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...

Last night I went out with my family to dinner and order very well. Outback brought the bread I used to love and I allowed myself to have a very tiny piece and it really tasted awful....I ordered a cadillac margarita and was surprised because I could actually drink it. I ordered a steak dinner dinner and ate a very small amount of the steak and a bite of veggies. I looked down at my stomach and I thought wow, where did my body go, it is really small.......Surprise, I'm skinny.....After dinner I started feeling like my stomach was getting bigger. I felt bloated. I was bloated. Then my head gets wrapped up in all the loose skin I have and I feel fat again. I even see my stomach as fat too. I really can not have a margarita. My fat thoughts take over. I need a TT and a face lift with arm, thigh, and back makeover. Gesh, I have a lot of work to do.... today I've lost 1 lb from yesterday. Not sure where my emotions are with this these days.

Maybe it is something in the air because my emotions and that old feeling of feeling like the fatest person in the room has reared its ugly head in a big way lately. Maybe it is all the crappy food I have been eating on my non-fast days that are messing with my mental state, who knows.

Well, I licked my wounds as I said I would over the weekend - I didn't not turn to food though..lol

Today was a fast day and it went really well... and I managed to get lots of Water in which, is a bonus.

I've lost 4 of the 6 pounds and I am hoping to see the other two go really soon... I feel a lot more in control today and I have to say that the fast day was easy today! I also went to Curves and kicked butt!

What I am starting to realise, and it has taken me this long, is that on the feed days, I still have to be vigilant and aware of what I am eating... I might go back to tracking in a week or so if I don't see movement on the scales.

Here's a NSV for you... at the moment we are having a lot of hot weather - 28+ degrees... very unusual! Anyway, I was sat in my garden yesterday soaking up the rays, and I realised that I wasn't sweating like a fool... this time 3 years ago I would of been a hot mess of sweat and blubber!

Then today, in the same heat we had sports day in school... we had to walk the pupils to the field -about 20 mins - and guess what... no sweat! I sat and watched the field events - no sweat. I walked back to school - no sweat!

OMG! It felt so good to be in the heat without melting like a chocolate fireguard.. result!

Hope everyone else is feeling better!

Oh, and as a side note... I had to buy a dress for our prom which, is Thursday. I tried a UK14 on and I thought it looked ok... the sales assisstant came up to me and told me how lovely it looked, but it would look better if it was the right size! She brought back a 12 and it fitted like a glove! Another NSV for the books! If i get some good pics I will post them for you x

Oh' date=' and as a side note... I had to buy a dress for our prom which, is Thursday. I tried a UK14 on and I thought it looked ok... the sales assisstant came up to me and told me how lovely it looked, but it would look better if it was the right size! She brought back a 12 and it fitted like a glove! Another NSV for the books! If i get some good pics I will post them for you x[/quote']

Whoo hoo!!! Way to go, Coops!!!!

Oh, and as a side note... I had to buy a dress for our prom which, is Thursday. I tried a UK14 on and I thought it looked ok... the sales assisstant came up to me and told me how lovely it looked, but it would look better if it was the right size! She brought back a 12 and it fitted like a glove! Another NSV for the books! If i get some good pics I will post them for you x

So I had to look up what the conversion would be, and here you would be rocking a size 8! I am not sure where you are seeing that you think you are so big, but you look fantastic to me!

I hate the ugly thoughts. I still get them even at my ideal goal weight. I have to remind myself: What would I say to my best friend?

Coops a size 8? That's totally awesome! I love your fun pic too!

Coop. Coop. Coop! Size 8 is small! I have never gotten below a 12 (USA size) I know Im taller than you but you are doing so well! I will not be an 8 when I reach goal, I will be a 10 or 12. I remember when your ticker was only half the way across to goal... look at yourself now, and never forget how far you have come girl! I want a pic!

A size 8??? Coops you've been holding out on us! That's a dream size for me!

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your tiny body in your tiny dress!!

So I had to look up what the conversion would be' date=' and here you would be rocking a size 8! I am not sure where you are seeing that you think you are so big, but you look fantastic to me![/quote']

It might actually be smaller than an 8. My experience with UK and Aus sizing is both can be anywhere from 2-4 sizes different than ours and even my skinny size 0-4 American sized friends experienced this

It might actually be smaller than an 8. My experience with UK and Aus sizing is both can be anywhere from 2-4 sizes different than ours and even my skinny size 0-4 American sized friends experienced this <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Does that mean that Coops is in a smaller size than here? Simply amazing! Way to go Coops!

the size differences is nut! My original goal size was UK12! It might sound 'small' but I promise you I am not small! There is still weight to go!

BUT - thanks for all the lovely comments, made my morning! Oh and I've lost those pesky extra 2 Spanish pounds ... back to 164.. need to see 160 again now!

Scale down 1 1/2 pounds this morning. I wrote a longish missive on my feelings about that, then decided to delete.

I am happy about it, but flummoxed by why. Is it the lower calories? Is it the "repair" going on? Is it the fluctuation of the intake of fuel? Is it eating lower carb two days a week? Glad to have it work, would really like to know why.

I am wondering if around 145 lbs is my norm weight. My body just seems to want to stay at this weight. I get down to 143 to 144 periodically and then I shoot right back up. Is it water weight? I know that I am medium to large bone frame so perhaps this is where I should be? My caloric intake sits at about 1100 to 1300 on a daily basis, except when I fast. Then I can't get less than 600, but I'm still losing some, only to fluctuate back up. Frustrating at times.

FYE I also have those thoughts too. I would really like to know the reason this plan works so well.... But on a happier note, i remind myself that as long as it's helping shift the weight, then the reasons don't really matter. JMO

Hang in there everyone, I'm changing my ticker to 145 lbs now and that means I'm at goal for sure. Maybe tomorrow I might change it but I will still be working on losing a lb here and there and staying where I need to be.