Well here we all are. Almost a year old with our new tummys and our new lives. I am thankful that I've reached goal and my heart and thoughts go out to you all that have not reached your goal yet. Like many have said, keep your chin up and keep on keeping on. With that said, I am trying to do that but am terrified. Over the past month or so my eating habits have slipped and I'm falling back into VERY bad habits. I'm grazing during the day and actually found myself binging the other night on cookies. I, unfortunately, do not dump on sugar and can tolerate it very well. All the bad things that make others uncomfortable like rice, bread, sugar, etc all sit well with me. I'm abusing the "system" and eating bad things. Except for the other night with my cookie binge, I'm eating way less than I used to before surgery but am just upset and pissed off at myself for picking up my bad habits of grazing on chips and bad stuff during the day and eating when I get emotional or feel down. My partner and I have been stressed about money and I'm stressed over my relationship right now. I'm starting therapy up again tomorrow so I'm hoping that will help somewhat but I know what she will say - journal and exercise and all that. I have been doing that and I think that's why I'm not gaining any weight back. I'm standing on my feet all day and walking miles to and from work and while at work. I have not gained any weight with all the bad eating and stuff but I'm just scared I'm going to hurt my pouch and will ultimately in the long run mess my pouch up. Is there anyone else out there in the same boat as I am? What are your coping mechanisms? Am I just being paranoid about eating what I am? I can honestly say while I am eating bad things like chips and cookies and such, I'm not eating NEARLY as much as I did before surgery. I could eat a whole bag of microwave popcorn before surgery and still feel hungry and now I can eat 1/3 to a half a bag and feel full. I would eat a whole container of Pringles as well as 3 sandwiches and feel full but not stuffed before and can now eat a sandwich with the edges cut off and about 8-10 pringles with it. I guess I'm just scared that with eating this much, I'm afraid it's going to get worse and I'll advance to half a container of pringles and two sandwiches. I'll stop whining and moaning now - am just trying to get things off my chest and hoping and praying that someone else out there is in the same boat as I am!! Jody

Milissa, Don't feel discouraged. I had lost 80 pounds and gained about 4 back in the last month since my surgery on February 11. I'm not going to let it get me down. I don't have any great suggestions but I do know that reading these postings helps me tremendously. I haven't been on the boards but for a few months, but already feel like all the great guys/gals that post on February's board really care and know what they are talking about. That helps me a great deal. I truly feel that if you keep on doing what you're doing, you will accomplish your goal. It may not be as quick as you like, but you'll get there. Best of everything! Wanda 256/182/145

Julie, I know what you mean about looking older. I guess having a full face helped hide the wrinkles.....my BF is 2 years older than me and when he was showing some pics of us at work his coworkers asked him how much older I was than he!!!! speaking of Debbie (D.K.)...i just saw a post of hers on the main board and dropped her a note. So she is still alive and kicking! I was out running errands at lunch and ran into a friend I hadn't seen for about 7 months. I said hi, she said hi and walked right on past me...i just stopped and waited for it.......about 5 seconds later i heard a big squeal and turned around laughing.....she didn't recognize me. I told her I get that a lot lately so i usually just wait until it registers with people! I have a visitation to attend tomorrow night of the uncle of a good friend. So i will see a lot of high school friends. can't wait to see the reaction!!!

Hello dear, Geee does this sound familiar. Four months ago I was down about 75 lbs from my highest weight and about 68 from surgery. Then I got stuck and I mean stuck. I've complained, ranted at my surgeon, counted my calories, drank my fluids and walked.........and walked..........and walked......... In the last year alone, my neice tells me that we have literally walked over 500 miles. I could not understand why the scales would never move. Up two pounds water and down the same two pounds. My body was in revolt and I knew it. I hadn't been under 200 pounds since teenager years and I'm heading for 50 fast. I stubbornly refused to stop excercising, refused to eat bad, and refused to give up. I knew the walks were reversing diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, heart disease, hypertension and list goes on....I have been diagnosed with them all. Surprising to me as well as my physician.......I AM STILL ALIVE. Hahaha....I can laugh now, it wasn't funny a year ago. I've been constant about remaining the 'Slowest Loser' on the Feb boards and felt more than my share of self pity. It will move, hon......almost four months and then WHAM! 12 pounds in two weeks. It's not the excercise, it's not my diet, it's not my liquids.......it is all of these things combined with a stubborn nature and a "I'll move until I'm dead but I won't give up or give in!" attitude. So chin up, sweets.......everyone always asked "Did you do this? That?" but the simple truth is ................. your body will let go of the weight....come walk with me. I've burned more fat blubbering to the Lord of Hosts during these walks than at anytime in my life. And now I'm filled with joy and my feet hurt like crazy..........LOL. My neice informed me that we will break our record of 11 miles (walked that already today) to walk a 15 mile stretch next week! It's really great to be able to say.....I can do this.....I can do this.....I can do this and I am not alone. Best of luck to you.....keep in the loop, when I stop checking in I get lonely and wobble. These folks are rock solid individuals and I couldn't think of better people to get to know. Lots of love! Katherine

No, haven't heard from Debbie for some time. I know she has younger kids, so I'm hoping that she's just out..busy, happy and healthy. Maybe she still lurks and will see that we've not forgotten her Julie