Ok, so I am slowly losing the plot here... I am 10lbs (bouncing up and down the same 3lbs for a month) to my surgeon's goal and about 28lb from my personal 'OMG I can't believe it' goal - which is actually a dream rather than a reality as I haven't weighed under 10 stone - 140lbs - since I was about 16! So, I won't be too upset if I don't get there... however, my surgeon's goal is really important to me.

Anyway, to stick with the marathon analogy, I am getting tired... I've hit the 'wall'! My motivation has started to wain. Through circumstances that are out of my control, I have been unable to exercise more than once or twice a week... I was exercising 4 times min a few months ago! I am constantly tired, for several reasons and just completely fed up with my obession to lose weight.

I am good in the food dept 90% of the time, I allow myself a treat on the weekend but that isn't every weekend. I stick to the Protein first and no drinking for 20 mins rules all the time and although I do eat carbs, they are what I consider good carbs. I still don't eat Pasta, noodles or rice. I only eat potatoes now and again, same with wholemeal bread. I am happy with my food choices, my cals range between 900 - 1200 on any given day; I do track them from time to time to make sure that I am still on track and this helps me.

I still only eat three times a day, as per surgeon's instructions, but now and again I have a good snack.

My menopause symptoms are really taking their toll on me too... the hot sweats are absolutely debilitating, leaving me hot and flustered, especially in school! I am drained after them, tired and sleepy and my moods are getting really cranky. Probably a mix of hormones and frustration. The night sweats are awful, waking me up throughout the night, and then I am tired getting up, leaving me, once again cranky. And the cycle continues...

I have come to terms with being a slow loser... and I was praying that I would reach my goal. I even joined the Christmas Challenge thread, but since I haven't lost a pound, I am afraid to look in on it... doesn't that sound like I am being a spoilt brat, I don't mean to be!

This goal thing is just really hard at the moment... not being there is getting to me, especially when people around me are making comments like: 'Oh, you mustn't lose any more weight, you'll look ill' etc... bla, bla, bla!

I know I am getting a little smaller, as I have, finally, bought and worn a size Uk14 trousers (not quite for the jeans dept yet!) and that really made me feel good... but that seems to have been engulfed by all the other 'stuff' going on!

My hubby agrees with me, that I DO have more weight to lose, that I should continue the race... and I love him for his honesty.

So, how do I get my mojo back... how do I get my motivation back and how do I get that bloody scale to move????

Please, my sleeve friends, throw me a line...

Hugs from across the pond x

Thanks again for ALL the reponses... I really am trying to stay positive here...

I spoke to my line manager in work and explained how the flushes are effecting me in work and he agreed to let me go to the doc in work time... I have an appointment next week; 30th Oct ... I am hoping the doc will refer me for more blood tests.

I am also going boxing tonight... feel like I have to do something to get rid of this frustration!

Oh my dear friend! How i can relate with you! Does your pharmacy carry a natural herb called Black Cohash? This can definately help with the menopausal symptoms of the sweats. If you can get it there, then get it. I think you may like it.

It's really tough to get the mojo back once it runs off. . . the only really way to do it is just DO IT. The first few days will be really hard, you'll be tired and miserable and don't want to do anything called exercise, but the more you prod onwards, the easier it'll become. . .you have to do alot of self talk, alot of telling yourself you can do this, alot of showing your body that YOU are stronger then it is and that in the end you are going to WIN and not the body. . .it is so hard, whoever says this sleeve thing is easy, needs to be bottled in the next available cooler. . .

Good luck my dear, and try the Black Cohash, it's in the natural Vitamin section of the pharmacy. Keep us posted.