New, hello everyone!

Hi everybody, my name is Jami. Today is my first day actually writing in on this site, so I thought I would come introduce myself and make some friends. Ive written about myself on my profile page, so if you are interested its all there. I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, Texas, and am looking for support on here as well as locally. I hope to get to know alot of you and make some friends that know what its like to be in similar situations reguarding weight. Im super nice, really tho :-p so dont be shy to say hi.

I totally agree, about harboring a reason to stay fat. Talking to my counselor in the past made me realise that because I had such low self esteem towards myself, I felt that noone else would ever accept me and they would see the flaws I saw, only worse. To numb it, I used food...because thats what my parents did. Some people exercise when they are stressed and hurting, some write, some create, and some eat. I have come to the point that I know ive messed up in my past, Ive spent alot of time and money becoming this fat and its ok. Im not gonna beat myself up over something that is very fixable. If I can have the amt of dedication I had in making desserts and stuffing junk down my throat, then I have that same dedication to lose weight. One is definitely more appealing because its been a coping mechanism for as far back as I can remember......but Im looking to change that. Ive got new hobbies and im gonna use THOSE as coping mechanisms now. I just know I need other people going thru the same thing I am, like the people on this board and site. I cant do it alone....its so amazingly inspirational to come here and see with my own eyes, hundreds of people that have lost weight...on their own or with the surgery. Either or, it takes dedication and hard work...and it inspires me to be my best. Thank you for welcoming me!! :)

Hiya Jami, Welcome to the board. You've come to the right place for support. We'll do anything that we can to help you along. Feel free to say anything or ask anything...don't be shy. Just let us know what we can do to help, and we'll be there for you. Julie

Thank you so much Julie :-D Im sure Ill be asking tons of questions, and Ill be here alot. Im also here for everyone as well, if anyone needs to talk...Id love it

Hi Jami God bless you and heal all the hurt that you have been through! Amen! Welcome to the board! We know that we can do this no matter what. We will not be defeated! You are not a failure! You are a LOSER like us and we are losing together!!! Through God we can do anything!!! Welcome to our family!!

Hi J H! I just read your profile and my heart & support goes out to you! I'm glad you have joined the site. I am relatively new too. I joined last week as I was reading some blogs while at work. I can relate with the surgery. I am still trying to figure out how I'm gonna get it covered by insurance or self-pay and how I can fit it into a schedule of chaos lol. So right now, together, we are going thru the natural way to lose weight. I was curious to ask what type of shakes you are on? I'm currently drinking SlimFast Optima for breakfast. Helps keep me going as I'm up so early in the morning. Keep writing! We are here for you!

Hello there! Welcome here to you as well :-D The shakes Im taking right now are a mix between 3 different kinds. I have the Slim Fast Optima shakes, AdvantEdge Carb Control shakes and Meal Replacement Shakes that I bought from Kiana Fitness. The Slim Fast shakes are alot less in the protein dept and alot higher in the carbs, so if I have to have one of those I do it right away in the morning to avoid carb overload later in the day. I also sometimes mix half a scoop of the slimfast with half a scoop of my other shakes because it makes it sweeter. The Kiana Fitness shakes you can purchase on her website, kiana.com. They have a 3 pack, choc, van, strawb..for around 45 dollars. They are pretty big too, alot bigger than the slimfast cans. They have all the nutrients and etc...and good amts of protein. 18 grms. I worked for a weight loss facility a few years back and when I started that I did shakes then, and I did wonderful..losing over 100 pounds. I make sure to fit in other food as well, because I dont wanna be on a full liquid fast. I just want to watch myself so I dont go overboard is all.

Do the shakes have a protein after-taste? I absolutely love the Slimfast Optima. They don't fill me up that much, but they are by far the better tasting that I have tried in the past lol. It was funny, my mom was drinking Ensure to get some nutrients and I compared it to Slimfast...slimfast has more and more nutritious, go figure! BTW beware of the Strawberry Optima...I thought I was gonna hurl in my car lol. Good thing I love my chocolate royale hehe. 100 lbs! That is truly AMAZING! Someone on the boards made a great point...2lbs per week...over 100lbs! We can all do it together! Slowly, but healthy!

Hi Jami Let me first say welcome. I would also say that I admire your openness. Your struggles will touch someone else and help them heal as well. I will say a prayer for you and strength. You have already proven that you are a survivor! I know that you will be successful at living a long healthy prosperous life! Be Blessed