Hi everyone, I haven't posted here very often, but I read everyone's posts. (If I can offer some help or feedback I will usually reply privately. ) I wanted you all to know that I really appreciate the time you take to post your daily/weekly trials, tribulations and triumphs! Even your personal or relationship posts. Everything you post helps, informs and inspires me. While you can't see it, I do laugh, cry, jump for joy, and am very proud of you all. Thank you!!! On to my update. Wednesday was my six month anniversary of surgery. I am proud to say that I have lost 114#!! I have been pretty darn good about getting in my protein and vitamins. I usually get most/enough water and my exercise consists of yard work and animal chores. Some days I can eat a decent amount, some days I can only manage a few bites each for my 3 meals. I am just now starting to be able to eat hamburger and eggs again (made me very nauseous after surgery). I do eat sugary things and fatty things sometimes, but I don't go overboard. Actually, I went through a really tough spot a few weeks back and I ended up eating very poorly. I was pms'ing, my partner was in the hospital having surgery, stressed at work, extra heavy financial issues, 1.5 hr commute to the hospital, and very little sleep had me eating fast foods, doritos, chocolate and DS Oreos. I didn't dump. I lost 10 pounds. Go figure! That is my worst extreme, but I normally eat quite sensibly. The things that I eat the most (that I can count on to sit well) are cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, salads (little dressing), steak, most chicken now, and potato in any form. My favorite protein supplements are fuzzy navel nectar mixed with orange flavor spenda'd drink, followed by isopure most flavors. I do one to two a day. My loss goal is to get to 200. My nutritionist says 220 is good. Part of me wants to get to 180, just so that I can say I 've lost 200#. And, I would like to get to 196 just so that I can be merely "overweight" not "obese". I would be happy at anything less than 220. Regardless of where I end up, I am happy with my choice of surgery and what the tool is helping me do. I have gone from size 34s to size 22s. I have had a friend give me the clothes she has ungrown (she had surgery 3 wks after me, but started 100# less), so I haven't had to buy anything but underwear and bras. This has been such a blessing! I did go thru a hair loss period, but not because of lack of protein at any point. I don't desire soda's. I drink water or splenda sweetened drinks mostly. Because I do a lot of yard work/chores outside, I have to have a bottle with me constantly and have 2-3 swallows every 3-5 min to make sure I don't get dehydrated. I do my centrum chewables and B-12 in the mornings and my vit D and citrical at bedtimes. My most simple but continuous Wow moments are when I don't have to fight with the seat belt in the (any) car. My most dramatic Wow was earlier this month. I person I hadn't seen in about a year stopped me and congratulated me on my weight loss. In the exchange she (politely) asked if I had lost 30-40#. When I told her that actually I had lost 110#, her eyes got really big, her jaw dropped and then she burst out saying "You've lost one of me!!" and gave me a high five. Now that felt good! Well, I've gone on quite long enough. Thank you again, and I wish you all many moments as good or better than that! Love to you all, Sue K.

Happy Anniversary! It's also my 6 month as well! Hurray for us! You sound like you are doing fabulous. I can totally relate with the crossing legs thing and painting toenails. I hadn't given myself a pedicure in almost 3 years. I was estatic that I could finally reach, even if I did have to contort my body to get to my pinky toe LOL! Congratulations Jo! Jessie

Shortcake good for you and Miss Chocolate Angel look at your picture!!!!! If I wasn't old enough to be your granny I would be worried.

Happy Anniversary today is my 6 month anniversary as well. Its been a great 6 months for me so feel free to rant and rave all you want too!

Hey Stacey, I was at a stall too for about 2 weeks, i weighed in at 180, now this morning, i weighed in at 179.. woohoooo i stepped up my protein and water.. my 6 month date is the 27th of this month, and i am down 91 pounds, this is the best thing i have ever done for myself, goodluck and keep up with the good work!!! Tammy