Hey Nancy! You're such a poet!!! Happy 4th to you too! Hugs! ME

I just wanted to jump in and say happy Independence Day to all of my July Babies whether you're still active on the board or not. Since my surgery, Independence Day has become one of my fave holidays - because it reminds me that the surgery really gave me my freedom to live a full and healthy life. Although most all of us could eat ourselves back to unhealthy weights if we wanted to, I think we have all learned what a blessing it is to be a healthy weight and to feel good and look good. I think it's worth preserving, so I will fight with all that's in me to make the right choices and keep myself healthy and fit. Kind of corny I guess, but I'm still so very grateful I was able to get the surgery. Hugs to all, Nancy

Hey Nancy! So glad you're here. I'm still here. I went to a ballgame last night so I didn't get up to exercise, but I'm still chugging along on the Protein Train. Haven't moved beyond the 4 lbs, but I'm not worried. I've kind of overdosed on the nuts again. I need to keep them out of the house. Not much planned for the 4th. My teenaged daughter, who is driving me crazy, is going to the grandparents for the rest of the summer on the 5th. Praise God! I'm traveling next week to visit a good friend from Alaska, who will be in Indianapolis next week. So I'm going to drive up to meet her. I hope to say on program. I am so proud of you and your SB success. You're doing so well! Hugs! ME

Hi Emily, First of all, congratulations on the marriage and the new little one!! I think there are a lot of us who struggle with weight gain and who feel like our tool doesn't work anymore. Have you tried the 5 Day Pouch Test? http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html I've done it a couple of times and you know what, my pouch still does work if I follow the rules of RNY. I think a lot of us tend to eat slider foods - foods that we can digest easily and therefore we eat, eat, eat and never seem to get full. We end up grazing - sort of eating all day long so we never actually feel full, but we're eating all the time. I don't eat because I'm physically hungry, I eat because I'm emotionally hungry. I eat out of boredom, stress, happiness, sadness - you name it - I want to celebrate it or fix it with food. I also realized that I am a sugar-holic. I have to abstain from sugary foods and processed foods. It triggers a response in me that I cannot control. I started off about the same as you 5'7", 280. I had gotten down to about 163 lbs. and gained nearly 30 lbs. back. About 5-6 weeks ago I was at 192 and I said, NO MORE. I was blessed to have this surgery, I have my life back and maybe it's not so easy anymore, but who said life is easy. It's was time for me to take control. I started on the South Beach Diet and have done very well. I've lost 14 lbs. in those 5-6 weeks (I'm 178 now) and hope to get down to 165-170. I walk twice a day and people are noticing the difference. Emily, it is all within you. If you want it, take control of your eating habits. Start journaling everything you eat. Get the junk out of the house. Don't let it get any worse than it is now. You can do it!! There are a couple of us July Babies here who are checking in every day to help keep us on track, you are more than welcome to join us. Hugs, Nancy

Well Nancy.... looks like it's just you and me!! Today's been a good day. Thanks for your support. We will do this! Hugs! ME