This is a test. This is ONLY a test. Had it been a real emergency...

One of the biggest predictors of longterm weight loss is how successful one is at staying conscious of living in one's body. It doesn't matter if one has gotten to goal weight or not, if one still avoids dealing with the reality of their physicality, the likelihood of their going "unconscious" and "numbing out" rather than celebrate and maintain their permanent WLS guidelines is dangerously high. The TEST: Celebrate Valentine's Day with ALL your physical senses and not just your emotions. Don't be so busy loving others that you neglect to love yourself!! Find healthy, joyous ways to celebrate being in your own skin! a massage, a manicure & pedicure, lovemaking, dressing up and going out with someone who notices! Give yourself the pleasure of savoring your favorite food in your mouth. Eating can be a highly erotic activity. And the slower you eat, and the more attention you pay to its enjoyment, the less you need to consume to feel full. If you're at least 9 months post-op, see how long it takes for a single small square of high quality bittersweet chocolate to totally melt in your mouth... What's your favorite fragrance? Perhaps you're in a rut, same old same old... Visit the fragrance counter at your favorite dept. store and sniff away. Surprise yourself! And do the same for your sweetheart. Find a fragrance you can imagine on your lover and make it your surprise gift. Have fun testing it out! And who says you can't buy yourself roses or whatever flowers you delight in? Like all holidays, Valentine's Day gives us the choice to use it to regress to our addictive behaviors (any action that numbs you out, gives you temporary relief from anxiety or sadness) or heighten our pleasure at being healthier, happier and more alive! On Feb 15th you can assess what the test showed you about yourself. All the best, Lauralyn www.embodysuccess.com