figbart

When I was losing weight, I worked hard and was continually amazed that I could do it. I mean, after so many failures - including with the lapband, it was almost too good to be true.
I have been at goal and maintaining since Feb 2013 - almost a year. I haven't lost my focus or even my sense of wonder about it. My body continues to change and become more and more normal. I feel the remnants of the 300#+ slowly fading away and being replaced by a normal/average looking body. I have been told that I don't look at all like someone who was ever the least bit overweight (who knows what that means exactly but the speaker was referring to my thin calves - no cankles...LOL)
What I do sometimes notice is a certain "worry"... like what if I regain? Will I handle it as well as so many others that post here regularly have (ie keep working the sleeve and relose that gain) or will I repeat my old demon pattern of just throwing in the towel and giving up (like I did with the lapband)... and I have no doubt the regain this time would probably put me at 400#. It is a scary thought actually.
Anyway, I don't spend alot of time thinking about the negatives, but maintenance is a different kind of headspace. It is really learning, and adjusting and finding that new life at goal weight. How to keep it without being consumed by the Quest for a certain body size (weight or whatever).
I think my primarily goal for 2014 is to maintain, one more year. I like to think in smaller chunks - I can visualize maintaining throughout 2014 so that is what I focus on. I would also like to increase my muscle/reduce body fat percentage. I don't even know what it is, so I would like to get measured and assess my progress in that way.
Not really a new years resolution as those always seem to fall by the wayside. Mine is more a mindset - I don't have a choice, I have to maintain for one more year.

Im having trouble losing this last 25 lbs and have been thinking of trying the 5:2 diet.
I know many of you have been using this diet as a tool. ive searched the forum and didnt get any hits. isnt there a support group for this topic? I cant find it anymore.
Questions:
Are you currently on this diet? (or have you been?)
What has your experience with it been like?
Any links you can recommend?
What do i need to know?

I never thought I would see 135 lbs again. Everyone says there is a bounce back and I was trying to get used to the idea since I could not seem to lose any of the weight I regained.
I've had really good success with the 5:2 way of eating. It helped me from grazing and snacking. I don't know why really, because I could have just given up and started grazing and snacking again. I was so sad though, that there were so many clothes that I loved that I coudn't wear anymore. So I followed the rules of the diet and slowly lost my 15 lb regain.
Now I know that even though I am in maintenance, I have to keep following the original rules of being sleeved. Protein first, veggies and only good carbs if there is room ( and there never is) Treats and Snacks need to be a rare thing not as part of my regular meal plan.< /p>
Thank God for the sleeve. I still have good restriction if I eat what I am supposed to eat and not chips and cookies!

A lot of people are talking about the 5 day pouch test to get back on track. I personally think that is a bad idea.
There is no reason to be hungry and miserable like you would be on the first 2 days of the 5 day pouch diet which consists of going back to liquids, I believe for 2 days.
This is the diet I use when I need to get back on track after a bad day ,or weekend, or vacation:
BOOTCAMP:
For 5 STRICT DAYS I will eat only:
Proteins: Seafoods, Poultry and eggs, Dairies, nuts/seeds, including a small amount of Peanut Butter.

Veggies: Green only. salad with vinegar and oil dressing
Fruits: None. fruit juice none
Breads/Cereals/ Rice/ Noodles/ Pasta/ Other Carbs: None.
Fluids: between 64 to 128 oz of Water (not coffee)
Protein drinks (RTD or Powder).
Avoid: Sugar and Sodium
You will lose weight after 5 days and the carb cravings should be gone , unless you mangaged to eat some carbs during this time

You haven't blown it! Quite a few vets have regained weight and successfully taken it off again. Look for posts by Georgia, oregondaisy, feedyoureye, and others here. There is no expiration date on the sleeve and it will work for you if you work your program. I am sure some of the vets will chime in and give you specific suggestions. You have taken the biggest step by reaching out for support!