Hello, you beautiful bunch of losers! I am in major panic mode, and I hope I can get some advice from my fellow January 2004 group! All of a sudden, it seems that I am getting hungry more often, and I am able to eat a lot more. For example, I am freaking out over today's food that I ate...here is how it went today so far... 8:00AM - Atkins Morning Start Blueberry Breakfast Bar 10:00AM - Slim Jim Beef Stick Meat Snack 11:00AM - Designer Whey Strawberry Protein Smoothie 12:30PM - Cup of Homemade Chili with Beans 2:30OM - Yoplait Low Carb Yogurt 5:30PM - Came in the house starving, ate a small "child's lunch-size baggie" of Cheetos Puffs (as a treat, 12 grams carb), then followed by 4 miniature sweet red peppers (they are the size of jalapenos, but are actually sweet), and then followed by a small sugar-free Blueberry Muffin! This was eaten one after the other - HOW did I eat all of this without getting overly full? We are having chicken breast for dinner, so I hope I will get my usual full feeling after eating some chicken like I usually do, and I can stop panicking. But - seriously, this seems like an incredible amount of food that I ate today, and I am so scared! I am SCARED TO DEATH! I can think of nothing else! I just moved to Alabama from California, and during the past two weeks, I had been eating out for every single meal, due to movers and things being packed, etc. I thought I was always making good choices, and not overeating, but in the two weeks I GAINED THREE POUNDS - and I am so scared! I know men aren't supposed to cry, but I never felt more like crying in my life. After the multiple hospital stays for bowel blockages and then the more recent kidney surgery for tons of stones, I would hate to go through all of this (and the three hernias on my incision line) if only to gain back the weight. I am TERRIFIED. I am over 13 months out, and I know that I lost over 205 pounds, and that I am beyond goal, but I DON'T WANT TO GAIN ANY WEIGHT! My family actually said they were grateful that I gained three pounds - I was mortified and I wanted to just hide. Is there any idea how to handle this? It is enveloping every thought, all day. I AM SO AFRAID TO GAIN - and I am so afraid of eating so much!! Any thoughts you lovely people can please share with me will be so much appreciated - more than you know! God bless you all, Michael

Hey there Alberto! it is when you eat all day long, several small snacks, or just picking something up and eating eat by not thinking. Most say that grazing leads to bad food habits and can promote weight regain, expecially if you graze on non protein items or hig calorie items. I have to admit that I follow a low fat diet and if I didn't have my rice cakes as a sanck between meals, or my hard candy (life savers, etc), I would be lost. They are my saving grace. They keep my mouth busy and it is much better that high calorie foods or smoking! I am always conscious of what I put in my mouth and keep it in check that way. Have a great week!!!! Jill

Prayers on the way

I have been at goal since 10 months out! I had a leak to and was in the hospitol sick. I feel pretty good today! You are not far now hun you can do it

I am hanging around 140....a little more right now because I am taking prednisone and I have found out how well I CAN graze. My surgeon's goal was 136. Mine 125. I have been here since SEPTEMBER!!!!!!! Hoping the warm weather will come and I will go back to the mad pace of exercise I was at before. I think at least 10 more will come off then. Right now....things have been slower with the illness and the weather. YUCK.