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...

at the end of my second fast day... not too bad, had my frozen fruit as planned but I needed something 'warm' ... so I had a cuppa soup! Not very primal but it did the trick, too me over though, about 600 cals, so I ain't gonna sweat it!

fYI, is it kinda weird how you really do feel the restriction a lot more so the old DIET trick of shrinking your stomach works! Lol. And ours is already shrunk!

Coops and Ms Skinniness, way to go.

Laura-Ven, I'm ordering the Magic Pops!!!

Coops so sorry you had this experience but I wish I had this experience when eating breads. I haven't eaten Pasta yet.....That will help detour you next time.... Looking good...Nanny G! 7 lbs is fantastic! I have also lost about 3 lbs and didn't completely follow through on Tuesday. So Thank you so much for sharing this......

Ms Skin, are you saying you have not eaten any pasta and a how far out are you from surgery? I'm impressed. I can't eat much pasta at all but I just discovered Lean Cuisine four cheese cannelloni and its just the right amount and now I crave red sauce! Ha!

And like you, I LONG for the days when bread made me ill. It's so funny how that happens. I would think bread would STILL get stuck! Nope!

Ms Skin, are you saying you have not eaten any Pasta and a how far out are you from surgery? I'm impressed. I can't eat much pasta at all but I just discovered Lean Cuisine four cheese cannelloni and its just the right amount and now I crave red sauce! Ha!

And like you, I LONG for the days when bread made me ill. It's so funny how that happens. I would think bread would STILL get stuck! Nope!

Yep NannyG, I haven't had any pasta's for the pasta 21 months......... Now bread is a different story..........

I am sad right now. The magic pop has corn in it. I am determined not to eat anything made with corn because the steer that are raised on grain are given corn to help fatten them up. So I work on eliminating all corn from my diet. Oh well, I hope you enjoy them, they sound tasty though.

Today wasn't too bad. I did feel really hungry around 1pm today but drank some water and it passed. Today was my two a day so I burned over 1000 calories today doing my morning and evening exercise and only consumed 600 cals for the day(I went over today, was hungry but made it a good protein choice!!!) congrats to all who made it through day 2 of reduced calorie eating! Lets try it again next week!!

NannieG I hope you like them! I put my low sodium lunch meat on them, tuna, hummus, you name it!

Ms skinniness that's sucks that you can't eat them. They really help when I want some crunch..

It's funny today I was grocery shopping which by the way was hard when your fasting!

There was a lady in the cracker isle she had all her kids reading the nutritional value on the "healthy" crackers and she was getting upset about all the carbs in them. I almost told her about the magic pops but my husband already thinks I'm crazy!! He would of thought I went off the deep end talking to a stranger at a grocery store about crackers .

Ok fasting almost done for the night just have a 200 calorie dinner to whip up. I'm a boring eater, as long as its food I'm good. So with that I will have a turkey burger with veggies.

Just finished dinner. Today not too hard... walked 2 miles without any problems, passed up the birthday cake, and its 6:45 pm. I do have a nagging voice asking me what I will do when I need to eat pudding later watching TV! (naughty little voice!) So the answer is... TOMORROW dear, tomorrow.

Was today your actual birthday? If so happy birthday!!

So the answer is... TOMORROW dear' date=' tomorrow.[/quote']

Yes! This is my favorite thing about this fasting thing. :-)

Did great today only got in 270 calories. Not eating again until avout 11:00am. I so hope the weight stays off. Happy Birthday FYE!!!

Omg I missed the birthday cake FYE! I am such a sugar addict. LOL HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

Is this thing on?? Anyone here? So I did great today, I had moments of hunger and grumpy moods but made it to 500 calories...

That is until 10 minutes ago when after fighting with a 17 year girl child about joining the national guard. I blew it and ate 5 Cheetos at 9pm ....

5 Cheetos is not that bad I just had 6 hot Cheetos LOL. Good job Laura.

5 Cheetos is not that bad I just had 6 hot Cheetos LOL. Good job Laura.

I heard spicy things rev up your metabolism!