DREAMS D edication R ealization E ffort A dvice M otivation S uccess We have our dreams - we want to have the best health possible, we want to reach our goal, but to do that we have to do some things to make the dream happen. DEDICATION - we have to be dedicated to our 4 daily goals of more water, taking all our vitamins, doing some exercise, and choosing protein first and making other good food choices. REALIZATION - the realization is - if we don't follow our 4 daily goals, we might not get the dream. EFFORT - come on MARCHers - make sure you put out the effort. Our surgeons put out the effort to do our surgery and start saving our lives, but we have to match those surgeon's efforts by making the effort to do the right things. MOTIVATION - you have to be motivated to get the dream - you have to make the right choices. Hopefully some of my daily motivational posts are getting you fired up and ready to do the right things. SUCCESS - Our dreams will be realized when we are successful in making this journey work. Success is SWEET...and I know we will all get there. We have been successful so far, but in order to realize the dream - we need more effort, keep motivated and we will find true success. WHAT will you do today to get to the DREAM???? The answer is DEDICATION, REALIZATION, EFFORT, MOTIVATION = SUCCESS. I know you will get to the dream - come along with me and together we will do it! Have a great weekend and hugs to all....Barbara

I think many of us may be going through a little bit of depression associated with our weight loss. We have all made great progress, but now that we are nearing or at our goal there may be a feeling of emptiness. What was all of this effort really for anyway? As we have gone on this journey we have had a lot of recognition for the results we have achieved. Now that we have stabilized at a more normal size, people don't give us the compliments that were once lavished upon us. The attention can be intoxicating. We desire more praise for our accomplishments. Some of us may feel that the reality we have experienced is far removed from the one we envisioned. There is a sense that the grass is always greener on the other side. We must learn to be content and happy with the "new" you. I am a strong believer in support group meetings. I attend a meeting once a month and it helps to keep me grounded. It is important to discuss issues with others that have gone through the same thing. We can learn from other people's experience. It is easy to feel alone and helpless, but if we open up to others we find that we can work our way through any difficulties. If you think you might be suffering from depression there is no shame in asking for help. There are many professional services available to help us through this process. I use this forum to help me with issues as they arise. I have learned a great deal from each of you and I encourage us to help each other whenever we can. I hope you all have a great weekend and know that I am here if I can be of help to any of you. Life is great, Rick

Hi, Barbara, My name is Emily and I'm from New Jersey and my surgery was March 05, however there is not that much conversation on that forum and I was invited to join the March 06 forum. I would like to join in on the walking activity for October if that is OK with everyone. Just let me know what I need to do. I;ve been doing very poorly lately, I'm not eating correctly, I'm eating things that are not good for me. I'm scared I;m going back to my old way of eating before the surgery and I'm fearful of gaining the weight back. I need help and support and it sounds like you guys really help one another. I hope that I can be apart of it. I'm hoping to reach my goal by 08. Emily

If she's still on the boat, I hope she's back in time for our Saturday date! We miss you! Hugs, Stephanie

Hi Barb, on the Weight(I put my actual weight, right?) but the height, I'm confused, I have it on 4(dont get that part.) What do you have it on?