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...

1. I have gained six pounds, clearly I am one of the unfortunates who cannot deviate from <800 cals. A week of 1000-1100, 6 pounds. I'm stricken.
   

1. I have gained six pounds, clearly I am one of the unfortunates who cannot deviate from <800 cals. A week of 1000-1100, 6 pounds. I'm stricken.
   

I would bet GOOD MONEY that that is not a "real" gain, but rather a fluctuation. It's simply not physically possible to gain actual fat pounds on 1000 cals per day.

{{{Globetrotter}}}

Sure 2 lbs of that is bounce - water, constipation, bloat, whatever. But that is 4 undeniable pounds, despite daily exercise and between 800-1100 cals per day. I am really distressed.

Those calories are SO low. Have you thought of just doing low carb and not even looking at the calories?

I do low carb, less than 30 is ideal. If I eat the kind of food that is low carb but not necessarily low calorie then I set myself up for a gallbladder attack.

Yikes girl, I don't know what to tell you! That is TOOO low to be gaining "for real "pounds....

Egads, Globetrotter--I can't even imagine you're gaining "fat" pounds with that kind of workout/eating discipline. Have you been paying attention to your sodium intake? I know when I get dehydrated, I drop a quick few pounds, and then when I rehydrate, it comes right back, all overnight!!! ICK. I know it's not "real" gain, but the scale goes up just the same.

Also, have you had blood work done lately for a thyroid check? Something to schedule, if not.

I can definitely feel your frustration, but it's simply not physically possible to gain that kind of weight as fat or "real weight" on your exercise and food plan.

More importantly, are you measuring? You work out like a fiend, so you may just be gaining muscle as your body slims down. If you don't have a set of current measurements, take them ASAP and keep a record--you may see that your body gets slightly heavier with muscle at the same time that your inches drop.

Today I am at 192--so I'm up a pound from my lowest and now 2 away from goal instead of 1. I know it's because I was dehydrated and I've been paying close attention to getting enough fluids in the last couple of days. I'm tempted to just say that I'm at maintenance, because for all intents and purposes, I kind of am, although I would like to reach 190 just to be able to say that I got there. LOL--you would think this translates into my doing something different in order to get there, but no. I'm just doing more of the same. I have felt a lot more energetic since starting the Iron tablets, so we'll see if that translates into some EXERCISE.

Ack, Globetrotter, I am soooo sorry. I agree with the others that those cannot be real lbs. I've read of some people gaining a TON of water weight when they shift from low carbs to higher carbs. Did you shift to more carbs? I would definitely suggest a visit to your doctor if this trend continues.

My pants are like sausage casings, my thyroid is normal. =(

Globetrotter... I am really feeling for you and aside to what the others have said, I don't know WHAT to say or to suggest! Can you ring your surgeon's office and ask for advice. Something isn't right here as you are hitting all the right buttons!

Sending cal free hugs from across the pond! x

I've heard that we can have what dr's consider "normal" thryroid, but it's still actually sluggish and can affect our weight loss. I have been looking into this myself due to my slow weight loss and long stalls. I was a slow loser before surgery and had long stalls too, so it may be just the way I lose. I am trying to do things like eating 30 grams of protein within 30 mins of waking, eating every 3 hrs, protein, to keep my metabolism burning, and exercising more to speed the metabolism up.

Also something else I am looking into is food allergies. I have heard/read that if we have allergies, it can prevent weight loss. Since I can't afford to go have a bunch of tests done, I am attempting the elimination diet. Starting with wheat/gluten. It's difficult because even when you think you are keeping these things low and to a minimum, you find that if you read labels, they put wheat in everything! Even things like cream of mushroom/chicken soups. If it's not the wheat/gluten, then I am going to see if it's dairy. I have always said, I can do without bread, pasta, etc, as long as I can have cheese! So Dear God pleaseeeee don't let me be allergic to Dairy!!

Ooh, Kelly, I'm with you in hoping you're not allergic to dairy! I'm a cheese girl, too, even more than ever now, since sleevie doesn't like most meats or eggs.

Globe, I really think you should contact your doctor. Something's off, and it's not something you're doing, as far as I can read. Sounds like you're doing exactly what you should with your diet, and you exercise a LOT, in my opinion. Seems like you're burning more calories than you take in, so I'm really puzzled about the weight gain. So strange! But definitely check with your doc and keep us posted!

So the last few days I've been kind of overdoing the carbs, even for me (I've never really restricted carbs because of the pickiness of my sleeve). I'm going to get back on a more "normal" diet for me--I'm thinking I'm going to up my salad veggies, lower my chips/crackers and cheese, and up my shrimp. I'm also going to try chicken again--maybe a bite or two with some salad, just to see. I tried turkey on Monday and it was rather emphatically rejected by my sleeve, but I really want to find a good animal Protein source that I can rely on besides shrimp. Need the Iron and protein!

I just wanted to share that I finally broke the 150 barrier - the scale read 149.9 this morning, and I was doing a silly happy dance.

Last month I lost and regained the same 2 pounds all month long, so I'm so excited to see the scale moving downwards again.

Meg, I'm so glad you seem to have found the answer to your breathing issue. I have to admit I worry a little because my surgeon doesn't really monitor bloodwork for his sleeve patients. I have to be more proactive and push my primary care physician to run tests, but maybe I should nag my surgeon more about it so he'll keep a closer eye on all his sleeve patients!

Hi all,

Just wanted to check in and say Hi! And let you know I've been reading your posts and thinking of you all even if I haven't posted in a while.

Diva: Thanks so much for sharing your story. You are a rock star!

Meg: So glad you found the problem and that it's easily fixed. I like Ferrimin 150. It has a stool softener included. Kaiser Fremont recommended Ferrous Fumarate Iron instead of other kinds.

Globetrotter: I know a good part of that 6 lbs. is Water retention. Maybe try drinking more water, as counter-intuitive as that sounds. It should help flush the extra fluids out of your system.

As for me, I've been poking around not following my plan and I have gained a pound. I'm still less than five pounds to goal, but I think I am eating at what is going to be close to maintenance for me and I have to step up the exercise or cut out the extras to get to goal. For me, it just has not been important enough to work on this last week. But I am in the gonna get to goal group and I am going to get back on it! For next week, I plan to add a spin class or a zumba class and see how that does.

Lynda

@escape pod - congrats!! Thats great!

@Lynda, hey I go through those spells too sometimes where I just don't have the fortitude to constantly think about perfect days either. It happens! The important thing is just getting back on track. It's really difficult to lose the smaller you are. I've been stuck at 170 since Dec now, and really, for awhile during Holidays I ate anything I wanted. No movement, but I've been being really really good for almost 2 weeks now and still no movement. I'm totally ok with that, it just intrigues me a lot! I've been logging my food for 10 days now and I've been way below what I'm burning what I'm consuming daily and you'd think I'd have to be losing.. just makes sense but I'm not. Crzy!!

Anyhow, happy Friday to all! Mine begins in less than 3 hours... can't wait!!! Whooo!!