Mary Ellen, See my response to Faith (posted above). I would be happy to put together a distribution list and get a group going with a daily "what did/will you eat today" and "what is your exercise plan today" email. Or since several of us seem to be in the same boat, I could start that thread everyday if people would respond to it. Thank you for your encouragement and continued success with your journey. Toni

Toni, I too can relate. The day of surgery I weighed 276. I weigh between 190 and 195 now, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I haven't even lost 100lbs! At the start of the WLS process, the bariatrician at my program said I'd be a success to them if I got to 195 as I would have lost 75% of my excess weight. I told him that wasn't good enough for me. I wasn't going to mutilate my body for 195. And yet here I am a year later weighing almost exactly that. My eating is great and I'm an exercise freak so I have no idea why I haven't lost more. It's really baffling, and not only to me but to all of the professionals associated with my program (nutritionist, nurse practitioner, exercise physiologist, bariatrician...). The way I look at it, this has really been the way it has been for me losing weight my whole life. I have always been able to get so far and then I stop. And that's when I revert to bad habits. So far I have not reverted, so I'm giving myself all kinds of points for that. And I have battled plateau after plateau after plateau, with the first one starting just 10 weeks out of surgery and lasting 4 whole months. I have not currently lost a pound since Christmas, even though I've lost a full clothing size in that time. I would love to see posts on the March board once a week or so that allows us to all check in with each other and encourage each other. It's hard to feel like a "slow" loser when others (some of whom don't seem to have worked so hard) are at or past goal already. I personally can use all the support and encouragement I can get. I just want to get to 170. I don't think I'm asking for the world. I think that's a healthy weight for me that I should be able to maintain with good eating and my exercise habits. I wish us all good luck and good health, and lots of support as we all try to cross the finish line on this unbelievable journey. Mary Ellen

You can email me at [email protected]. On one of the other boards we usually post a "What did/will you eat today" thread but that board is much more active than this one so I don't know if it would be as successful here as it is there. But you and I can do the same in an email. We can also track what exercising we're doing at the same time. We can start as soon as you want and if there is anyone else who you think would like to participate, I can create a distribution list and we can go from there. Toni

Thanks Kerri - I am happy with who far I've come. I just need to stop comparing myself to how others have done. I know we're each individual and will lose at different rates, etc... Thank you for your encouragement. Toni

Well yesterday was my one year anniversary of WLS. I have reflected on me now to me then and it is unreal the difference. I can now walk and do things that a year ago werent even a dream. I am now looking foreward to being around for my family and friends and even look foreward to my grandbabies coming over since now I can play with em and not feel like I am wiped out. I am so thankful for what God has given me now to move on with a better life. I am around - 200 lbs since this time last year so I am so much healthier now it isnt funny. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your support and prayers and heres to many more years of fun together as a team. Barry