The mode in which the inevitable comes to pass is through effort.......Oliver Wendell Holmes Did Oliver Wendell Holmes know his stuff or what?!!!! Our immediate mode is to get to goal and that can only be done through effort. Yes we have a tool - but only a tool - not a magical wand. It did seem like magic to begin with when the weight fell off so quickly, but now some of the magic has gone flat and only our effort at this point will make us meet our goal. We have to do the rest that the tool started for us. What effort will you make today to get to goal? Will you follow our rules? More water, take your vitamins, more exercise, more protein and good food choices. You have a great "free" opportunity for exercise in October - our MARCHer's WALK-A-THON across America. Get out there and do some exercise - WALK - and if you are going to walk - track it!!!! We left this morning for a long weekend in TN to visit my son, daughter-in-law and grandkids. We won't be bac****il late Monday so Rick has graciously agreed to post my motivational message for me. So a big thank you Rick. Remember: the mode in which the inevitable comes to pass is through effort. Hugs to all, Barbara

If we are having a problem with these things we need to see the problem and start working on it. 6th Mistake: Grazing Many people who have had WLS regret that they ever started grazing, which is nibbling small amounts here and there over the course of the day. It's one thing to eat the three to five small meals you and your doctor agree you need. It's something else altogether when you start to graze, eating any number of unplanned snacks. Grazing can easily make your weight creep up. Eating enough at meal time, and eating planned snacks when necessary, will help you resist grazing. Make a plan for what you will do when you crave food, but are not truly hungry. For example, take up a hobby to keep your hands busy or call on someone in your support group for encouragement. 7th Mistake: Not Exercising Regularly Exercise is one of the best weapons a WLS patient has to fight weight regain. Not only does exercise boost your spirits, it is a great way to keep your metabolism running strong. When you exercise, you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even at rest! 8th Mistake: Eating the Wrong Carbs (or Eating Too Much) Let's face it, refined carbohydrates are addictive. If you eat refined carbohydrates they will make you crave more refined carbohydrates. There are plenty of complex carbohydrates to choose from, which have beneficial vitamins. For example, if you can handle pastas, try whole grain Kamut pasta--in moderation, of course. (Kamut pasta doesn't have the flavor some people find unpleasant in the whole wheat pastas.) Try using your complex carbohydrates as "condiments," rather than as the center point of your meal. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of brown rice on your stir-fried meat and veggies. 9th Mistake: Going Back to Drinking Soda Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or pouch. What we know it does is keep you from getting the hydration your body requires after WLS--because when you're drinking soda, you're not drinking water! In addition, diet soda has been connected to weight gain in the general population. The best thing you can do is find other, healthier drinks to fall in love with. They are out there. 10th Mistake: Drinking Alcohol If you drank alcohol before surgery, you are likely to want to resume drinking alcohol following surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting one year after surgery. And it is in your best interest to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol before you do it. Alcohol is connected with weight regain, because alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while protein and vegetables have 4 calories per gram. Also, some people develop an addiction to alcohol after WLS, so be very cautious. Depending on your type of WLS, you may get drunker, quicker after surgery, which can cause health problems and put you in dangerous situations. If you think you have a drinking problem, get help right away. Putting off stopping drinking doesn't make it any easier, and could make you a lot sicker. Hopefully we realize if these things are a struggle for us and we start to find ways to cope with our problems. None of us are alone in this struggle. Life is great, Rick

Rebecca, It sounds like for the most part you are doing okay. I am guility of the snaking thing also. I try to make in peanuts or sugar free fudge bars, so it doesn't hurt me to bad. At least that is my rational. Take care, Rick

Thank you for this post, Rick. Here is how I'm doing on these: 1. Vitamins- I'm great at this. I'm very "anal" about my vitamins, and recent bloodwork is good. Vit. D was low but I spoke to a doctor about this today (finally) and she said this particular test always shows low, for everyone, and she is not concerned with it. Plus my calcium is great, and all other levels are great. 2. Assuming I'm "cured"- heck no I realize my brain is still the obese person who wants to eat all the time I'm trying to stay disciplined, and its a daily focus. 3. Drinking with meals- I've been good about this so far. I have noticed me shortening the time to 20 min. (instead of my usual 30 min. wait)... so I need to work on being disciplined about this. 4. Eating right- yeah I've been snacking more, and adding "cheetos" and cookies in here and there. Not a lot, but still I shouldn't even have them in the house! I justify it in my mind as "its for hubby" but I end up being the one to open the bag and grab a little, here and there.... this needs to stop. Its empty calories 5. Not drinking enough water- daily struggle

I'm proud of you, that's quite a walk. How lovely to be able to walk outside somewhere where you actually get to see FALL! I have East Coast envy. We had ANOTHER pita 90 degree October day here in CA. If I sound like I'm complaining about "another" sunny day--IT'S BECAUSE I AM! I love fall and winter. B: protein coffee S: Tabbouleh w/ 2oz chicken breast 1/2 HB egg L: 1/2 c. Fage yogurt w/berries 1/2 piece Zucchini/turkey "lasagne" S: some of my dd's yogurt balls. ugh 1/4 cup of her mac n cheese ugh! D: chicken sausage grilled veg kabob water: 50oz, 3 more bottles to get thru exer": nope still hurt vits done