Good morning my fellow Junebugs! First I want to say how much I appreciate your friendship and support on this board. It seems like we've all gone through or are going through the phase of eating more and/or eating things that are not healthy for us; plus the weight loss is slowing down a lot at this point. That's why I think it's important for us to come here and share with each other. It really helps putting things into perspective. I am so thankful for you all! OK, here's my updates. I will be going to the doctor on Thursday for my post-op follow-up after my hernia surgery. I will be asking him quite a bit about my plastic surgery. I looked at myself in the mirror yesterday and see that I really need a lower body lift. I need the work all the way around my body. Yikes, there's so much excess skin plus a lot of sagging of my butt cheeks. But what should I expect after losing 316.6 pounds in total? Yes, I went to weigh****chers on Saturday and lost... I weigh 168.2 pounds and got out of the 170 range. I'm only 8.2 pounds away from my goal. I couldn't believe it! I actually wasn't going to weigh in on Saturday and only attend the meeting. But I weighed myself at home, and low and behold a weight loss occurred. I didn't expect it as I ate a bit more last week and with the little to no exercise (because of my surgery) I thought I would gain. I have to tell you though that I still want to eat everything in sight. My food demons and appetite are there big time! I'm fighting with myself in the head over food. I see it and want it! If only the surgeon would implant a chip in my brain that would tell me that I don't want it !! My mom gave me a beautiful fuscia colored swimsuit that she bought at the Mirage in Las Vegas and has hardly worn! It is a size 10 and OMG it fits!!! The cup size is a bit large for me - I don't have any boobs anymore, only flat pancakes. I like being small but not that small. I've started exercising on my own, on the Tony Little gazelle rider not too fast, but doing 20 minutes a day. I'm being careful and will ask my surgeon if I can start working out on the elliptical again and I hope to be able to vacuum clean my carpets again.. I bought a camel swede leather jacket at Cosco in a size medium - at the time the jacket didn't close. Now it does. So I'm going to return it and exchange it for a size small because by the time I'll be able to wear it, it will be too big! Before it would have gotten too small and then I would have to get a bigger size. Oh well, that's enough about me. How are you doing?? Share, share and share again. Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Lucy 484.8/383.4/168.2/160 pre-surg/surg day/current/goal weight

You're welcome! I'm hoping to get us all geared up on the protein wagon again... get others to share some protein wisdom and ideas! You sure can share it with others!! I found it in the OH recipe board. Hugs! Pam

Okay, I just made the crunchy protein balls (the first one above) I used more PB....and 3/4 cup of the Special K protein plus.... Here's the stats: 1 1/2 cups PB = 13.5 g protein 3/4 cup Special K Protein Plus = 10 g protein 2 scoops unjury chocolate = 40 g protein 1 cup oats = 10 g protein Total: 73.5 Grams protein for whole lot 21 balls = 3.5 per ball or 10.5 g Protein per baggie of 3 balls. Not bad!! They are pretty good too - just like no bake cookies!! Quite filling. I'm not so sure these would be very good with an entire cup of protein powder though... The ones I made with 2 scoops are good though.

Good idea Pam, I ned the encouragement too!! As of tomorrow it's back on the wagon. (I already ate Chinese!!) Wendy

You and I must be on a psychic track together Pam. I was thinking about posting about this myself. Since I have been able to eat, all I have wanted is carbs!! I think not eating for 3 weeks made my body starving for calories!! Now I am just voraciously eating anything carby. And GASP!! drinking pop!! I ate a whole pack of m&m peanuts last night at work!! I don't usually do this, but it is insane!! I am with you, today I am going back on the protein train. I am going to go over to the Turkey Farm and get some turkey jerky and stuff to snack on. I don't like beef jerky, it is too tough for me. I think the only answer is to toughen up! I don't want one pound back!! You are so right, maybe we should post our before pictures all over are house, like on the fridge etc. The exit door to our house too and on our steering wheel so we don't go buy something bad!! I know for me that would work, I can't believe how bad I looked a year ago. YUCK!! Now that I am starting to feel better and once my 3rd shift weekend is over I am going to start to go back to the gym too!! I certainly could use some excersize, I can't even carry a gallon of milk very well! LOL! That is so wussy! Wendy