Yesterday 5/3/15 was my 5 month post op. I am loving life. All the NSV and scale victories (even though those are slowing down).

I have not decided my final goal weight yet. I thought I had, but I really dont want to look sick thin. I want to look think, but not sickly thin. That is why title states 20-30#s.

I am wondering, since I am in slow mo with my weight loss, how did you lose those last lbs to make it to goal weight. I go to gym 3 times a week for 1 hr a day. I am in the middle of our corporate challenge events here at work. I run 5ks and 4 milers when i can.

HW 256

Pre op W 242

SW 231

CW 169

GW 140-150

Any suggestions would be greatfull.

I didn't do anything special, I just stuck to the plan.  While the losses get slower and slower due to a smaller and smaller calorie deficit you will eventually level off at the weight matching your diet.

I didn't do a thing different. In fact I still do the same thing now in maintenance for two years. I follow the plan my doctor gave me. It is my new normal and my new way of life. I exercise every day and eat protein first every meal. I have not added back rice,potatoes,pasta or bread and won't. I have come too far to go back to what I was!

We have very similar starting weights though I don't know how tall you are...  

The weight loss does slow down a bit though you are still very much in the early days and should just stick to the plan that it working for you.  My first goal was to be under 150lbs and then I decided to go to 135 so I'd have some room for bounce back.  I reached 135 at a year post-op and got as low as 113 (complications from other surgeries) and am now in my zone of 122-127 lbs at 21 months post-op.  

Don't worry about the too skinny thing.  It happens - and I looked like death warmed over I was so rail thin - but it does redistribute and our faces eventually adjust.  I look like I did at 140 lb only now I weigh 15 lbs less.  It's weird, but true.  

Don't change anything - stick to the plan and enjoy the ride! You have time to get there and it will happen if you stick to it. Good luck!

You are still VERY early out. Just keep doing what you are doing

I did all of these at the same time

1) Low carb diet within the size restrictions/portion restrictions of our pouch/surgeons plan

2) I ran long slow distance every other day at 85% my maximum heart rate (I am 38 so my max heart rate was about 156 or lower..pretty slow). I ran about 6-9 miles every other day (still do!).  At that heart rate, I have a 13-17 minute mile (very slow) so it takes me about 3 hours of running.

3) weight lifting. Resistance and running just really sucked everything in and made it defined. It took about 2 months before I really started to "see" anything but once it got going, it was exponential.

Also you have lost over 86 lbs. This is REALLY GOOD.  Take a few long moments to pat yourself on the back for what you HAVE accomplished.

Would you be willing to post some before and current pictures. I bet they are really inspiring !

Sure I can post pics. How do i do that?

I dont know. Other people like Kat D have to do the embedding for me.

They do it unasked and out of the kindess of their hearts!  I love them.

The exercise you are doing is great. But weight loss happens in the kitchen, not the gym. In the end it's all about the food.

True! ON the food. TWO of my trainers have said weight loss is "70% diet; 20% resistance and 10% cardio"