The clothes thing is still just too weird for me. Since I have been big for two decades, I still tend to buy too big. I bought some size 8 pants and they are too big lol. It just blows my mind to go into the store and actually be able to fit smaller sizes. I guess someday I will get used to it, but it is just freaky. I had been saving all the sizes from 28 down, but I finally gave them all to Salvation Army. I had to tell myself I will never need them again...I sure hope that is right. I have ALOT of belly skin hanging, so I wear alot of stretch bands still, sweats. I can fit a small, and the other day I accidentally wore my ten year olds sweats. LOL She was mad at me. That was a wow moment for sure. Anyway, I somewhat fear the clothes stuff still. And I have to buy shirts to cover my arm skin. I just have too much skin...but at least it is not filled with fat anymore lol. Surgery: 8-17-07 Pre-op Highest: 320 Surgery day: 282 Today: 138 Total Loss: 144 lbs Dr. Goal: 140 My goal: 132

I just realized the other day that I don't have any of my pre-op clothing any more except for the one outfit I decided to keep so I would remember where I came from. (It's the outfit I always take my comparison pics in for OH.) Everything in my closet fits! I've gone from a tight 26/28 to 18/20. I'm thrilled. ~Brandi

I feel some of your pain. While i don't gain per say, i do feel like snacking a lot. Those 100 calarie packs are what i stick to when i am in a snacking mood. i think it does help at least with portion control. I have not gained but tend to stall when in these modes. My big addiction is smart food popcorn that i pick up when getting gas. I normally can make the bag last for a couple days so that is good. Like someone else mentioned, i'm bad with the drinking rules. I am lucky to wait for 30 min. Hang in there, we all go through it, the important part is that we realize it and know what we need to do.

I stopped just steady losing a few months ago and now this is the way I lose: I lose and gain the same 5 pounds over and over and over and then finally drop a couple more pounds. It's very frsutrating and scary. I'll wake up three pounds heavier than I was the day before and the next day 2 pounds of it is gone. I know they say to only weigh once a week but I think that would make it even worse. I'd pick the day where I was up 4 pounds and spend a week not knowing that the pounds were gone the next day. The only thing I've found that helps me break the cycle is steak. If I eat steak for a few days it seems to kick my body back into losing mode. Also, I don't want to snack as much if I follow the "no drinking while eating" rule to the letter. I used to be very lacks about it but now.................. No liquids 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after I eat. It didn't used to matter but now it does. I can tell the difference. You might want to try that, too. See if your drinking too much when you eat and are washing it out of your pouch. That will make you hungrier faster. Steak makes me feel more full than anything else, too. Go for some really solid proteins and don't drink when you eat them and see if it helps!

Hi Everyone, No change since last week, but it is TOM so I am thinking there is some water retention going on. At least that is my story and I am stickin to it! Highest-390 Surgery-364 (8/6/07) Today-232 Total: 158 Have a great week! Jenn