Dear Leslie, Oh....I know how you feel! I was getting kind of depressed reading about how many of our WLS peers had reached their goals already. Isn't that sad of me? I should be so happy for them....and still I just feel depressed that I am not at goal myself. Well.....I am happy.....not really depressed. I am a tall girl, 5'9", and when I had WLS, I weighed 286. I am at 192, and have 32 pounds to go (doctor's goal). See? I haven't even lost 100 pounds yet! Oh, but how I look! My whole body is different! I only have 32 pounds left to get to my doc's goal....and if I lose it....I may not even WANT to have plastic surgery! Wow! I have been exercising and working out with weights.....and going to Curves for Women. It's so exciting! I really have my goal in sight! I may not reach it until 18 months post-op....but, I may get there sooner! I do think that I will get to 100 pounds lost by my one-year surgery anniversary.... ....but if I don't, well, I won't cry. We have all come so far! Everyone notices a difference. Even I can see it! And it is WONDERFUL! You're just doing great! Keep on working hard to get to the prize....the goal we are all trying to reach! And then, we'll work hard for the rest of our lives to STAY THERE! In the end, isn't that really what we'll all be working at? Good luck!!! ~Laura 286/192/160

I've been a member at Curves for Women since 8 months PRIOR to my WLS. I lost about 15 pounds and several inches before surgery and felt really "in shape," so to speak, before heading in for the big operation. Since WLS last August, I have lost an additional 90 pounds, and my figure is that of my pre-wedding days. I'm wearing a size 10 in some things....and I only have 32 pounds left to reach my goal weight! When most folks ask what I've done to look so great, I just tell them I go to Curves....it's a great testimonial. Sure, the surgery helped a lot, but diet and exercise are the key from now on! Especially now that I can eat "normal sized" amounts again. (Good thing I can't over-eat!) Yes! I highly recommend Curves for Women, and you can have your $29/month fee taken directly from your checking account (one-year membership.) It's definitely worth it! ~Laura 286/192/160

Sheila, Congrats on that great weight loss. Isn't it wonderful to be in smaller sizes. Sometimes I look at what I am about to put on, and say to myself, no way....but it fits!!! I went from a 28 pants/28-30 top to a 12/14 pants and a large or 16 top. I have a question. Why do you feel there are some food you shouldn't be eating?, and why are you missing the yummy stuff? One thing I have learned on this journey is nothing is forbidden. If I want it, I eat it. I do not have the food cravings I once had before surgery, but every now and again my body does tell me it is craving something, be it carbs, fat, something sweet or protein, and if I don't give it what it wants, that is where I get into trouble with bingeing, trying to fullfill that craving with everything and anything. In the end, after all that bingeing, I still crave what I wanted in the first place.....soooo, I don't feel I give into a craving, but more like giving my body what it wants at the time, and in return my body accepts what it wants in a smaller portion. As far as bad habits, I know I will always have to fight those demons. I have found that if it is not in the house, I don't eat it.....(duh)!!!! So if I get that craving, and it is something that I know I can get into trouble with, I put it off, and may times this works, if not, I buy it, share it, and be done with it. Have a great holiday, Susan

Thanks for posting this! I am very discouraged when I read about the many people who have surpassed their goal and I am sitting her thinking that I only had about 100 pounds to loose and I have lost it yet. I've been stuck silly in the 150s for what seems like an eternity! I am seeing signs of breaking free from that range (I weighed in at 146.5 this morning), but as soon as I get my hopes up I regain some weight and right back in the 150s I go! It is so frustrating. I've been on a low carb diet, I mean about 10 carbs per day and that seems to be helping. One person said that all the people who only had 100 pounds to loose are at goal, but I am not! I've been an extremely slow looser from the beginning. My Dr. told me that since I started at 235 I would loose slower than other. Despite this, I am happy that I am not 146 and not 235. My goal is to be at 135 by my 1 year anniversary, but is not I am not going to stress...hopefully I will get to my dream weight of 125 some day. I think the point is that we just have to press on and never loose fail as we loose weight! (((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) Vanessa

Hi Leslie, Congratulations on your 111 weight loss. Thanks for your acknowledgement on my three great things. I thought I hit goal a couple of sizes back. When I started my journey my goal was to wear a size ten. Well, that lasted for exactly one month. Then came 8,6,4 and finally 2 but I'm still losing. Can't wait for my next big goal (getting this tummy tucked) I'll definitely post New and Improved pictures after. Again thanks for your well wishes. Peace and blessings. Marcu