Dont beat yourself up over this Karen. I havent made goal yet either but I have deliberately slowed down my weight loss for my mind to catch up with my body image. I know that sounds Ive lost 100 pounds twice ( now three times) in my lifetime and this time I want to keep it off so Ive focused more on looseing it slowly and eating 3 meals a day with 2 snacks, which is something Ive never done before. Im still looseing. It may be a few pounds a month but all those pounds add up. I have noticed, when I eat like I should with 3 meals and 2 hi protien snacks and get in all the water, I loose faster. Im so tired from being on my feet all night at work, I do not exercise and Ive told my surgeon this. I do plan on starting back with walking and doing low impact exercise, like the Gazelle. I eat carbs, I put creamer in my coffee and its caffinated coffee at that. Ive given up tea and have not had a soda since I was pre op, just plain water but I will not give up my coffee. I do not get on the scales either. I bet Ive probably only weighed myself 10 times in the last 2 years. I only weigh myself, when my clothes get baggy and then I do it at work. I didnt want to become obsessed with the scale and then discouraged when it stopped moving so I threw out my scales shortly after I came home from the hospital. I weigh when people tell me I look like Ive lost more, which was three times in one day recently, and when my clothes are baggy or I go see my surgeon. Try to eat more dense protein, increase the water and I have heard those who do the plateu buster diet have good results.I have not tried that. I rarely eat bread, but try to fill up on good carbs. Ritz crackers are my downfall, and I do eat Yoplait yogurt at least 3 x a day. The loss kicked in once I did that for some reason. I have gone back to the basics before which seemed to stimulate the loss. Best of luck and let us know how you are doing! ES 304/200/150 -104 so far!

Yes, the South Beach bars are harder to chew. You'll be able to handle them when you get that partial fixed, though. The Power Crunch bars will be easy for you to chew. They're like those sugar wafer cookies, but don't have the sugar. I'm actually glad I can't handle sugar. It makes it VERY easy to pass up sweet stuff now. I don't dump, but I do get very warm and my heart starts beating faster. It takes 20-30 minutes to go away. I can have a taste, though, but not more than a couple bites. I haven't tried the South Beach dinners, but if they're as good as the meal bars, it's worth a try - thanks! Nancy

Where are you at in your journeys? Im still looseing and I feel like my 18 month window for weight loss will not close. Ive never gained, Ive had some stalls but it seems to pick up in from time to time and when I start looseing it goes from week to week before it stalls again. What have been some of your best WOW moments? 1. fitting into my husband's jeans! He was in a 32 when we married 27 years ago. He is now in a 36 and he was in awe when they fit me...LOL.. His shirts are next! 2. I can wear my daughters clothes, so its payback time for all of my clothes she conviently borrowed without asking, growing up. 3. going to the fair with my grandsons ( age 5 & 3) and fitting in on all the kiddie rides. This summer we are going to Disneyland. 4. This entire journey has been one major WOW moment! How has your life changed over the past two years? My life hasnt changed as much as my eating habits have. I no longer crave sweets but tend to scour the produce section for fruits Ive never tried. I no longer want fast food and tend to stick to chicken and seafood only, grilled salmon is my absolute favorite!. On the rare occasions I do go to fast food it is grilled chicken and I toss the bread. I dislike red meat. I love vegtables! I love yogurt and pre op, I couldnt stand it. I eat yogurt at least 3x a day. I drink water constantly. I still have my coffee every morning and occasionaly tea but my main drink is plain water. Once I increased the water, I noticed I was looseing at least 3 pounds a week, without even trying. I had chronic anmeia pre op. Im still anemic but I try foods high in iron like spinach and beets and learned I do love those now. I keep pickled beets in my fridge and Im nibbling on those everytime I open the fridge. Ive had one series of iron infusions and that has helped alot. I have a low vitamin D level and I take prescription vitamin D daily as well as much yogurt and cheese I can get in. I have never liked milk, still do not like milk so I dont do protein shakes but I do add protein powder to my coffee. I no longer take $600.00 a month medications. I only take Requip for my restless legs, Wellbutrin XR for my depression and Ambien for sleep. Other than that, my daily vitamins and Citracal chewables. My husband has become more attentive and while some marriages fail after WLS, ours has seemed to flourish and sparkle. For Christmas he surprised me with a 1 carat marquis shaped diamond with a diamond encrusted marquis shape wedding band. I was shocked. He is always wanting to go on trips for the weekend and just get away together so once a month we try to go on a trip. Tupelo Ms, Nashville and Memphis are on schedule for our next trip! Ive always wanted to see The Grand Ole Oprey, Graceland and Elvis's birthplace! THIS has been a MAJOR change since WLS! Have a great day! ES 304/200/150 -104#

I've tried these. Actually, I need to order some more! I like all of the flavors and think that they're worth it. The first time I ordered them, I just got the box of mixed flavors. There's 14 grams of protein in each one - they help me to get in that extra protein I don't always get in my meals. I've also recently tried the South Beach Diet meal replacement bars. They have a bit of a higher sugar content than I usually eat, but if I stretch out the time it takes me to eat one and don't snarf it down, I'm okay. The one I'm looking at now has no sugar, but 19 grams of sugar alcohols. Nancy

Nice to see more Aprilians coming out! Im on my way to work and do not have alot of time to post. I will be back when I get off tonight. Im slowly putting my profile back together, that mysteriously disappeared. Im a slow looser but the best part is Im still looseing and have never had a weight gain, so far. Ive lost 104 pounds. Im 5'9" and have gone from a 26/28 to a 16 right now. 14's are right around the corner Im healthier than I have ever been in my life, my food tastes have changed, for the better and I will add more tonight when I get in from work and can reflect on all the changes! Have a great day! ES