hi Irene, thanks for being our motivational support! I always enjoy listeing to people who haven't had surgery that are optimistic and supportive! I completely agree with your comment and appreciate your kind words about our journey. It hasn't been an easy road for us jsut because we had the surgery. Its given us the willpower to say no to foods or helps us decide in better food decisions but we have to be the ones to get motivated with exercise, remember to drink and take vitamins and eat the right foods to help the weight come off. Rick has been amazing in his walking and his posts are so positive always. You have a great hubby and I'm sure you both support eachother well!

It's cold,its cloudy and there's still snow on the ground from January...I WANT SPRING! I get excited when the first tip of the tulips peeks through the frozen ground.Spring starts the year over...a new begining. Its easier to walk in the Spring, and more fun,seeing and smelling the flowers and fresh air. Spring brings better produce prices and oh, the fresh asparagus and strawberries! It means uncovering the waterfall and being able to listen to it. Its easy to be blue in the winter.To stay indoors and be lazy...and cook and eat. In the winter,I bake. No point making 3 dozen cookies when its just as easy to do 12 dozen. But I learned a trick: I bake,I freeze or give away-IMMEDIATLY. The church,the grandkids,the school, the local Blood Drive...even Les Schwab Tires,where they are so nice. It chases my blues,gives me my delight in baking and makes someone els happy...what a deal! I especially try to bake when Rick is not home,but I save one or two.Play music,enjoy a fire or candles,a hot soaky bath ,a good book...regroup and relax in the winter. And if you must bake...give it away. Thanks for listening- Irene

Something I ask myself is why didn't I have the surgery? I guess I've hidden in my "stuffed skin" for so long,I'm used to it. I know I don't have the determination/dedication that Rick does...that you all have. And, here's the other thing: I don't want loose skin. I have few wrinkles because I fill them out. There was a tv show on "big surgery" that featured a pretty young woman that had had the surgery,was eating healthy,exercising and had layers of excess skin. Her insurance refused to pay for the removal. Her Dr. fought for her,stating the hygene problems (not to mention her self-esteem!).She was denied. The look in her eyes haunted me. To do everything humanly possible to chnage your life, your health,your spirit and then be crushed. I wondered if she would turn to food as her comfort again.What a tragedy! I live in a swimsuit almost year-round;aqua areobics,our pool. There is no place for skin to hide in a swimsuit. Vanity is a poor excuse for not having the surgery. I am so proud of all of you that put every excuse aside and went ahead with the surgery. I've seen Rick go from being an old man to someone younger,more active,more social but more self-confident and ALIVE. He is lit up. I hope each of you are"lit up" with energy and delight in each day,with endless possibilities. Thanks for listening. Irene

Unfortunately, my own mother is like this to some extent. I'm glad we live on opposite ends of the east coast. I only see her a couple of times a year. I think it is difficult for her to understand my new relationship with food. My whole family has always been large and food is such a huge part of getting together. "No thank you" is a phrase I use often. She also has a problem when we go out for dinner. I order whatever I feel like eating and I often leave half of it on my plate. Sometimes, horror of horrors, I don't even take the leftovers home. Eating out is about socializing and letting someone else do the work. It's not about cleaning my plate!!! Thanks for the reminder to stay strong even in the face of friends, or family members, who want to feed you! Hugs, Stephanie

Hi Irene! Greetings from sunny Florida. Well, at least I think it will be sunny. It was dark when I got off the plane so I'm not 100% certain it will be sunny. But it better be! I've had enough snow for a while. I know what you mean about Monday being the day to begin anew. I always say that about my diet, exercise, and vitamins. It's so much easier to be in the work day routine than it is on the weekends. I'm particularly bad when I travel. So thank you! Logging on and reading your message has reminded me to take my vitamins that I missed today while flying. So I'll take them now and I won't have missed a day. Thanks so much for taking over for Rick this week. I'll look forward to your posts and to responding to them as well. Hugs, Stephanie