Good morning, Britt and everyone! I'm going to the supermarket in a few minutes! It will be the first time I've driven since my latest round of surgery. Exciting, huh? I attended part of an OH event on Friday and Saturday. If you get the chance to go to one, I found it interesting. The hotel rate was good and I enjoyed the speakers. My PS was one of them so I wanted to see him and the event coincided with my 1 week follow up appointment up there. I'm still VERY swollen but I'm starting to look human again. The bruising actually isn't as bad as I'd thought but I'm self conscious about how I look so I wear my sunglasses most of the time! Britt and Christy, I know what you mean about this being so hard. I had no idea how hard it was going to be to keep the grazing under control. It's so easy to eat bits and pieces all day long but the calories still add up. I did pretty well during our trip and was proud of my restaurant choices but I know I have to preplan and get busy. I know we can never be perfect but we each have to find a balance that allows us to maintain without the swings. I honestly think that hormones make it harder on women. Britt, I know you keep close track of your food input, etc. Do you see any sort of pattern? I've mentioned many times that when I lost weight on my own and kept great records I was able to see that one week a month I felt totally out of control regarding food (especially carbs) and I would gain at least 5 pounds. That would depress me and I'd eat more! Then, the hormone hell would be over and things would feel "easy" again. Every month I would tell myself not to overreact and to avoid the extra carbs but every month I seemed to fail. I literally felt driven to eat chocolate, tons of popcorn or whatever was available. When I feel that now, it scares the heck out of me. PS has enabled me to lose weight easier. I think your body allows those extra calories because it needs energy to heal itself but I know my current eating behaviors are not going to allow me to maintain weight once I'm healed so I have to get back on track. With that said, although I'm at the lowest weight I've been at in 30 years, I know that maintaining it may be totally unrealistic. Remind me of this when I'm whining about it in a few weeks!!!! Starting Weight: 245.25 This Week: 126.50 Total Loss: 118.75 BMI: 21.7 I hope everyone has a great week. Be conscious and responsible for your choices. Just last night I talked myself out of going downstairs to get a snack. The urge was terrible and I kept thinking about what I could snack on. I thank my cat for keeping me upstairs! He was so comfortable up against me that I didn't want to disturb him. The feeling eventually passed and I didn't have that snack. This morning I mentally patted myself on the back for avoiding temptation but I think the cat deserves the pat much more than I! One last comment in case I don't get back to the board today. I wanted to tell Valorie how much I admire her for how she has handled the horrible situation that has been dealt her. Friday night I read your update on my laptop while in northern Va. I was so touched. I wanted to reply but my current vision and my laptop do not get along at all and typing on that tiny thing is so frustrating to me but I can't tell you how many times I thought about you over the weekend. My husband knows all of you by name because I talk about you so much. At some point, we should try and have some sort of reunion! You are very strong, Valorie an an inspiration to all of us! CeCe

Good Morning Britt, I just made it in to work (6 am, what am I thinking?) Anyway, I know you are an early bird so I thought I would see if you had posted yet. I am sorry you are having a hard time staying on track, I am in the same boat. Unfortuately, my scale is showing my bad habits also, which is emotionally bad. Physically, I am feeling like crud too! Anyway, here are my numbers for the week: Starting weight: 273 Two weeks ago: 122 This week: 129 (In shame, I admit this) I too know what I need to be doing, I just can't seem to be putting it into action. Hugs and hopes for a better week, Christy

Hey Valorie! Sounds like you are moving along - and SMART too ! I love that you are really *thinking* things through and not jumping into making BIG decisions - Bravo to you! I can imagine how hard it is for both you and your friends - to LIVE together. Hang in there - soon enough you will be on your own. thanks for the update - hang in there girl On a side note ....I am sorry I have not been *in touch* lately - had a bad GRAZING week - I feel like I a struggling to get back on track and stay there! I am determined to do it and I am WORKING every day to get back on track and STAYING there! I am in the process of RE-EDUCATING my self and JUST DO IT - follow all of the rules - all of the time! How are you doing with eating? Exercise? Email me and check in when you have a minute! sending you hugs, Britty

You are amazing! I'm sorry you had to go through this, but I love the way that your character and attitude has been an inspiration to all of us.

Well Hello Girlfriends, I am doing well as I had mailed to Britt, I had gallbladder surgery in Nov 07 and just had a hysterectomy Apr 22, 08. Let me tell you for this young chick-a-dee, the overhaul has just kicked my butt. I am MUCH better than I was a week ago, because before surgery I was just an awful person to be around with a prolapse uterus, and fallen bladder it WAS NOT FUN. Anyway everything has come right along, low on iron and all the good stuff that when you get to be my age that we all need. I too had RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME but I tried the ole bar of soap under you sheet and "IT WORKS, BY GOLLY" I have had the hotel size of soap in a sock, pinned to the mattress pad for a couple of years now and have not had any trouble with RLS since, I even keep a bar of soap by my chair in living and family room and if my legs start I just slip it under my knee and it stops. Call it what you want but it does work for me, I do not use DOVE OR CARRESS it does not seem to work for me and some of my friends, but try it you might like it. Blessings