Feeling like a failure

Hi Clemantine, First, great job recognizing where the problem COULD be. As already noted, go back to basics. Concentrate on eating lots of lean proteins, be sure to get your water in, and punch up the exercise... even if that only means you take a walk after dinner each day. I'm sorry to admit that I lost my first 95 lbs w/o a lot of effort - but I've been blessed with the ability to lose weight quickly - but I gain it back just as quick so I CAN'T EVER relax. I've managed to only lose about 5 pounds in the last 5 weeks - in 2 bursts so I'm having my reality check at the moment. I still managed to lose inches though. Are you measuring monthly? A HUGE part of the problem is I'm now at the weight I spent about 7 years at while in the Navy. Is 180 a weight you once held for an extended time? Your body remembers those plateus and doesn't want to move from it. Remember, we were given hope again by having the surgery and we have a tool that we KNOW works... if we're using it correctly. You're doing great... just think of all the other pluses you've found along the way. More energy, feeling better about yourself, maybe off pre-op meds, doing things you couldn't before. They're all a lot more important than what the scale says... even if we (well, I do) live by stepping on it every time we see it. Dawn

You know now that you mention it 180 is a weight I held for a long time - maybe that's part of the reason I am plateauing here! Well I'm really trying now to get back to following the program completly and trying not to snack. The snacking is mostly a problem in the afternoons at work. I'm trying to drink a lot more non-calorie liquids instead of grabbing a snack.