This article was in Barbara Thompson's Weight Loss Newsletter and it seems to fit several of us....thought provoking....Barbara When we first had surgery, the trip to the scale to weigh ourselves was a delight. "How much did I lose yesterday?" One pound? Two? It was truly weight loss heaven. For the first time in our lives, our relationship with the scale was not only friendly but intoxicating! But over time the weight loss slowed and then one day it stopped. Hopefully when that day came, you were at your goal weight. But for most of us, we have fallen short of that goal. But really, is that so bad? Weight loss surgery is not designed to get us to goal. It is a tool to help us hopefully get within 70% to 80% of our goal weight, to get us to a healthy weight where our obesity related symptoms disappear. Reaching goal is a very tough road. And with the accumulation of hanging skin, and the toll our excess weight has taken on our joints so that exercise is sometimes difficult, many of us never see our goal weight. Most of us can live with that. What we cannot live with is when we see the numbers on the scale moving up. Panic sets in. We have all been through the yo-yo dieting. It is natural to wonder if the same thing will happen this time. The problem with weight loss surgery (especially gastric bypass) is that the weight loss is so fast and automatic that it gives us a false sense of security. We start to feel like the pounds will never return. We feel like we can eat anything and we will still have the weight problem licked. But we don't. As we get further out from surgery, our appetites return. We haven't learned how to eat and how to control those demons. Yes, we know that we are supposed to eat protein, but what does that actually mean? And as we get further and further from our surgery date, our motivation dwindles. We rationalize that we loo****ertainly better than we did before. And besides, maintaining a weight to fit into a size 6 or 8 is just too hard. A size 10 is just fine. But it is when the size 10 turns into size 12 into size 14 and 16 that we start to panic. We each need a rational approach to maintaining our weight. And sometimes it means just getting bask to basics - drinking water, exercising, eating protein first and no grazing. It all sounds so simple, but it's tough and we are in this together. If you are struggling with your weight, don't feel alone. Most people do, even after weight loss surgery.

Welcome to California. I'm so glad we made it. The trip was more enjoyable because we shared it with each other. We saw some neat things along the way thanks to our tour guide "Stylz". Thanks to one an all for being a part of our adventure. I have enjoyed the walk. Take care, Rick

OUR GOAL!!! Our original mark was Union Station (LA) from Penn Station (NY) so needless to say we HAD to stop and wave, but then we carried on to DISNEYLAND for the weekend!! http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/landing?name=DisneylandParkLandingP age lets enjoy our weekend here, get on those rides and have fuN! heres a list of rides.. take your pick! http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/listing?name=DisneylandParkAttracti onsListingPage we actually went over with our miles, so next week we'll continue to the beach per Stephanie's request! Can't wait to get there and enjoy that ocean smell and listen to the waves crash! Even if it isn't warm enough to dip our toes its sure warmer than the east coast!! have a good weekend everyone, LETS GO PATS!!! ps - I don't have the list of stops with me so I'll make our map this weekend! give yourself a pat on the back for helping in our walk across america Marchers! you deserve it

My question for you today - Is it easier for you to follow your plan on the week days when you have a more structured routine? If that is the case maybe we need to take a lesson from that and be more dilligent in our routine on our days off. Whether we want to admit it or not I think we all thrive on structure. We make fewer bad choices on impulse if we know ahead what we are going to eat and that we have drank the required amounts of water. We also have to be mindful that we take our vitamins and supplements when it is a non work day. If that is a problem for you, place them where you will see them frequently and remind yourself of their importance. Days off are also a wonderful time to get in some more exercise. Try to do a little something different on your days off. You are not limited by time constraints and can do something that is fun but also good for you. I constantly have to modify my daily routine because I work shift work. My shifts can change daily as well as my days off. Sometimes it is a real challenge to keep track of my intake, both the good and the bad. I hope you all have a great weekend. Rick

The first vacation after wls surgery I wanted to make it to the top of the Hattaras lighthouse. Last year my goal was to ride my bike 100 miles in 7 days while at the beach. I did it in 6 days it was raining the day I got there. This Septmeber I'm seriously considering hang gliding lessons. The east coast biggest sand dune. http://www.jockeysridgestatepark.com/ Some how a giant sand dune doesn't seem all that scary. I may have a different opinion when I get to the top. I have got 8 months to phych myself up. Belinda