Any body out there shaking with fear....

As we approach the dreaded 6 month mark.... afraid of a dramatic decrease in the amount of weight loss???? It's been nice jus****ching things melt away..... now it seems that most people after 6 months lose about 1/3 the amount they were used to losing.....???? 1. Have those great habits gotten solidified yet?? Have the habits of protein first, at least 64 oz of water, multi vits, calcium and Vit Bs been cemented in your brains??? 2. Has that old wicked appetite returned??? ARe you battling the carb demons??? Is the exercise wearing thin???? 3. Have people finally noticed your weight loss and commented openly on it??? Any new loves, old loves popped up on the scene??? 4. Any new jobs? Promotions?? Firings??? 5. ARe we getting therapy to cope with the emotional changes going on??? So how we doing out there November babies????? B

Sphinxy, It's all good! I've slowed down to about 4-5 lbs a month these days, but then I realize that I have 28 lbs to reach my doctor's goal and 38 to reach my personal goal. It sounds doable! But I do sometimes worry that it will all just stop any day now. The pessimist in me says that if it is too good it won't last. Gotta stop running those old tapes in my head! 1. Occasioanlly forget a vitamin or 2 but for the most part have made it a habit. I want to switch to Vista vitamins when I run out and maybe switch to B-12 shots to reduce the memory load. Protein first is pretty easy because I don't have much luck with starches these days. Slowing down is my biggest problem! 2. Yes, I get starved sometimes and others I just don't want to eat a thing. What a wacky appetite! The PMS carb cravings are back full court press. 3. People notice and most are happy but some are downright nasty about it and say I "cheated" by having the surgery! I have a few choice words for them that I usually keep to myself. I could go on and on about this issue.... Same ole DH and have no intention of changing that! The fluctuating hormones cause some ....shall we say...in the mood issues... at times but we patiently get through it. 4. No new job, but I'm looking! It will be short term because we're due to PCS later this year and then I start internship next summer. 5. I'm a doctoral student in psychology. I'm surrounded by freakin' therapists! I'm always either giving it out or on the receiving end of it. All in all, things are going well. Patience issues, mostly! I need to exercise more to tone the saggy things up! So, that is where I am right now. Maybe one day I'll get around to putting my profile up. Love to my sisters! Carey 243/168/130

Hey B - You're just full of questions aren't you??!! Ok, let's see: 1. I'm really good with my water and vits. I do sometimes forget the b12 sublingual but not often. I try my hardest to do protein first. I make sure to get about 70/80g in a day. 2. My appetite has returned darn it all!! Sometimes at night when I'm tired I go for carbs. I've been pretty good but have slipped a little in the last 2 weeks. I need to get hard on myself and get back to basics! No harm done though. 3. People at work are starting to say that I look good. Some folks (even ones that I don't know that well) say, "hey skinny" when I walk by. It's a little weird for me. I like it but at the same time I don't if you know what I mean. I need to work on that a little. I feel the same even though the body's changing. That ole' fat mentality just doesn't go away over night! 4. No new jobs, promotions or firings - same ole' same ole'. No news is good news?!! 5. I do see a therapist once a month just to check in. I haven't really felt the need to do any in depth head shrinking. Things are pretty good in my part of the world lately. Hubby's happy, sons are good and I'm still shrinking (slowwwwwly but surely). Keep up the great work all and to all!! Deb

Well B, Here are my answers: 1. Most of the habits are solidified. Water being the hardest for me. Some days, I get 100oz others I get 48, so still working on that one. I am pretty faithful on my vitamins and now that I found a multi-vitamin that is small and I don't have cut in two, its going much better. Protein is good; I usually get between 60-80g a day depending on how the stomach is handling food that day. LOL yep I am one of the lucky ones with a picky pouch! I am on a plateau and have been for the last two weeks so yep my weight loss is slowing down. I am hoping after this week of "little monthly visitor" and getting back to basics, the scales will move on Sat! 2. Appetite has returned, although not full force. Carb demons are rearing their ugly head. I work from home when not travelling and am home this week. I have moved my office to another room so that I have to walk through two rooms to get to the kitchen. This has helps tremendously! My office was in the room right next to the kitchen and specifically the fridge. Exercise is going but not as well as it should. I am starting with a personal trainer this weekend to hopefully help with this. He is a good friend and doing this on his own time to get me into an exercise routine that I can do at home or on the road. I spent 98% percent of my life in hotel rooms and have no motivation to go to the gym onsite. I do get swimming done about 3 times a week. Again its a motivation thing. If I get to the pool, I will spend anywhere from 1-2 hours in the water. 3. Lots of people notice, but I still don't see it in the mirror. That makes it hard to accept the compliments but I am trying. The worst is when someone says "youre wasting away".... my thought is "yeah right, I still weigh 296lbs, no way am I wasting away. Get real" Now to friends who know me well, I have commented this way and it has become a joke, however, there are acquaintances that are just nasty about it. I try to take the high road in that! 4. No new job, but looking! I got a raise last week that is overdue but I didn't have the courage to ask for. I finally did and voila got it ! 5. No therapy here, although I have thought about it. My support group so far has fit the bill for me. Thats whats happening in my world. Hope everyone else is doing well. Lise Lap RNY 11/29/04 409/296/190 106lbs to goal -- woohoo and yikes !

