Trisha, Just keep in mind how well you HAVE done. When you talk about sodas, are you having DIET ones or Regular sodas? My surgeon said it is okay to have diet drinks. Although I think that they will make you more hungry. I will admit I have been having Diet Pepsi's. I haven't indulged in any alcohol or sugar, but probably snack on crackers and nuts too much. We are all in this boat together. One of the best diet books I ever read was "Thin for Life". The author found many people who had lost weight and kept it off. One thing they all had in common was the fact that they didn't let things get out of hand. If they did bad for a few days, they didn't beat themselves up about it, they just got back in the saddle again. You know you haven't done well, but don't beat yourself up about it. Put it behind you and remember all the good things you have accomplished. Start writing in a journal, get a friend to help be accountable to, start exercising more. I would love to be at goal now, but have about 40 lbs to go. I think that sounds a lot better than 170 lbs! I say all of this and of course I need to do this as well. Just remember you've got a tool that can still help you, it's never too late. corgimom

Thanks for posting this question! I weighed in a few weeks ago and was happy to see that I weigh 180. The day of surgery I weighed 296. So I have lost 116 and thirlled!! Dr. Cole asked me what I wanted for a goal in the begining...I said that I wanted to be under 200...even if that was to be 199. His goal was to get 70% of excess fat off me...and that would be 101...I think...so I was able to hit both goals...BUT... Because I am 5'9 to be "normal" on the BMI chart I would need to lose 11 more pounds...I would LOVE to get there, if I dont then I am ok with that. I would say that I am a size 14, but they are all getting pretty baggy for me...so I guess I am mostly a 12...whoa...I would of never thought it!! Thanks again to all who have walked with me on this journey to a better life style!! ((hugs to you all)) Tara 5'9 296/180

For MONTHS I didn't have any soda because I knew how bad it was for me and was pretty much not having a problem with giving it up forever. But this past month I have been drinking sodas more often. It started with drinking it at a restaurant with my meal and then I needed it to help my morning headaches (I don't drink coffee) and now I'm buying cans again at home and drinking them 2-3-4 times a day (not always finishing them). I feel like I am spiriling out of control. I didn't know this could happen less than a year out of surgery. Anyone else falling into some bad traps like soda, alcohol, sugar, breads, etc? I don't want to be the same horrible person I was pre-op but it looks like I am. I know, I know, they operate on our stomachs not our minds, but still.....I thought after MONTHS of eating small and healthy that it'd just kick in and I wouldn't have these evil, irrational tendencies and habits creep back. Help!!! Trisha

BENEFITS OF FLAXSEEDS: * Reduces cholesterol * Reduces blood pressure * Helps our hearts and vessels around/in our hearts * Prevents cancer * Helps heal/protect the lining of our stomachs and intestines * Helps arthritis It's very HEART healthy! Ground/crushed flaxseed is better than whole flaxseed because it is easiliy absorbed/digested. I buy mine whole and use a mortar/pestal to crush them. You can also use a food processor/Magic Bullet, etc. I crush them and put some in my protein drinks, oatmeal, yogurt or even in with my scrambeled eggs. Also dash some on my salads, in with peanut butter on my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Trisha

I hope your costrochronditis goes away. Doesn't sound fun. Hang in there on the weight loss. People have told me all along that plateaus are normal some lasting a few days/week to several weeks/months. Don't give up. Weight will come off eventually. I need to do some buster or busting my own! I miss that exhileration and excitement of losing weight. I miss shopping for clothes. I've just been in a "funk" the last few months. Ugh...... Glad I am not alone! Trisha