WOW! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Awesome job. I can't say much on the nutrition thing, as you've lost rings around me. I've cheated and slipped more than I care to say. I was confused too, if that matters any. I was always told protien first, then veggies, fruit & lastly carbs. I was told eat low-fat, but the dieticians never mentioned how much. They just told me to buy all low fat, lo carb, and eat sensibly. Also, never to eat anything with more than 9 gr fat in a serving. The different types of fat were also something to watch. Since you are so much more on tract than me, I'm not one to give advice. Keep up the great job - what a new lifestyle you must be experiencing!! Beth (Open 2-5-04)

Maureen, You have quite a way with words. I too have some of the same feelings. Empowerment, feeling like I actually have control. Also fear that I will not always have this control, and will gain it all back. Also there is the bitter sweet frustrations, of clothes only fitting for awhile, and people not recogonizing me. Then having to tell them how much I have lost, and when they ask how (if they don't know already) that weird look people get in their eye when I tell them. I also have these overwhelming feelings over the littlest things. I love that I can cross my legs. I sit there and cross and uncross them all day. I love that I feel pretty, and haven't felt this way in such a long time. Also really odd feelings about my friends. I think it may really bother them that I have lost so much, and am still losing. It is ok, that I am still bigger than them, but it feels like when that day comes (if ever) that I am the same size or smaller, it will not be so good. See I have a good life, a wonderful handsome husband, 2 absolutley beautiful daughters, and the perfect job with an added promotion this year. And yes I have problems, I just try to keep positive about all situations, and not go down a negative spiral, which I feel is a cancer. I think that I made people feel good to be around me because I have always been fat. That was my weakness, that was my vulnerabilty. That was the one thing that I was completley out of control with. See I have always been the funny best friend of the most popular girl. It is so weird how I feel. I had to really re-evaluate my relationship with these women, and why they wanted to be my friend. I know I have changed in more ways than one. My priorities have really changed too. I still have a hard time dealing with the emotions of all the serious complications I had. It is very weird to say that I literally lost 5 weeks of my life (while in the coma) It is also overwhelming at the amount of love and support my family gave me. I just feel so unworthy still to this day, and never know how to repay them. My only solution is to stay healthy, and pay it forward. Sorry for so long of a post, but you really got me thinkng. Congrats on your one year anniversary. Amy

Hey Tami..... Congratulations on losing 165 pounds! Thats an awesome amount to lose!These last 20 pounds (30 for me) are probably the hardest for us to shed. My loss has become very, very slow, so I may not be the right person to answer your question.....but I'll share with you what I do (following my nutritionist's instructions). First and foremost, I make sure I get my protein in daily. I try to consume anywhere from 1200 to 1500 calories daily. I don't count fat content, but to get the protein, I figure I probably take in more fat than I need. As far as carbs go, I do try to stay away from breads and sweets but do try to get vegetables and fruit in daily. I've always heard that a calorie is a calorie, be it from fats or carbs. I do notice that if I eat any type of bread, crackers or sweets, I seem to be hungrier throughout the day. I also try to get in some type of aerobic exercise every other day. According to my stationary bike, I burn anywhere from 600 to 700 calories per session (of course, according to my bike, I burned the same amount of calories at 256 pounds as I do now at 178 pounds....so who knows how many I'm actually burning). Hope this helps...........Wanda 256/178/145 .........5'6" Lap RNY 02-11-04

Maureen, Happy Anniversary. Yes, a lot of soul searching/reflection during this last year and lots more to come in this journey too. One day at a time is a great mantra to follow. Sometimes for me it has even been one hour or minute at a time. Life is feeling more and more normal as I learn to live with my new body that is healthy and so full of energy. I do fit the old habit demons at times, but so far I have been able to get back on track when I have strayed a bit. Congratulations on all of your successes. Mary

Maureen, congratulations Nancy, Congratulations you ladies have done fabulously in your journeys! Take a bow. I guess over the past few weeks I've been thinking a lot about where I"ve been and where I'm going in life. Having WLS has certainly changed a lot of things for me. Physically, emotionally and psychologically. I have always been a pretty healthy person surrounded by a lot of people. I always thought I had a good life. I did. I still do. It's just different. I am about to celebrate my 5 year wedding anniversary. My husband fell in love with me when I was over 300 pounds. I owe a lot of my successes to him and his never ending support and encouragement. I love you, honey! I have a 3 year old daughter. I have more love than my heart can hold sometimes. She is all of me and I of her. I was motivated by her spirit and love to have the surgery. I still struggle, with looking at my reflection in the mirror and forcing myself to recognize the face on the other side as mine. I have always loved the person that I am and will continue to be at peace with all aspects of my life. To all my fellow Februarians...keep up the good work and keep plugging away at all those speed bumps in the road to success and happiness. You all have enriched my life more than I thought possible. Denise