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...

It's a love/hate relationship with the scale, isn't it! When it is doing what you want it is your besty, when it says something you don't like it is a little @$$%^*!! I have been on a scale boycott for about 2 months now but may get back on it soon, over the weekend I wore my favorite LBD, with a body shaper underneath of course, and both the dress and shaper were a bit loose!

I did the introductory free WOD for crossfit and 2 days later I was still so sore it hurt every time I stood up, sat down, or coughed. I'm on to something! =) I have my first official session tonight and am scared and excited. I don't want to look all gym-rat muscle bound, which some of those crossfitters look like, but I am excited about getting really strong and fit. =)

GT ~ This is so amazing and inspirational to me! I am getting more motivated now. I have been on the sly with worrying about dehydration and not feeling up to par. I am getting there now. I will walk today for sure!

GT, what is a WOD? I really want to know! I keep seeing this term in cross-fit blogs, and it's driving me crazy.

haha, it totally drove me nuts too! I think it stands for Workout of the Day, because I guess it changes daily so it's like, if it's Monday it must be such and such WOD. =) I'll be able to better report after tonight, since I've only done 1 introductory class and tonight is my first real one *gulp* =)

Mystery solved!!! Thank you, GT! You will ROCK that WOD :-)

Southern Sleever.... YEY!!! Congrats on getting to goal... well done! I bet you are feeling over the moon right now!

Lila, good on you for seeing some movement on that pesky scales.. it all adds up my lovely... and training for a half marathon, goodness me, you are really putting me to shame! I haven't managed to go out for another jog as the weather has been against me here... terrible storms and severe rain! *sighs* Still, now that I have done it I know I CAN do it and I WILL do it again!! Any tips would be appreciated.

GT... I love your complete and utter determination... you really are a motivator, not just for me but for a load of others too... I seem to be having fits and starts on the ole energy front. I think it is stress related as I am going through another stressful period in work...grrrr... but I am going boxing tomorrow night... I need to get rid of this frustration!

Dorrie, I honestly believe that walking is one of the best all round exercises, it works on sooooo many levels... good for you for getting out there!

Meg, each time I see your ticker, you are going more and more below your goal... my friend, what is the secret...lol... I love the idea of chucking my scales off a very tall building and watching the bloody thing shatter... I know I am a scale *****, I can't help it! The good thing is now though, is that I don't let the numbers effect my mood anymore, not like 6mths ago! I am starting to think that I have landed... that this is where I am supposed to be! Dunno....

Ladies, lets keep going... I really think I would have gone mad before now if it wasn't for this thread, forum and the lovely, lovely sleeve friends that I have on here... honestly, you lot really do cheer me up! THANK YOU x

Hey Coops:

My goal was kind of high, remember--it was hard to know what to choose as a goal, since my dietician had me at 212 (!), and my surgeon didn't give me a goal, and I'm 6'2", so I'm off the typical charts for "ideal weight" types of things--although happily the BMI calculator does go there! So 190 was my selection, not a "scientifically chosen" goal--it's probably way too high for a REAL goal. So my ticker is probably really deceptive. At any rate, I'm at 185, just dropped a size to a definite size 12 in pants--YAY--although I haven't lost any additional weight, go figure. I've stopped trying to predict how my body is going to behave and am just living. I think I'm continuing to lose weight because my sleeve still doesn't let me eat all that much at one time, still doesn't let me eat a lot of fatty foods or sweets (although some are okay), and is basically doing what I hoped it would.

We'll see how it goes. I'm definitely not to the "too thin" stage, not by a LONG SHOT, at size 12, and I'm feeling comfortable. If it keeps dropping a bit, great; if not, great. :-)

vacation in NOLA

Hi Meg, im in Lafayette right now for a few days... going to make a bunch of day trips around the 90. Not finding much Protein I can eat out, but brought Protein Bars and am buying muscle milk lites to supplement with. Walking TONS. Was in NO a few days, beautiful weather so walking around the Garden district, French Quarter, Frenchmans, Warehouse district... went to the Heritage fest a couple of days and walked and walked and danced a bunch. We will be back on friday for another day at the fest. I will post with details. I am having a blast, and would love to visit... I will see how it goes, traveling with the hubby, mom in law and sister in law. Very nice folks and easy going as a rule. I fly out Saturday.

Hi Meg' date=' im in Lafayette right now for a few days... going to make a bunch of day trips around the 90. Not finding much Protein I can eat out, but brought Protein Bars and am buying muscle milk lites to supplement with. Walking TONS. Was in NO a few days, beautiful weather so walking around the Garden district, French Quarter, Frenchmans, Warehouse district... went to the Heritage fest a couple of days and walked and walked and danced a bunch. We will be back on friday for another day at the fest. I will post with details. I am having a blast, and would love to visit... I will see how it goes, traveling with the hubby, mom in law and sister in law. Very nice folks and easy going as a rule. I fly out Saturday.[/quote']

How is it this year? I always like Festival International. I havent been in 5 years cause of work.

FYE, are you talking about going to Jazz Fest? It's a BLAST! If you're coming to town on Friday, definitely let me know--maybe we can just meet up and say hi. I'll be at work (teaching uptown New Orleans) on Friday afternoon and can easily get away for a quick cuppa. :-) At any rate, enjoy the Fest and the great music!

Here's a link to the food offerings at Jazz Fest so you can try to plan some vegetarian protein--looks like there are a FEW offerings but it's definitely challenging for veggies! http://www.nojazzfest.com/food/food-list-2012.php

Go Lila! You will get there! We are all in this journey together.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I do believe we will all get there eventually. Perseverance is the key! You guys really help to keep me going! I agree with Coops, I'd be batty without this fine group of incredibly supportive folks!

Went to my third crossfit class last night, am in excruciating pain but am also thoroughly satisfied. It was effing DIFFICULT and I was capable! I learned how to jump rope "singles", like you see boxers do, I did burpees - throw you body onto the ground into a push up, pop into a squat position and then jump up and clap and then do it all over again. And, for the first time since I was 12, did a handstand! That was a true moment of realization for me - I could do a handstand and I did not crumple beneath my weight, in fact I did several! I could not have done so 2 years ago.

At the end of the work out we took weight bars and laid them across the tops of our thigh muscles and slowly rolled them down the muscle. %&*#!! blindingly painful, but good. I was so sore from Monday's crossfit I didn't think I could do last night's but I did, and I'm going back Friday!

GT!!!! That's sooooooooooo awesome! I am impressed. I really hope to be that allover fit someday. I am a good runner, but I have no upper body strength, and I can't even do much by way of sit-ups! You rock! Keep us posted on the changes you go through!