You all helped me start the journey for real

Ever since I heard your supportive responses a few days ago I have a different mentality about my effort to take this journey with all of you who are not doing the WLS at this point. You have given me the courage to do that. I am stronger today than I was and I can say that because of the way I responded to an incident that happened at work today that in the past would have completely derailed me in my plan. I will try to be brief about the issue. My supervisor had tentativley approved my starting a weight loss program. I had a news article written that was to come out tomorrow in the employee newsletter, a meeting scheduled and a couple of people interested already. Her supervisor however, is a control freak and is very negative about everything. While on one side of her mouth she said O.K. she was questioning everything so much so my supervisor said never mind. So, the entire thing so far as work is concerned is off. While there was more to it than that, hopefully that gives you an idea. At first I got really upset and reacted by eating a large bag of popcorn. I realized that I was giving away my power. If the employees want to do this, they can do it on their lunch break or during non-working hours, which of course we would have done anyway. We just don't have their "blessings." What I needed to realilze is that I was hurt because I had so much riding on this investment of time and energy feeling this was my "last chance" to get my weight off before the more drastic surgery. Then I remembered all of your messages and realized, I can do this. I have all of you and those at work who want to join me can and those who don't, that's fine. I am also reading a book on food allergies called "The Body Knows" that may be of interest. It is written by Carolyn Sutherland. My doc recommended it. I was very skeptical at first but it makes a lot of sense, and it addresses cravings, especially sugar and carbs and weight loss. Anyway, thank you all on here for your insights. You have helped me more than you can know. Keep writing and lets share successes! Mary

I'm happy for you that you're finding your inner power! No one can tell you that you can't lose weight. You may not have their support but you definitely have ours! I want to read that book. I had a series of allergy tests run and it came back saying I was mildly allergic to the following: beef chicken pork corn wheat yeast cow's milk cane sugar YEAH! ALL of that. And my allergist told me just what that book is going to tell you. We crave the things we're allergic to. I'm allergic to bread... and I love bread. I'm allergic to sugar... and I love sugar. I'm allergic to cow's milk... and of course, I LOVE milk. The meats are in order of the severity of my allergies and that's just how I'd list them by preference. If I had the choice of a steak, chicken, or a pork chop, I'd take the steak. If they were out of steak, I'd take the chicken... and leave the pork chop for last, even though I love them all. Food allergies and cravings are definitely related. I think I'm going to go back to my allergist and ask about allergy shots. I wonder if those would help kill the cravings. Anyway, BEST WISHES! Brandy