A Call For Speakers, Inspirational to Educational! We are currently accepting speaker submissions for the 2017 ObesityHelp National Conference! Conference Dates: Friday, October 27th and Saturday, October 28th Location: Long Beach, California. Speaking at an ObesityHelp Conference is an exce... Read Full Story

So, I was doing something and came upon this link in my favorites and decided to stop by to see who all is here and what you all are up to. . . seems like the board has seen busier days, but then again, we have this life changing surgery to so more then sit behind computer screens and I imagine you are all living the lives you hoped for prior to WLS.

I wanted to say hello and while my life is busy, I often think of the many that were here for me all those many years back when I began researching this option (2006), there were so may people to offer support and information and help me through the hurdles that are a part of this journey.  

I also wanted to share how my life changed for the better (2007/2008) and then how it changed in August of 2013, when my beloved baby brother died, who was more like my first child, since I was 10.5 years older than him and helped my mother raise him.  His cause of death was listed as Obesity related.  I started a new job a month later, so I had to show up and I functioned, outwardly appeared to be handling things, but inwardly I was not doing well, I resorted to an old familiar friend and foe, FOOD; the weight gain was slow, but steady and amounted to 59 lbs., numerous wardrobe changes later and I was full of self loathing by the 3 year anniversary of his death.  In March of last year, my daughters suggested that I might seek some help, they were worried about me and so I began counseling and as a result of that I am doing much better and at the end of the year decided to join Weigh****chers online so that I could get back to a better plan of eating, because honestly I was totally lost.  I am also planning on joining a gym that offers water aerobics each evening at a time I can attend, because of my back and hip issues, I am limited to activities that are not hard on those areas.  Even with just changing my way of eating to one I know is in keeping with healthy and good decisions, I have lost 5 lbs. in the last 3.5 weeks.  I am feeling more in control of my way of eating and doing the things I did well for 5 years post-op, and so feel better about myself.  

Some who will read this know me, others might be, as I did looking in to see what this looks like long-term. . . what I can say is this, this way of life is not easy, it is not without detours for many of us, but the important part of it, will always be to remind myself, that I AM WORTH fighting for, my health and well being are what brought me to this decision to have WLS, I signed on agreeing to do certain things, I did most of them for a long time, then some of them, then I found myself lost, but the most important part is that I FOUND MY WAY back because this journey is just that, a journey, with stops along the way, some are an Oasis and others an Arid Desert, with lots of beautiful experiences to be had.  If anyone reading this has found themselves lost in the manner I have, please know you have the power within you to start over, You're Worth it.

Best wishes to all wherever your life has you today.  Can't say when I'll be back, but I am grateful to the ones on this particular forum, though most no longer come here to post. . .

Hugs, Laureen

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I hope that everyone is doing what they can to be positive and work thru our individual problems. Pain, depression, hardship...we are all struggling with something. Sometimes it is very difficult to stay positive but if we try to visualize our DREAMS and GOALS as successful and happy, we attract better things for ourselves. And attitude is very important. Even just knowing that SOMEONE CARES! I care...I wish that I could do something to make all of us feel better. (sending out hugs and loving energy to you all)

JB fell asleep NYE around 10 pm...I sat up longer then decided to go to bed...that is the first time that I ever caved in before midnight on NYE....lolol. and you know what? It did not make a bit of difference at all! ...*s*

Today, I had great intentions of starting the new year by being productive. Instead, I chose to stay offline and just rest...drinking tea and crocheting and reading. I have worked so hard on our BPW conference for this Sept and have to deal with two very strong-minded and ego-based women...one has a mental illness (knowing this helps me realize that I should not take her meanness in a personal manner but try harder to ignore her attitude)...having said that, I need to work harder to not allow this to hurt me so much.THAT part is MY on problem...she is mentally ill and I do not have to contribute to that by reacting...hard as that is. That is MY challenge for this year.

My weight fluctuates five pounds up and down..still too much chocolate around. Eating, again very ironic considering my life, is hard since I have no true appetite and I must force myself to eat and I find that hard to even bother....thankfully, JB reminds me to eat..bringing me a piece of hard cheddar or a small yogurt or offer to make me a cup of soup.

I've been staying home alot but I did promise to take my grand daughters each out for lunch and shopping for an outfit...better do that this week...next week is fully booked already and I still need to purchase a new 2017 daybook. Man, I sound so BORING!!  lolol

breakfast: hot chocolate protein drink

lunch:  2 clementines

snack: a cup of homemade turkey soup

dinner: chicken & a bit of peas, sauteed mushrooms, onion, cabbage and rice

bedtime snack: hot chocolate protein drink

Happy New year. I hope it is going to be better to be better than 2016. 

I am doing as good as I can.  Still dealing with lower back pain after the car accident.  Beside that - I am below my goal weight so as long as I can tolerate the food - I eat it when I get hungry.