Hi folks,"Tis the season to to watch out for each other here"

Hi Everybody. Know it's a busy time of year so it's hard to find time to touch base on this board. It's so important (in my view) to check in because we have so much working against us during this part of the year. From frustrations and stresses about the holidays to the temptaions showered on us as everyone bringing treats to work and holiday gatherings. On top of that being winter, our bodies are telling us to fatten up for the cold winter season. Some of us see our weight loss slow to a crawl and can be led to thoughts of giving up and feeling like we are failing.Can't let that happen!! The fact that knowing others are going thru the same thing can help us all get through this time of year. So, lets all try to spare a moment to touch base and share joys or frustrations.All are helpful on here! Take care everyone and know we are all in this together! Have a great day! Julio P.S. Pardon my "Mother Hen" side showing itself this morning.

Oh Mother(Papa) Hen on my man! It is the "checking in" on each other that keeps many of us going from day to day. It is kind of like living in Brooklyn and leaning out the "stoop" to say "hey, Stella! How YOU doin'!" Off to NYC today for an adventure... with some postop buddies. THAT would never have happened preop... not for me. Towanda

Hi Towanda! Hope you had a great time in the "Big City". I grew up on the lower east side of manhatten when only poor folks lived there and my neighborhood always watched out for each over. Something that has been lost in alot of communitys. Goad to see we are keeping it alive here, Take Care, Julio

Hi Julio, I've been lurking rather than posting lately, but your post got me to say hello. I agree with you - we need to share our thoughts and experiences to both give and receive support from others. I've read some posts lately where people have been less than supportive and judgemental. That's not what this is all about - this should be a forum for people to be honest about their problems and issues without feeling they are going to get jumped on if they tell the truth. That being said - I'm struggling with my food consumption. After a year out, it is almost like clockwork that you certainly can eat more food and it's very, very scary. I try to be careful about my food intake, but the food still calls me when everyone else is in bed at night.....it's like an old friend. On a good note, I exercise about 4 times a week and my body proportionately is looking better. I weigh about 167 and I'm in a size 10. So, really, I am so very thankful for this new chance on life!!! Another thing that has happened in my personal life is that my husband had an MRI and they found a shadow where they removed his old brain tumor. Looks like regrowth. So, I'm struggling with with the happiness that my family is with me and alive, but wishing for a day when I didn't have such extreme worries. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. I'm off to work out with my son. I do my workout, then I play basketball with him (he's 2 and is so much fun to play with - his little laugh can light up the world). Thanks to Julio and Kimberly for pointing out what is truly important this holiday. P.S. If ANYONE here wants to come to Healthtrax at any time to use the pool, jacuzzi, or to work out - I have plenty of guest passes. Just let me know! I love company!!! Tammy 272/167

TIME FOR A GROUP HUG!!!!!!!!! We need a reality check this time of year for sure- I was struggling with "do I dare make cookies" But how can I deprive the kids of the fun....so I compromised- I bought two big tubs of sugar cookie dough- my passion is anything but- so I won't be tempted to eat half a pound of cookie dough...I plan to roll them out and make cut out cookies and decorate them with the girls- tomorrow's snow day forecast should be good- I'll make myself some SF coacoa and make cookies I don't like with the kids... I feel better this week- just hanging by the phone LOL waiting for approval from insurance. ....I enjoy reading posats on here and I think we do need to stay in touch - today might be okay but tomorrow we may need a shoulder. Tammy- I can just see that little man of yours basking in his mama's love- he's proof God exists- don't forget that.

Hi Tammy, Nice to see you back. Like you ,my weight loss has slowed to a crawl but because of my constant workouts at the gym am down to XL tops and bottoms, started at 5x's Jeans are now 42's were 62's so we are both doing ok. Prayers for you and family, Wishing you all the luck there can be had to get you thru this stressfull time.Went to a seminar given by Dr. Bernie Siegle at the Mercy Center in Madison and he stressed how much being positive helps with one's health. Keep being yourself and all will turnout well. Take Care and God Bless, Julio

Hi all, Julio, thanks for posting - I believe Kim posted something similiar under "Where is everyone?" last week. All I can say is as a pre op, it sure helps me to read about everyone and what they are going through so I will know others have gone through the same thing. So I may not have a lot to offer, but you all certainly do. I hope everyone will continue to post and be as honest as possible and get the support they need at this time of year. It helps everyone. Tammy, I will be saying a prayer for you and your family concerning your husband's health. It is so tough to deal with the possibility of bad news this time of year. Talk about stress. I think the not knowing is the worst. Love that little 2 year old, as you probably know, they grow up too fast! Keep up your workouts and I am sure you will get through your late night issues. Hugs, Nancy K

Sometimes we need a little Mother Hen nudge, so I thank you Julio. Today, I have entered the Century Club - I can't believe I am typing that, it still seems so unreal to me. I have lost 100 pounds in 8 months. I still can't grasp it. But I still have food issues. I still have a problem of eating too fast. So, every meal is a conscious effort. I will give myself an A+ on supplements and protein though. I am starting to have body issues BIG TIME!!! I am looking pretty good in clothes, but not so pretty without clothes and I didn't think that was going to bother me and I SWORE I would never got back and have elective surgery again, but slowly, my mind may be changing. We'll see, way too soon to tell. I am also having an issue that someone can maybe give me advice on. First let me say, I am SOOOOO grateful for everything this surgery has done for me. However, lately I have been unable to deal with the compliments. They are constant and I don't want to be ungrateful to the people who are nice enough to compliment me, but lately it has been overwhelming and some people it has been excessive. The thing is I know they mean well, and I don't want to be rude, but I don't like talking about it ALL the time. Anyone else go through this? Anyway, this exciting thing has happened today and I can't enjoy it so much because I have a sick cat at home. He was in the hospital for 4 days last week and is still sick, so I have to bring him back tonight or tomorrow. It is sad, because I may have to think about making a decision and that breaks my heart. Tammy, saying prayers for you and your family! Take care and everyone have a great day! Love, Phyllis

Hey Phillis, Sorry to hear about your cat. The price we pay for their unconditional love is having the strenght to make the choices that have to be made when the time comes. Have had to make those decisions for two dogs, My "Lexy" and My" Iggy the Boy" both beagles and both missed terribly. Had both for 13 years.Lexy was my first, Iggy my second.I now have "Molly" my third beagle.Will spoil her as I did my last two and tell her about her older sister and brother. When its my turn to walk through that gate, am hoping they are waiting there for me, Hope your cat does ok and know that whatever happens, Your cat will always live in your heart. They are our babies and we never lose them totally. Wiping tears from my eyes as I write this. Take care girl, Julio

Hey honi!! Did you see my post from the other day about seeing you!!! I'm so happy for you and proud of you for sticking to it to get to this point. You had to wait so long for this surgery and now you are able to feel the benefits. Enjoy it, it may slow down a little, but your determination will keep you going. I can relate to the compliments feeling overwhelming. We are more than our weight. People always try to say the "right" thing but sometimes end up blowing it. Like "WOW, you lost a TON of weight!!!" Or WOW, you look like a whole new person, SO much better!" or wait for it, the best one. "WOW, HOW MUCH DID YOU LOSE??" That's probably the one I hate the most. I usually just say alot and leave it at that. Or if they ask me how I say "lots of hard work" I never want to talk about my weight with skinny people either. It's funny, I still feel like I can't relate. I hope your kitty is better by now. AND I hope I don't have to wait another year to see you!! love you lots, Merry Christmas!! Your angel, Cheryl