I'm so glad to see that some of you all are still online and are around. I know I haven't been very active on the boards for awhile. Life is and has been kinda crazy and busy..especially with the holidays. Maybe it will slow down a bit. I'm really hoping that 2007 will bring us all health and happiness and continued success in our efforts. Things for me on the weight loss front has virtually stalled and has been that way for a good 7 months. Most days (I know it sounds bad) but I average about 900 calories and I still eat high protein meals and snacks and sometimes some chocolate or some baked chips (I know I know bad bad). However, I've maintained anywhere..depending on the day...I fluctuate 156-163 (especially if I haven't gone to the bathroom for a few days). I still have a compulsion with the scale, I weigh myself everyday..sometimes twice a day. I've tried hiding it but I always go and dig it out where I've hidden it. I just can't go without it. I feel like that's kinda helped me keep on track with things. I would like to lose 20 more pounds but I what I'd like and what is healthy for me are two different things. I don't know if some of you are still experiencing the body dismorphia or not but I am. Some days are worse than others. I see myself sometimes as this double chinned extremely large person and other days, I don't even recognize myself. It's hard. It's still very hard for me to take compliments or respond to people who say "you are looking skinnier every time I see you" or "how much weight have you lost". I don't deal with any negativity from anyone but more with people being curious. I finally was able to spend some time with my extended family, whom I haven't seen since November of 2005. I've become quite terrible when it comes to family functions. I don't enjoy going because I feel like everyone watches me and what I'm eating or is staring at me. So, my stepdad convinced me to go out to my cousin's babyshower last weekend and told me that my isolation from the family is hurting me. So, with some complaining, I did go and I was made a big deal over because of how skinny I looked in my pants and oh how come you still can't eat much and I felt like they were just analyzing what I had on my plate (had a half of a sandwhich..no bread just meat, cheese wrapped in lettuce). I just feel like sometimes that they focus too much on my outside. I just get very anxious and can't wait to go home. I never really used to feel like that because it was kinda the opposite when I was fat..I was ignored and nobody really paid attention to me. As far as my job is going...I've become frustrated and burned out with it too. I'm testing for a Special Agent postion with Homeland Security. I'm praying hard that I can get this position and start a new chapter in my life. I take my exam on Monday and I've been talking to these guys since August. On my exercise front..I'm doing pretty well with that and I look forward to it. I do an awful lot of walking. I started a weight training program with light weights and I'm beginning to build some muscle I'm hoping that I can firm up and maybe tighten some of this excess skin that I've got. If anyone has any suggestions how to help that area..I'd appreciate it!! Anyways, sorry for such a long post but I just thought I'd say hello and hope everyone is doing well!! Take care!

Hey Celia, So good to see you and you are so beautiful. So how has it been for you? Are you doing ok. I remember you had some rough spots, didn't we all. I find it so hard at times. Still feel so fat. I can eat the bad stuff and it makes me mad but I am staying focused, making good choices. You take care Jane

Starting weight: 226 Goal weight: 123 Current weight: 113 Total lost: 113 I feel great. I am able to eat more now and that scares me. I try to keep my calorie intake low. I would like to maintain my current weight of 113 pounds. So I know that it will take a lot of work on my part. I have stayed the same weight now for 3 months. Michelle

Hi everyone! Crazy times going on right now. I have not been on much at all. Struggling with either not eating enough or eating too much. I hate head hunger and the fact that nothing bothers me when I eat it! Starting Weight: 310 Surgery Weight: 292 Goal Weight: 151 Today's Weight: 140 Total Lost: 170 lbs. ((HUGS)) Erin

As Celia aptly observed, traffic in our October 2005 room has really quieted down. For those of you that are still checking in every now and then, I'd love to hear how you're doing. I for one am wondering if we're struggling with similar issues now, and how other folks are dealing with those issues. Also interested in how many people made goal, are still losing, are maintaining, and are gaining. Anyway, I'll start things off and hope others chime in! Starting weight: 396 Surgery weight: 386 Today's weight: 225 Goal weight: 165 Total lost to date: 171 I've been around the same weight for about 2 months now. I know that's because I've been eating too many calories on a day-to-day basis, plus too many of my calories are coming from carbs. So I'm trying something new for me - 5 mini-meals over the course of the day, plus about 400 calories at dinner time. I'm eating fewer carbs and a little more protein (averaging 120 grams day of protein). When I stick to this plan, it definitely works; it's just a matter of sticking to it for longer than a few days. I'm still exercising regularly by going to the gym 3-4 times per week, sometimes 5 times. I can do 40 minutes on the elliptical trainer, plus I'm back to lifting weights a couple times per week. My overall fitness has really improved over the past year and I know that's directly attributable to exercising. While I can't yet say I "enjoy" going to the gym, it's definitely become a habit. I still keep track of everything I eat and my daily exercise. I use a software program called "calorieking" and it's loaded on my PDA. By keeping track of everything I eat, I'm more mindful about what I put in my mouth. That doesn't always keep from making poor choices, but it does help me understand the relationship between how many calories I eat and what I weigh. Eat less, weigh less; go figure, eh? In terms of mental stuff, I still struggle with head hunger and emotional eating. The head hunger is challenging on a day-to-day basis; it's like there's a little devil on my shoulder saying "it's just one cookie, it's just 1/2 cup of ice cream, it's just...." I work hard to ignore that little devil! The emotional eating is an occasional issue for me and I've become much better at recognizing when it's happening. So while I do sometimes "comfort" myself with some sweet carbs, I really try to limit how far down that path I go. I think these will be ongoing issues for me that I'll have to keep working on a day-to-day basis. I'm still about 60 pounds above my goal and am still hopeful about getting there some day. At my current weight, exercise schedule and daily calorie intake, I suspect it'll take me another year to lose these last 60 pounds. But I'm committed to making that happen, and I'm committed to continuing to make healthy choices. Anyway, that's my world in a nutshell. I hope others will be encouraged to share their stories and let your October buds know how you're doing. {{{{{hugs}}}}} Kellie