My Thoughts/Experiences with Support Groups

Ditto what Linda said, I actually tried to PM you this morning as well. . .  I really appreciate and consider you a friend, as well as your significant other.

Hugs, L

I made my profile public again. Any and all can PM me!

I can so relate to this post. Living with this is so much harder than living through the first part

well Norman I for one am proud of you I tried to send you a PM but it said your profile was private so I will say it here. I listened to you speak last night and you gave me alot to think about such as no matter how far out its up to us because the surgery is still there.  I thought for sure when a certain person resurfaced a feeding frenzy was going to start but Norman I for one will say you have class. I need these support groups and also the OH board for the knowledge and to keep me in line so I am for one grateful for all of you.

Thanks Linda

I am so happy for you and your progress. You're doing a fantastic job! Can't believe it's been a year already, huh?

Oh, and I added you as a friend, so once you accept, you can PM me any time you want!

For Laureen and all of my friends here,
Do your best to stay true and honest to yourself, always, no matter the cir****tances. 
Yes purge the negatives and LIVE! We've got your back!
Do the very best that you can Everyday, you'll never regret it.
Adopt whatever mantra you wish but if you do apply it to all the important facets of your life.
Own it, live it and it will become yours.
Ignore it, tarni**** tra**** and it will lose it's meaning and you will lose your ownership of it.
Let's all stay positive and always be moving forward.

Dennis

Hey Laureen,

You know how I am doing!  I am honest in saying I have not been great about sticking to the right foods all the time and I gained about 15 pounds since my lowest more than a year ago.  I hate it and wish I could just blink it off but I also know that one I really do get myself back on track with  a schedule and all and I will be fine. 

Just like you and the others have said, we can use our tool, we don't have to doom ourselves because of some pounds.  Dr. P said she would like to see me take off 10 pounds and stressed that I should do it over the course of 1 whole year!!  I know I can do that.  I have begun and I am sure next year I will be where I want to be and where she will be pleased with my progress. 

The most important thing that really works and helps me is the accountability and participation in support!  It is crucial and it is what keeps me honest with myself.

Love ya,
Jan

Laureen - Thank you so much for your beautiful words!  I am sorry that I did not get a chance to meet you last night - I was about to accost you as you were leaving, but I was worried that I would miss something good! :)  I also thought the people that spoke last night were amazing!  Being a newbie -sort of - I am 4.5 mths out, I need to hear the stories to know that I will get there just as you all did - and each meeting I go to, I always get something out of it!  I love that you all know EXACTLY what I am feeling - although I have wonderful friends who are supportive and love me - they do not understand to the same level that we all do.  As a matter of fact, hubby was with me last night and we had a fight on the way home becuase he was annoyed that a few people were saying things about him being skinny and it pissed him off, and how can he understand if when he asks questions, I shoot him down by saying, "you don't understand"  In my head - becuase I didn't want the fight to get bigger - I was thinking, you felt bad for an hour becuase you were thin in a room of either former or current large people, try living that way for 20+ years.  I am letting it go because I am hopeful that he will start talking to some other support people and he will calm down.  I am also letting it go, because I CAN'T expect him to understand - that is why I am so grateful for all of you and I too make the support group meetings a priority.

You looked like you felt beautiful last night and I hope that I can do the same when I am almost 2 years out!  Thanks again!!!!!

Hey Laureen,
I am so bummed at not being there.  This month is my surgiversary month, and I am recommitting to my programs, because I seriously got sidelined with a lot of old, negative stuff and want to start fresh.  While I am three years out, I am still far from goal.  I find a lot of strength and accountability in support groups, both surgery related as well as AA.  There is that "We-ness" that reminds me I do not have to go it alone, unless I choose too.  Plus, I am reminded, if I choose to do it alone, it will be harder.  Somewhere in scripture it says, "Two are better than one."  I think it is Proverbs.  Not sure.

Well, I might get the courage to head up to Liz's on Saturday next week, as I have never been to her cooking group, and would love to check that out.  For some reason, I am hesitant.  Kind of like when I first went to AA.  Go figure.

Well, thanks for reminding me of why I need to be there more often.

Hugs,
Trish

Trish - don't be hesitant.  I am going and this is a big step for me too.
Beth