My Surgeon and Primary Physician are EXCELLENT guilt trippers - I don't get much of an option to fall off the wagon, can't hack it when they lay on the guilt! YES LADIES - I am a full blown CHICKEN!!!! However, here are some things that help when I hit those seemingly never ending plateaus. I used part of my tax return to purchase the Ab Lounge - IT IS AWESOME!! granted, I have not used it as much as I should but I do use it. I go for a walk 1-2x a week with co-workers and when not walking use first my Gazelle for 20+ minutes then the ab lounge to get my exercise in. Basically 3-5 times a week between the different choices. Still afraid to ride the bike since my tailbone never ceases to hurt me. I am lucky enough that not much irritates me (at this point) yet have had the guts only once to try something that may cause dumping. (pancakes with maple syrup) - I ate very slowly and in very small bites and got a somewhat upset tummy) so basically I still avoid sugar like the plague, I do use splenda as needed. I have found that sometimes I do eat more carbs than probably should. When I catch myself doing this I remind myself of the need to get more protein and will even periodically resort to a protein drink now and again to kick it in. Something else I have found is that when I don't get my excercise in, I am more grumpy. So I try to make sure i get it in, however in the beginning grumpy was my middle name when I exercised - so keep the faith it gets better. I think someone else mentioned it, just remember why you wanted and did have the surgery - LOOK I mean REALLY look at those old pictures and REALLY look at yourself now. Personally I like to periodically look at the old picture (on my drivers license when I "under" estimated my weight) then I like to step on the scale. The picture on my license says 280lbs (I was 297 in the picture) I am now 180.5lbs - big difference. ***(@ time of surgery was 286.5)***Then again my daughter keeps telling me how proud she is - that is a BIG boost when I need it. Also, the funnest part? I have mixed up my pants with my moms 1 or 2x...not a good thing - she is 5'2" and I am 5'6" - talk about high waters!!! it is funny when I do that. Keep trying, we all fall one way or another - just know we are all here to support and help you when you need it - Good Luck and Keep on truckin' there-you'll make it!

here is my info: Weight day of surgery:241 Current weight:165 Total lost since surgery:76 Total lost since highest weight (if you lost weight for your program as a requirement):85 Goal weight:150 Pounds to goal:15 Starting size in clothing:22 Current size in clothing:10-12 pant,med top Starting shoe size:11 Current shoe size:10 a 2 week cruise threw me out of sinc in early march. i am now back on track and losing again. ellin

Date of surgery: 8-4-04 Weight day of surgery: 327 Current weight: 195 Total lost since surgery: 132 Total lost since highest weight (if you lost weight for your program as a requirement): 132 Goal weight: Docs goal 177, anything below 220 is a bonus to me. Pounds to goal: 18 Starting size in clothing: 26-28 Current size in clothing: 14 Starting shoe size: 10W Current shoe size: 8 1/2

Here is what I was told to do... Months 1-3 - 300-450 calories Months 3-5 - 450-600 calories Months 6-7 - 600-750 calories Months 8-9 - 750-950 calories Months 10-11 - 950-1100 calories Months 12 and up - 1200-1400 calories Again, this is just my surgeons requirements. When I track my food and I fall in this range, I lose nicely. Lately there have been days where I know I grazed and I ate much more than I should have and I do not lose. So again, all I know is this works for me! Tiffany 283/170/?

Hi Natalie, I think we've all been where you are right now... I think I go through this on a monthly basis! What I do is stop myself and think about WHY I wanted to have the surgery in the 1st place. I think about all of the things I missed out on pre-surgery, the way I felt about myself, the way others looked at me, etc. I re-read my pre-op journal and the list I made of reasons why I wanted surgery. This mentally brings me back to the HUGE decision I had to make to have the surgery or not. We went through a lot... it has not been an easy journey, and satisfying some craving just because we CAN doesn't do justice to what we've been through. I think back to the day of the surgery, all of my hopes and dreams and more importantly... MY FEARS. I remember being wheeled into surgery and scared that I wouldn't make it through and see my baby ever again, and that I still felt strongly enough about my weight to go through with it and take the chance of not making it. It hardly seems worth cheating after all of that, you know? Take a few minutes to yourself while taking a bath or just sitting in solitude and quiet and try to remember WHY you had surgery in the 1st place. For most of us, this is our last shot at being healthy, and it's definitely not a cure all. This is something we're going to battle with the rest of our lives. We're only human and will always make mistakes, but then we need to get back on track ASAP! I've recently made exercise a priority (over the last 5 weeks)... I work out 5-6 days a week and do it as soon as I wake up before I have a chance to talk myself out of it! Kick up your protein and water, and try to quit snacking if that's a problem for you (I know it is for me--- I snack when bored instead of when hungry--- BAD HABIT!). Anyways, take care and keep posting, it keeps all of this so real when we talk about it! Lots of love, Dawn