What's your motivation? Yesterday a friend and I were talking and he asked me "What's your motivation?" He went on to say I'd tried so many diet over the years that never really worked for me, that he wondered what was really different this time? What was it they gave me the willpower I'd suddenly found, what was it that kept me on the right track? It didn't take me long to respond, I told him about a woman I met in the surgeons waiting room, I wasn't even approved for the surgery yet, but was there to attend a mandatory education seminar that the surgeon required before he'd operate. This woman and I started chatting, and it turned out she was a post-op. She at first asked if I wanted to see her scars, and I was very interested so she lifted her shirt and I was amazed at how tiny they were. She told me she was there for her 6 month checkup, and that she really wasn't doing that well, she'd lost 48lb. since surgery. I was surprised because this woman was my size or larger and I was then weighing 374lb., I know some people loose slow, but 48lb. is 6 months? She then started telling me that she was a snacker and nibbler, always had been. She would eat her kids leftovers no matter what they were, a half eaten sandwich, chips, half eaten cookies, she just couldn't waste it. Instead of eating 3 meals a day she said she grazed all day long, a handful of goldfish crackers, a handful of nuts. Two other women sitting near us joined in the conversation, they were both 1 year post-ops. The first woman told us she could eat 2 tacos or 2 slices of pizza with crust at a meal, and the other ladies were shocked. She told us she was going to ask the DR what he had done wrong? It was then and there that I decided WHEN I was approved for surgery I would not be like this woman. I was so thankful that God had sent her to me, so I could see that you could sabotage yourself, and that my eyes had been opened. I decided then and there I was going to stick to my DR's rules. If I had done all this work to find the very best DR and get approved by the insurance company, there was no way I was going to ruin what I was asking for. There was no way I was going through major surgery and not have the outcome I wanted. Her mistakes were and still are my motivation. I think of her daily and wish her nothing but the best, but as I think of her I make sure I'm following my DR's rules and doing my very best to become the healthy person I want to be. So tell us - What's Your Motivation?

Mariah- Thanks for the questions: 1. I'm a true emotional eater. I'm happy, let's eat, I'm sad, let's eat, I'm bored, let's eat, I'm overwhelmed, let's eat...you get the point. Of course I love the sweets too. Baking has always been an emotional release...I think it's the having to focus on someting that is "exacting" (with the measuring and all). My portion sizes were also out of control and I remember eating until I was absolutely just uncomfortable. 2. I've learned all of the above...and that it's harder to deal with the emotional side of this journey than the actual food parts. The portion sizes has been the easiest part for me to overcome because I just simply don't like to puke! I've discovered that I can have a little bit of sweets before it affects me and the peanut M&Ms have started to creep in...need to just not have them around. The emotional eating has been really difficult. With all my recent stress I've found myself craving more carbs and I even had a day where I just wanted a HUGE portion (of comfort food!). Of course, I had to just go cry that day and deal with the emotions instead of eating that huge portion. I've also found with carbs that the more I allow myself to eat the more I want them...again, just need to avoid them (since I get enough in my normal "good" protein meals...don't need a cookie!"). SO....still a long journey for me...both weight loss wise and emotionally. Christina S

Good for you Jim!! Keep up the GREAT work!!!!

Congratulations!!! What a great accomplishment! I don't think I've been under 200 since I was a teenager. Jan

1. Write an inventory of your compulsive eating history. I used to eat whenever, if I was happy, sad, mad, upset, it didn't matter all I thought about was the next meal, or snack and what I was going to have. I was a total sugar addict, I'd pick desserts over meals any day. I'm also a very good cook, and of course you cook what you like, so I was always asked to do all the baking every where we went. Hubby and I got in a very bad habit early on of snacking at night, and our snacks went from little things to driving thru someplace for a burger or burrito and this was after dinner! 2. Have u learned anything from looking back at this? What were your triggers and eating behaviors? It used to be everything triggered my eating, but if someone yelled at me or got mad at me, I turned instantly to food. Took me awhile to figure it out, but now that I understand that it's easier to deal with. I still at 7 months out have no appetite or hunger issues, and I'm very careful about eating only 3 meals a day, and if I snack it's to get in my banana. I work hard to keep my hands busy doing the bored times and don't replace it with food. I no longer eat or buy any junk food, I refuse to keep it in the house, I make very healthy choices. Of course my little pouch is a big help because it won't tolerate starches, I get a very sick feeling. The DR says this is actually a blessing in disguise, and one of the reasons I'm loosing weight so fast. Great questions! Jan