Hello!!! Well, I would guess the closer we get to goal, the more we would slow down. So far, I haven't had the slowing down really....I guess I thought that it wouldn't make a difference month wise, but goal wise....I still want to lose another 80 lbs or so. So for the questions...lol!! 1. I DO eat my protein first, I drink around 5 bottles of water each day and one diet snapple, equaling over 100 ounces per day!! I have noticed more energy and more weight loss since really increasing the water. I am taking my vitamins really good, it's a habit now!! I am glad for that! 2. I don't know that my appetite itself has returned, but the craving for carbs has. I have caught myself a few times trying things I shouldn't and I had my first true dumping experience this weekend after trying a nacho chip with all this rich cheesy nacho stuff on it!! I won't do that again...lol!! I am a stay at home mom, so between taking care of the house, and my little one, I homeschool my 10 year old daughter. Some days I find it hard to get my 3 meals in, let alone continuous snacking, for which I am very glad!!! Since I have lost the weight, I seem to have so much more energy, so the exercise is actually going very well!! I have added more exercise, and trying to do some toning, these arms are disgusting flabby...lol!!! Not to mention the stomach, but the arms are noticeable to everyone, not just me I am sure....So, I have been doing alot of weight training with my arms, more reps!! 3. I have had quite a few people really notice my weight loss!! I don't notice it as much at all, except for when I try clothes on!! I am married so no NEW loves, but my husband is very proud of me!! 4. I stay home with the kids and homeschool, but I do have way more energy to get more done. My husband hasn't given me a raise though....lol!! What is up with that??? 5. I am not going to therapy or anything. I talked to my Dr. on Friday when I went in for my check up, and he was glad to see that I was so upbeat. I haven't suffered from any of the depression, or feelings of loss as far as food goes. I don't know why, but I have felt so wonderful since having the surgery, not feeling deprived etc....and I know for that I am very fortunate, after talking to people around here who I know who have had the surgery, and reading the posts on here!! I feel great, and my attitude, my self esteem, my energy level, everything has improved!! Thank God for that!! I am very glad I made the decision to have this surgery, and not one time have I had any doubts or misgivings concerning it. I am very happy!! I have a new spring in my step!!! Take care, Teresa

1. I always do protein first, now (hanging head in shame) most days I do not get enough water... just can't seem to find the room for it and it is not from eating too much,(eat about 3 oz a meal) but my pouch just stays full for at least an hour after eating, sometimes more. My Multi and & Atigal are taken fervently, if I somehow miss a dose, I kinda weird out on myself. B-12 I only take 2-3 x's a week, per instruction of my Dr. 2. Some wicked habits have returned, but now I can eat 10 chips as opposed to half the bag. This is not an everyday thing at all though, just when I'm feeling stupid... lol I eat 3-4 meals a day and usually don't feel the need to graze or snack. Besides I stay full quite a while. ** Is the exercise wearing thin???? **I've been working 7 days a week, 14 hr days, does this count as exercise if I'm always on the go? Well anyways these days are definately wearing thin, so is all this brrr chilly weather and rain. (we even had snow here in Ohio this past weekend!) I did buy me a brand new bicycle yesterday and can't wait to get on it... it's been years! 3. Some people have finally noticed my weight loss, and comment. )Others still haven't or are afraid to bring it up. No new loves and no old loves popped into the scene, but then again MY FAULT, I haven't really been anywhere but at work! 4. Same job since Feb, Promotion could be in the future, but not until next Feb, as the boss was showing some of the board members around the office today, I was introduced as the NEW INTERN.. hmm maybe he is planning on keeping me, I was here on a 1 year term to start. 5. See my therapist once a month whether I need it or not. Actually, my heads been pretty ok with things so far. My emotions even seem to be more in check since loosing -90lbs, I handle stress better, w/o heading for the fridge. So I think I'm doing ok, I'm ok, you're ok, we're all doing ok I pray!

