Had to go get the old adding machine. In 7 months thats 11.85 pounds a month average. Thats good girl. Tell me when have you lost 12lbs a month for 7 months and kept it off??????? Well????? All right then you are doing good. Plus you work out. I bet that has you looking and feeling good. You are not I repeat YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! Yeah I'm shouting

Has anyone else had such slow weight loss? I eat right, I go to the fitness center for two hours at least three times a week, and I have been on a plateau since June 1. Before that I had two stalls lasting two to three weeks each. Starting at 304, I have only lost about 83 lb. I feel like a real failure now... Pat

Lord, help Melissa, calm her spirit and give her peace and encouragement. It takes courage to get help when you need it, so GOOD JOB for you. I am proud of you for getting the help you need to take care of yourself. It is nothing to feel silly, embarrassed of ashamed about. Here is hoping your week starts to improve. Pam

On the BAF (Black American Family) board they have this protein train that they are always taking. From lurking around I see that it works for a lot of them. I just thought I would pass it on to us DEC babies. I don't know how good I'll be at it. I know I am already going to cheat and we haven't even left the station. Why? I love strawberries and it is nearing the end of the season. I just bought some and no way am I tossing them! I have to admit before WLS I would have bought several packages at a time and just finished them off in a day. Now I buy one package and it usually goes bad before I finish them. AND I am eating them with nothing added thats a wow for me. Just thought I would pass this on if any is interested. No I don't want to drive the train. We would all jump the tracks with me up in the engine. Protein Train Rules Here are the rules: The train ride is for seven (7) days. The goal is to put your body in ketosis and burn fat. Therefore, you must STAY BELOW 20g of carbs PER DAY. Go to google.com to read about ketosis. On this train ride, you CAN NOT eat: - Bread of any kind (bagels, crackers, waffles, pancakes, toast, wheat bread, white bread, rye bread, pumpernickel, sourdough - you get the picture). - Rice - Potatoes (white or sweet) - Flour - Gravy - Beans - Sweets (cakes, pies, candy, cookies, M&M's or anything in this family) - Fruit nor fruit juices - Nuts (pecans, brazil nuts, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts or anything in this family) - More than one (1) green, leafy, vegetable You CAN eat: - Any meat (read the labels because some meats have carbs) - Jerky - Eggs - Cheese - One green, leafy vegetable per day (collards, turnips, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, bibb lettuce) BROCCOLI AND GREEN BEANS DO NOT FALL IN THIS CATEGORY. - Protein shakes (read the labels) - Protein bars (read the labels) - As much water (or other SF, Sodium free, calorie free, caffeine free, carbonation free beverage) as you can hold. NO BENDING THE RULES!!! The next train is on 24 July 06 on the BAF board

*hugs* - i will be thinking and praying for you too...