If you've successfully maintained, post here

I don't know what catagory I fall under...some days I feel like a success and others I feel like a failure. I am 4 years out and lost 125 pounds. I re-gained 25 pounds about 2 years out and have maintained since. I'd love to get back to 175 and will use some of the things I have read in this thread along with some of the stuff I have been doing to maintain. Great post.

I keep re-reading your posts - what a shot in the arm they are to those of us who are struggling.  Not that it is anything we haven't heard before in bits and pieces, but your stories are the realities of success in WLS.  I'm compiling your strategies into a list of my own to follow after I have my RESTORe procedure next week. Thanks so much! Betsy

I had wls 4 years ago.  I have lost 115#'s and I have been in the same decade of weight for over 2 years.  I work out almost everyday sometimes in pretty intense classes or sometimes on my own.  I have wanted to lose 20 - 35 lbs. more to get to one of the #'s in my head but i really do feel good about myself but i don't feel like ive ever gotten to "goal". I wear between an 8 and a 12 depeding on the cut /style of clothing.   I have a hard time wrapping my head around the notion that this must be how much a "regular" person must have to exercise to maintain.  I have this vauge feeling that if i'm sweating this much i should have lost the last 20 yea know? The good things i do for myself: 1. I make myself drink a protein drink everymorning before I let myself eat lunch. (Usually) 2. Drink all my water, sometimes with herbal tea or crystal light. 3. I have learned to by consistant with my exercise, not perfect!  If i miss a day im back the next, not quitting all together like i used to do before WLS.  I have been going for 4 years straight!!!!! 4. I NEVER eat with or after my meals. 5. I don't eat sugar or many white bread/ carb products. 6. I make an effort to cook healthy, serve veggies to me and my family. 7.  I don't take this surgery for granted.  I thank God for giving my surgeon the skills and knowledge to help me.  I pray for overweight people that i see. 8. I play with my kids whenever I can and try to remember when i didn't have energy to play with them. Bad things i need to work on 1. snacking 2. snacking late 3. taking vitamins more regularly 4. I keep thinking that i should go to counseling and figure out how i got in this mess in the first place and i havent.