MichiganChic

Great topic. I also share the fear of regain....actually, I'm still terrified of it. I've not reached goal - and maybe never will - but I absolutely know that regain is one wrong thought/move/perception away. I know how easy it is to spiral out of control, and have no illusions about it. I really hope to get the place that this way of living is more normal for me, and that it does not take the hyper-vigilance it does today. Until I get there, my best hope is to stay focused and put my effort into learning these new habits. Maybe at two years out, I will also be less consumed. Having said all of that, I don't perceive any of it as negative. I'm so grateful for the success I've had so far, and I am ok with the amount of effort I have to put forth in the future. That's my mindset - stay focused.

I also want to lose half my weight. I'm a little over 80% there. The closer I get, the harder it becomes. I'm not sure if I even can, but I'm going to keep trying. I have realized that it's a good goal to have, but I might need to be flexible. I'm not even sure I need to lose that much any more - it's hard to judge. I feel and look pretty good (in clothes), so I'm trying not to just think about the number so much.....though that's hard sometimes. I'm trying to focus on health, which I have, so I win!

Thanks for posting this. I really hope to do better than the statistics, though. I wish someone would do a study as to what the habits of those people are. I wonder if they only keep off 60% of their weight because they still over eat some, or if the weight just won't come off. I know some people here have lost 100% of excess weight, but they are all diligent. I wonder how many people are diligent and never lose 100%. I guess I should do a study

I saw my cousin on Christmas eve, and she said "you are going to blow away you are getting so thin!". I know I'm not, but she really meant it. Also, at work we have a managers meeting every Monday. There are a couple of other women there, and I'm the smallest! Not that either of them are huge, but I'm smaller. I don't think less of them, but I marvel that for the first time in my adult life, I"M NOT THE BIGGEST GIRL IN THE ROOM! Oh, one other thing. Everytime I use my Amex at costco, they do a double take when the look at the picture, since it was taken 2 years ago

I know what's going on - you are normal! I remember stressing about it, too. I think for me it was because I was just overly focused and time didn't move fast enough for me. I wanted to lose a lot, every day! In fact, I still do Just take a deep breath, keep doing what you are doing, and it will come off.

That's a ridiculous generalization, and for some reason, I find it offensive. I didn't cheat, and I'm not a liar. To the OP - I would not recommend trying it. It's just not worth it. I felt like I accomplished something, and it gave me the realization that I would be able to succeed.

Great video, great pics! You look great. Any you have great hair

Don't feel bad, I gained 6 pounds, too. It was train wreck that I was a willing and knowing participant in. Very frightening! I allowed myself to eat what I wanted about 5 days for about 6 hours each day over the 2 week holiday period. I weighed every day and saw the weight creeping on....told myself it was Water. Umm no, that was fat. I learned the same lessons you did. Sadly, I'm not sure why I had to learn the same damn lessons I already know! So, I've pretty much detoxed, am back on track, started exercising again, and have my strength and resolve back. I know that it will ALWAYS take my full attention and energy to stay on track. I also know it's worth it to me in the long run, even though some times it does not feel that way. We can do this, one day or one hour or one minute at time. Sometimes it is harder than others, but it really is what we do over the long haul that makes the difference.

You can add me - tboosrn

I track calories and protein. I HAVE to track (aka log/write down) every bite I put into my mouth. I wish it were not true, I wish I could do this another way, but I can't. I can always consume more than I should if left to my own devices. I need very little food/calories to lose weight. They mystery of why I was so heavy is gone. I weighed over 300 pounds because I'm super efficient at storing calories. I need to eat around 900 to lose, and I'm not sure yet what maintenance will look like. I can tell you I let myself eat what I wanted for about 4-5 hours 5 times over the two week holiday period, and I gained 6 pounds! In truth, I didn't eat that much, but it was probably a total of 2500 calories on each of those days. I am working to get that weight off now, but that was a huge slap in the face. I could get right back up to where I started if I don't watch it. So, I applaud those who can track in their heads, those who can "listen to their body", but I'm not one of them. My body and my brain both are liars about food, lol!

I lost 107 pounds (of the 132 total) in 2013 (had a great loss in Dec 2012)! I lost the self-loathing that came with the super morbid obesity and ALWAYS being the biggest person in every room. I lost constant pain and aching that came with that much weight. I lost the hopeless feeling that these things could never change. I lost (aka quit) a job that added to my feelings of worthlessness regardless of how well I performed, and found a dream job. 2013 was a very good year for me. Less than 30 pounds to goal in 2014! I'm planning to make it another very good year.

