Ever since I came back from R&R I have been slipping. My room is an utter pigstye, I've only been to the gym once this week, my eating has become more and more disordered, I'm not styling my hair in the mornings, I have no energy. I can't blame my cycle, as this has been going on for at least 2 weeks and I'm still 2 weeks out from it. I return to the States from my tour in 5 more weeks, there is a lot of anxiety wrapped up in that - finding employment, keeping employment, finding a place to live, still being fat. I've been in a stall for 2 weeks. I average about 850 cals a day, 80g's Protein. My carbs have risen, used to be below 25, now are regularly above 35. Pretty blue right now.

2 years before surgery I weighed everything that went in my mouth and worked faithfully with a personal trainer for 5 months and lost 20 lbs. When I sat down with my surgeon he pulled out a sheet of paper and drew a timeline graph of how the post-op weightloss would go. He emphasised that there is a 9-12 month honeymoon period wherein the excess weight comes off and whatever doesn't come off in that timeframe would have to be dieted off like a regular person, because after a year your body adjusts internally to the surgical changes. He also expected me to hit his goal (150) by 12 months. So here I am at 7 months out with 62 pounds to go before hitting his goal, 82 lbs to hit my personal goal (130).

I try to visualize when I went from acceptably chubby, the kind of fat that can be hidden, to unavoidably fat and embarrassed and uncomfortable. I stopped wearing a swimsuit in public by the mid 150's, high heels became painful by the 170's. So I am going to be at surgeon's goal before I feel capable and not obese.

I was thinking the same thing about Vitamin D. I used to tell my family if I get depressed just drag me to the beach for some sun.

Maybe you need to up that Vitamin D, but MEANWHILE can you plan something fun to do when you leave Iraq to Celebrate? Take care of you, or a new wardrobe or so...something indulgent.

And then, finally, some goal setting. Set some big goals and break them down into baby steps and start checking them off one by one. Seems like goal number one is deciding where to live. You need a process to that with, right? Once you know where you want to live and find a place, just get an easy job for a while until you find the right job. Just getting into a routine and socializing and so forth rather than being alone looking for a perfect job.

You really have a lot of anxiety about leaving your post, right? It is like stepping off into the darkness. Maybe hire a life coach or do a lot of reading on motivation and self improvement, etc. There have been times I really had to take a leap up faith and jump into darkness. There is no getting around it, just darn scarey. But you have to prepare yourself mentally and be your own best friend. Reassure yourself, etc.

We'll be here for you as you go through this journey. Where will you live, do you know yet? It is a real opportunity to make a great new life.

So how are you doing? I am two weeks post sleeve and am fine, except my blood sugar is whacky and I can't tell why.

If you haven't done so far, go get some sub-lingual B-12, preferably the methylcobalamin form. Melting under the tongue keeps your digestive system from limiting absorbability. crucial for some people. Get Vitamin D-3--it comes in some liquid cal-magnesium-D3 supplements, or, get a good quality gel cap and make sure to take 1,000-2000 mg./day. Sam-e is great--works on dopamine(pleasure) receptors. Kind of works along the same lines as the antidepressant Wellbutrin(which helps some people drop weight unlike some of the serotonin ones). Also, there are some supplements/minerals which can help your metabolism. Chromium picolinate, selenium, magnesium etc. Use your tools on line and read up on credible medical sites (check out Mayo Clinic, etc.) to put together a personal supplement program. One multi per day is so minimal it just may not be enough.

Drink lots and lots of Water, and I would absolutely work at exercise. Your overall weight loss, though it seems a disappointment to you, would be a dream to me. Be patient, try to stay focused, and not too much pressure on so much so soon. Maybe you imagined returning at a certain weight and are disappointed to have so much of it ahead of you rather than already behind you, but, please keep your yourself focused on just how much you have accomplished! I'm sure it will continue. Good luck and let us all know how you are doing.