Hi Mary: I had a revelation from your post. Here's my problem, I AM A WHITE/SIMPLE CARBS ADDICT!! There... I've said it... So where's a 12 step support group when you need one! I think you're right abstinence is probably the only way. Now, if I can just get my mind and body around this absolute fact. Have a great day!! Denise

Hi Mike: Thanks for your insightful posts... I'm thrilled that it has generated more discussion on our July babies board. I checked out the website you posted and I was also thrilled with it. According to the waist-hip ratio, I'm not doing so bad after all... It says I should be eating around 2200 calories to lose. Funny thing is that makes sense somewhat. I recall one of my doctors long before the surgery saying that I should eat 10 times what I weigh to lose weight to keep my body from thinking I'm starving it. I may try this for a week and see what happens... what have I got to lose!! HA HA!!! Have a fantastic day and thanks for bringing life back our board. Denise

Good Morning All, Based on some of the current posts on this board, I propose that we change the train to post the foods that we have actually eaten for the previous day. I know that I have a problem sticking to what I've planned, because I always end up indulging in an unplanned snack. The next day I will report that I had a snack, but I never incorporate that snack into the total food that I had planned for the previous day. Especially, when I don't know or haven't planned for a meal/snack. I believe that if we post what we have actually eaten, we may uncover information that could help us meet our goals. Should we switch gears? Teah

Mike, I read your previous post and here are my comments. As you say we are each one bite away from returning to our old habits and many continue to struggle. We need to lend our support to their struggle. Each of our bodies is different and each Bariatric program is different. I have lost 255 lbs going from 415 to 160. I exercise approx. 3 hrs a day, however, I eat 3 meals per day, which is compromised of lean protein and complex carbs and if I have a snack I make it protein. I weigh myself each morning; I keep my scale in the kitchen as a reminder that I am accountable to the numbers on that scale. This is what works for me. If I eat white/simple carbs I am like a heroin addict....I am sure you get the picture. Abstinence is the only way for me to live. I have noted that those that post there meal plans are early in the day and are not posting really what they have eaten (therefore, what their true calorie intake per day can be much higher). I can understand your concern, however, if you have followed the daily posts you would see that many are having trouble sticking to their eating plan. Head hunger, emotional and stress eating being much of the culprits. I would sincerely doubt if the truth were told anyone on this board is eating 400 calories. In addition, many do not expend the calories you do in an extensive exercise program. Remember this all boils down to calories in versus calories out. We all struggle with our old demons day in and day out. I am a compulsive over eater and can revert to my old ways in a blink of an eye. Here by the grace of God go I. Mary

First off I would like to offer congrats to the people that reponded yesterday. Denise, Pamela & Nancy. Great job on the weight loss so far and any other demons you may have over come in your lifetime. I want to clear something up. Iwasn't saying that there is one way to approach this lifestyle for everyone. I was making an observation and offering some opinions. I also want to say that I don't eat 10 meals and 10 snacks aday. I know it came off that way. I eat about 10 times a day depending on the amount of exercise that day. What I call a meal some call a snack. I understand that this is a struggle, it took me years to get to the point that I needed to take this step. When I did I was ready. I understand compulsive eating, I did it. I understand closet eating, I did it. I also understand that everyday is a struggle, When you go to a family gathering and there is all kind of food there that looks soo good but you can't have it because it might have sugar in it. Some of us don't have a problem with sugar. Some of us are eating cake and candy. Some of us are able to handle small amounts of those foods. I don't know if I can and I choose not to. The reason being is that I live everyday thinking that I'm 1 hershey kiss away from 500lbs. I understand the need to journal what your eating. I did it in the beginning I also now how easy it is to fake it too. You know the thinking that if I don't write it down I didn't eat it. I did that when Iwas working with a Nutrtionist a couple of years before my surgery. I do think that any weight that has been lost by us is a success, but the question that I ask myself sometimes is how many of us have used this surgery to make a lifestyle change and not just a way to lose some weight. Have we maxmised this tool to it's full potential. I don't know, I guess that's up to each of us to decide for ourselves. I would like my help and support to any of the people on this board. I do tend to get preachy sometimes. I don't think that I'm better than anyone I've been there I've made most of the excuses if not all of them. I understand what it's like to struggle with weight. Everyone of us was given a tool to use and put on a path to follow almost 2 years ago. Along the way there have been bumps and detours did you throw in the towel, resort to tthe guilt trips say "Today is shot there is always tomorrow." I like to think that we need to live for today because tomorrow never comes. Well I think I've talked enough. Mike