So I'm approaching "home plate" at a snail's pace. About 20 lbs from goal with about 1 month to go to my 1 year surgiversary. I jog every other day. I can run 5 miles at once, a goal for me. I'm wearing a size 12, that is big (NEVER BEFORE). I cannot believe the life I have now.

I knew it would happen this way. My weight loss would slow down as I got closer to goal. I'm not really disappointed or unhappy or discouraged. Here's the proposition...Do I use a tactic, like pre-op diet, 5:2 plan, or some other measure to get there? Or do I accept this journey for what it is and get there when I get there? I have been approaching this metamorphasis as realistically as possible. I have tried to move along with no major goals, or strategy, but rather to behave as I know I would maintain. I eat what I want and can tolerate (much less and less often). Most of the time it is smart and healthy. Sometimes not so much. I run every other day, because that is what I have time for. I have a 2 and 3 year old, 3 dogs, 5 cats, one husband and work full-time as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have watched my weight melt away quickly at first like melting butter in the microwave. The last few months its been more like ..."huh? look at that, I lost another pound". I feel like my soul wants to let go of this obsession to be somewhere else, not "like this is not good enough until I get there mode". That mode is so exhausting. But then there is the self-critical, obsessive compulsive part that would just love to get it done, get to where I am going by the one year mark. Is it a failure to not reach your goal within a year?? It seems most do. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm trying that hard. But I really have been trying to be realistic. I'm not going to be a Tri-athelete...so I'm not going to train that way, because I won't be able to maintain it. I'm not going to eat salad and yogurt everyday ONLY! So I'm not going to try, because then I can beat myself up with failure because I won't be able to maintain weight lost that way. Well now that you have read this neurotic circular thought you can give me your two cents. What do you think? And thank you for your advice and thoughts in advance. I have never been disappointed by my responses from the group here. I find you all seem to be sincerely here for support. Have a great Labor Day every one!!!

All I can say is, how did you get in my head and read my thoughts? I have a "goal" of 150 lbs., but don't want to turn this journey into a diet. I don't want to look for ways to cheat, feel guilty, and eat more. I do want to eat according to the healthy guidelines I am following and I want to keep working out several times a week because it makes me feel great. Let me know when you have an answer!

My advice would be to keep doing what you are doing and don't try to "force" those last 20 pounds. However, I know exactly what you are talking about when you say it would be so nice and neat to reach goal right at the 1 year mark and I know I would be tempted to do the same, were I in your position.

I really really WANT to accept that this is a lifestyle change and it is gradual and there will be stalls along the way, but realistically, it's sometimes hard to get a little OCD about it. But I truly believe that by just sticking to the plan and letting it happen gradually you are making a better long-term choice.