Thank you so much for all of your good wishes, reassurances and prayers! I was reading them on my husband's pocket p****il just minutes before the surgery started--it really meant a lot to me! They worked because I'm home and feeling good! The pain is no fun, but not even close to as bad as I thought it would be! I went in to the hospital at 133 and when I got home I was 140 (even after the surgeon removed 4 pounds!). But now, at 3 days out I'm back down to 134, so hopefully tomorrow I'll be back where I started! If you click here you can see my pics of me in my compression garment. Yesterday, I had to pull it down to change the gauze so I took a picture of how it looks at two days out--really not too bad--it looks a little swollen. It doesn't hurt as bad as it looks! Here's the link-- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jill23/uzone,blog/blog_id, 64723/action,comments/blog_post_id,142641/ Love ALL of you! Jill

I have been feeling very discouraged and disgusted with myself lately. I have been at a weight loss standstill for months. I feel large in part to my giving in to old habits of eating a cookie here and there. My worst habit is crackers..I want to snack on them all the time. Sure I choose the good kind with whole grains but, I know that I must cut them down. I deal with a great deal of pain due to fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis and that increases my depression. So here comes food as my comfort... the story of my life. I guess the psychological factor will always be there it is just learning to recognize and slowly get myself back on track. I am diligent with getting in my protein and eat mostly salads but, the snacking in between I think is my downfall. Due to my health exercise is next to impossible. I want to get started in a water exercise program soon...that seems to be the only kind of beneficial exercise for my condition. I have noticed lately my stomach makes more noises than usual and that has been a concern for me also. Maybe it is telling me you better slow down girl...lol Am I the only one that is or has experienced this backsliding behavior? If not, what if anything did you do that helped you to regain your focus and ways to encourage yourself ? Any experiences or suggestions are welcomed. I feel like I have come so far and I refuse to allow myself to continue in this pattern. ...but, I have to admit I really feel weak right now.

Hey Rich...long time, no see... *sigh* I think that we are all, for the most part, at the place in our journey where we are testing the waters to find a workable balance with our eating. The only things that get me back on track are to keep busy...I eat when I'm bored...and to focus, focus, focus on that protein!!! My downfall seems to be chocolate (what woman's isn't??) as of late...but I refuse to completely give it up. So, I eat bittersweet chocolate chips, measured into a tiny bowl. It takes forever to eat them...and I noticed that I can use the same type of behavior with many foods that are "dangerous" for me to start eating. I don't restrict myself from anything...I just made a bargain with myself that whatever that "dangerous" food was, it had to be eaten in small, measured portions in a tiny bowl...protein...I can eat as much as I can without measuring. It's all really a psychological trick of making bargains with myself, but I hate breaking a promise to anyone, especially myself, so this is working for me. I think in the end it all comes down to making wise choices with regard to portion sizes, frequency of eating, and most importantly, choosing the best option available for what we want to eat. Junk foods are never a good option, but perhaps finding more healthful alternatives to the things that you like will help. Check out the healthfoods section of your grocery...you'll be amazed at the choices!! I am a treasure hunter when it comes to finding that new soy or sugar free product that fills a need or want! Think outside the box and move away from the junk foods!! . ~Suz

Lately, I have noticed myself falling back into old habits -- starting to each all that junk food again. At least I am aware of it and can make a concerted effort to STOP. Yesterday was better and tomorrow will be better yet. I really am concerned about falling back into this trap. So far it hasn't shown up as a weight gain but I am very concerned it will if I don't stop this destructive behavior quickly. Has anyone else experienced periods of this type of adverse behavior? How did you get out of the rut? Rich

Thanks Holly!! I was there forever too! I hit 169 when I weighed in on Jan 13 and it is now now almost March 13...but slow and steady wins the race! I think my body is fighting to hold around 160 too...but I want to get to 140 and say that I at least saw my goal! lol I want to have a normal bmi and that is the goal I am striving for.