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...

Happy thirdvesary Coops cant wait to see myself three years from now.

Coops it sounds like you had a pretty good time.....

Welcome back and CONGRATS on your 3 year mark.......

I can't believe it's been 3 years for you....

Congratulations on 3 years!! And it sounds like you had an amazing time on your vacation!

Thanks ladies... I can't believe how fast the three years have gone. I honestly thought I would be rocking my goal weight by now.. or at least under 140lbs but alias the fight continues!

Thanks ladies... I can't believe how fast the three years have gone. I honestly thought I would be rocking my goal weight by now.. or at least under 140lbs but alias the fight continues!

Welcome to Year Three! I'm almost one month in (10th) glad you had a good trip and welcome back! Truly a "ho hum" day for me. Very uneventful except the hubs and I wen to see "Now you see me" at the movies. Just finished my exercises and my food for the day. Glad this day is close to ending. I stuck it out and did my "2" day but I sure wanted to eat ice cream! Ha! On another note, I had 2TB PB2 chocolate on a plain rice cake for a 80 cal snack. Yu um!!

Welcome back Coops! Georgia, looks like you're making great progress with 5:2 - congrats!

OMG! I could actually cry ... when I weighed yesterday morning I had put 6lbs on... that is a pound a day! I was so angry, frustrated and upset with myself. I thought about the week away and there is NO WAY have I eaten enough to gain that much in such a small space of time. I didn't gain that much when I went on holiday for two weeks, all inclusive last year.

My tummy is super swollen again too and quite tender - not sure why as I didn't exactly 'hit the gym' in Spain. Although, I did a lot of walking, a bit of swimming and lugging around heavy bags - perhaps that did it?

I had planned to fast yesterday but I didn't - not sure if the number on the scale threw me off course. I didn't go mad but I did have 4 small sweeties that were left in work at around 11am, and that sorta put the tone for the day down. lunch was better; two chicken legs with salad. Tea was good; pork chop and stir fry. But I grazed on pork rinds. My cals wouldn't of been too high but I just felt so disheartened that I couldn't resist the chocolate! It really isn't like me...once I set my mind to something I normally do it.

I weighed again this morning and I am down 3 of those 6! So I am hoping it is Water retention - my legs and ankles felt really tight yesterday too.

I am starting to feel frustration and that sense of desperation again and I don't like it. Perhaps I should just lick my wounds over the weekend and refocus next week? *sighs*

I'm also starting to feel 'fat' again and I really don't like that either. It is such a horrible feeling and one that I thought I had overcome...

and so the battle continues!

Coops,

I know how you feel, I had a complete emotional breakdown 2 days after coming home from vacation. I don't know if it was withdraws from the foods I had been eating or exhaustion. Or the fact that food eating.. not eating.. wanting to eat.... Plays such a MAJOR role in our lives still..

I know you and I have shy bowels on vacation..

Perhaps that's why your stomach is so swollen?

I can say I pushed my Water intake a lot when I got home to flush everything out. I got a 32oz bottle and drained it 31/2 times daily. So never underestimate the power of water.

Hang in there, I'm sure it will even out in a few days!

OMG! I could actually cry ... when I weighed yesterday morning I had put 6lbs on... that is a pound a day! I was so angry, frustrated and upset with myself. I thought about the week away and there is NO WAY have I eaten enough to gain that much in such a small space of time. I didn't gain that much when I went on holiday for two weeks, all inclusive last year.

My tummy is super swollen again too and quite tender - not sure why as I didn't exactly 'hit the gym' in Spain. Although, I did a lot of walking, a bit of swimming and lugging around heavy bags - perhaps that did it?

I had planned to fast yesterday but I didn't - not sure if the number on the scale threw me off course. I didn't go mad but I did have 4 small sweeties that were left in work at around 11am, and that sorta put the tone for the day down. lunch was better; two chicken legs with salad. Tea was good; pork chop and stir fry. But I grazed on pork rinds. My cals wouldn't of been too high but I just felt so disheartened that I couldn't resist the chocolate! It really isn't like me...once I set my mind to something I normally do it.

I weighed again this morning and I am down 3 of those 6! So I am hoping it is Water retention - my legs and ankles felt really tight yesterday too.

I am starting to feel frustration and that sense of desperation again and I don't like it. Perhaps I should just lick my wounds over the weekend and refocus next week? *sighs*

I'm also starting to feel 'fat' again and I really don't like that either. It is such a horrible feeling and one that I thought I had overcome...

and so the battle continues!

