Hello fellow sleevers,

just thought I would start a thread for all those who want to get to goal in 2012, regardless of where we are in the process.

I posted it the 'Slow Loser' thread, because that is what I am!! (I am not complaining by the way, just pleased to be a loser...lol)

For me to get there, I know that at 18mths out I need to be strict, accountable and have support from those in the same 'place', who understand that the sleeve isn't a miracle but a tool.

I have done well so far, but the weight hasn't 'melted' off me and since 6mths post op I have had to fight for each and every pound. At first it made me a little bitter, frustrated and I started to get into a 'dark place' about it, now the scale victory tastes sooooo sweet!

I have taken the month of December 'off'... I needed to rest from the constant worry of food, cals, water, carbs and protein... my head was spinning and I was starting to feel very frustrated and overwhelmed at not being at goal again. I needed time out!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas period and I have eaten what I wanted and when I wanted it; this includes ALL foods, no food was off limit and I let my sleeve do its job! The quantity was low but I still enjoyed every mouthful. Interestingly, I found that my cravings were satisified very quickly... 1 or 2 biscuits/sweets, and so on, hit the spot, instead of 5,6,7,... you get the picture. Subconscious damage limitation? I don't know but I like it!

I have learnt a lot by doing this. I now know that I can eat a little more if I 'try'... I know that I can enjoy food again without feeling guilty and I know that food doesn't have to be the enemy. So, with all that, what was the outcome? Yep, I have gained 2lbs above my personal bounce! Oops!

I am not, in the slightest, worried about this because I KNOW what is the cause... sugar and salt! And this time, I am sure it will come off as quick as it went on!

So, what is the plan?

Per my surgeon's instructions: I am going back to basics... yep that ole one...lol

• 3 meals a day - no snacking.
  
• Weighing my meals between 6-8oz depending on what is on the plate.
  
• Protein first, followed by veggies.
  
• Plenty of water.
  
• A limit of 1000 cals a day.
  
• Continue with my exercise - boxing twice a week, gym in work 1-2 times a week (depending on work load) and walking my dog (just over a 2 mile circuit). The exercise is the only thing that I have stuck to in December... I actually enjoy it now!!
  

As a side note, and I ain't sure if my American friends can get this, but here in the Uk, on SKY there are a few fitness channels. I have recorded some aerobic workouts that are really good... they're free and can be done at home... this is saving me some money on classes and DVDs and if I don't like the workout I can delete and look for another!! Bonus!!

Ok, who is ready to join me on the final stretch to goal... hope on board and enjoy the ride my friends...

Yey! I found a way to add the photos... gotta click on the 'more options' button on the bottom right.... !!

So here are the skinny jeans, front and side view... you can see the 'apple' in me from the side! Still I've come a long way from where I started! There was NO WAY I would of even considered these before the sleeve, I don't think I would of worn them this time last year even!!

Coops You Look Absolutely awesome! I love the skinny jeans. Your sweater is way toooooooo big LOL! Actually you do look awesome. Keep it up, you are an inspiration to meeeeee..

Coops, Photos put 10 pounds on you!

Best. News. Ever.

Yey! I found a way to add the photos... gotta click on the 'more options' button on the bottom right.... !!

So here are the skinny jeans, front and side view... you can see the 'apple' in me from the side! Still I've come a long way from where I started! There was NO WAY I would of even considered these before the sleeve, I don't think I would of worn them this time last year even!!

Hey whats this? Those clothes are a bit big on ya. Jus sayin.

Ladies, thank you for the suggestions! I am going to try myfitnesspal.com first, and if that doesn't work, I'll try lynda's route! Excited to try a different route.

@coops: now that I can blow the picture up, I must say you look adorable!!!! Love the whole outfit, especially with the red chuck taylors, woot!!! You look awesome!!! Keep rockin' those skinny jeans!

Coops, I have to agree with the others--I think you're rocking that look! And I also think your sweater is a bit big. :-) Yay you!!

OMG, Coops!!! You are looking absolutely darling -- LOVING the skinnies and the chucks. And I think you are "seeing things" in re: the apple shape, cos you just look small and super fit. I am SO JEALOUS of your bum, mine is flat and sooo sad.

Yey! I found a way to add the photos... gotta click on the 'more options' button on the bottom right.... !!

So here are the skinny jeans, front and side view... you can see the 'apple' in me from the side! Still I've come a long way from where I started! There was NO WAY I would of even considered these before the sleeve, I don't think I would of worn them this time last year even!!

Cute! You look fit and darling and petite! Like others have said...."baby got back" Mine is flat as a board now. Lucky! Work it Coops!