Hiya Sphynxy One, I am doing pretty good - I only have 19 lbs to go to hit my goal. I seem to hit a week long plateau every few weeks and the last two times I hit them I said to myself, well if this is all you lose you are so much better off - but then I start to lose again. So even if I lose these 19 lbs VERY slow or even if I dont lose them all, I am SOOOOO much better off in all ways! Now to answer your questions... 1. I am on it! I take my vitamins daily, and I carry water with me everywhere I go - and not only do I carry it, but I drink it too I get that protein in every day and I enjoy a variety of veggies and fruits too! 2. The old appetite has NOT returned and I do NOT battle carb demons and I am so excited about this because these were my big downfalls before. I could not sit in a restaurant and not eat the bread there, and I had to finish every morsel on my plate. I never understood how my skinny friends could just stop eating and push the plate away - now I do it!!!! When I am no longer hungry the food is just not appetizing to me now matter how good it tasted while I was eating it. And the bread and other carbs?? Who needs it?? Not me!! I dont get it - I dont understand it - but I am SOOOO GLAD it is how I feel! LOL To keep exercise from wearing thin I do a variety. I have an elliptical that is my usual mainstay, and I have introduced jogging outdoors and bicycling to my exercise regimine. 3. People comment on my weight loss ALL the time. My sister in law, whom I also work with and I went to college with, the other day I was talking to her at work (we only work together one day a week) "Any way she said to me I am not listening to a word you say - I cant - I am sitting here looking at you and you look like you did 15 years ago" It was certainly nice to hear that!! My one love, my husband is always on the scene and he is very supportive 4. No new jobs, promotions or firings, lol. 5. No I am not getting therapy. I am really not having difficulties at this time with emotional issues. I thought I would because even though I never really realized it or admitted it then, I am sure I was an emotional eater. I dont know what the difference is, maybe I am praying more and that helps with emotional issues. Thanks for asking and it is interesting reading everyone's responses! God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea 223/142/123

Yeay! I just found this page and I am a November babe!! I have some answers to your very good questions. 1. Doing fine with all vitamins--except missing calcium occasionally. Still drinking one protein drink a day. Working out at the gym circuit training twice a week and walking at lunch 3-4 times a week. 2. Yes, that horrible thing we label an appetite has returned. I really, really try to avoid carbs. Sometimes I will have 4 tortilla chips with salsa or low fat popcorn. I really like the flavored soy chips that are like mini popcorn cakes. 3. So many people have noticed my weight loss. I like it when I haven't seen people since the fall. 4. No job change, but got a raise 2 weeks after I returned from 9 weeks off from surgery and complications. I work for the most understanding doctors in the world. 5. Needed weekly therapy at about 3 weeks post op--on an anti depressant and doing fine now. Except...I let the scales dictate my emotions for the day. I have slowed down on loosing already. I've only lost 3 pounds this month and I have been exercising and working out. I'm in a bad mood over that no matter what anyone says. I still need to loose 30 pounds and want to get there quicker than I am . (But truly, I never thought I would be saying I only have 30 pounds to go.) good luck to all the November babes!

First - Hi Everyone!!!!! Question 1: No - habits are still not as great as I'd like - But they are better - I do choose protein first, have changed some snack choices - soy nuts instead of chips - Baked lays if I MUST have a chip or soy chips - animal crackers if I need a carb - the only really bad is I MUST have SF dark chocolate at least once a week - More lately as things have been a little stressed. 2: No - appetit hasn't really returned - But I do think about food more than I'd like. 3: Family & friends have noticed... keep waiting to run into that ONE person I haven't seen in forever & have them say "Dang look at you" 4: Absolutely going to be laid off - meeting with HR, CEO & attorney next week to discuss their severance offerings... Need prayers for a job... I have too many bills... (Don't we all) 5: No therapy currently - but I'd really like to explore the option further... the adjustment to a new size isn't difficult - for me it's the fear that it will end at some point. Sphinxy - Much love to you for your kind words to me in the past couple of weeks - during my time of stress... I've been away with my mom in LA during her recent leg replacement surgery - and haven't had time to say thanks.... My hopes are that things are going better for you.

Still working on the amount of protein and water, but all others are good to go. No to the appetite, carbs doing well in check, exercise still needs work! Yes, people notice, most are afraid to say anything (they self admit they don't know what to say for fear of saying the wrong thing) so I am sure more people notice but are just afraid to comment. I got a raise and an award "civilian of the quarter"! whoo~ hoo~ No to the therapy. My mind is in check as well Now if I can just get my PMS undercontrol but at least that's only once a month and not daily!