As some of us original members are trickling back, let's keep in touch here and share our ongoing maintenance challenges, hopes, and successes with eachother like we did when began this journey

I'm 2 1/2 years out, initially lost over 100lbs in at sixteen months, and put about 14 lbs back on over the last winter holiday season thru spring. I got back on track by training for and completing a sprint triathlon this month. I've lost the 14 lbs and I'm back to maintaining my original 100lb weight loss. I'd still like to lose another 10-15lbs, but I'll be happy to maintain where I am currently. My challenge is to continue to exercise regularly and make healthy food choices throughout the fall and winter months (especially over the next holiday season )

Looking forward to keeping in touch - receiving support from and giving support to all of you!

{{{Hugs}}} & Smiles

Jennie

I have always found Thanksgiving to be the biggest cause of winter weight gain. Lets eat like pigs and then the next day start getting ready for Christmas with shopping, decorating, BAKING and getting ready to pig out some more. I found a cure for that since surgery. Since I live on the border, I spend the day in Canada. It's not Thanksgiving there. That way I don't start the holiday season off on an overstuffed gut! I've made it through the last 3 years without holiday weight gain.

Great idea Cindy! Yeah I dread the winter months! That's kinda why I am hoping to have my surgery in Nov cuz then I cant eat that dinner, I'll still be on liguids!

Jennie, congratulations on getting back to your goal! I think exercise really is the way to go. I am starting training with a new personal trainer next week, and I'm hoping that I will get back to where I was -- 10 lbs. ago.

And way to go on that triathlon! I am super impressed!!

Well, I just lost everything i just wrote. Here it goes again: Good to be coresponding with you all again! I'm slowly losing again since having surgery again this year to re-attach the port and tube to the band. I stopped exercising about 3 months ago, but you all have reminded me that it is a lot easier to lose weight (and feel better) with exercise. I'm going to start back tomorrow.

Being born and raised in So. CA I have been looking for a decent Mexican Restaurant in Western PA. for seven years. Careful what you wish for. One opened one block from my house. Not only is it great, it's just like the home made food I grew up with at my friends houses. This is very bad. This place will be the death of me. haha.

I also really need a fill. I haven't had one since the beginning of Dec last year. All of my PTO has been used for the other medical issues going on this year. I hope to have one soon.

That said, I still think the band is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Like my husband says, I am still down almost 60 lbs. I will just keep working towards that goal

It is great to have support!

I've regained a little too but I think its a combination of a simple return to health and the result of all my efforts at Body Pump. I knew I was skeletal after chemo finished and I wanted to make sure that I put muscle back on, not fat. But overall I'm still much lighter than I was this time last year and pretty thin, I just feel fat because I did buy some size six clothes whilst I was so light and now they give me a muffin top :-( 10lb on my body is a LOT of weight now, I can feel it, but I'm still a good 10lb lighter than I was before cancer struck.

I'm finding the biggest challenge this far out (six years) is that I really think my body has adapted to my band and it doesnt work the way it once does, possibly because I've been totally unfilled and then refilled (for surgery) int he past nine months. I am finding more and more that its just plain hard work to keep the weight away, its my hard work. I still exercise, more than ever in fact and every single day is a "diet". Every day I say no to foods I want to eat and fight cravings. I'm not sure if just another tiny fill would solve that, because its rather tiring. I can do it, I'm not afraid of weight gain but I have this tool, am I not using it to full potential? Even this far out, I dont really know.

I'm back too.

I lost over 100 and have put 20 back on due to circumstances explained in another thread here.

I'm going back to the roots of what I did in 2009/2010 to get back on track and (hopefully) quickly lose the weight I've regained.

Right now, I only have 1cc in my band due to the other problems and while it's a little restrictions, it's not what I had back before I got emptied.

So here I am. I'm going to be accountable here and offer support back in return for the support I get.

Welcome back, Linda. We're all here for you - experiencing our own challenges and looking to eachother for support and inspiration. I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles, but it sounds like you're motivated to get back on track - good for you! You didn't mention your activity level? I've found exercise and activity is the key to overcoming plateaus, jump starting weight loss, and maintaining. You can start by just adding more activity to each day - taking the stairs (if you're able), parking further and walking whenever possible, and just getting up and moving on breaks and throughout your day. I didn't exercise at all before the band, and I'm still challenged maintaining a regular exercise routine, but I have been successful adding more activity and movement to my everday life. Best of luck - you can do it!!!