Wow Angie I think you nailed this one! I am totally unable to visualize in my mind a new "me" in a smaller body at this point. When I hold up these size 12 jeans it is like they are from Mars or something LOL . . . honestly even when I hold them up I can't believe I can fit myself into them . . . yesterday I took a couple of pairs on and off in total disbelief. Is that nutso or what???!!! I read a book by Geneen Roth a few years back and it had visualization exercises in it, gonna try to recall which title it was and see if I can get my hands on it again. I remember one of the exercises was to visualize yourself at your current (largest) weight standing alone on top of a hill. Then visualize yourself getting smaller and smaller, the weight shrinking away . . . then you are supposed to say the first thing that comes into your mind. I remember blurting out, "I'm still here, can't you see me!" which gave me goosebumps, like I was using my large size as a way to anchor myself to the surroundings and/or to be acknowledged, and if I was too light I imagined myself just floating away or being ignored, etc. Strange, huh? Thanks for giving me more, um, food for thought on this topic LOL! -BJ

Here's my personal experience... I was in the same boat, except I only gained 2.5 pounds once (freaked me out!!!) and since I lost them again, I've stayed at the same weight for over a month. I know MY main issue was letting the carbs get back into my diet. I started logging what I ate in http://www.fitday.com and HOLY MOLLY! Without really realizing it, my carb intake was much too high. I'm not talking just the goldfish crackers (my weakness ) but fruits and other foods (like Special K!) which may be healthier, but have high sugar and/or carb content nonetheless... N-E-way... Long story short, I decided to jumpstart my weight loss and seriously get back to basics, so I'm on phase 1 of the South Beach "diet". I don't want to say anything officially yet, because I weigh in on Mondays, but I expect Monday to FINALLY be able to say I'm in the century club! The South Beach "diet" plan is basically doing what they told us we needed to do when we had our surgery. Stay away from the sugars, eat the right carbs in small amounts... If any of you are interested, here's a good site with info: http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/ It's definitely getting me right back in track with the correct eating habits, which I needed desperately. Now, I reeeeeaaaaallllly must get that exercise in! Whew!!! Angie 280/182.5/140 http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=L1098876573

I know exactly what you are saying... I'm just now in the 190's again, 196 to be exact....I haven't been under 200 pounds for 30 years and I'm so afraid that I'll screw this up like I have other things in the past. Kinda feeling like I'm hanging out there without a safety net....but boy is this flying fun! Congratulations on your success....We'll just have to toughen up and get over our fear of success...what a good way to describe this feeling....

Hi Barbara! Thanks for the posting idea. I like focusing on the way my life has changed for the better since my surgery instead of just the numbers. I don't even think twice about walking from one end of the mall or store, I just do it and often times more than once. Never fails I always remember the item on the other end of the store when I'm not there! :rolf: I don't mind going to the doctor anymore. Nobody gives me grief about my weight or blames everything on my weight. Have you noticed that when you do go, they don't weigh you anymore? I wanna step on that scale now! I love... ...curling up with my knees tucked up to my chest to watch TV. ...discovering that I do have a skelaton and I can feel it now. ...gardening without effort ...being hugged by my husband and his arms wrap all the way around me and double up. ...playing basketball with my daughter ...that my nieces can now sit comfortably on my lap, not to mention that I have a lap now! How they run to me and wrap their arms all the way around me with a hug! Which warms my heart. ...the energy I have now ...when someone recognizes me and compliments me on my new look. ...going for walks with my family ...shopping where ever I please, not where I have to for clothes ...having great health visits, no diabetes, cholestrol, blood pressure problems ...knowing that my morbid obesity is not going to kill me before my daughter grows up and has children of her own ...being a good roll model for my daughter ...giving my Dad the courage to have the surgery himself so I get to spend more time with him too I could go on for days, but I think you get my point. Life is Grand! I only wish I did this years ago! Terri

Thank you for your sweet compliment. Its very much appreciated. I feel so good these days. I like to go to the gym. I just enjoy life! Debbie