While I believe we shouldn't lie to ourselves, I don't think we should put ourselves down. Others think what we tell them about ourselves is the truth, and it becomes our truth. "So I think highly of myself... Lol" and "nothing special about me" Your comments in other postings also put yourself down. I worry that either you believe these things, or you will believe them because you keep saying them. While you need not boast and brag, I think you should repeat and affirm positive things about yourself. Examples, that when you make a decision, you follow through (your choice to have bypass surgery is an example); that you are working to make healthy choices in your life. That you have beautiful long hair and great big eyes. By the way, I believe the same thing about luck. That we can draw it to ourselves by seeing it in what we do. Not that bad things won't happen, they will. But that we can choose how we react to them. A number of us that were overweight (and those that still are) do this. I think it takes making a choice to stop repeating the negative self images and working to replace them with positives, or at least neutrals. Take care Amy, and thinking good thoughts of you. -Pam

I didn't know it was possible for a Krispy Kreme to go out of business. Of course they are new to the Seattle area. We've only had one for a couple of years. This should just reinforce the truth, you are vital and necessary. -Pam

OH GOD do I miss Krispy Kremes. Our state fair is here this week and a group of us went at lunch. I had a steak kabob, with green pepper and onion. Couldnt eat it all but it was mostly protein so it was ok, but that dang funnel cake called me and I shared one with a friend and ate only about a 4th of it, now its sitting there like a rock, OH LORDY.... Sue

just checking in - life is amazingly busy - all kinds of things going on - just wanted YOU to know - and YOU know who you are - that I am thinking of you guys. whatever trials, tribulations and such we go through - we are made stronger. NEVER ever ever give up hope. (That was our LASt life.) strive to move forward and do it. if you don't have an answer, seek one out with vengeance. never accept. never be still. contemplate and be you. YOU are what is important. You are life. You are human and you are special. something incredible has happened to us - we were blessed with the opportunity to try again. maybe it's not perfect. doesn't matter. i think we ALL have our heads in a different place now. now, go get what you gained through this experience and make use of it. you got more courage? yeah, question somebody why in the hell you are losing too much weight. you got more strength? ok, go out there and make sure every time you go to walmart you park at the freaking FAR end of the parking lot (throw away that disabled sticker/dash thingy) and WALK to the store.) i know you can. and if you are doing things you shouldn't - uhm - seeing people BAD for you and seeing people outside of your relationship and so forth , drinking, smoking etc.... hey, party's over. you tried it. cool but come back to family because that's what matters. NOW, it's time to focus on CHANGING the world. do something positive today and AFFECT someone. love you all and wish you all the best of everything, nan

Yes, and I eat dark chocolate so I can justify it - hey, it has antioxidants, right? LOL