Goal!!!

 8 months, 4 days, 132 pounds.  Woot woot!  Been sick as a dog this past week and dropped 8 pounds since Monday, but hey I'll take it anyway I can get it!  

Here is what worked for me:

I hit protein and fluid targets all the way through, and for most of it far exceeded both.

Month 1-2, 800 or less cals, carbs under 40, hitting protein targets and fluids
hypoglycemia dictates a change, not to mention the terrible constipation

Increase cals to 800-1000, switch carbs to 6 meals/snacks alternating 15 net carbs and 30 net  carbs.   This proves to keep the cravings at bay and no insulin spikes and that vicous little cycle kicking in.  When I had an off day on the carbs, cravings kicked in and it took a couple days to get it back to normal.  At this calorie point change it also reflected my following my NUT's plan.  Constipation and hypglycemia no longer was a problem.  My rate of weight loss was not affected at all when you look at the monthly averages, but I do switch to a "stair step" loss pattern.  Worked hard at getting through the 10-20 days of no loss parts, but loved the week of the rapid weight loss.  

At maybe 5 months another calorie increase.  I would have to look up what month it was to confirm, as it may have been month 4.  Calories up 1000-1200, same carb plan.  Protein now averages 115 or higher a day.   Got to goal this way.

I am an avid exerciser, but not an intense exerciser.  I go 6 days a week at least 30 minutes a day, unless sick or recovering from various cancer surgeries.  A normal day of exercise is either 60 minutes on the elliptical or a 4-5 mile walk.  On weekends during the school years many times i did both the walk and ellitpical workouts.  

With that said, I lost 8 pounds since Monday because I was sick as dog.  Not one day of exercise and that is faster than my normal weight loss.  But i struggled even getting 500 cals in.  Feeling a little better today finally.

I plan on continuing the losing for a while longer, but not sure of the stopping point.  I am still a little thick in the middle, but the arms, legs, and face are all good.  I really can't figure out how to know when to stop because of the extra skin- by far the worst area is the belly and back, as that is where most of my fat was.  I do know that I have no interest in getting to the low end of my bmi range, as I need some fat to help weather the bouts with cancer that I deal with.  

My most valued lesson in all of this:  It is ok not to be perfect- if you fall off the wagon just crawl back on and most importantly if it isn't working then adjust.   Of course that last part depends on you being honest with yourself that something is working!

If you are on the fence, go for it!  I was in such a dark place when this started and truly did not believe prior to surgery that I would be one to make it to goal- just soooo many failed diets up to that point.  The sleeve truly makes it possible if you are willing to try, and consistently try at it.  That is not the same as saying you have to be pefect at it!

Thank you to everybody (and yes even my haters) because ya'll had an important part in this journey for me- and I will be eternally gratefull for that.  Peace.

Congrats!!!!

Way to go! What an inspiration!!!

Sorry you have been sick!! Congrats on reaching your goal!! Something to be so proud of! 

What an amazing and inspirational journey.  Thanks for sharing the details--very helpful!

Awesome!

Hi

I'm sorry you hit goal as a result of being ill.............HOWEVER, I'm so happy for you that you achieved success and are now ready to go onto the next step.  (As a life-long Cubs fan, I understand that you take a win anyway you can get it LOL) 

Your plan worked for you -- it's good to put other plans out there for those who don't/can't succeed on the plans given by their surgeons/nutritionists.  We all have different health issues and need to find what works for us.  Obviously, you found a great one and you owned it, worked it and accomplished something great!

Congratulations!  Good luck on your next step in this journey!

Ree

 I am an advocate of people following the plans of their Nuts- not some chick on the internet that made it to goal, or some other dude that is on the internet and made it to goal.  Use the support team you paid a gajillion dollars to!  Use Oh to help make sense of the plan given to you!  

I totally agree -- I'm following my surgeon's/nutritionist's plan as closely as I possibly can.  What I was getting at is that for those who don't get guidance, don't understand the guidance, or just don't get this whole thing, I think it's good to see what other peoples' plan are.  And I think I understand the secondary meaning. 

Bottom line for this whole post was to congratulate you on your success.  That's the biggest, most important thing today!

Wow what a great journey you have had! I only hope I can do the same. I really feel like I have made a good start and I feel better than I have in years already. Thanks for sharing your story and being there for others. Even the haters have likely learned more than they want to admit. Sometimes the truth just plain hurts but we gotta hear it anyway!

Congrats on your success!