I don't want to lose more weight. My thinking was that if I were to continue eating the 1200 calories I've been consuming as recommended by my doctor throughout my journey that eventually my body would level out and at some point I'm sure it will but I'm ready to level out here and my body wants to keep going. Do I obsess about it? At times absolutely, I'm concerned about leveling out and maintaining where I am right now. I treat myself now and then, I don't deprive myself, but even with those treats factored in, I'm still losing and that's what I'm trying to figure out which brings me to what you, 2muchfun and gowalking said about taking my Dr.'s advice and adding in more calories in the way of nutritious choices and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I need to let go, I need to enjoy where I am right here and now. I'm just a worry wart, I worry about everything, which is probably another reason I was 289lbs, so obviosuly that's not healthy either:-) This feedback is exactly what I needed. It helps me put things in perspective. I will probably need to be reeled back in now and then so I may be asking for more of your truthfulness in the future! Thanks so much!

Yay!! Congrats! You've got this!!

You nailed it with your statement "I'm all or nothing"....me too girl! Im sure eventually my body will level itself out that's what the Dr. said but I just feel that I'm at my sweet spot right now and honestly with this big coconut head filled with big curly hair I'm not sure I would look right if I lost much more...haha, so I don't want to find myself there either. You will be here before you know it!!! I'm not sure I'm no where near this, but I can understand your fear. I'm either all or nothing, so I would be afraid cutting some slack would make me re-gain all the weight. But I think tmf 's plan sounds good, add a few things here and there. Oh what it would feel like to NOT want to lose weight!! Do you think your body will level out on its own? Or do you think its wants to be way smaller than you want to be?

gowalking I am literally cracking up right now, this was hilarious!!! I've been stressing since yesteday so I needed this!! It was so funny because yesterday before I left for my appointment I remember reading your post saying you were down to 139.6.....congrats!! and then when I got on the scale and it said 140.0 I just giggled and thought yep here we are together again:-) You're absolutely right, I just need to be smart on how and where I increase my calories and I should be just fine. I know what you're saying about the alcohol. We went to a BBQ this past weekend and the cocktails and shots were flowing and everyone was asking me why are you drinking Water and my response was do you know how many calories your pounding down....lol I guess this means I really do need to invest the purchase of a scale so that I can monitor and find out what works and what doesnt. I'm not messing with the Pasta, bread, pizza, etc. because those are all trigger foods for me and I know that if I start adding those back into my lifestyle things could get ugly, like I said I chose to give those up forever when I decided to have this surgery and I need to stick with that. It's so refreshing to hear that I'm not alone, that it's not just me being OCD. I know you completely get where I'm coming from. Like we've said so many times we are as close to identical as two people can be on this journey. Thanks for your advice and encouragement. We will figure this out. I may take you up on the PM:-) You feel free to do the same!!! The weather is fantastic here in MO 90 degrees today, which is right up my alley, swimming with the kiddos this afternoon and I can't wait! Have a great day!! ((hugs))

Thanks so much! You are very successful! You are mananging and maintaining and I haven't gotten to that point yet so you are a wonderful example of how it's done. Thanks for the advice. I do believe you're right. I just need to chill out:-) Maintaining is completely unknown waters to me. Both times that I've lost large amounts of weight, I ended up prego so there was no trying to maintain through that so I literally have no clue what it's about. Thanks as always for your help! I'm just going to take it one day at a time one meal at a time and see where it takes me. I recommend keeping up the exercise routines no matter what. I envy you as I don't think I'll ever get to the point you're at now? I think once I get to my goal weight my struggle will continue. I agree with your doc. Relax, start eating real eggs, maybe 2 instead of 1? Add a little bigger dash of cheese on that taco? Throw in some healthy Snacks like nuts, eat more than 2! Just keep the trigger foods out of reach. Maybe just let the issue take care of itself? I can understand the fear you're having but it's not a reality for me and probably never will be, so it's like me feeling for a woman having a baby, I'll never really understand?? My fear is 180° from yours.

Thank you so much! I'm struggling to figure out how all of this will even itself out but it will all work out. The encouragement you you've given me is what helps me be able to keep going!! You're amazingly strong, I'm not sure many people can say they would be able to stay the course as strongly as you have and because of this you WILL get there!!!

