I know each and every one of us are struggling, whether we are struggling to lose those last 30 or so pounds or struggling to keep our weight at goal. I am 5'9" and I started at 348 lbs. I was 2 years post op as of July 22th. As of this morning, I weigh 190 lbs. My goal is to be at 170 lbs. I have 20 more to go. The last 10 lbs I lost, I just recently lost in the last 3 weeks. I got tired of the scales yo-yo-ing back and forth. I would lose a pound or two and then gain it back. This went on for about 7 months. So, I went on a low carb diet and started drinking 7-8 16.9 oz. bottles of water a day. It is hard to drink that much water, but I keep the top off and keep the bottle in my hand and turn it up constantly. The low carb diet is really the hardest the first 3 days. If you can make it 3 days, you won't even crave any kind of bad carbs after that. I can find myself eating alot these days. I am still the same person and I love food more than ever before. I am the type of person that I can look up recipes on the internet for hours and hours if I could. I have been trying low carb casserole dishes and different things like that. I will try to post some of them when I can because they are really good. Also, I got all of those clothes off my my excercise bike at my house and wiped off the dust. I get on it every evening and ride it for 45 min. to an hour. I actually hate sitting there stationary like that for that long starring at the wall, however, I found a certain technique that makes me not want to get off at all. I started reading books. I am not a "book reader" kind of person, but I went to a flea market and bought some Stephen King and John Grisham books. I can't seem to put them down. I only allow myself to read when I am on that bike. If I am at a really good part of the book, I have to keep riding in order to keep reading. Sometimes I find myself riding for over an hour and It didn't even seem like it. I also get up every morning at least 30 minutes earlier than before and go outside and walk. --Also, one more thing..... I quit snacking. I only eat 3 meals a day (that is probably the hardest thing) and I drink water, water, water in between. However, at night I do allow myself after supper and before bed (when I am watching t.v.) to have a protein milkshake. I put some carb countdown milk in the blender, ice cubes, scoop of Isopure vanilla shake, vanilla flavoring or a spoon of peanutbutter and mix it all up. --It is a great evening snack.We all need to motivate each other. I read everybody's post and see each and everyone of us struggling. It is hard, I know. If we can keep each other motivated and post some of our "techniques" that are motivating us, maybe it can help somebody else. I sure hope I have helped somebody today.

Right now, it's kind of hard for me to make any food plans. My wisdom teeth area hurts really bad, and the pain only goes away when I take my hydrocodone (which also makes me dizzy). Unfortunately, if I eat, the hydrocodone wears off quickly instead of the 4 hours it normally takes. For the most part, I hardly eat anything until I get REALLY hungry, then I finally take my chance. Last night, I had some mashed potatoes, a piece of birthday cake, and finally some pizza. What I SHOULD be doing is using this as an opportunity to do a protein-shake diet...but it only JUSt occured to me! Too late for today, but maybe I can do it the next couple of days. I doubt my teeth will feel better anytime soon As for future eating...Well, I could very well be pregnant by the first week in October, if this fertility doctor's magic works the first time around. While I know my focus won't be on losing weight, I want to do everything possible for a healthy baby. So, I might end up losing weight anyway, if I can really stick to the healthy unprocessed foods that I plan to. I've already cut WAYYYY down on caffeine and plan to eliminate it totally. At least, a baby is motivation enough to eat right! Okay, and exercise, too. Here's what my day LOOKS like, though who knows how it will be? B: leftover mashed potatoes L: microwave meal (I don't know if I can eat the chicken, but the rice and broccoli should be okay) D: homemade nachos (without the chips for me!) S: probably nothing...not worth the pain! Exercise: we'll have to see...the meds make me miserably dizzy. maybe a short walk around the block with daughter. Nancy, I'm thinking about you...hang in there! Denise, good luck with your plan for the day. I hope everyone has a great day! Pamela

Hi everyone This is about day 4 or 5 for me where I can't hardly eat anything. I'm not feeling particularly bad or sick. My usual level of tired - nothing more than usual. Nothing sounds good to eat. Every time I try to eat, I can usually only take a few bites and I feel like I'm going to get sick. No pain or anything. It's odd. So I'm trying to take in mostly protein and not much else until this passes. Anyone else have anything like this happen - where you just don't feel like eating? Traci

Nancy, What a brave and heartfelt way of looking at and dealing with your mom's battle. I am so sorry that you and your family have to watch any kind of suffering she might do. You are in my thoughts. I would want to do anything that makes her pain free and the most comfortable as you all are doing. God Bless, feel peace and comfort. Love, Lisa