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...

Well I had a fast day, anorm day, and today is a fast day. The morning after my first fast day I was down 3 pounds, this morning, up 3 lbs. Today I ate the white part of a boiled egg for breakfast, will drink hot tea/coffee/cold water throughout the day, then will have tuna salad for dinner. I've also decided to alternate my workout days, doing my cardio on norm days, at least at first. We'll see.

Sacramento California. Good luck ladies! I may drop into this plan... but still on the sidelines watching and cheering you on!

Going to have a protein shake for breakfast and will eat fish for dinner at around 7:30pm. Will drink a lot of fluids through out the day........Hope I can stick to it........

Going to have a Protein shake for breakfast and will eat fish for dinner at around 7:30pm. Will drink a lot of fluids through out the day........Hope I can stick to it........

I'm right there with you!

So I went to support last night and didn't get a chance to ask about this plan. There were a TON of newbies there who had LOTS of questions (not a bad thing) but just didn't get around to asking about this plan.

I am thinking that what my NUT *might* say is that this is great as long as you continue with it. I had previously asked her about the 5DPT (5 day pouch test...google if you don't know what I'm talking about) and she said it's fine to use it but what is NOT fine is doing it for 5 days then resuming with your regular eating. So even though I didn't get to ask about this plan I'm sure it would fall under that category.

I'm looking forward to hearing all about you guys trying this!!! Please keep posting and updating and maybe I will join you all at some point!

Sacramento California. Good luck ladies! I may drop into this plan... but still on the sidelines watching and cheering you on!

Same thing for me FYE!!

Oh and from Centennial Colorado...

I think the hardest thing for me is going to be spacing the food 12 hours apart. It's 8:06 in the morning and I haven't eat yet so if I eat at 9 I have to wait and eat at 9 at night???

>.<

Well, it's been a wild and wooly work day so far! 10:46 and I have JUST stopped to eat my oatmeal as I type furiously and work!! then I take a minute to open my emails and here's the devotional from today. Hmmm.

http://www.faithgateway.com/embrace-courageous-choices/?utm_source=devosdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=devosdaily20130611&spMailingID=41710386&spUserID=NTQ1MjkwNzExOTMS1&spJobID=191008220&spReportId=MTkxMDA4MjIwS0

NannieG dies that mean your not eating again until 10:45 tonight? Sorry I'm confused! I haven't eaten

I do my long stretch at night into morning -- so I go 18 hours without eating, only have coffee in the morning then have late lunch for 2 pm-ish, then dinner before 8 pm, that gives me another 12+ hours of fasting after the fast day too. My first day after fasting has been eating a lot so far, well not a LOT lot, but what feels like a lot after fasting. I get full faster already! I haven't lost any weight yet, but I dig the fasting thing so I'm sticking with it for a while yet.

I'm in Switzerland.

PS: Um, I'm having white wine, dark chocolate and organic British Cheddar for dinner. Bad?

I do my long stretch at night into morning -- so I go 18 hours without eating' date=' only have coffee in the morning then have late lunch for 2 pm-ish, then dinner before 8 pm, that gives me another 12+ hours of fasting after the fast day too. My first day after fasting has been eating a lot so far, well not a LOT lot, but what feels like a lot after fasting. I get full faster already! I haven't lost any weight yet, but I dig the fasting thing so I'm sticking with it for a while yet.

I'm in Switzerland.[/quote']

Thank you! I was getting so confused, I thought I had it figured out but then I confused myself! I get it now

I dont have the book yet....but I decided to go ahead and do the semi/fast day T and Ths.... I am eating my 500, then 12 hours till the next meal... I am spreading it out over 3 mini meals... dont know if I am cursing the effort by doing this... but thats how Im doing it.

1/2 c ff greek yogurt with 1/2 c blueberrys at 8:30 am

1/2 c plane oatmeal with 1/2 c blueberrys at 11:30 am

low carb veg lasagna w/cheese

Breakfast Calories Protein Fat Carbs Fiber Sodium

Country Barn - Old Fashioned Rolled Oats - Dry, 1/4 cup 70 3 1 14 2 0

Blueberries - Frozen, unsweetened, 0.5 cup, unthawed 40 0 0 9 2 1

Swiss Miss - Diet Hot chocolate 25 Calories, 1 packet 25 2 0 4 1 160

Add food Quick Tools 135 5 1 27 5 161

Snacks

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lunch

Trader Joes - Greek Style Yogurt Nonfat Plain, 0.5 Cup (227g) 60 11 0 4 0 35

Blueberries - Frozen, unsweetened, 0.5 cup, unthawed 40 0 0 9 2 1

Add Food Quick Tools 100 11 0 13 2 36

Snacks

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dinner

Sargento - Deli Style Reduced Fat Provolone Thin Slices 10 Ct cheese, 0.5 Slice 25 3 2 0 0 7

Morningstar Farms - Meal Starters - Grillers Recipe Crumbles, 0.3335 cup (55g) 40 5 1 3 2 115

Zuccini - Raw Zuccini Sliced, 1 cup (113g) 18 1 0 4 1 11

Sauce - Pasta, spaghetti/marinara, ready-to-serve, 0.25 cup 46 1 1 7 0 301

Trader Joe's - Fat Free Crumbled Feta Cheese, 1 oz (28g) 35 7 0 1 0 260

Generic - Kalamata Olives - Pitted, 5 olives 15g 45 0 5 1 0 130

Oil - Vegetable, canola, 0.5 tbsp 62 0 7 0 0 0

Add Food Quick Tools 271 17 16 16 3 887

Desert

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Totals 506 33 17 56 10 1,084

Your Daily Goal 1,402 52 46 192 16 2,500

Remaining 896 19 29 136 6 1,416

Calories Protein Fat Carbs Fiber Sodium

I am doing the same thing. I find myself getting grumpy because I can't eat for 12 hours so I'm hoping the 12 hours from dinner to breakfast will be enough of a break.

Today I had a protein shake for breakfast....

For lunch a Chobani Greek Yogurt....

dinner a protein shake

Sounds good guys.. I've had 2% Greek yogurt and 1/4 frozen blueberries for breakfast .

Oh and a packet of stevia so 170 calories..

Snack later will be low sodium turkey meat and a magic pop..