Hi Tricia I hardly ever come on the board - about one a week now. I am so busy working. I am down about 110 lbs. and I have not been losing lately. I am eating more and more meats though - and I am sticking to my diet. I also joined a gym and am working out each morning. I am 50 years old and lately the weight loss has slowed tremendously. I am still happy I have had the surgery and I hope to lose more, but it will take more work. I am 50 years old and started out at 332 and now am at 222. I wonder how all of the other May members are doing? If anyone out there is still losing - how about some advice? Thanks Lisa

I needed this! Thanks! Melissa

Lisa- You are so absolutely GORGEOUS! You are such an inspiration-I was looking at your pictures and I'm blown away by your hard work and your success! Hugs, Susan

Dear Natalie, It is nice to hear from you. I rarely get on the boards at all anymore but I stop in once in awhile. I'm so sorry to hear about you and hubby, but I know how you're feeling!! My little girl's daddy has known me for 13 years and has always kept me at arm's length saying that he wanted to be "just friends" (even though we have a daughter!) and then, once the weight started coming off-he decided he wanted to marry me! NOT!! If he couldn't love me when I was heavy, then he can't love me now! I have had this strange attraction to him for years and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to pull myself away from him even though he is mentally and emotionally abusive and always has been. Now that I have new confidence in myself and KNOW that I deserve BETTER-I told him NO I wouldn't marry him! Boy, was he mad! He is a controller and didn't want to marry me, he wanted to OWN me! I've been single for 45 years, raised my son on my own and am pretty much raising my daughter on my own too. I know it hurts, I know there is pain but, like you said, we are no longer the "roll over and take it girls" and the men in our lives don't know how to handle that! You stay strong and be brave. I'm here for you if you ever need a shoulder or someone to vent to. I totally understand. Take care and keep smiling!!!

Dear Angie, Thanks for a powerful message. I am very strict about my vitamins and calcium and B-12 also, but I am a bit lax on my protein intake. Most days I am very strict about it, but some days, well....I have no excuses. But your post really hit home with me and since the protein is my downfall, I'm going to work harder on making sure I get what I need. This surgery has changed my life and I don't want to go back to the way it was before and I have heard of people having the surgery, losing massive amounts of weight and then putting it all back on. I do not want to be one of those. Thanks again Angie, I think I needed that kick in the pants!! Laura 329/189/149?? Lap RNY