The results are in!! Now I know why!!!!

I don't mind cooking at all, but somebody has to stop me from taste testing.  (Big Bad Habit).

I remember the first time I roasted a chicken, me and a friend ate the whole thing while testing for doneness.  The rest of my company asked what happened to the chicken, I blamed it on the guy who left. 

One of my cousins stopped by today.  I had seen her several times since surgery.  She had the band done and hasn't lost very much weight.  She claims that the healthy food makes her ill and the bad stuff is the only thing she can tolerate.  She also only eats twice a day.  Considering that she is a RN you would think she would know better.  Anyways, she has told me repeatedly that she is amazed by my results.  She also had been filling the rest of the family in with updates on my progress.  She claims no one believed her.  I said to her last night, I can't believe no one said a word!  She said I've been telling them about you all along and they thought I was exagerating.  Now they know I was telling the truth.  So I said, you would think when I person loses 255# that you could at least get a smile or a suprised look.  She said they weren't suprised cause I've been telling them.  So I guess it was just a confirmation of her reports they were seeing. 

Hey Nan, it's becoming a really strange sort of inspiration you're providing for them. Your results are right before there eyes and for them to do what you've done is a challenge they may not fathom. Yet what you've done is so major in their eyes and they know it's good, they just may fool themselves into thinking it's not real and continue to live as they are. What you've done is like always being the last one in the family in the race with improved health being the prize at the finish line, and now you've come from back of the pack and sprinted by all the family members, finished as the winner and they're still running to get to the finish line. They just can't believe this fairy tale story. They're still in shock. Great Job, Dennis

Well today I went to another Birthday Party for a sort of extended family Aunt.  She had become good friends with my Grandmother about 60 years ago, so she and her whole family are like aunts, uncles, and cousins to me.  Well needless to say, their reactions were what I needed to hear.  They all forgot I had the surgery and had to be reintroduced to all of them 'cause nobody knew who I was.  It was such a gratifying experience to have them acknowledge that it wasn't a quick fix.  My blood cousin who hadn't seen me 2 weeks ago came with his wife and even though he got the phone call from my Uncle telling him how fantastic I looked, he was amazed.  Aside from the fact that he is friends with Al Roker and knows how regimented the meals and planning needs to be, he was still in awe.  Al suffers everyday due to his grazing connected with his job.  Its difficult to work with food, especially as a food taster in the entertainment business and constantly being surrounded with food without having some set backs.  But he loves his job and won't change his habits for anything.  He religiously works out in the mornings and evenings without losing the regain.  My suto cousin who had the band has regained all her weight, plus.  She is now back up to a 3-4X.  I saw her loading her plate up today and saw things she should not be able to tolerate or get past the band.  I tried not to intrude but asked her when the last time she had a fill was.  She claims it is filled to capacity, yet she ate an entire plate with a Meatball Sub and Cheese Covered Baked Ziti, followed by an entire plate of birthday cake.  I was shocked that she could eat all that with the band filled to capacity.  She said she is looking into other alternatives but will not do anything invasive.    My Uncles Wife, as she was leaving told me how fabulous I look.  I thanked her for acknowleging, she said she always has.  I told her that two weeks ago she may have told everyone else but didn't say a word to me. Her response was, "I haven't stopped talking about you for two weeks", "I have told everyone including the mailman".  I said well thanks for finally telling me.  She apologized and said I am still in shock from the drastic change in your appearance and personality.   Today's entire crowd wanted details on how many times a day I eat, what I eat, can I have whatever I want, do I measure things, how often do I have to go for a follow up, you name it, they asked it.  I was more than happy to wear a billboard for Barix, but they all were so open and accepting of the information.  I felt like a prisoner of war that finally made it home.  IT WAS GREAT!!! I rate this experience a solid 10.

An even BETTER story!  And good for you for telling the person who finally said something to you that it meant a lot to you - many wouldn't have done that.  Glad you had such a fantastic day and being able to tell everyone about your regimine! Pam

TODAY ROCKED!!! KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?  THATS WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT!!!!

I am so glad you finally got the reinforcement that you were seeking - you deserve it. P.S. eating while cooking, one of my old bad habits also - now if I "taste-test while cooking, I have no room left for dinner! (and I have to admit that it's happened a couple of times.)

When I taste test, I lose control of my portion size.  I need to measure things out to keep things in perspective.  My problem is I don't get a full feeling. My stomach makes hungry noises all the time.  I know I'm full when my nose starts to run, and sometimes when the acid reflux starts up.