Jesse, So sorry about the loss of your loved ones....I remember you posting about Joanna several times, I had to giggle at how she enjoyed you in your leather pants....*smile* My prayers are with you.

Hello Everyone: I know it's been a long while since I posted but as most of you may know I have been dealing with a double tragedy. My dear mother passed away on August 1 and on August 4 my precious wife Joanna lost her years long battle with kidney disease. The past year has been spent making Joanna's final months as comfortable as possible. Please remember my family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue on without Mom and Joanna. Jesse

I feel your pain my friend. I too have gotten away from the goal, but have revamped and am on my way. I have problems with dry food as well. I have learned that the way around it is to cook things differently. I tend to do more baking with foil on the top of the pan /caserold dish to keep the moisture in. And when i fix chicken, I will even add a small amount of water to helo to steam it. I have a steamer also and use it for fish and poultry. I miss certain things, but in all I am getting back in the swing of things food wise. As for the adding of protein, I use the GNC Protein 95 adn the low carb milk. When you use that for the shake, it doesnt taste bad at all. I have a shake in the Am and then have my lunch at work. I am taking a blender to work and making a shake in the mid pm to boost my protein and then having a protein rich dinner. I dont do the snacks... I dont like them. but i have found thngs like low carb icecream and the like that i will do if i get a hankering. I only buy those things in prepackaged protions so i am not tempted to go crazy. I think you are on the right track and you can do it!! I am a firm believer that WE are the only thing between us and our goals. Take you "old" self out of the equation and you are left with the parts that work... Good luck to you and God bless!! Ginger

I, too, stop by here when I need to compare how I'm doing with how you guys are doing! I never reached the -100 mark and after awhile became involved with whatever simple carbs I could keep down. Now I am only down 55 lbs. but I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat. I read a couple of postings here tonight that give me alot of encouragement. I'm going to get back to the dense proteins and no drinking 30 minutes before or after. I feel my hope is renewed!

Hi, I pop in every once in a while to see what is happening with those from my surgery month and am always disappointed to see that there isn't much activity here. I used to look forward to reading Jesse's weekly updates but it's been over a year since he posted and I often wonder how he is doing. I had the opportunity to meet him at two different OH events and it was a pleasure. So how's it going for me - well as we are fast approaching that 3 year mark - can you believe it, where has the time gone?! - I am happy to report that I still am a few pounds (pick a day) under my original goal weight. I have gone from a tight size 26 to a loose fitting size 6 or 4 - and still can't believe it. My eating habits have changed considerably, yet again, as I definitely have an appetite and can eat more than when I first had my surgery. I do on occassion eat the "wrong" foods but for the most part eating is just something I do now, not something that rules my life and what a great feeling to have that monkey off my back! Now, if only I could break some other bad habits. Since having WLS, I have become less afraid to try new things and join into activities because the part of me that held back because of my embarrassment of being obese is no longer an issue. My DH and I have been taking ballroom dancing lessons for over a year and it has become a passion in my life. Shopping for bargains has also become a bad habit. If there is a down side for me, it is that I am terrible about keeping up with my exercise program. I used to go to a water aerobics class but after losing all my weight it got to the point that I was always cold and the temperature of the pool water was unbearable. I started with a personal trainer after WLS, but that became too expensive. I work two jobs, so time is a factor. I could continue with a list of excuses, but I know that's all they are excuses. I just can't motivate myself enough to just do it. Anyway, that's my story. Thanks for asking. Patti