The musings of an Eighth Grader... or whatever you want to call me.

Great post. You have done a great job.

Lurker here since 2007 sometimes I am reading on OH 4 times a day. It sounds crazy but I know everyone by their screen names, I can usually tell from early postings and questions they ask how successful they will be. I have learned so much from all the vets. It took me a bit to realize "normal" is overrated. Never again do I want to be where I was, not only weight wise but for me the mental place I was in was so much worse because of my weight.

Had a revision to sleeve from lap band in early 2011 and finally got it all together and now under my goal.

We all follow different paths, and wish I had lost mine hardcore, so when I see 3 month, 4 months out and some of their choices I feel bad because I took that road of moderation instead of listening to the successful vets. Always been stubborn and glad I finally listened and proved it to myself.

So thankful for the vets that still hang around and also those that didn't. Even thankful for those who preach moderation when they are less than 2 months out because it reaffirms my decision that moderation under 1200-1400 calories (6years out) a day is impossible for me. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy my piece of pizza once a month, but moderation in my mind would be every other day instead of every day.

if you all have the time I can list each and every person, their fur babies, kids, jobs, etc and probably on the sleeve forum and this one, I'm lying....probably on all the forums. I do have a life but for some reason this is how I know some are like me and have the same struggles....that's my normal and I am okay with it and welcome it.

BTW, without addressing some individuals direct, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you that have a family member with health issues and other issues going on too.

One more thing, Grim and JB are adorable.

Hope this doesn't scare anyone, I really am not a mean stalker. LOL

Please come out of the shadows and share your story with everyone here more often! The more voices from successful people (especially revisions, IMO), the better the conversation gets.

I've been here on and off since 2007 too. Starting to come out of the shadows.

I agree! Come on out and play with us more often!

Thank you for your words of affirmation! I appreciate them!

I have been very successful following the rules suggested by the vets here and have done so like is my job and that is why I'm at goal. I'm great at following rules.

However, this is what concerns me about maintaining. It's not really about strictly following rules anymore and what works for some won't work for everyone. I think that is why I keep lowering my goal because I fear maintaining. So much to ponder and think about. Coming here daily is the one consistent rule throughout this entire experience that is completely needed.

It does get harder after the honeymoon faze. I know it did for me. I am not posting about my addictions.

I am posting about my delusional thinking I can do to myself. I can change a story so many times and it may sound better or worse. I can justify eating something in these stories I tell myself.

With addiction we can lie to ourselves. I am glad you are being honest Pam. It is not easy.

We all can say regain happened from stress. But all of us have stress. Some have problems that are a lot worse than others. I could also blame my eating on menopause. Or taking some of the meds.

Just being honest is the one thing I know I have to be.

Coming here and listening is one of the best things I did for myself.

There's always a good excuse for gobbling down a twix bar... or why we gain weight... This, I know as I've come up with them so many times!

Also we can lose weight also at almost four years out.

Thank you for an honest post.

I am 9 years post op. In the 9 years I had "I've got this" moments and "o ****" reality calls.

The "o ****" humbled me over and over. I no longer claim "I've got this" ... I know "here and now " I maintain at my goal. But if what I am doing now stops working- I will be changing it again.

My main goal it's too be as healthy and happy as I can be. At one time - if I gain 10 lbs and I were to be happy with it - so be it. I can gain 10 lbs and be ok with myself. But more than that - and my body may not like it.

This is hard work!!!!!!!! But worth it!!!!!!!! I am 2.5 years out and doing well, but those old habit can creep back. We don't chage a lifetime of 'bab' habits in just a few months, it takes daily work. As you have figured out.

This helped (I am only 2.5 years out, so listen to everyone), but I came across a dr who said that the real goal is not a number, but"

to have a healthy and happy relationship with food and your body.

Clearly, carbs for BF and alcohol for dinner, does not qualify.

This as a goal has helped me because when you get to maintenance you no longer have the weekly 'weigh-in high' of being down a few pounds. So a happy and healthy relationship means staying on your program and away from foods you will feel guilty about. It means getting your daily protein FIRST as well as your calories approp fluids.

Good luck staying on the straight and narrow.

I don't want to pretend that I don't eat crap from time to time, but I try to limit it to pre-planned indulgences.

Good Luck long-term. You results are based on what you do. Make sure you have good role models.

Best of everything on your continueing journey.