I went in yesterday for my monthly follow-up appointment and am down another 7lbs, which puts me 10lbs below my goal weight. I never thought I would get here and I'm thrilled, I haven't been this weight since I was like 14:-) Here comes a statement I never thought I would say..... I don't want to lose any more. I'm happy where I'm at right now, I don't want to lose and I don't want to gain, I just want to stay here. I'm not sure how to level this thing out:-) I asked my doctor and he said the band will stop at a certain point but that doesn't mean it will stop at MY point so, he suggested I start adding in more calories, which of course is the logical thing to do BUT it scares the **** out of me! Since I've completed my once a month follow-up care plan for the 1st year I know the typical thing is for them to see you every quarter for the second year, so I asked my doctor if it was ok with him if I just kept coming in every month and he said absolutely, he would do whatever made me feel more comfortable and if that's what I needed to do then he was good with that. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not complaining, I'm just trying to figure this out. My doctor basically told me I just need to relax a little and things will fall into place, but you see I'm such a control freak that the thought of not being in control and flying by the seat of my pants has got me in a whirlwind. I feel like being out of control with my eating is what got me at 289lbs in the first place so I need honest truthful advice. Am I just making more of this then I should or is this a typical concern? @@2muchfun @@B-52 @@catfish87 @@gowalking @@CarolinaGirl

Thanks again everyone! I just went in for my follow-up visit yesterday and was down another 7lbs, soooooo, I've exceed my goal weight by exactly 10lbs.:-) I'm one thrilled lady!!! I haven't weighed this since I was like 14:-) HAPPY DANCE!!!!:-)

@@B-52 Awe!! Thank you!!!

I'll admit it one of the main reasons I had this surgery was to look better! When you look better you feel better and like someone else stated, mental health and how you perceive yourself is just as important as physical health. I love being able to take life as it comes now and not have to worry about what others will think of me. This past weekend we went to a bbq with some of my husbands friends and co-workers, I only knew 2 people and for the first time in years I wasn't self concious about how I looked. I wasn't embarressed for my husband to introduce me as his wife, I walked in with my head held high, made conversation with everyone and was very social and was able to be my fun self. The best part....my husband told me damn my wife is hot and how proud he is of me.....this made me feel like a million bucks:-)

@@Mikee57 You're doing outstanding lady, you just shrank 2 sizes!!! Keep on keepin on smiling all the way. I've always seen you with a very positive attitude posting motivation for everyone. You've got this all the way!!

Yay! You're going to do great just try and relax, I know it's hard but everthing will be ok. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

Yowza! That's amazing lady! Great job!!

So funny that you posted this today! I only weigh myself when I go in for my monthly check-ups and I always wear the lightest clothes possible and I refuse to eat or drink anything 3 hours before my appointment.....I know, I know crazy OCD again but hey if it makes you happy!!:-)

Hmmmmm this sounds amazing! Gonna have to try it out! I love all the creative ideas you come up with using Quest bars!!!!

You're making great progress! I can definitely tell the difference! Keep up the great work!

Happy be-lated Bday! Congrats on the smaller size!!!

Thank you everyone for your kind words of encoragement!! I really appreiciate it!!:-)

@@JustWatchMe well now we're even because when I read your comment I teared up:-) Thank you so much for your kind words! You have amazing strength and are just rocking it girl!! Aw, this made me tear up. You are beautiful, inside and out, and you are such an encouragement to me. Thank you for all you do on these boards.

You look stunning! Great job on your loss and your long-term maintenance!

Toytoy, This is per my doctors recommendations. 3-4oz of Protein, 1/2 cup veggies and 1 starch serving. I always always eat my protein first then my veggies and then a starch if I still have room for it, which most of the time I opt out. Hope this helps!

@@gowalking ((hugs)) to you! You're just incredible!!!!

No, you didn't miss them I forgot to attach the pic at first. I missed the pics in post #1? Hey Fiona, we want to see what Shrek looks like

@@Debbie3sons Thanks Girl!! You WILL get there! You will be at goal in no time, 100#'s that ABSOFREAKINLUTELYAMAZING!!!:-)