Question:
Ok...now the rubber seems to be meeting the road here.

I am currently 7 months post and have lost over 80#. I'm nearing the "199#" mark that has eluded me for years but for some reason I seem to be losing my motivation (ie "determination") to break that mark. I feel very good, look very good and am healthier now than I've ever been. I'm not completely satisfied yet, however, and I DO want to continue losing more weight. But lately I feel like I've become complacent and lazy in my efforts. I've even found myself munching on "forbidden" foods like candy (limited amounts) and other "junk" type foods. I go to the gym a couple times a week and work out on the treadmill and weight machines and altho' I still try to get in all my water every day and push my protein, but I have to admit I've become a bit lax in that department too. Has anyone else gone through this and could it just be a "phase" that will (hopefully) pass? I've experienced a number of plateaus (and am in the middle of another one now) that have really done a job on me emotionally and I'm wondering if those plateaus could be a part of my lack of motivation. I was so determined when I first began this journey and I desperately need that motivation back. Any and all comments and/or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your understanding and your help.    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 3, 2000)

October 3, 2000
From the way you word your post it sounds like 199 pounds is where you usually stop and begin the upward swing. Perhaps your loss of motivation is a protective thing because you are about to cross an old boundary. Are you feeling discomfort about getting slimmer or maybe just ambivalent. If so, what is the discomfort about. Are you perhaps afraid that you might not deserve to be thin? or perhaps you feel your weight has "anchored" you and made you steady and reliable. You are the only one who can know this but, if you think that this might be the case, perhaps some counseling might be helpful.
   — Nanette T.

October 3, 2000
My clinic actually warned me about the 200lb mark. It seems that many folks get stuck at that point, because we don't feel all that heavy at 200lbs start to snack and break our healthy eating programs. Hang in there and you will get past this. A great suggestion that was given to me was to plan a nice something for yourself when you break the 200 mark. It can not be clothes or anything to do with size or eating (no special treat food). I chose amber earrings. Focus on what would be something special for you and go for that darn old 200 mark and beat it.
   — Jilda H.

October 4, 2000
First of all congratulations on your weight loss so far! You have done wonderfully. I read your post and wonder if, like me, you are a little afraid of reaching your goal weight. I have experienced similar feelings and I think it is because for so long I thought that if I could just be a "normal" weight all my other problems would go away. Although when I think rationally about it how can I expect weight loss to make me have more time or money? BUt I am getting closer to my goal I too have experienced the reluctance you described. It helps me to remind myself that my surgeon re-wired my digestive tract, not my head or bank account. Hang in there! Some things really are so much easier at the smaller weight and I am slowly learning to like the thinner girl in the mirror. Good Luck and I hope this helps some!
   — Andrea P.