I am desperate to get to goal. I am 15 months post op and haven't lost anything since MAY!! I'm so frustrated. I've tried eveyrthing. I've gone back to basics, the 5 day pouch test, the 5.2 diet. I lose 5 pounds and it comes back on. I walk 4 times per week and I can't do much more because I have 8 bulging disc in my neck and back, also stenosis, and many other issues with my spine as well. I have been blessed to lose 126 pounds. I really want to get to 154 to be a normal weight. I never thought it would be this hard to lose this last bit. I'm so frustrated!!!!!! UGH! Should I just go on a liquid fast for 2 weeks? Should I eat 1200 calories a day or 1000 or what? I've read that if I don't eat enough, I won't lose. If I eat too much I won't lose. What do I do?? Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful! I am. I know I've come a long way. If any of you have any advice for me, please help!!!

Thank you for sharing this. I have researched the 5.2 diet. On your feast days' date=' do you eat just 1200 calories or more? I'm wondering because the book says 2000. I don't think we can eat that much. [/quote']

1200. I can't eat more than that and not gain at my weight now. Most sleevers doing 5:2 are not eating anywhere near 2000. Most in the 13-1700 range or less.

You've got some great advice, i also recommend weighing your food with a food scale to get an accurate take on portion size.

Lynda

First, you look great girl. I also have a BMI goal (the very top, which is 169 for my height, '5"9") I am currently 175.6. Getting close. I would not eat in a way to lose that you can't sustain over the long run. Do MFP, maybe a fitbit to track exercise. The 5:2 helped me get almost 16 pounds off. Its a plan I can live with forever. I eat 12-1600 cals of normal food on feast days, 550 on fast days, I do track, and will always have to do that. Exercise 4+ days a week... to control my shape more than my weight.

First, you look great girl. I also have a BMI goal (the very top, which is 169 for my height, '5"9") I am currently 175.6. Getting close. I would not eat in a way to lose that you can't sustain over the long run. Do MFP, maybe a fitbit to track exercise. The 5:2 helped me get almost 16 pounds off. Its a plan I can live with forever. I eat 12-1600 cals of normal food on feast days, 550 on fast days, I do track, and will always have to do that. Exercise 4+ days a week... to control my shape more than my weight.

Thank you so much! I'm definately trying this 5.2 diet again starting fasting on Monday and Thursday. I hope it works for me. I will keep my calories under 1500 on feast days and see how it works. Once I do this for a couple of weeks, I would like to join the vets group on here for the 5.2 diet plan.

Thank you for all of your support!

First, you look great girl. I also have a BMI goal (the very top, which is 169 for my height, '5"9") I am currently 175.6. Getting close. I would not eat in a way to lose that you can't sustain over the long run. Do MFP, maybe a fitbit to track exercise. The 5:2 helped me get almost 16 pounds off. Its a plan I can live with forever. I eat 12-1600 cals of normal food on feast days, 550 on fast days, I do track, and will always have to do that. Exercise 4+ days a week... to control my shape more than my weight.

Oh and I do use myfitnesspal! It really helps keep things in perspective for me! I love it.

I did not know that caffeine can mess with one's insulin levels - I love my Starbucks 2 pump vanilla lattes - perhaps I should switch to decaf. I usually do 2% milk rather than skim, I think a little fat is a good thing - lord knows the fat is low with the rest of the stuff I eat/drink. Heck maybe I should just switch to plain herbal tea and keep the lattes as an occasional treat. Not sure about you guys but I have a whole lot of skin to deal with (with plenty of padding left in it lol.) It has got to be at least 10 lbs. I'm guessing. I am just going to keep up the good habits - maybe someday I can have the last bits cut off and I will be at that 'magic upper range of healthy BMI haha.

Oh and I do use myfitnesspal! It really helps keep things in perspective for me! I love it.

5:2 is not a quick fix for most, and you are so close to goal, it may take a while. Keep in mind that the long term health benefits of 5:2 are the main thing.

Well, I hope it helps the scale move at least a little. I have a lot of skin as well. I know if I could have it taken off I would probably be at goal!

Lisa you look absolutely stunning, and I know this isn't *just* about your looks. I have no problem with you wanting to reach goal and I totally understand your frustration and anger at the scale not moving.

But I just want to encourage you to not put a time-limit on yourself. You're only 15 months post-op and while it's great to be able to say "I made goal in 6 months, or 1 year," etc. it really does take some time.

Also be realistic. What will losing the last -12lbs do for you? I get that it will give you a BMI of 25. What else? Will it give you a new clothing size? Will change or alter a medication that you are on? I guess what I'm saying is what exactly will you get out of the next -12lbs. And then when you get there will it be a struggle to stay there?

Please do not misunderstand me because we all struggle with this to some degree,we all have our own goals and I'm not telling you to NOT have this goal... but honestly if there is not some amazing reason to reach that weight then why not enjoy all of your success and Celebrate the new slimmer you.

Don't fret, and have patience, we are all in this for the long haul!

_{That is right - we will get there eventually! My hubby and I did hit Barnes and Noble for a yummy skinny latte and I picked up Michael Mosely's book - I know there is another 5:2 by another gal but I will start with his. Think I will watch the documentary again tonight (have it saved on the DVR). and I will give the 5:2 a whirl starting Monday 9/9 - you 5:2 folks have had such inspiring success!}

We started at the same weight and I also had my surgery in May 2012. I am a couple of inches taller though. You have done incredibly well and look smokin hot!

The last few kilos for me have been mighty s l o w. for a couple of months I began to think maybe this was it for me, maybe I was just meant to be overweight. Then out of the blue the scale started moving again after a few months of nada. I am close to goal and know it is going to be slow. I am not going to do anything drastic though, just stick to plan, keep moving, keep tracking, and keep mindful. I want to be at goal by Christmas but if I am not, then so be it. It may be close enough to feel as though I can touch it, but I just can't obsess or it will take over my life which isn't normal or healthy. And I want to to be normal and healthy!

The number on the scale doesn't drive me, it is the BMI that drives me. I want to be in normal range. I know that with the skin issues I have on my belly I will be in the high end of the normal range but I can live with that, that is my immediate goal. I will get the skin off one day (my surgeon says wait until 2 years out before plastics) and I am sure that will make the final difference and get me to the middle of the normal range, the ultimate goal!

I definately won't give up. The numbers do drive me. I'm the kind of person unfortunately where it is all or nothing. I am happy about my accomplishments. I want that normal BMI though. My ultimate goal is 150. At 154 I will be a normal BMI barely. I just have worked so hard as we all have and I won't settle for less! Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions and advice. I appreciate it so much!

So inspired that I actually put a real pic up rather than the cartoon head I have been sporting for the last few years lol.

So inspired that I actually put a real pic up rather than the cartoon head I have been sporting for the last few years lol.

CUTE!!!

Firstly let me say, you look great.

I didn't read the entire thread, so forgive me if this has already been suggested, but, are you eating enough?

If you are still you are still trying to lose weight by restricting caloric intake & exercise, then you are going to call me crazy.

At this point in the game , your body has adapted to surviving on low calories. You need to calculate your base metabolic rate & add your caloric burn to it. Then bring your caloric intake up to at least that number for about a month. This will convince your body that it is being well nourished & it will quit holding tightly to fat stores. Then you can go back yo the pouch test or any other calorie restrictive diet you choose. You'll notice that then & only then will your body release the fat stores. If you don't reach your goal in 2-3 weeks bring your calories back up and repeat the cycle.