Hi Elisa, I see you got a new job, congrats! What are you doing now? How is your hubby post op?' I'm glad you were thinking of me,you are so sweet, thanks. I think of all of you so often. Rebecca

((((((((((Elisa))))))))))

How is everybody? I have been doing well. I have been holding at 184 pounds for the past two months. I have been able to eat like I used to. I don't experience dumping, and I realize the amount I eat has increased. It is strange to be able to eat almost anything again. I have lost a total of 85 pounds, and I think I may have stopped losing at this point. My body has healed from the surgery. I guess I've settled into this weight, which is fine, as long as I don't gain. My only complaint is I hate having gas all the time, lol! I love being a size 12. It has been a long time since I have been this size. A good friend of mine was looking at pictures of me from last Christmas, and said she can't even believe I ever used to weigh that much. She has known me 13 years. It is surreal to look at those pictures. I didn't realize I was that big when I was that size, and apparently my friend didn't realize that about me either! I think I really believed I wasn't as big as I was. I was in alot of denial then. I really don't want to ever go back to that weight again. I recently had my labs done, and everything was normal. It feels so good to be healthy. I know I have to watch what I eat going forward. The days of pounds dropping quickly are behind me. My goal is to maintain and not gain. Maybe I wasn't meant to make the Century Club. That's ok, I'm grateful to be where I am today. Just needed to express myself tonight I guess. I miss all of you Feb. folks! Rebecca

Hi all hope everyone's doing great! A friend sent me this forward the other day and I thought I'd share. I know it's a "funny" but I just didn't find it so funny. I think the "old" me would have found it funny...and it might have even made me feel slightly better about being MO? I don't know if you know what I mean but...anyway it's meant to be funny, I know. Enjoy! Elisa ************************************************************** I Love this DOCTOR!!!! HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true? A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake? A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you? A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Is swimming good for your figure? A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me. ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle? A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO!, What a Ride

That is so wonderful!!!!! If we had ink color choices here, I'd post this in green. I'm green with envy! Way to go! Woo hoo! Gosh