I want sooo badly........

to be NORMAL! I am currently at a 27.4 BMI, not bad since i started at 59.6. I have lost 176 lbs in 16.5 months and in another 14lbs i will be in the normal BMI range, no longer overweight even. Ohhhhhh how i want this. The problem is, after 16 months, my weight loss has nearly halted. 14 lbs will take forever if i even ever get there. I want to be 130lbs, so i really need to lose 20 more lbs. I feel sooo hopeless. I am losing motivation, but i keep plugging along. I exercise about 3-4 times a week eat 1000-1200 calories a day, but do need to increase water and protein. I just want these last 20 lbs gone, gone, gone. Thans for listening. Melinda

Me too! Me too! I too am at that final 20 pounds! I too am struggling with them! I have lost 193 pounds in 15 1/2 months, only 40 in the past four months...and for the past month, have lost and regained and lost the same three pounds. However...even if I remain at the weight I'm at now...it's all good! For me, the true measure of the success of this weight loss journey is not necessarily the pounds lost (although it has been fun to watch the numbers go down instead of up for a change!)...the true measure of the success is the improvement in the quality of my life. That's the bottom one....the improvement of my quality of life. I feel alive for the first time in more years than I care to admit to. Don't beat yourself up if you dont reach your goal for a while...celebrate how much better you feel.

Melinda, I completely understand. I started at 253 and fluctuate between 148-152, but I think this is where my body just is for now. I want to be 135 someday. I think I have to tell myself that I may just be 150 for the rest of my life, but it beats the heck out of where I was!!! I am not as diligent and you about my excersice and food consumption, but I'm going to start to be starting today. So maybe there's hope it'll come of someday.... Anyway.. I feel your frustration. Hopefully someone can offer you some advice that will help. Angelina 5'4" 253/149/135-140

Melinda, Just a thought..... I'd heard about his book called- "Losing the Last 30 Lbs." And I found it. Haven't read it, and I don't know if it's worth the postage But Terry Simpson, the author, Is a well respected Bariatric Surgeon And has a couple of other "books" out as well. His first one was- "Weight Loss Surgery: A Lighter Look at a Heavy Subject" He then released a Workbook- "Getting to Goal and Staying There" and now one aimed at folks struggling With that last push to the end. His links- http://doctorsimpson.com/books.php just the books or- http://doctorsimpson.com/ Dr. Simpson and all of his "stuff." (Live chats and transcripts of the same...) Much info!! I'm only at 3 years, Below Goal, Holding there for over a year and a half And - Like the True Southerner I am, "Relying on the Kindness of Strangers" To get advice on how to maintain. I get a lot of info from the further out Post-Ops who've Had some re-gain then re-loss here on the "Grads-Board." So I'm sure you'll get some good info... Keep us posted on how you are doing out there. Hope this helps! Best Wishes- Dx

Thank you everyone, It really feels good to be able to express this to people who understand. DX the links are not working for me. I will google Doctor Simpson. let me know how you like his book. Thanks all, Melinda

I understand wanting the normal BMI. I been hovering over it myself 9-10 lbs above it. I am not sure what to do. Starvation...or more exercise. Right now I have endoscopy next Tues. KInda nervous on the results they will find. I am sure I have a ulcer. I have had stomach pains off and on for a month...no ryhme or reason for the pain. Sandy