Well, the usual suggestions: *clear the house of the wrong stuff and just have the right stuff, and package the right stuff in small serving size bags so you don't overeat them *try to identify your feelings when you go to eat...try to really FEEL them, know them, work through them, and come up with other ways to cope with them besides eating. See a therapist or nutritionist to help get a good strategy here. *make a list of things you enjoy doing. When you want to eat but aren't hungry, and you're dead sick of your feelings and feeling them, do something on the list. *love yourself the way you are. you might never lose another pound but you are beautiful and healthy and valuable and wonderful and smart and you deserve to be treated as such. Treat yourself at least as well as you treat others. Now, step away from the M&Ms. That's right. Put the bag down slowly and carefully and nobody gets hurt. Now, push the bag to me with your left foot. *wanders off, munching on M&M's and wondering where I get off giving advice on eating* Hugs, Susan

Natalie, I would also echo the **where has the time gone?** Has it REALLY been 18 months????? LOL Keep us all posted when you can about your 'hanging on'--will keep you in mind that you don't 'dry up and blow away'. I'm between a size 14 and 12 and considered 'normal'. Just gotta to keep the 'good habits' and not fall back on the 'bad ones'. My best to all in this Holiday Season. Debbie R. -108 and holding

Hi, I just wanted to comment on your little girl. My little girl is 6, and size 12 is tight on her. She is alittle over 4 feet tall, and all her pants have to be hemmed in order to fit right. I am seriously concerned about it! She is always focused on food, asking about what's for dinner in the morning, asking for snacks, etc. When I serve her meal, before she even takes a bite, she looks on the stove to see if there are any leftovers! I recently went to a nutritionist about it, because she is exactly how I was with food, the obsession, etc. I see her going down the same path as me. I also have an older daughter who is 20, who has a weight problem just like me as well. The nutritionist told me to give smaller portions, and try to increase her activity level. She also said when she asks for seconds to have her wait a few minutes first to see if she is really hungry. She usually still says yes, so now I am saying that what we have on our plate is enough and that the leftovers will be for daddy's lunch. The nutritionist said not to make it a big deal with her, just make these few changes without saying anything. This will spare her feelings and not make her feel bad about her weight, which we all know contributes to eating even more. I already buy only sugar-free or low fat snacks, but I am trying to limit those as well. She only drinks diet soda, and diet juice. Kool-Aid Jammers has juice pouches that are only 10 calories and sugar free, she likes those. You are not alone. I am really scared of what her future holds unless I can get a handle on it now while she is little. We are all changing in my family now that I have had WLS. These changes take time. Hopefully they will work for her and she can be spared the humiliation, etc of growing up heavy like me. Good luck to you. Anne

Hey girl...I am SO happy to hear that things are going well for you. You sound so happy. I know it is a shame that all of us have gotten caught up in lifebut on another hand....that also means we are all happy and healthy (at least for the most part..I can't speak for everyone). I agree..where did the last 18mo go??? I am doing very well...still not gettign in the protein I should be...I guess I was not bypassed TOO much since my protein levels and vitamin levels are never low. I am grateful for that. I do have lowere energy at times still...I have been having awful modd swings lately too....it just dawned on me yesterday that it could be the birth-control pills that I started taking a few months ago...DUHHH...lol I am still not actually at my goal weight yet. I started at 265 (size 22/24) and I now weigh 139 (size 6) and I am 5'3 so I can't complain. I did have my TT/hernia repair this past may and that helped a lot with being able to get into smaller sizes...I would love to have the other half lifted along with my legs and and breast lift but I am doubtful my ins. co will cover any of those. My hubby and I are doing great..thankfully. I would love to get a little more attention though....wouldn't we all!! My 3 children are doing wonderful and I pray none of them end up with a weight problem down the road...none of them show signs of that but I didn't until I had children. Well this is enough about me......congrats again Nat.... Julie

All Right!! I am so happy for ya!! Good Luck !! Michele