I heart coffee I'm drinking it now, and I drink it every day. I have a cup black in the morning, and usually once or twice a day I'll have a cup of flavored coffee. I try different Keurig cups with different creamers. pumpkin spice coffee and creamer, Winter carnival coffee with Salted caramel mocha creamer are two of m faves. It really helps curb my appetite, so the 30 calories I spend on creamer is worth it to me. Globe, I also love the Chike iced coffee, but since it's well below zero here in Michigan, I'm sticking to Hot drinks for now! Do you drink it hot? Disclaimer - I'm a year out, and I didn't drink any coffee for the first 6 weeks. Also, I do not take Vitamins near the time I drink coffee so I don't have an issue with absorption.

I want to get to goal this year, preferably in the next few months (my surgery was 12/19/12). I'm going to be more diligent with weighing and measuring my food, since I've gotten a little lax with that. I'll continue tracking every bite on my fitness pal. And, I'm going to ramp up my exercise. Here's to a healthy 2014!

Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

GG, this sounds like me. I hadn't thought of it as being bored, but I suppose that's a good description. I found myself wishing (a little) that I could get a tweak to my surgery so I would have more restriction and less desire to eat like I did a year ago when newly sleeved. Absurd, I know. However, all that physical discomfort made it easy to stay laser focused on the prize. As i get closer to goal, looking and feeling pretty normal, I find myself in a bit of a quandary. On one hand I think I've done great and lost enough weight, and on the other hand I know my BMI is far from normal. Then I think who cares, I look fine. Then I think I'm just making excuses for myself so I can stop obsessing so much. I just want to be DONE! I hate always having to replace clothes, and not having enough in my closet for a decent wardrobe. Then I think how great it would be to wear a size 6. Blah, Blah, Blah. On and on. I drive myself nuts, and I know I drive my poor husband and kids nuts, too. Hence, the above post, where I've had to take a little mental hiatus. Honestly, I can eat right and I'm pretty sure I can maintain for life....I just had SO much to lose, I'm a little worn down from it, and I'm wondering "are we there, yet?" What a crazy way to think - but there it is!

I do think that's true. My brain has gotten tired of the constant diligence, fretting, and obsession with tracking food and weight and pounds lost. My body and brain (and my family) just needed a rest from the overly focused approach I've taken. One thing for sure, though, I need that level of focus to succeed. As soon as I let my guard down, habits start to slip a little, and I find myself not losing. I am a person who does not have any wiggle room at all - I immediately gain with even a little indiscretion. So even while I'm on a slight hiatus, it's still never far from my mind, and I'm still mindful on some level.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful story of success! You look great!

Merry Christmas and congratulations to you! It would have been sooooo easy to put on a few pounds, and so hard to get it off! Thanks for your inspiration, and here's to another successful year in 2014.

It is just thrilling to be able to do this. When I was losing and before I knew for sure I could go in stores like WHBM, JCrew, etc., and actually purchase something, I used to send my size 8 teenage daughter in to check the sizes and see if I could go in! Now when I go in, people actually wait on me!

I don't have any issue with tolerating sugar, wheat, fat, or anything. Sleeve of steel, here. However, it does make me want to eat more of the same. I think it would be easier if it made me sick. On one hand I'm glad I can eat it if I want to to, but on the other hand, it's such a slippery slope that I'm a little envious of people who can't.

My one year post op was this past week, December 19. What a year it's been! I look and feel so much better, and I'm so happy I did this for myself. I still have a way to go, and I'll keep plugging along. My weight loss has really slowed the past 2 months.but a body can only lose so fast. I have diligently tracked my intake and calories every day since surgery. I'm looking forward to another great year, and I plan to finish what I started. Congratulations to all of us - regardless of how much we've lost, we all have the power to succeed! I attached my graph, and a few before and current pics.

We all have our issues. We are human and not perfect. Don't let a few days of being derailed define you. Chalk it up to a learning experience. So yes, today is a new day, and you CAN do this! You've identified that it's hard, and you have found what we all figure out sooner or later, that it is hard but so well worth the effort. It's what we do for the long haul, day after day, that makes the difference. One thing that helps me is to not have the junk readily available. No one in my house needs it either. I've found when its around, I struggle so much more. Out of sight, out of mind

I always shopped....I just enjoy it a lot more now! Now it's a necessity because I have to constantly replace basic work clothes. I've noticed that if I go a weekend without a little shopping, I feel like I didn't do everything I should have, lol.

You should to go to the Dr for exam and lab work. See your PCP.