Hey guys, I'm starting to distrust myself. When I still had faith that I would lose weight, when I saw it coming off steadily at a pound every other day, I was so sure of myself and my sleeve that all manner of evil foods could pass under my nose and have little affect on me. Now, I can't be trusted, and that makes me sad. Also, even though the scale hasn't moved, I just feel fat, and no it isn't TOTM. Sigh. I ate bread over the weekend, and carrot cake, and lemonade =( Is my only choice to empty my house of everything and go back on liquids? I'm starting to have a sweet tooth like never before in my life, always I have been a savory/salty snacker, I never even liked carrot cake! =( =( I know I'm slumping big time, my house is a filthy mess, I'm not putting any effort into my appearance, etc. etc.

Hey guys, I'm starting to distrust myself. When I still had faith that I would lose weight, when I saw it coming off steadily at a pound every other day, I was so sure of myself and my sleeve that all manner of evil foods could pass under my nose and have little affect on me. Now, I can't be trusted, and that makes me sad. Also, even though the scale hasn't moved, I just feel fat, and no it isn't TOTM. Sigh. I ate bread over the weekend, and carrot cake, and lemonade =( Is my only choice to empty my house of everything and go back on liquids? I'm starting to have a sweet tooth like never before in my life, always I have been a savory/salty snacker, I never even liked carrot cake! =( =( I know I'm slumping big time, my house is a filthy mess, I'm not putting any effort into my appearance, etc. etc.

{{{{Globetrotter}}}}

Why being so hard on yourself? You had bread and cake and lemonade, and presumably not 12 servings of each, I don't think that's bad at all. The more important question is why you're sad and down on yourself. I hope you can remember that you're awesome and you're doing great...and that your smile comes back.

I do relate on the sweet tooth thing -- I have never really had much of one, but over the past couple of months, I've had raging jones for dark chocolate (so I eat it LOL, and sometimes a lot of it!! Meh, life is short, I enjoy chocolate, I'm not too fussed). And Peanut Butter. And ice cream (which I've NEVER liked...!!). But at the end of the day, I'm not eating all that much of it, and I'm eating a lot of good food as well, and working out -- so I figure it all balances out. I don't like to be too extreme, so I will try not to overdo it, but neither will I get too worried about it.

Big hugs your way...and believe that the sun will come out again!! <3

Yey! I found a way to add the photos... gotta click on the 'more options' button on the bottom right.... !!

So here are the skinny jeans, front and side view... you can see the 'apple' in me from the side! Still I've come a long way from where I started! There was NO WAY I would of even considered these before the sleeve, I don't think I would of worn them this time last year even!!

Not only do you look so SKINNY, but you look COOL! Your kids must be soooooo proud of you! *LOVE THIS POST*

Hi ladies, a quick update from me.

@ Coops, I do agree with all the ladies who say you look fabulous in those skinnies! I cannot wait for the day when I can wear skinny jeans!

@Diva, that's awesome about the kettleballs! Are you sore today!?

@Meg, do keep us posted about the breathing. That sounds so frustrating. I'm really proud of you that you lost all that weight even *with* such an issue. Amazing!

@ everyone: I've been tracking my food better this week, and I realized that my real culprit is that I am getting in too many calories via snacking. I use fitday to track my calories, but I find that I don't track really well via that app because if you try to add anything that's not super simple, you have to find all the ingredients for it, tally up the recipe, etc. It's really time-consuming, and I find that I don't track as well as I could using this tool becuase I basically start avoiding the hassle--so I was wondering, how do you ladies track? I used to do weight watchers points on paper pretty religiously--I wonder if there's something that simple I could do again? Any suggestions?

SO I use http://caloriecount.about.com and I tried myfitnesspal a while back but I didn't like the way you are forced to put in quantities. At CC, you can do things in grams, oz, servings, 1/2 a serving, or 1/8 etc. I have an iPhone and there is a CC app (sounds like MFP has one too) but it has the bar code scanner etc. which is really cool execpt that I try to stay away from processed food as much as possible. I did use it the other night and was pretty tickled at how well it worked.

As for me, full disclosure here, I gave myself a DAY off from tracking and I did eat quite a bit off plan this weekend, esp. yesterday with it being the superbowl, we went to a party and I GRAZED and SNACKED and ate very little Protein. BUT today is a a NEW day and I'm back on the wagon....CHEER to that!

{{{{Globetrotter}}}}

Why being so hard on yourself? You had bread and cake and lemonade, and presumably not 12 servings of each, I don't think that's bad at all. The more important question is why you're sad and down on yourself. I hope you can remember that you're awesome and you're doing great...and that your smile comes back.

