I feel like an odd duck. I am 9lbs away from goal (surgery on 11/8/04) and I eat whatever I want. I haven't dumped, but I know my sugar limits. If I have too much of it I feel sort of woozy. I can still eat a piece of cheesecake if I felt like it but not a resteraunt sized piece, like a tiny sliver. I don't think snacking is totally evil, it depends on what you're snacking on and how much you are eating at a meal. Every few hours my body tells me that I'm hungry and I need to eat. I've started listening to my tummy to tell me when to eat and when to stop. I think that's part of the success (along with a fantastic surgeon). I know a lot of people focus on what you eat and that is important, but I think for long term success you also need to know how much to eat and when to stop. I know that if someone said you can never have X again that I would just want it even more. So I let myself eat a little bit of what I'm craving. I know it's not going to kill me. I also know that I will never let myself get that fat again and I will do what I need to in order to maintain the weight loss. I think that you need to find what works for you and what makes you happy. You are the one that has to live the rest of your life. 277/174/165

Hiya Erica, I experience hunger now too, at times if I dont eat regularly. My surgeon did not tell my snacking is a no no - he told me I SHOULD have a reasonable snack in between meals such as a cheese stick or something like that. Plus he said that I should be eating about 8 oz of food at a meal which I do. Things are going to change - we cant exist on 3 oz per meal forever. As we start to eat more "normal" size portions (not pre-op normal but REAL normal - as in what healthy people eat - even the regular size meals, not the biggie meals, are MORE than a normal person should eat) our weight comes off slower and slower until we hit the point where we are eating normal meals and not losing any more. Hopefully that doesnt happen until we have lost all we need to, or we would have to star****ching calorie intake. I agree with Karry - exercise is a big help in continuing to lose weight. It looks like your weight loss is ahead of target anyway - you only have 35 lbs or so more too lose so you are doing GREAT! Keep it up! Well that I rambled back at ya, I will stop, lol. God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea 223/138/123

THANKS ANDREA YOUR KIND WORDS ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. I'M TRYING TO DO MY BEST. HUGS WHOOPI

Yep, all different. I started at 350, I am officially now 260, so 90 lbs. gone forever! I have a long way to go though, at least another 70 or more. Don't know when I'll be done until I'm there. Pam

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents. I belong to Butterfly Life gym. They just opened up here in CT, I hear there are a lot in CA. They have the circuit with weight bearing machines. You can up the weights when you need to. They also run aeorbic, step, yoga and pilates classes all day. So you can get your circuit training and aerobic activity in. Although the circuit is designed to be aerobic activity. Women need light weights and high repetition. Curves is a good place to begin. But their machines are not weight bearing machines, they are hydraulic. So after you get used to them, they no longer do the job that you need. Plus there is only the circuit training and the hours are limited. You should continue with Curves but also do some walking. Good luck with whatever you continue doing. We all are realizing that something is better than nothing. We need to keep it up for lifetime. Pam