Doc listened to my story and suggested I take it slow - added 1cc to the 2ccs that were there.

Much conversation ensued, mostly with me asking questions. The upshot, at least where this thread is concerned, is that I told him I wasn't interested in losing weight quickly. Sounds weird, I know, but I don't have a ton to lose. Further, I don't want this experience to suck in terms of deprivation.

You'll notice my goal is 235 but that's probably too much. I had an in-depth workup with a trainer who determined my perfect weight is 256. That was a few years back and a few more muscles ago. I do, however, think 245 or 250 is realistic. I set that goal thinking I'd never go the the gym. I've since decided that was a stupid idea.

Anyway, what I wanted to share is that I told the doc I thought I'd be happy with slower weight loss (I want to eat 2000 cals/day instead of the recommended 1500) and he agreed that it made sense. The benefits, as I see them, include:

• easier for my body to adapt
  
• less chance of sagging skin
  
• less deprivation
  

I'm trading 15 lbs/month for 8 lbs/month (short term), I think. Stuff can certainly get in the way (the fill, for example, has made it really hard to get to 2000 cals) and I started lifting again tonight - it's been a couple of years. I'm not a slave to the scale, only to that college pair of pants and how I look. The bottom line is that I'm going to reach my goal and I'm not going to have to suffer to get there.

I'm 180 degrees opposite....dam the torpedoes...full steam ahead!! Get this weight off me now....my life depends upon it....

I used to joke and say if they wired my jaw shut, and promised I would loose all the needed weight, and not feel hungry doing it...sign me up.

I have to say, after completing the weight loss journey...I now live a normal life...thin and fit...and enjoy all life's pleasures just as my fit athletic friends do....I can sit in a bar, have a beer or 2, enjoy some wings...play some softball or touch football....I even took up surfing this past summer!......just as my friends do, and I don't ever see them dieting or counting calories..........because it is now a lifestyle...a healthy lifestyle of wise food choices and plenty of exercise....I only deprive myself on the things I know are not good for me....and it's funny...the things that are not good to eat also happen to be things that are not very band friendly.....so it all works out in the end.

I often compare it to someone who has had total knee replacement.....the first 6 months was pain and hell.....then came the long term rehab, learning to live with this new thing surgically placed....

and once that is accomplished, then you go back to your normal life, although in the background, there is something different....but you don't think about it all that much.....

But then, that's me...good luck on your success...it's important to note that everyone has a different approach, as is evident on these forums....and no one is more right than others....we all want the same thing.....

Well realistically most doctors say you can loose 1-2 pounds a week so 15 a month would be on the high side.

Yes, I've seen that (8 lbs/mo) thing but, then again, I've also been told this is mostly a numbers game. If I'm exercising as recommended and running a 1700 cal/day deficit, the numbers suggest my losses will be more like 15 lbs/mo.

Time will tell.