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...

Meg: Where's the unlady like message? LOL I love what you have said, it is so true. We are warriors! We are survivors! We need to eliminate the word "AFRAID." Lets conquer our fear and know that we can do anything we set our minds too. Yep! Let's do it!

GT: you are doing great considering all the sh** you've been going through. Moving out of your house is an emotional ordeal and you have done great with your diet! you are a go getter and what's coming around the corner for you will be bigger and better!

Coops: Thank you so much. I pretty much am at goal I guess, I just have a lot of excess skin folds around the belly and sides that makes me think I have more weight to lose. I really want to lose just a couple more pounds where my bounce doesn't go above 145lbs. By right now, I weighted 148.9 lbs today. I really can't picture any fat rolls on your back side either. Maybe that's the same as my front rolls. Yep that would bug! You will get there my friend. Today I am focusing on just being me. Funeral stuff is over, and family is behind me (meaning in-laws). It is kind of sad though.

Meg in my opinion that was the speech of a true lady, ever hear the speech Queen Elizabeth I gave her troops at Tillsbury? Thank you for your inspiring words, I might have to print them out and paste them over my bathroom mirror -when I get a bathroom!

gotta tell ya... I 'think' I've lost a pound..lol

I know that may sound weird, but I have seen 163... it has been sneaking in and out for a couple of weeks, but I didn't want to say anything just in case it was Water fluctuating... that was until now... I've seen it for a few days on the bounce now.

An all time low from Coops...163 yey me!!

I am sorta hoping now that I can get 10 15?... nearly 10 mths of bouncing all over the place from 164 - 169 and now I seem to be settled at 163! Phew!

Please let this be the end of the stall, and please let me lose, even slowly, til I get to at least my surgeon's goal and perhaps my goal????

Oh, and I've been released from physio, so I can now build my training back up... could this be a sign ...lol

OMG... look at my ticker... I am no longer OBESE!!! This has taken me over two years... but at last I can say that I am just overweight... wow!!!!

OMG... look at my ticker... I am no longer OBESE!!! This has taken me over two years... but at last I can say that I am just overweight... wow!!!!

Way. to. GOOOOOOO!!! Well done you. You have earned every ounce!!!

OMG... look at my ticker... I am no longer OBESE!!! This has taken me over two years... but at last I can say that I am just overweight... wow!!!!

Hurray hurray hurray!!!!!!!

gotta tell ya... I 'think' I've lost a pound..lol

I know that may sound weird' date=' but I have seen 163... it has been sneaking in and out for a couple of weeks, but I didn't want to say anything just in case it was Water fluctuating... that was until now... I've seen it for a few days on the bounce now.

An all time low from Coops...163 yey me!!

I am sorta hoping now that I can get 10 15?... nearly 10 mths of bouncing all over the place from 164 - 169 and now I seem to be settled at 163! Phew!

Please let this be the end of the stall, and please let me lose, even slowly, til I get to at least my surgeon's goal and perhaps my goal????

Oh, and I've been released from physio, so I can now build my training back up... could this be a sign ...lol[/quote']

I love this! CONGRATS! I'm dancing for u! Time to buy UK14's or smaller.

Woohoo!!! Go Coops!!

All right, COOPS! I think it's definitely a sign!! Run with it!

So cool Coops, I know how hard won that lost pound is!

I can relate to each and every word of your thread....I know how much struggle I have to do for each single pound lost.so count me in....I mthe BIGGEST SLOW LOSER!

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Momoslim... slow is good - slow means at that you/we are losing! I suppose I have learnt that I just gotta keep doing what I am doing... keep ticking the boxes 95% of the time and wait for my body to respond!

Just a quick holiday update... we are on countdown now! The kids and steve are really excited and I am up to my armpits in suitcases and holiday clothes. I'm writing list upon list of 'to do s' and 'to gets' even got a list within a list...lol

But I have had some light bulb moments whilst shopping for summer clothes for myself as my summer wardrobe is a little, well, shoddy! I needed some summer dresses etc. So, as I am shopping I am starting to 'see' my new size! I can now eyeball clothes as to whether they will fit or not and I have had great pleasure in saying stuff like 'oh no! That will be too big for me' *secret smiles!* So that has to be a nsv, right? ALL my new gear is a size UK14... no problems!

Also I have bought me two tankinis (couldn't find any swim suites in my size, so I kinda had now choice but to try them)... I always hoped that one day I would be able to wear one! The one is a size UK 14 top and bottom and the other is a UK 14 top but a UK12, yes I said 12 bottom!!!!! When I looked at the 14 I just knew they would be too big! The best thing about it is the way my daughter reacted... if I put something on that she doesn't like, she is quick to let me know... very straight to the point and I mostly thank her for her honesty! So, when she saw me in the new tankini she said 'Oh Mam, that looks nice! It suits you!', I nearly fell over! NSV number two!

Gotta tell ya, I am sorta walking on air at the moment and my confidence is coming back... and the scale is still sitting at 163!

Hope everyone else is doing well...