Hi, veterans. I've not been a regular user of the forum for quite awhile. I'm back now, because I really need somewhere I can go for support in my weight loss journey. I had my surgery on 09/08/10 and lost close to 60 lbs in the first 8 months. The problem is that I cannot get below 153lbs, for the life of me. I have slacked off on exercise in the last few weeks, but have been a regular 5-day a week gal for the whole time otherwise. I've gotten fills, but should start thinking about going back for another.

I'm making an effort to eat less meat and am planning to cut way back on sugary foods. I don't drink soda. I do drink coffee, but not every day and usually only one cup, when I do.

I am on full thyroid replacement medication. I think that probably has something to do with it. I think it also could be how my body handles sugar (see above comment); Although I am not diabetic, it runs in my family.

I struggle with my body image, even though I can still wear the smallest clothes from my lowest weight (after the close to 60lbs). I am a size 10, but would like to be a size 6 or a size 8. All I know, is that I am not happy with how I look. It doesn't help that I've been divorced for just over 2 years and have no dates. No interest at all; None. So, I'm hoping that there are forum members that I can keep in contact with for support.

i am not a veteran but can offer you some advice. don't cut down on your meat, or Protein. that is what fills us up so we don't eat all the rest of the stuff. make sure you are taking the supplements. i really wanted to talk about you single status. when i got a divorce i was at a normal weight so had no reason not to date, but i had a toddler. i watched my friends bring men in and out of the kids lifes'. i didn't want that for my daughter. so for 7 years i didn't date. i wasn't even asked out. but it was all to my stand offish attitude. i wasn't approachable. as soon as i said okay now its time for you, its time to date i was asked out constantly and was married within a year. that was 28 years ago and i am still married to the man. so perhaps you are putting out those signals. make yourself available, turn on the charms and i bet someone will ask you out. and if they don't than you ask someone out. good luck. the veterans are around. it's the weekend.

I agree with Terry re: single. I have a friend divorced for 7 years...no weight problem but her attitude exuded from her even when she didn't realize it...it told people she was NOT interested. As soon as she said to me that she was ready to 'consider' dating she got asked out within the month. No kidding. I think our attitude and the way we feel about ourselves is broadcasted to other people. A size 10 is a GREAT size! Work on the inside and see what happens. And yes, keep the Protein, even up it, and cut out sugary Snacks. Good luck to you.

Hi, my own daughte rhas the same problem as you. She has been 190 when she had her band(at 4'9"), and has been to size 12 and about 150. she has not been able to get past that either. i feel for you, but can't give much advice. she did have a nutritionist study. She needs ot exercise more, maybe that would help you, too! Best wishes, Karen..aka.kll724

Do you keep a journal and track every bite that goes in your mouth? Unfortunately, from the time I've been on this forum, what I've seen is, many of us reach our bodies comfort weight zone and stall. I think the only way to get below this zone is by religiously counting every calorie and adding a strong level of exercise to your routine. 1,000 calories a day in, and 300-500 calories burned(exercise), could lead to losing an extra 2-4 lbs a month.

But, it looks like this is similar to going back to the old ways of dieting and we all know how well that worked.

Motivation, attitude, morale, and opportunity for me all improve the harder I work at doing something, no matter how tiny it seems at first, to take control of my life

It was too easy for me to set around inventing reasons I was 'fail' in my life, until I took a step that seemed to break my unconscious fixation on being somehow a 'victim.

Doing just ONE thing a day lifted me from the mucky bottom of the Pit, and helped see that each daily step allows an ever increasing sensation of control over my own life.

At the depths of my despair, I told a friend 'each day is a s**t sandwhich and each day I take another bite'.....

Here's the payoff: She blinked her sweet brown ER nurse eyes and said (without a hesitation) "Have you tried taking a smaller bite?"

From that sparkling moment I was on the mend.

Hope we can do something here to help OP.....

work like you don't need to

love like you never been hurt

dance like no body's watching

wag more bark less

It all helped me.

Cheers on your journey.

Edited January 15, 201412 yr by Jack

I love the sayings Jack.. Wag More Bark Less is a good motto...Sometimes we are our own worst enemy... I try to read all of the positive post so I will stay positive.

Motivation, attitude, morale, and opportunity for me all improve the harder I work at doing something, no matter how tiny it seems at first, to take control of my life

It was too easy for me to set around inventing reasons I was 'fail' in my life, until I took a step that seemed to break my unconscious fixation on being somehow a 'victim.

Doing just ONE thing a day lifted me from the mucky bottom of the Pit, and helped see that each daily step allows an ever increasing sensation of control over my own life.

At the depths of my despair, I told a friend 'each day is a s**t sandwhich and each day I take another bite'.....

Here's the payoff: She blinked her sweet brown ER nurse eyes and said (without a hesitation) "Have you tried taking a smaller bite?"

From that sparkling moment I was on the mend.

Hope we can do something here to help OP.....

work like you don't need to

love like you never been hurt

dance like no body's watching

wag more bark less

It all helped me.

