I hate to see you say you're disappointed in yourself. You've done a fantastic job. And you can continue to lose! It's just such a long WL  journey for us!!

I've lost about 244 pounds but it took from 4/26/10 to 12/2012. Lost 140 in year 1; 70 in year 2; and 34 from May - Dec 2012 when I made my goal. That last 34 pounds were hell to lose and I haven't lost anything since then---and really haven't increased my calories at all. Still want to see if I can take it a little lower--but I'm carrying LOTS of skin and retain about 8 pounds of fluids unless I take meds (which I do sometimes). So I'm not sure it will happen.

I really didn't dramatically change anything---same amount of calories/carbs/protein/fluids and same amount of exercise. I just changed things up a little. Let me suggest trying this---track every morsel; track all your fluids---are you meeting the stats you need? That's basic stuff. Then, I'm not a real soup fan (never have been) but I also don't find them very filling plus lots of sodium in many of them. If you're doing soup more than 1x per day, why not try replacing 1 serving with a denser protein. I moved my highest calorie meal (dinner) to mid day instead and had less calories in the evening. Same total amount just shifted around. Did the same with exercise---instead of doing an AM workout for 90 minutes, I split it to 60 mins in the AM and 30 PM.

That's what I mean by changing things up without really changing a successful formula that had been working. But I think I was in a rut.

PS-----I don't think I have ever missed my AM protein shake. Starts my day...makes me feel good...keeps my GERD calm and keeps me full until noon. Wouldn't think of changing it! I'm with you there.

Don't feel hopeless...feel re-energized to make it to your goal....without setting a time limit. You're so successful...continue that success.

Wow! Seems that everyone is having a good week and everyone is in pretty good spirits!!!
That's worth everything!!!!   (I was looking for a sunshine and couldn't find one).

Didn't get on the scale this week---at all. So maybe next week!


Alison---so glad you got your problem worked out. Makes me want to reschedule that annual colonoscopy to next week----Yikes---it's nasty test but a great clean out!

at least for me!  Maybe I've just been oblivious? So if I'm behind the times, ignore this.

I'm growing feathers---I can't look at another piece of chicken! So I went searching in the store.

Found it---Tyson Grilled and Seasoned Steak Strips.  I haven't done much beef but tonight made my version of fajitas. Steak strips, veggies, salsa, greek yogurt--no wrap. Took longer to cook the veggies than heat up the meat.  Steak strips = 3 oz serving 140 cals, 18 protein and 1 carb.
They have it in the refrigerated section and they did have a big frozen bag. Good stuff.
 
Going to chop some up and use it in my egg muffins with cheddar. Can't go wrong with steak and eggs.

Thought I'd share.

Alison---
Just curious--do you take a diuretic?
I just ask because my weight can swing 9-11 pounds in 2 days if I don't take one regularly. (It all seems to accumulate in my left leg).  However, I have really low bp plus some other heart stuff---so the Dr. isn't really happy that I take it at all.

(what the heck---got cut off)  So I just have to manage the Rx. He keeps me on a short time frame for refills.

...broke into the 100s for the first time in 40...yes, that's 40 years. I was 20 the last time I was under 200. Saw 198.7 on Tuesday but had to wait since the number tends to go up and down. Saw exactly the same Wed and Thurs. It's taken 2 years but I finally made it.
Not goal yet but about 15-20 pounds to go.

Not much else to say tonight. It's just an ongoing journey! Keep plugging away at it folks. We can all get to where we want to be.

Edited to add---You know, I think this was more emotional for me than actually hitting my "final" goal---whatever that number turns out to be.

Still at 204

LW   204
SW   428

Getting under 200 will probably take the rest of the summer at this rate!
It was the same when I finally got under 300. The scale makes me suffer for it!

But it doesn't get me down--just ****** me off for a little and I'm over it.
Just keep moving on. However, I do have to see the surgeon next week so you would think I could make it happen.

I WILL NOT DWELL ON IT!!!!

Have a good week everyone.

OOOPPS--Let me do that again.

Well, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
FOLLOW THE NURSES' DIRECTIONS!
Keep us posted!

Well --maybe not EXCITING---but a tip none the less! Pre ops often ask, What can I do now? How can I start getting ready?  I have a suggestion.

First, let me say--welcome to the many new pre ops stopping by this board. It's a great place! But you miss a day, you miss a new person. So I just want to say Hey to the new folks I've missed in the past few weeks. Your new life is just starting. Congrats!

Back to my tip----TRACKING-Start It Now.  Crap, you say--I thought this would be interesting. Maybe not thrilling but IMPORTANT regardless of your surgery type. Think how many times you've seen the statement--I've fallen off the wagon; eating carbs; stopped tracking; need help getting back to basics OR Gained weight; don't know what the problem is; not sure of my calories (code word for stopped tracking).

