~ Hey there Julie! ~ I'm almost 13 months out, and I had lost about 170 pounds but gained 10 pounds on vacation. Yup, it gets worse than slow loss, it gets pretty easy to gain after a year out. This was a good wake up call for me, and I've jumped back into good habits. I can eat between 8-12 oz (depending on the food) at one time and I eat 3 meals plus 2-3 snacks every day. If I keep to around 1200 calories per day, I lose at a decent pace ( 2-5 pounds per week ). If I go above 1500 calories per day I lose nothing, and over 1800 calories I gain. I exercise every single day in one way or another. I either go to Inches Away (Curves), and/or go to an exercise class (Power Pump, Water Aerobics or Body in Balance), and/or ride my horse(s). If I don't do Inches or a class, I don't lose any weight. And, my poor knees abused from years of obesity, stiffen up and ache really bad when I don't work out. Besides exercise, I started using FitDay.com again. That is a wonderful tool for me and helps to keep me honest. I also stick with a schedule for eating and drinking, which ensures that I get the protein and fluids in that I need every day. Being so very active, I need about 100 grams of protein daily. And I get no less than 96oz of fluids, more if I get sweaty. My last tool, but one I use almost daily - is the scale at Inches. While there are different schools of thought on the daily or frequent weigh ins, my nutrionist agreed that if you use it wisely, the scale can be a good tool. For example, weighing daily isn't going to reflect an accurate weight. Things like how much I ate or drank the day before, how much salt I took in, whether my 16 yr old son raised my BP to stroke levels, whether the moon is in alignment with the stars, (you name it, it has an affect), all affect my weight on a daily basis. So, if I see a 5 pound jump UP OR DOWN, I don't get too excited, but if it's a jump UP, it helps me to stick to my healthiest routine for the next few days. And if it's a jump DOWN, it encourages me to stick with it. If it stays the same for 2 weeks, I up my fluids and protein if necessary, or kick the exercise into higher gear. I take every weigh-in with a grain of salt and just use it as a tool. Good luck to you! RUthanne

You Win! That's the best anniversary present I've seen or heard of yet. Congratulations! He is absolutely beautiful (so is your daughter). Fondly, Julie

For anyone that is interested here is my little man he was born on feb 11 @123 pm! He is doing wonderfully and so am I! I am only 25 pds from goal wont make it by my anniversary date but who cares! I feel great!! http://share.shutterfly.com/action/share/welcome?i=EegOWzVuxZuHOg&x=1&sm=1&sl=1

Paula, AWESOME!!! Congratulations. Mary

Julie, The worst thing any of us can do it compare ourselves to others. Each of us loses at a different rate. You really have done well!!!! 127 lbs is a great loss. You are way ahead of me. I'm almost 1 year out (this Friday) and have lost 77 lbs since surgery and 127 lb total as I lost 50 lbs before surgery. I currently weight 178 and am 5'1" so losing another 50 lbs would give me a normal BMI. I eat 3 meals a day and 2 snacks usually. Founding it easy to graze and working hard at getting over that. Breakfast: 1/2 protein bar, 1 small banana Lunch: 1/2 of a sandwich or straight protein or protein bar dinner: protein of some type with some type of veggie usually Snacks: protein bar (if I am low on protein for the day), SF snow cone, nuts, etc. The denser the protein, the less I can eat. I also stay fuller longer with dense protein (chicken compared to yogurt or eggs). I honestly don't count calories. I watch the protein intake as my surgeon wants it between 75 and 125 grams a day. Also try to not overdo carbs but not always successful. Mary