Hey all. I read this thread start to finish today because I'm really starting to struggle. I realize many of you wouldn't consider me to be a "slow loser" as I lost about 55 pounds in my first year. However, let me say that I lost over 75 pounds about 5 years ago using Weight Watchers with far less work and agony....so to me, this has been a struggle.
I moved in November and dropped a quick 40 in about 2 1/2 months. Not fair. Surprising and shocking at the same time. I realize the quick loss was because of exactly what you said--I ate a lot of protein and very few carbs. I have been working out regularly all along, for at least an hour or so, 4-5 days a week. I also made a few other appointments that made a huge difference--the first with the nutritionist. With the amount of working out I was doing, she wanted me to get closer to 100-120 grams of protein a day! (Thank goodness for Benefiber!) I hadn't seen her since pre-op and thought that one year out would be a great time to remind me of the basics. I was in a very different position to listen. The second thing I did was made an appointment for a psychologist. I needed to address my head hunger and my compulsive behaviors that I struggle with now, nearly 2 years out. The last suggestion I have is to attend a support group if it's available where you had your surgery. This site has been a tremendous support for me, but nothing is more helpful than sitting in a room full of people who face the same struggles, frustrations, and disappointments that I've had. I've had a difficult summer and am now down about 115 pounds. I was running 15-20 miles a week (yep, never in my WILDEST imagination did I think I'd take up running!) but am now waiting for knee surgery. (Not a result of running but of returning to throwing the discus at my ripe old age.....)
For those of you struggling with losing pounds but noticing the inches, be sure to take measurements! This is the only thing that has helped me make it through the months when the scale didn't reflect my sincere efforts. I still want to lose about 30 pounds. I'm not sure it's going to happen, but I'll re-asses when I get closer. Nothing about this surgery and efforts post surgery has been easy for me. I have had to work for every pound I've lost, but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm re-learning to eat as normal people do and trying to stay active. My long years of sedentary life and bad eating aren't habits that I can lose overnight.
Thank you all for your insight. It's really great to know I'm not alone in this frustration. There are so many who make this seem easy and who talk about their thinner selves. I was never thin and don't have a thinner me to reflect on. My greatest moment was being called "thick" by a man the other night. For the first time ever, I didn't feel like the fat chick at the bar....I was simply voluptuous. It's the small things that make me happy in this battle. Keep up the great work.

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"Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option" ~ Mark Twain