1. What types of food did you eat this week? More fish than anything, otherwise the usual seasoned pork loin, broasted chicken, low-fat mozzarella string cheese, and fat-free cottage cheese. Need to up the fresh veggies and fruit. 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? Very different: My apartment building had annual inspection Tuesday, and I'd performed 'better than spring cleaning'. Also volunteered to work two days (am on disability and usually work every other weekend due to MS), had volunteered to work both Thanksgiving day and Friday as part-time receptionist at an assisted-living complex for elderly. Lots of running, er, walking very fast; had I worn the pedometer it probably would have shown four miles in those two days; am exhausted, with no regrets. 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? Mondays only are weigh days, and as of last Monday stalled for a total 66 lb loss. 4. What was your biggest challenge? Had no problems with eating and exercise; just MS-related nerve pain and fatigue from over-doing, which will pass since I'm totally free for over this week. 5. What was the one thing you ate you wish you wouldn't have? Doesn't apply: My Thanksgiving meal consisted of 1/3 cup chicken (I added poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and celery seed for that 'stuffing' flavor; wasn't able to eat more than half of 1/3 cup sugar-free highly spiced pumpkin custard. *Fun bonus question: Did you participate on Black Friday, why or why not? No way! I traditionally complete all my holiday shopping before Thanksgiving, as I avoid the holiday crowds and craziness. Was very content being at work, offering smiles, hugs, and conversation for the elderly. Have learned to be quite selfless.

I have lost 75 pounds to date. I started at 310 pounds and am down to 235. I have 5 more days before I am 4 months post-op. I am hoping for a 4 pound loss in that time. Anyways, Body image and how I feel. I still see myself as fat. I evaluate those booths and door ways, and such. I too have expereinced the booth panic moments. I too am effected by the clothes I wear. I wear something big and I feel smaller. I feel the loss in my clothes. I don not know how clothes are supose to fit. I have wore baggy's since I was a teen. I had a mirror but my son broke it months ago so the only time I see myslef is when I am out and about. In window reflections and public bathrooms. Guilty of staying in the bathroom for a little extra just to take a look in amazement. I ask when I return I saw the strangest lady in the bathroom. and laugh. I do not see myself as I am. But this is part of the whole piture. When I was 310 I could not feel myself in space. I felt numb as if I did not know where I stopped and started in space. I did not see myself as fat only fat (overweight). I too had to see a comparision picture of me then and now to really get the idea of how big I was then. But BUT.... I still do not see myself now as I am. I see I have lost weight and changed clothes sizes yet I feel like I have so much more to loss and it's just not fast enough. I am behind in weight loss in some way. I use that feeling to more more. ride more, walk more and really watch what I eat compared to what I physically do in a day. I am soon going to have a new mirror so I can see me all of me. I hope to converse with myself in that mirror. I hear that talking to your self in a mirror where you can see all of you helps inlay the imgae and soon acceptance of that image as your self over time. Identify what you like tell your self you like and dislike and just spend time with the NEW YOU. Your mind will catch up with you. Asking people to give you feedback and supportive encouragement about what they see as you change is not fishing. Just tell them you need that kind of support so they do not get upset with your constant requests smiles. I ask my partner everyday. It is a way of support for me. I can't wait for what the furture brings.

Yay! Glad it all worked out okay and you'll be back up and running in no time. Hope your Turkey Day was yummy! Amber

Unfortunately mine has come back and gotten worse. I'm actually hungry now where I've never really been before. I guess that comes as a part of being healthier. I'll take it. I feel 10 times better even if I don't lose another pound I'll be happy. I am concerned about my eating, but I'm trying not to fret over it too much. I haven't lost near as much as most of those July babies, but I do know that I didn't have as much to lose as most either. Hopefully it will balance itself out. I believe I'm right where I'm suppose to be, I'm just really worried I'm eating too much in one setting. I stopped measuring out my food. i've also been eating little bites of simple sugared foods. That's nuts, I swore I'd never do that again. I need to get a grip on it before I'm eating donuts and candy bars. Ugh. Sorry, guess I need to get that out. I'm glad you are doing well. Keep up the good work. Amber

Well at just 4 months here is my update Before Surgery Weight 398 (was 450 in February) Waist 69 inches Neck 23 Ankle was 19 Now 4 months out Weight 270 Waist 45 inches Neck is 16 and ankle is 15 I just started to be able to eat solid food. I went for an endoscope 2 weeks ago and they had to dilate me 3-4 mm now I have been able to get food to stay down. In October I had a severe and I mean a severe case of gout. I had gout in both feet and had to use a wheelchair for a week. I went to urgent care and they did nothing nada zilch, went to the E.R. and they gave me very good Happy Pills ( Oxycodone). All the pain went away. The next day I had to go to the foot doctor and she had to inject both feet with steriods in order to get the Gout to go away. They all said it was from losing the weight so fast and the body not being able to process the uric acid Jason