Hi, Steph, I normally exercise about an hour everyday. However I am recovering from extended TT and inner/outer thigh lift, so no exercise for me right now. I am going CRAZY from sitting and laying around! Under normal cir****tances I was at about 1200-1300 calories a day. I had to be careful not to go under or I would lose. I am were I should be and all three of my doctors (PCP, bariatric surgeon and plastic surgeon) all say lose NO more. That was with exercising daily. I would say jus****ch how your weight does for a week, if you drop a few pounds add 100 calories to your day. Also adding a few carbs will keep you from losing. I try to keep my carbs at 50 or say a day. If I drop to 40 or under I lose. But I still try to pick GOOD carbs, like veggies and sme fruits. But I admit it, I do eat 6 or 7 chips with my turkey breast and cheese some days! Hugs, Susan 305/160 (after swelling is gone we are guessing 150-155)

Wow!! I'm so glad I logged on here today. I got on because I'm feeling so desperate and sad. And I'm so glad to hear everyone is going through the same problems. I have been battling with the same 5 pounds for three months also. I am at 201 -- I went down to 199.5 last Sunday and I prayed it would stay there below 200. Nope. Yesterday, I was back up to 201. I feel like I'm eating so well. I stick to 1200 to 1600 calories, which should sustain a person of the weight of 160 -- and a person who doesn't exercise. I exercise. I go to Curves at least 4 times a week and I walk 3 miles every weekend, sometimes Saturday and Sunday. I keep telling myself this is a plateau and it will start falling off again. But will it? Is my body just in a winter hibernation or something and when spring/summer gets here, will it start to fall off again? I mean, I will be OK if I stay where I am. I was 362, being 201 is glamourous compared to that. But, we all have hopes and dreams about where we want to be. I want to be at 160. My doc said I can get there if I keep exercising and keep my calories below 1,600. But, will I get there in the next 6 months, the supposed cut-off to weight loss?? Then, I got up this morning, determined to stick to eating less than I have been. I ate my oatmeal and banana for breakfast and told myself no snacking. But I have some goldfish at my desk and munched on them, then I moved on to a granola bar. Before I knew it, I ate 300 calories in both things. Now, I'm feeling sick to my stomach. Why couldn't I wait until lunch? Why am I snacking again when I know I shouldn't be? I will still be at 1,600 calories for the day, even with the slip-up, but what am I doing? Why can't I stop? I know you guys don't have the answers either because we are all feeling the same stuff. Let's hope this is just hibernation and we'll be writing about losing these darned plateaued pounds in the next few months!!!!!! Kristen

Is there room on the bench for one more? I am still ever so slowly losing. 1 lb one week nothing for the next two etc. I had it so good for almost a year. Continuous losses, feeling great, very little hunger. Well, some of those old foods are starting to actually taste good again and that can mean trouble. I'm still exercising a lot, feel great, but sure don't want to let this start going the other way. Quality food, not junk, lots of water, protein, exercise. . . Those are the things that I know work! We can do it. We've done well this past year. Let's commit to making 2006 the best yet for us February 2005 "losers." I want to be able to say I weigh less next spring than I did this spring. I still want to lose about 50 more lbs. How about all the rest of you? I really do believe in the power of group support. It's here for us. Together we can continue to progress in the right direction. Have a great weekend everyone. Karen

hi kath: i've actually been stuck at the same place for several months, too. i haven't been able to workout because of my foot. and have also developed a fondness for carbs, albeit sugar free and whole wheat. but, we can do something about it since we know the problem. i've been awfully discouraged, from time to time. it helps to realize it's a lifelong solution. so i try to look at the past three months as a really small part of the rest of my life and promise myself to do better with food tomorrow and better with exercise asap. i don't know if any of this helps, but i do feel for you. and hope it gets better really soon. hugs dorthe

Kathy, I know exactly how you feel. I have been battling the same 5 lbs since NOVEMBER!!! I am getting frustrated and when I'm frustrated- I eat!!! It's becoming a vicious cycle and I'm trying REALLY hard to break it. Of course my eating is USUALLY healthy (spoonful of PB), but it's got to stop. I think all of us who are having a difficult time should recommit ourselves to using our tool and relying on each other for support. If anyone wants to join me in this, they can email me @ [email protected]. You all take care. Steph lap RNY 2/3/06 300/214/165?