Lets do this!! I hope therapy works for you. I went for awhile and it did me some good but then like anything else, I quit going. Let me know how it goes for you Rebecca...sending well wishes your way! Bridgett

Hello everybody! I was reading Lisa's post about support groups. You know something, I've only been able to attend one and that was shortly after surgery. I've wanted to go to one and I think it would be so beneficial..but my work schedule doesn't allow me to go either. I've really been strugggling lately with my diet. I've noticed that I'm eating more, more often and eating bad things. Getting my exercise on a daily basis has been cut short to maybe once or twice a week right now. I also still have my insomnia and have been battling that also. I'm on ambien CR right now and it works so so. I think my body just metabolizes things quick and that's why the other things that I've tried hasn't worked. I'm also coming to the realization that this insomnia is my "side effect" of the surgery since I've had it since October 2005. Bottom line here if anyone is reading...Is there anyone interested in starting our own support group here and sticking to it? Even if it is to check in once a week or even daily for someone like me to keep each other in check and be here for each other. I don't know about you guys but I have no one who I can talk except for here who can understand what I'm going through. I tried Overeaters Anonymous during the summer and that wasn't quite what I was looking for. However, I don't want to keep up these bad habits but it's hard when everyone around you is encouraging you to eat and they themselves are also indulging. For me, it's not about wilpower..it's about food addiction and I know it's always going to be there no matter what I do. I didn't go through all of this to gain back my weight and live an unhealthy lifestyle and life. So far I've been lucky I've been maintaining for a long time..but I did put on 10 pounds because I felt really sick when I dropped below 156lbs but I don't want to see the scale go up and up and up. Here's an example of what I ate yesterday~ BAD BAD BAD *glass of skim milk for breakfast...got vitamins down *donuts...2 of them within an hour of each other..they were out on the counter at work. I was offered one and then I went and ate another one simply because it was there and I wanted some sugar *cheese stick for snack *luna bar for lunch *piece of german chocolate cake...co workers birthday and was served a slice and I picked at it for a few hours but eventually ate it and I wasn't hungry *luna bar for snack and piece of cheese...felt hungry *chips and salsa dunno how much but I picked over that for awhile *got home we went to dinner....11pm had some garlic cheese bread, chicken wings and a few chicken nachos...wasn't hungry but ate just because *went to midnight showing of spiderman 3..split some popcorn and dots candy..wasn't hungry but was eating because it was there *no workout at all...decided to just lay in bed because I felt tired then felt guilty later on because I could have gotten a half hour workout in. I know that this is bad but I need to get a handle on this. It is all just a vicious cycle. Work is a very hard place for me to stay away from food. Being with my husband is hard too because he likes to eat as well and not very healthy things. Not excuses..just problem areas that I need help with. When I'm by myself and I don't have bad things in the house I am fine. I've started today to try and give myself a fresh start. *I worked out at the gym for an hour and a half workout..with the eliptical machine and did the weight machines...I've noticed that when I do workout that I'm not hungry and I'm reaching for healthy things to eat instead of crap *meals today....working on a naked chicken burrito from Qdobas...NO GUACAMOLE today (comes in a bowl with rice,beans,grilled chicken, salsa and cheese) So far this has sustained me from being hungry..just a few bites here and there. *got my water in as well *took my vitamins All of this I know is just mental and not physical. 99% of the time I'm not hungry. Anyways, I suppose I'll stop here. I hope that all are you are doing well with your progress and aren't in the beginnings of a downwards spiral like me. But seriously, I am vowing to get a handle on it. Take care! Bridgett

Hi, Mary. This forum is very quiet these days. I'm glad to hear you are doing well and maintaining. I've lost 185 pounds so far, and have another 30-40 to go to get near my goal. My health is great and I'm loving life. Best wishes to you for continued success and happiness! Kellie

Happy May all, I've been bad with this site. I said I'd check in often, but I haven't. I will now that my computer is up and running well. Still stuck at 184 and can't seem to get lower no matter what I do. Oh well , I guess it beats putting on weight although at times it feels like I have. I have yet to go to a support group meeting as I work 10am-6:30pm and the meetings start at 6pm. Maybe one day I will get to go. Hope all is well. I will write soon. Lisa J. in Mass

Hey Everyone- Sorry I don't get online all that much- school has been going nuts this semster. So how am I? I started this whole thing hovering around 280 and am usually down to 135-140. At least, that was until I turned up PREGNANT. Yep- I am 8 weeks pregnant, holding at 138 for now. Not so worried about the weight as I am about baby development. I honestly was on my patches (like Dr. F. told me to!) but somehow...well, we all no nothing is foolprrof except abstinence. Husband is over the moon but a little worried. Daughter is taking it in stride so far, but I expect we;ll have the "sibling rivalry" stuff sooner or later. I remember what it's like to all of a sudden hear there will be a new baby. So, this is plain weird. Queasy all the time- I try to eat, but not much wants to go in and stay there. LOTS of soups, protein shakes are tolerated well (especially Elite Mint Chocolate, but only hot) and as much other stuff as I can eat. Al total? Probably less than 1000 calories a day. But that should change soon. I hope ya'll are doing well! I wouldn't change a thing. Rachael