hi y'all. Since for some god only knows why reason I decided to get up @ 430 this morning I figured I would start today! I have offically lost a .5 lbs. Instead of getting upset b.c its not a lot I am going to own that .5 lb and be proud and consider it my jumping point!! I am sticking with the same goals this week as last..30 min of exercise 5 days a week and 60+ grams of protein a day....how bout y'all!? sarah

Wanda, Thanks for your response, I am trying very hard to cut back on the carbs and have started drinking protein drinks to make sure that I get in the protein that I need everyday. I'll try to remember to go to the Friday thread. I think that if I can talk through this to some people when I'm having a hard time that it will help alot. Nice talking to you. Hope to be talking to you soon. Sharon

You certainly have been through a lot in the last two years, Sharon. I can't imagine how awful it must feel to have feet that hurt, especially when you want to exercise! Hope you heal and feel better soon~ Mary gave you some excellent advice and I don't have anything to add. Just want you to know you're not alone where hunger is concerned. I had surgery one day after you and started feeling hunger pangs probably a year after surgery. That is when old habits can really rear their ugly heads!! I have to struggle with it daily. Cutting out most carbs have helped. I don't think your exercise routine changing would have much to do with your hunger returning, but I'm no expert. I just know that I get hungry now whether or not I'm exercising. Please join our Friday thread.... it really helps and we'd love to have you! Wanda

Annette, Good for you, you are doing GREAT!!!! Meds are so important to take and keep on a schedule. Congrats on maintaining. Isn't that a good feeling when we can do that too. Have fun walking, take time to be out and about and enjoy the scenary too. Mary

Sharon, What a time you have gone thru. Hope your feet feel better soon. I have a couple of suggestions: 1. Chair Dancing. These are exercises that can be done sitting down. Have no weight baring on the weight. You'll be amazed at the workout you get. http://www.chairdancing.com/ When I was a member of Kaiser, they sold this type of video in their members dept. You may also be able to get it thru amazon.com. Richard Simmons also did one called "Sit Tight" I believe. 2. Swimming. Do you have access to a pool? Water walking is great. I could barely walk on land, but sure could walk in the pool. Even if you don't walk in the pool, even movement in the water is great because of the resistance. If you are able to swim laps, go for it. Even now when I use our pool I jog in place or tread water .... good workout. 3. Exercise Bike. You might try riding an exercise bike. I had great success with it even with arthritis in my hips and knees. 4. Walking. If you decide to do any walking, be sure to wear good supportive shoes. My podiatrist always recommended jogging shoes rather than walking shoes and to buy a good brand name, not the cheapest pair I could find. The jogging shoes are at the right angle and have more support, better for the feet for sure. If you are eating a lot of carbs, they can definitely increase hunger. Try cutting back to NO carbs (no rice, no bread, no potatoes, no cereal) for 1 to 2 weeks. Then only do carbs from fruit, veggies and see what a difference it can make. I had to lose 50 lbs before surgery and I was amazed that for the first time I was not hungry. Please feel free too to join our Friday Check In Thread for commitment. We are all trying to get back on track and stay there, even lose some in the process for many of us. Wishing you the best. Mary