Stephanie, I can certainly appreciate wanting to live somewhere where it is warmer. This living in sunny California is kind of a myth. Today we had snow flurries again. I don't know what it would be like to move to a new area and have people not know any of your history. I guess you could be anyone that you wanted to be and not be known as "that person". Maybe that would be a good thing. I, like you never want to forget where I can from. It will help me to not go back. You too, have a great weekend. Maybe this will be the weekend for the great zip line adventure. We'll see. Rick

Rebeka, It sounds like you are well on your way to a healthy lifesytle. It's great to incorporate those changes into your routine and make it a way of life. It makes everything so much easier when it is habit and you have certainly reaped the rewards of your efforts. Take care, Rick

Before I had my surgery the way I looked at myself and I think the way others looked at me was as a big person. I was looked at as being lazy and slothful. I had no will power and made poor choices that affected by health and my life. I had to plan my life around my physical limitations. There were also limitations put on me by the pysical world around me. The size of furniture as well as clothing were a major concern of mine. My obesity contolled my life. Now almost two years later I feel that I am defined by my weight loss surgery. Many of my thoughts during the day are directly related to my surgery and my current lifestyle to maintain my weightloss. I constantly evaluate the food I put into my mouth and worry about getting enough exercise to offset my food consumption. It is nice not to worry about my physical size and how I am perceived by the world. While I may not be seen as a large person, I still struggle with my own perception of myself. I guess the real question is was it all worth it? I must say yes, but it hasn't been easy or without cost. I look forward to the day (if it ever arrives) when my surgery will not be the primary source of my every day thoughts. Do each of you have these thoughts or doubts? I'd like to hear from you. LIfe is great, Rick

One of my biggest challenges prior to surgery was the amount of food I ate when dining out. It seems as though everything is super sized in life today. We all feel that we must get a perceived value for the money spent so we often overindulge. The following information was borrowed from another website, but I think it applies to all of us as well. Just because restaurants serve up larger food portions, doesn't mean customers have to finish every last bite. Using five basic food guidelines, Young devised ways for people to get -- and stay -- slim without deprivation. Mind your mouthfuls. Instead of worrying about the amount of carbohydrates or fat a certain meal contains, focus on the amount you consume. Just because it's brought to you doesn't mean you have to finish every last bite. A simple way to do this is to make visual comparisons, says Young. "Think of a deck of cards as a three-ounce serving," she says. "And, a cup of rice or pasta should be about the size of a baseball." If the piece of salmon you grilled for dinner is the size of three card decks, you've met your meat quotient for the day. Add first, then subtract First step, fill your plate with as many food portions of fresh, leafy greens and fruits as you want. Do the research and dig up some healthy recipes made with apples, apricots, plums, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, you name it. "No one wants to be deprived or on a diet," Young says. "Before you take anything away, stock up on fruits and veggies." Negotiate your cut backs. "Decrease your portions of junk food," Young says. "so you're eating fewer high-calorie foods--chips, sodas, chocolate, fried foods." You don't have to eliminate your favorite foods. "If you like ice cream," says Young, "you can eat it. But, you're going to have to learn portion control." Pack in protein. Protein is not only good for you, and it makes you feel full. "In my research, I found that a lot of people were eating breakfast and all their meals, but weren't including protein," says Young. "And, a meal without protein is not going to do it. You're never going to feel full with just bread or a bagel." Remember, there's more to the protein category than just meat. Try slipping some yogurt, an egg, low-fat dairy, or fish into every meal. Forget white flour. When you eat white flour products, your body gets nothing but empty calories because the fiber, vitamins and minerals have been stripped away. "A lot of people were under the misconception that it was carbs that were making them full and fat, when really, it was the starches," says Young. And beware, says Young. Don't assume that because bread or other products are brown that they are healthier. They could be dyed brown with molasses. To be sure, read the label to ensure that your bread is made with 100% whole wheat or whole grain. Lets all work on putting the right foods in the right quanities to fuel our bodies. Have a great day, Rick

Congrats on your five pound loss. That's great! It's definitely easier to be on one plan together than two separate plans. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, Stephanie