WOO HOO!! congrats on the lower sizes, its a great feeling and you've worked hard to get there and if you ever have those days of just feeling blah or no matter how much you're exercising the scale isn't going down, stop in at a store and try some smaller sizes on, just because the scale didnt move doesn't mean the clothing size might not be different. slipping into a smaller size in the fitting room might be all the motivation you need to keep pushing on! congratulations again

Hiya! I think it's something that we have to work up to. Maybe you could try increasing a little each day. Perhaps one or two more ounces each day would help! I know it took me a long time to get up to the 64 ounces during the day. Don't give up! Hugs, Stephanie

Is it Thursday already? Wow! I've been so crazed at work this week. Time has really flown. Most of my weight struggles have little to do with my physical body. They reside in my mind. I struggle daily with my body image, self-esteem, and this crazy journey we've all taken. It's very difficult for me to focus on the the huge amount of weight that I have lost rather than focus on the fact that I am still obese. When I look in the mirror, I don't see a smaller or more attractive version of myself. Yes, I do think I look better. And, I KNOW that I feel better than I did 145 pounds ago. I don't ever want to go back. But, I wonder if I'll ever get there. I've come to realize that my original goal of 160 is not realistic. I've had round one of plastics. While I think my breast reduction was completely successful, I'm not pleased with my arms. I still won't be able to wear short sleeved shirts this summer unless my arms change drastically. So now I need to begin the journey of acceptance. Some of what happens to my body I can control. I can still try to lose more weight. I can certainly keep myself from gaining. I can exercise regularly. I can take my vitamins to keep myself healthy. Beyond these things, I'm not sure that there is much I can do to force myself into a 160 pound body. I absolutely will see onederland at some point and hopefully lower than that. So I need to work on loving myself as I am. I found the tips below and I thought they were a great way to boost self-esteem. I hope they help you too! We need to find the wonderful in ourselves. It's so easy to see it in others. Let's all see it in ourselves today! Hugs, Stephanie ************************************************************************** Self-esteem Boosters The following is a simple, but effective list of suggestions to help develop decision making skills and to strengthen self-esteem I forgive myself. It is OK to make mistakes. I go easy on myself. I will learn from my mistakes. I ask for help when I need it, from people who I know will help me. I can laugh at myself. I will show others my sense of humor. I will remember that my thoughts are important; they are unique. My feelings are also important; there is no right or wrong feeling. I will believe in myself. I will trust myself. I have the right to make certain decisions, other decisions I will discuss with someone who is responsible. I honor myself. I treat myself with respect. I will be kind to myself. I no longer have to seek others approval. I will be a friend to myself. I am in good company when I am alone, because I am with me. I will try to meet life's challenges openly and positively. I will do a good deed. I will be sensitive to people with differences. I will remind myself about what I am grateful for in life. I will find time to dream, and put my dreams into reality.

I know I should drink more water but I just hate to. I am not sure if it has something t do when I was sicker and it jut took too uch energy and was too painful to just walk about 20 ft or less to the rr. I am trying to do better now that I am back to work but I still have not too good.

Stephanie, Great information on water. The way I am sure to get in my water is I always have it in front of me. It reminds me to drink, drink, drink. I usually drink one liter of plain water and then two liters of flavored water. My wife and I went to the Dollar Store yesterday and we bought 24 boxes (10 pouches to a box) of sugar free Hawaiian Punch, raspberry and lemonade single pouch servings. It is nice to change things around a bit. Before the surgery I used to drink quite a bit of soda and I haven't had a whole soda in two years. I really don't miss it now. Sometimes I miss the ice tea. There is really no reason to not to drink it now, I just got out of the habit. I used to always drink it when we went out to eat, but now I don't drink when I eat so I don't think about it too much. Have a great day, Rick