WHY TRACK AT ALL?
1.  ACCOUNTABILITY - It's you and the software. If you cheat on tracking, you're only cheating yourself. That's an issue right there! Keeps you honest.
2.  YOUR STATS/TRENDS- Even if your NUT/surgeon doesn't have you track cals or carbs, they will at least have you count protein and fluids. If you don't track, how will you know your consumption? You will be able to identify trends with +/- pounds and food trends.
3.  FOOD STATS- I don't think most of us are good at estimating cals, carbs, proteins, etc. We under estimate. There is a large database of foods on almost every site to help you. You can create your recipes and portion them out to get stats.
4.  WEIGH AND MEASURE-Tracking almost forces you to weigh and measure your foods. This is a whole other post for a future date. But also important.
5.  PLANNING-You can utilize the software to plan future meals/days. Going out to dinner Sat evening? Look up a menu; put in your projected meal and work the rest of Sat around it. Easy as that!
Those are my top 5 reasons. Other might have more.

WHY START AS A PRE OP?
1. IDENTIFY THE PROGRAM YOU LIKE-There are many free sites (myfitnesspal.com; fitday.com; sparkpeople.com; livestrong.com plus many more). Some have smartphone apps. Starting early will give you a chance to find the one you like.
2. FIND THE TIME TO POST DAILY-Some folks find this tedious. And sometimes it is. But most of the time everyone can find 5 minutes to spend on this important task.
3. CREATE THE HABIT--Some say it takes 3 weeks to create a habit. I say LONGER. You have to be able to adjust to those happenings that throw you off plan. What do you do for tracking on vacation or long weekend and you don't have a smart phone? Do you keep a hand written journal? Stop tracking? What to do?
4. DEVELOP SOME RECIPES EARLY--Going to eat a little of your family's beloved meatloaf? Put the recipe in your tracker and find tweaks if necessary. Identify the food stats--maybe not the best choice or maybe just 2 oz. is a perfect fit. Check it out ahead of time.
5. START LEARNING SOME FOOD VALUES-Compare some of your favorites. Do you get good value eating a whole egg vs. egg white?  Shrimp vs.chicken? Turkey sausage vs Pork sausage? Just examples but things you will want to learn as time progresses.
6. MAKE SOME FRIENDS-Lots of sites have friend groups and you can be private or very open with your tracker. Your choice.
7. SEE WHAT YOU'RE EATING NOW vs PRE OP DIET vs POST OP--Interesting, is all I can say.

So, I hope you see this as valuable. I can't stress tracking enough! It's important, I think most will agree. Get a handle on it now and it will just become part of your daily routine.

edited for spelling

SW---428
CW---204
Goal--185

It's been a few weeks since I posted weight (well much of anything actually). So I'm not sure of the loss since my last post. But I did lose 2 last week while on vacation last week.

Been MIA for a little bit---major employment changes, some family stuff, and some over obsessing with this weight issue---just needed to take a break for awhile. Not a break from my plan--that goes on as usual but just needed to rearrange allot of things in my life. 

Life seems to be back on track for now.

Have a good week everyone.

Félicitations pour votre mariage! Sonne comme vous avez un moment fabuleux sur votre lune de miel. Vous méritez tous les instants de merveilleux! J'ai hâte de voir vos photos.


Nope--I don't speak French but it was a good reason to check out Google Translate--pretty

Anna--
Welcome to this board---it's a great place to get advise, support and honest discussion.

That said--you have to do your research. You will be able to lose the weight you need with VSG, RNY or DS. The sleeve will offer the restriction needed if you are a volume eater. However, you have to make the commitment to change your lifestyle as you do with all WLS.

However, the speed of weight loss should not be a factor in your decision, IMO. Trust me, I understand the need to work and how weight impacts or restricts that possibility. But no one can tell you how long it will take to lose enough weight to change your employment situation. You won't know if you're a faster, slower, stair step loser until you're in the process. It seems trite to say that this is a marathon...not a sprint ...but it is true. This isn't a magic bullet and takes time to achieve your goals.

I suggest that you decide which surgery is for you based on your research. Then work your butt off---starting now---to lose as a pre op and establish good habits before surgery. After surgery, you'll have a running start on your WL.

In the meantime, I have some Work from Home links if you haven't investigated that. You can PM me if you need them---I'll respond when I get back home in mid-July.

Good luck.

I'm  not much of a hugger----but for this group---I'm all for it!

PLUS-----Don't we have an upcoming wedding to celebrate?  Like in just a few days?  Followed by a trip to Paris?   I think I'm right about this---hope so.

Always looking for a reason to celebrate---champagne??

Wow, this must be the time of year for some "funk" for lots of folks!!! Been gone for a little but come back and find many folks with that "burned out feeling". I've haven't even been to OH for a week--and that's unusual for me. But a mental health break was needed!

To the original poster---I too understand that overwhelming felling sometimes. We've been at this for awhile. You've come very far---you just can't give up. But I think you're looking too far ahead. Don't worry about that final goal---I think you'll know it when you get there. You'll be happy there AND know that you will be able to maintain that weight. My goal is a little under my surgeon's goal---to give me some wiggle room. But it won't be a normal BMI---I don't care and neither does my surgeon. My biggest hurdle is still ahead with maintenance. Why don't you just work on 5 pounds at a time if you need a goal. Stay away from the gym for awhile but walk or do a DVD or something to replace it. Just take a little mental health break and change up your routine. Give yourself a fresh outlook.

And yes---you can lose whatever you want---I lost 140 year 1; 70 year 2; and only 8 in the last 2 months. But still losing....very slowly!!!!