Coops so sad that your going through this right now......I'm am also a little relieved to hear that 3lbs of it was Fluid retention. The other 3 lbs will come off quickly but meanwhile it is hard emotionally and I too have the fat lady syndrome come up when my scale fluctuates. My dam scale teased me the other day and said I weighed in at 137.2 lbs. I got on a third time and then reality showed up, I weighed 145.2 lbs. for a while. I realize that I'm never going to be happy with the # on the scale. I know this is different for everybody. This is a hard struggle. I am taking the weekend and eating regular where I eat high Protein and veggies. this is my rest period..... Monday and Wednesday I will fast. I haven't fasted yet and kept it at 500 though, I seem to hit 600 calories and I still loose. It's working for me so far.... I believe you have 3 more lbs of water retention and it will come off really soon..........

OMG! I could actually cry ... when I weighed yesterday morning I had put 6lbs on... that is a pound a day! I was so angry' date=' frustrated and upset with myself. I thought about the week away and there is NO WAY have I eaten enough to gain that much in such a small space of time. I didn't gain that much when I went on holiday for two weeks, all inclusive last year.

My tummy is super swollen again too and quite tender - not sure why as I didn't exactly 'hit the gym' in Spain. Although, I did a lot of walking, a bit of swimming and lugging around heavy bags - perhaps that did it?

I had planned to fast yesterday but I didn't - not sure if the number on the scale threw me off course. I didn't go mad but I did have 4 small sweeties that were left in work at around 11am, and that sorta put the tone for the day down. lunch was better; two chicken legs with salad. Tea was good; pork chop and stir fry. But I grazed on pork rinds. My cals wouldn't of been too high but I just felt so disheartened that I couldn't resist the chocolate! It really isn't like me...once I set my mind to something I normally do it.

I weighed again this morning and I am down 3 of those 6! So I am hoping it is Water retention - my legs and ankles felt really tight yesterday too.

I am starting to feel frustration and that sense of desperation again and I don't like it. Perhaps I should just lick my wounds over the weekend and refocus next week? *sighs*

I'm also starting to feel 'fat' again and I really don't like that either. It is such a horrible feeling and one that I thought I had overcome...

and so the battle continues![/quote']

Don't worry, when all that um, poop, comes out and you are back on a schedule your body will respond and lose the extra three. I feel sure. Was talking to a friend who is "normal". Lol. She was complaining that she went on a weekend trip and when she weighed was two lbs up in two days with normal eating! It happens to everyone. Body chemistry. Take courage. All is well.

Don't worry' date=' when all that um, poop, comes out [/quote']

Haha!

I was going to tell her she was probably just full of **** (I know I was) but it just didn't sound right any way I wrote it

Haha!

I was going to tell her she was probably just full of **** (I know I was) but it just didn't sound right any way I wrote it

Bahahaha! Love it.

I'm always full of sh*t!! :ph34r:

Nothing stays the same. Don't be upset when things change. Just stick with your plan, drink lots of water, apply new nail polish to your toenails, hug someone (really, hug yourself!) ....fake it till you make it. Deep breath girls! ...and coop, Wheres your picture!? MIss it....

OMG! I could actually cry ... when I weighed yesterday morning I had put 6lbs on... that is a pound a day! I was so angry, frustrated and upset with myself. I thought about the week away and there is NO WAY have I eaten enough to gain that much in such a small space of time. I didn't gain that much when I went on holiday for two weeks, all inclusive last year.

My tummy is super swollen again too and quite tender - not sure why as I didn't exactly 'hit the gym' in Spain. Although, I did a lot of walking, a bit of swimming and lugging around heavy bags - perhaps that did it?

I had planned to fast yesterday but I didn't - not sure if the number on the scale threw me off course. I didn't go mad but I did have 4 small sweeties that were left in work at around 11am, and that sorta put the tone for the day down. lunch was better; two chicken legs with salad. Tea was good; pork chop and stir fry. But I grazed on pork rinds. My cals wouldn't of been too high but I just felt so disheartened that I couldn't resist the chocolate! It really isn't like me...once I set my mind to something I normally do it.

I weighed again this morning and I am down 3 of those 6! So I am hoping it is Water retention - my legs and ankles felt really tight yesterday too.

I am starting to feel frustration and that sense of desperation again and I don't like it. Perhaps I should just lick my wounds over the weekend and refocus next week? *sighs*

I'm also starting to feel 'fat' again and I really don't like that either. It is such a horrible feeling and one that I thought I had overcome...

and so the battle continues!

Oh coops, I am totally feeling you on this one. I was just on the 5:2 thread moaning about my sad state of mind. I hate that feeling of being down and discouraged by the GD scales. I have been feeling so fat lately too, especially through the midsection. What is UP with my stomach area?!? Oy, bodies and their stresses... Nevermind, though -- we will pick up the fasting again in the week and we will both do just swell!! {{{hugs}}}