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...

That's all I've done for 12 hour stretch is - dinner to breakfast (say, 7pm to 9-10 am next day!) Working for me so far. And I'm so busy today, I haven't had time to even think much about the fact that I'm not ALLOWED to eat! lol I ate my SF oatmeal at 10, 2% string cheese at 1:30 and thats all time dinner.

Thank god for a snack!! You know I think the hardest part for me will not be eating at night. Just like before my surgery that is the witching hours for me! I can eat hardly anything all day and then I want that nighttime comfort..

So for that alone (stopping at 6 or 7) it will be a good thing for me

I have horrible planning; I just calculated my calories and i have 200 calories left for dinner........Not good.....

I have horrible planning; I just calculated my calories and i have 200 calories left for dinner........Not good.....

What's wrong with that??

_{you can still have lots of food! chicken breast, green beans (lots since 1/2 is only 20 calories) fresh veggies, a slice of cheese.. fill up on veggies and 3-4 oz meat and you will still be under 200 I think!}

Do you mean after you eat dinner??

So, it is 8.20 pm and I've just had my evening meal!

Logging in at 505 cals, not too shoddy!

I've allowed myself 4 cups of tea/coffee with semi skimmed milk and 1 small brown sugar.

I had porridge with S/S milk at lunch at 1.15pm

For my evening meal, I had frozen berries and (115g) and low fat pro biotic yogurt (100g).

I have also drunk 1 1/2 liters of Water so far, which for me is a miracle! But I just kept sipping throughout the day.

I have to admit, it wasn't too bad and is certainly manageable, just gotta be organised and make the right food choices!

I went to Curves straight from work... and glad that I did cos I've had a really crappy day and if I had come home, I know I would have gone straight to the cupboard and got a handful of nuts!

Gotta say, I am sooo pleased that we are doing this together, it is a great feeling to know that there is someone there 'on the other side' waiting for the updates!

Thanks girls...

Yaaayyyyy, Coops! One down!

Oh and I've saved my last cuppa for about 9pm tonight, so that means I won't eat until the min of 11am tomo, another 12 hr gap without eating, but I will probably have a morning coffee before then!

I like the thought of the 12 hours whilst I sleep!

For me so far had 1 egg white and 2 oz oh ham. 1 cup of coffee with 2 nutra sweet and 1/8th of a cup of half and half. 32oz un sweet tea. Not sure on calories yet.

I think my stomach just growled.... 0.0

I ran/walked on the treadmill today and it always makes me hungry afterwards... Good thing I get a snack!!!

What's wrong with that??

It feels like that is just not enough.....

Hummmmmm, is that my sticken thinkin going on?

Time to kick by behind and think smaller portions.

I can do this.

It feels like that is just not enough.....

Hummmmmm' date=' is that my sticken thinkin going on?

Time to kick by behind and think smaller portions.

I can do this. [/quote']

There you go! Like NannieG said you can get a lot of meat and veg for 200 calories!

So far so good. Im sticking to plan, just found this forum for 2:5 folks... here is the FAQ section.... http://www.52fastdiet.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=246#faq1

Thank god for a snack!! You know I think the hardest part for me will not be eating at night. Just like before my surgery that is the witching hours for me! I can eat hardly anything all day and then I want that nighttime comfort..

So for that alone (stopping at 6 or 7) it will be a good thing for me

I am with you Laura-Ven!! My evening snacking is hard to cut, nighttime is my witching hour too. That started way before I had the surgery!!! I did great today so far though. I ate eggs for breakfast(140), fish and a little bit of chicken(160) for lunch and dinner is chicken and veggies(200). Thought this would be a lot harder for me, but every time I started wanting to eat without thinking I just remembered that this is for 1 day and I can do is. It was also great to know i wasn't alone with this today and i wanted to be accountable to the group for actually following the plan. It does feel good to exercise some self control lol. I also went for a 4 mile run this morning and feel great only eating so few calories today!!! I will be done eating by 7pm and then nothing for 12 hours. Thanks Nannie for the information!!!