Hey Everyone... Just maintaining here at 142lbs... Trying to lift weights to tone up a little before the summer. The best compliment I ever get is "wow you dont look like a Gastric Bypass patient"... I love it when people say that. They think Ive lost weight on my own. Janie... I will pray for you and your family in this trying time. Everyone else... Cravings are normal... If your grazing, Graze on Nuts, Beef jerky, cheese, fruit, Im constantly eating cheese and crackers or fruit. I try and graze on the good stuff. I dont dump anymore...But i never really did. Lots of sugar makes me feel yucky! Good luck girls... Keep focused and DONT GIVE UP!!! Stacey Hey does anyone have Myspace? If so add me... www.myspace.com/leenikphil

Katy, I know exactly what you mean!! Sometimes I just cannot get over who I see in the mirror. Today I treated myself to a perm, waxed my eyebrows and lip and she shaped my eyebrows as well....I like it. Will have to take a pic for a new avatar when I can figure out how I want to wear my hair...lol. Anna

Holly, I know it is a struggle. I struggle every day to make the best choices that I can. Exercising isn't the problem. It is the call of those old bad habits. You have made a huge turnaround by dealing with it. I would love to hear what the nutritionist says. The nutritionist I dealt with just really didn't seem to be with the whole gastric bypass thing although she is employed to be by the hospital and doctor. You know how you can just tell when someone doesn't believe what they are telling you! I did a reality check this last week of my food consumption. I have gone back to the basics and am monitoring what I take in. I need to get to goal and I only have 9 months to lose this last 54 pounds. My doc has lowered my goal weight. He tells me that the two year window to lose is crucial. I haven't been losing lately and have been gaining and losing the same 5 pounds for several months. My body fat is way down and my sizes are still dropping but I need to lose the weight too. I worry that I am really comfortable where I am....maybe too comfortable. I do recognize that I physically and mentally feel better all the time but if I am minus any unnecessary carbs (you know the junk like crackers) then I am at my peak in every way. The food does make a difference. Accountability is crucial. I am certain of it. So for me it is protein first, no bad carbs, lots of water, exercise and NO snacking. We can do this!!! Hugs, Katy

WooHoo! I would take that as an extra special woo hoo since he is a fitness and nutrition guy! I know what you mean about the exercise and how I carry myself. My trainer has nagged me to stand up straight and pull my shoulders back while sucking in my gut. She tells me that is the best ab exercise there is--to just walk around and do life while holding in your stomach while breathing in and out but not letting the tightness go. It feels so good on my back too. I do walk differently now and carry myself differently. I feel stronger when I walk and I am sure that comes through for other people to see. It was strange having to watch my reflection while I exercise to get the form right and now I honestly enjoy watching myself workout. Oh boy does that sound vain. It is so great to be able to see myself do the exercises. I still can't wrap the me I am around the me in my head (fatty). So watching my reflection helps me get there. I fear that if I don't learn to embrace the new me physically then I might not hold onto my weight loss because I will be tempted to eat like the fat girl I once was at some point. I feel like I will be less likely to do that if I realize that I am not a fat girl anymore. I am rambling but I hope you know what I mean. Hugs, Katy

hello i am shirley i have been searching the internet without end to find info. about the rny surgery i want to take that one because i need to loose alot of weight and your name came up as one who have had the surgery i need to know what other things can you help me with like vitamins for right now b-4 the surgery i am very excited to finally get to this point but it can;t come fast enough i have some medical issues i need to get rid of and the weight loss will help that but i need to start exercising more so i won't have sagging skin on my body i don;t want to have more surgeries after this one is done to remove the skin i just want from the bottom of my heart to loose the weight i am praying for my mind and my heart and my soul to be right and to see myself a different person i have a daughter that's 6yrs old and i would love to take her to the zoo and walk around the whole time and not have to stop so much. is there anything you can tell me to help me prepare for this big life change.