VST Family,

I need your help.

i was sleeved on September 14th, 2011 and it has been a challenging journey. I've learned alot about my inner person and realized that I had the determination I needed to make this process successful... That is until about 6 months ago. I lost my job and my complete train was knocked off the track. Even though I found another job, I'm not really happy with it and it is taking its toll on me emotionally, which has led to me eating like crap and wavering in my exercise routine. I feel terrible and like a failure and need some support to get back in the game. I have regained 10 lbs over the last 3 months and I'm just afraid that I dont have the extra strength in me to finish the journey. I have another 50 lbs to lose to get me to my goal. I'm so close. Helpful words of support desperately needed.

Thanks.

Hi go check out the new vets forum here there are lots of people further out that can relate to your struggles and are actively working together to meet goal

Might I also suggest the 5:2 thread it's working well for the girls that are 2 and three years out

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/83317-the-52-diet/

thanks 4 the suggestion!

You look amazing and have come so far! Life throws us horrible monkey wrenches but you have to stay strong! I lost both my parents in less than three years and that led to me putting on 60 pounds (Long with work travel) but it only made me that much more miserable. Food is never a fix and it's not a friend. You realize now that you are at a crossroads so make the turn that will get your weightless back on track. Don't let a job you don't like get control of you. You can do this!

Congratulations on your successful weight loss! Kaye Bailey has written a book called the 5 day pouch test that may help you get back on track. She also has a web site that is very supportive. You have be very successful losing weight... think of this as a dip in the road. Good luck to you! I look forward to reading about you reaching goal!

just posted an updated photo. here's where I started

YOU SHOULD really seek advice from a professional in your area. I believe that this is what has really helped me stay on track. I am only 6 months out and I don't feel like I could give you any advice at all. But I am feeling for you. You have come so far. Get to a support group in your area specifically for weight loss surgery. Find a behavior specialist, start a new exercise program like Zumba or something fun. Make a purposeful change to re-motivate you. It is all mental. You really can do this and get the train back on the track. You will get to you goal weight. Make it happen. Get excited about it and make it a priority. Keep us posted girl!

Omgsh, I'm sure I'm not the first and won't b the last to say this...YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!! How dare YOU allow that job or anything else put YOU bck to what made YOU get this surgery in the first place!! Idk you, or what issues are nagging at you but let Me say this as others have reminded you...YOU have done a gr8j thus far!! You are 2 years out almost, nd altho I'm not sleeved yet, I can say this w confidence in YOU, that bc uve been successful so far, u WILL continue to be successful!! Not to add anymore stress to you my friend, but we pre sleevers nd newbie sleevers are lookn to u vets to guide the way for us, you are y I chose this journey, nd ik if u succeed, I too will succeed. No pressure sweety;) but for real, find the real issue, n look at those b4 nd after pix to remind u of ur choice. Ur smile is amazing, so pray on it bc UK that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives us strength...girl, call on the master, He will Not forsake you, He loves u, and so do ur fellow sleevers nd those to be...me. Dee Dee

Pagie join us on the vet board. You are not alone! There are a number of us fighting to get either a few pounds or as many as fifty or sixty off. Some never met goal; some met goal and had regains.

You've done an awesome job and deserve to be proud of your success. And don't beat yourself up about regain. Ten pounds in three months? If I went totally off the rails I could gain ten pounds in a week. Our definitions of "off the rails" are probably different.

In any case, 5:2 is what a number of us are trying and it does seem to be working. I can say that it's almost exactly how I maintained before (I just had a baby a few months ago) and while those fast days can be challenging at first I think it's definitely an easier (but still sane) approach to kind of wean out of disordered eating and back into a structured program again. It's hard to go from doing what you want to being very strict again - but this approach has left me feeling satisfied (for the most part) and has been pretty easy to stick to.

In any case, you belong with the vets! And you can definitely do this and reach your goal if you get your head in the right place and focus.

~Cheri

What's 5:2?

I'm only 2 weeks out, so I'm not sure I can offer you any advice. However, losing a job is hard for anybody, sleeve or no sleeve. It's a major blow & it's super frustrating when you have to take a job that is less than what you had. Life blows come along for everyone sooner or later. Sounds like your sleeve journey showed you some strength & determination you didn't know you had. That's not gone...it might be misplaced right at the moment, but it's not gone. It's still in you. Good luck!

hey gang, thank u all for the kind words. u r so right. I can, and will, finish this race. I've recommitted to do that today! I'll keep u posted!

btw. I'm changing my profile photo, lol