I do relate on the sweet tooth thing -- I have never really had much of one, but over the past couple of months, I've had raging jones for dark chocolate (so I eat it LOL, and sometimes a lot of it!! Meh, life is short, I enjoy chocolate, I'm not too fussed). And Peanut Butter. And ice cream (which I've NEVER liked...!!). But at the end of the day, I'm not eating all that much of it, and I'm eating a lot of good food as well, and working out -- so I figure it all balances out. I don't like to be too extreme, so I will try not to overdo it, but neither will I get too worried about it.

Big hugs your way...and believe that the sun will come out again!! <3

At support group my NUT (who runs the group) was telling those of us who seemed to have developed a Sweet Tooth to try and incorporate more fruit. I have to be honest. I was NOT a big fruit eater BEFORE surgery and of course it got much much much worse when you are only eating meat and VEGGIES and being a good WLS patient. So I am going to try and make a good faith effort to eat more fruit, now that I can. The one fruit that I have always enjoyed is a good granny smith apple with a few slices of sharp cheddar cheese...that is one favorite snack of mine. Course I had that yesterday and still indulged in a few treats at the super bowl party yesterday...gah!

Hey guys, I'm starting to distrust myself. When I still had faith that I would lose weight, when I saw it coming off steadily at a pound every other day, I was so sure of myself and my sleeve that all manner of evil foods could pass under my nose and have little affect on me. Now, I can't be trusted, and that makes me sad. Also, even though the scale hasn't moved, I just feel fat, and no it isn't TOTM. Sigh. I ate bread over the weekend, and carrot cake, and lemonade =( Is my only choice to empty my house of everything and go back on liquids? I'm starting to have a sweet tooth like never before in my life, always I have been a savory/salty snacker, I never even liked carrot cake! =( =( I know I'm slumping big time, my house is a filthy mess, I'm not putting any effort into my appearance, etc. etc.

I go through phases where I really want sweets... and eating sweets make me want MORE sweets! Its the old sweet addiction cycle. Try stocking up on some sugar free sweets, pudding, jello, yogurts, coolwhip free, that kind of thing, and when you want something sweet, go for that. for heavens sakes girl, there are sugar free lemonades out there or you can make some from scratch and use stevia if you want a better choice. I go through this too... and perhaps you are still unsettled after moving back to the states? Sound like you are hungry for something... maybe its not really food you are looking for...can you access some counciling... just someone to talk about your future with? Just guessing here. Good luck with that, and welcome back to the board!

Feedyoureye: It's sounds like you have some depression going on. It's very important that you get out of the house and start walking, walking and more walking. Clean your house of all the sugars and start the basic bootcamp diet to help clear the sugar out of your system. Get back on the band wagon and "just do it." Depression will pull you down into the spiraling black hole. Did you have a sigar addiction, if so, then it's time to switch it up. When someone gives up one addiction, there is a big void in you that needs something to feel it. I really want to focus on eating healthy, getting alot of exercise, and I am currently looking for something like a hobby to feel my time.

This is not an easy stage of our new journey. If needed, find a therapist that can trust to help guide you along the way. Start by making a choice to do one thing that you've been avoiding, like cleaning your house. Take 1 space at a time. You can do this. Most important thing is to get out of the house and exercise. Depression is also known as an imbalance in chemicals and hormones, and God knows, we have made alot of changes in our lifes in a very short period of time.

Sorry for the long reply.

As for me, full disclosure here, I gave myself a DAY off from tracking and I did eat quite a bit off plan this weekend, esp. yesterday with it being the superbowl, we went to a party and I GRAZED and SNACKED and ate very little Protein. BUT today is a a NEW day and I'm back on the wagon....CHEER to that!

Interesting you mention that. This is my plan as I slide into more "normal" eating. Monday through Friday I'm a good girl - but Sat & Sun I am not going to track or trip anymore. Also, I'm going to start making all of my meals more balanced. Protein AND Carbs now, where before i would restrict my carbs - I think I was starting to go a little nuts there. I started this morning, and crazy thing, but the weird cravings in my head are all but gone.

I did think about something but then thought, well, if I still want some by this weekend then I can have some. Then it just disappeared. Neat trick. LOL

I'm carrying on with my 1,000 calories per day burn, in fact I burned over 1,200 on Saturday. I'm doing good! My body is toning up already and I can see a major difference. I still have some work to do but hey, that's life right? Maintenance is so close now (and I mean true maintenance where I'm not always thinking of new things to work on...) and for that I'm so looking forward to it.