Cheers on your journey.

Jack what a brilliant post, love the sandwich analogy, that's exactly how I have been feeling. My NY resolution was 'Yes to positivity' and I am trying really hard to change my way of thinking, bit like CBT.

Jane x

Great posts ya'll very insiring

Great advice. Thank you! I'm making some progress with cutting back on sweets. Am cutting back on caffeine. Increasing Protein and will work on the counting calories.

Maybe I do give off 'a vibe'. I want to date now. I did meet a cute police officer today (I volunteer at my local pd, but met this one at an accident that I witnessed this afternoon). When I am out, I try to show a good attitude, but maybe I could do a better job. I try to look nice, when I go out or to work. I'm not a fancy dresser, by any stretch of imagination, but I try to look nice.

I'm going to go back on a protein drink/supplement plan for a few days and see if that helps kick things back into gear. My birthday is in early March. I'd like to lose 8-10 lbs by my birthday. I have a goal, which should be attainable. I just have to also keep up my exercising as well.

Thanks so much.

Should have reviewed my post before submitting. It sounds totally random. I was saying I want to date, but meant to add that it just hasn't happened.

Great advice. Thank you! I'm making some progress with cutting back on sweets. Am cutting back on caffeine. Increasing Protein and will work on the counting calories.

Maybe I do give off 'a vibe'. I want to date now. I did meet a cute police officer today (I volunteer at my local pd, but met this one at an accident that I witnessed this afternoon). When I am out, I try to show a good attitude, but maybe I could do a better job. I try to look nice, when I go out or to work. I'm not a fancy dresser, by any stretch of imagination, but I try to look nice.

I'm going to go back on a protein drink/supplement plan for a few days and see if that helps kick things back into gear. My birthday is in early March. I'd like to lose 8-10 lbs by my birthday. I have a goal, which should be attainable. I just have to also keep up my exercising as well.

Thanks so much.

Okay, so since the last time I had logged in, I went up to 159 (the high end of what I fluctuate at) and am now back to 155.2, since I did mostly liquid Protein this last week. Ate more regular this weekend. I'm concentrating on my portion sizes and I feel I am making better choices. I missed out at the gym most of last week, but that was because of my work schedule. I'll be back to it this week and will do high protein this week again also.

I've found I really like those little clementine oranges. They are a good little snack. They're so little that I snack on usually two at a time. But, I don't shovel them in, just enjoy slowly.

Okay, so since the last time I had logged in, I went up to 159 (the high end of what I fluctuate at) and am now back to 155.2, since I did mostly liquid Protein this last week. Ate more regular this weekend. I'm concentrating on my portion sizes and I feel I am making better choices. I missed out at the gym most of last week, but that was because of my work schedule. I'll be back to it this week and will do high protein this week again also.

I've found I really like those little clementine oranges. They are a good little snack. They're so little that I snack on usually two at a time. But, I don't shovel them in, just enjoy slowly.

Love those clementine mandarin oranges as well! Like. You, I take two at a time! My son loves them so much that I gave a box to him for Christmas. It's a nice juicy sweet treat.

All of the above dialogue was very encouraging. I have been away from this site for a while, but am back. I could use the lift from folks who understand. I have recommitted to the journey and am looking to the future in a more positive manner. I have had several ups and downs with fills/unfills, slippage and weight gain. My mind is on the mend, therefore I anticipate seeing better weight loss until I reach my goal! Thanks everybody for your comments!!

i am not a veteran but can offer you some advice. don't cut down on your meat, or Protein. that is what fills us up so we don't eat all the rest of the stuff. make sure you are taking the supplements. i really wanted to talk about you single status. when i got a divorce i was at a normal weight so had no reason not to date, but i had a toddler. i watched my friends bring men in and out of the kids lifes'. i didn't want that for my daughter. so for 7 years i didn't date. i wasn't even asked out. but it was all to my stand offish attitude. i wasn't approachable. as soon as i said okay now its time for you, its time to date i was asked out constantly and was married within a year. that was 28 years ago and i am still married to the man. so perhaps you are putting out those signals. make yourself available, turn on the charms and i bet someone will ask you out. and if they don't than you ask someone out. good luck. the veterans are around. it's the weekend.

Why would you even come to the Veteran's Forum?

From my perspective, that thing that really sends alarm bells off for me is your comment about "needing a another fill".

Please make sure that you do not make it too tight. If the band becomes too tight it will often hold you back from eating the ideal foods to lose weight.

If you wake up and begin to feel hungry about 3-4 hours later ,the band is likely to be very close to the ideal fill to control your interest in food.

From my experience when my clients make the band too tight, they can'teat sufficient quality food and then crave the sweeter foods as the body needs fuel from somewhere. So when cutting down on the treats/sugar also think about why am I eating them? Is it based on emotional reasons or requiring some fuel?

Hope this helps. I am a big fan of a food diary also to check in/clarify exactly what we are eating.

Also keep in mind that I do run monthly online support group meeting if interested. http://lapbanddiet.com.au/lap-band-support-group/

Good luck