So happy and with that comes awareness...

Well, it's a small world. What is bringing you to Minneapolis? Will you have to stay in a hotel during your visit?  That definitely can be hard.  It's a challenge that takes a  lot of special planning. I had to do a lot of traveling immediately after my surgery, including a cruise, if you can believe it!  But I survived by having a refrigerator in my hotel rooms so that I could buy healthier food choices to keep in my room, such as cottage cheese, yogurt, skim milk, etc.  And I brought along protein bars and my shake powder.  (If your hotel room does not have a fridge, you can request one. I just discovered this while traveling. You never know.)

I obviously feel the same way about my daughter.... being a breath of fresh air. I always say she is the sunshine and we all bask in her warmth and light.  

I hope you have a nice visit without any stress. 

Kathy

Amen, sister!  I'm so glad this breakthrough came for you!

Health isn't about not falling off track.  It's about recognizing when you have, and brining yourself right back.  Sounds to me like you're bringing yourself back.

I think I've been doing so well because I haven't had any emotional triggers yet.  Oh wait, yes I did!  9.11 was one, wasn't it.  I'll have another one.  I know it.  I'm just hoping that I can recognize it quickly and come right back.  

And, I think being part of OH and my local support group helps!

Awww - what a great post!  I'm glad you were able to put your feelings into perspective - now you know what to do when they come to visit again!

My daughter and I are very close too and she lives 4 hours away (now with my precious Granddaughter).  She calls me several times a week just to say hi. 

My son also gets excited when she's going to come into town to visit.  They're 6 years apart and haven't always been close, but are now.  That's SO good to finally see!

Hi Jody. You are so lucky to have your daughter and granddaughter fairly close by. If you live in Traverse City, where in Michigan does your daughter live?  It's nice that she calls you so often. How was your time with your little grandbaby last weekend?  I can't wait to be a grandmother.  Wait a minute.... yes.  yes, I can wait.  hahaha.  My kids aren't nearly ready yet!  

It's so nice that your son and daughter have gotten closer again!  That's wonderful. I don't see that happen very often.  Usually they harbor those resentments forever! I would wager that you had a lot to do with improving that relationship. ;)  

Kathy,

I loved your post.   I went through similar things recently.  My son is much older, 36 now.  He's in grad school for the second time at NYU.  I wanted the summer to be filled with exercise.  Being a former professional athlete, I asked Zach if he might be willing to come home for the summer to workout/train with me.  I bribed him with two weeks in the south of France to start off our training where we walked 120 miles.  Once home we worked out 2-3 hours, 7 days a week.  He really devoted his time to me, working on his script projects when I was at work.  The days were full and I was so happy with no chance of being lonely.  

Of course I knew it would end because he'd have to go back to NY mid-August.  When he left, I really let my gym workouts slide.  I kept the 90 minutes of daily walking together but my weight routine fell apart for awhile.  The house is too quiet. I have really seen how the transitions are hard for me and times when I have to be vigilant about keeping my act together.  Those are the times when thoughts like "just one bite" creep in, but for me it's more about gym time than food time.  So maybe something is shifting in how I take care of myself. 

This is all such a learning process.  I didn't get to 249 because of how great I take care of myself.  I guess I wasn't ever really taught good self care habits.  It's always so amazing to me to be so successful in so many areas and feel so inadequate in others like self care.

I am so delighted that you got the weekend with your daughter and that it brough you to such wonderful insights about yourself.  Bravo and thanks for shedding light for me as well. 

Oh, Lee!  Your son sounds like a beautiful man.  You've done an amazing job.  I can't imagine how wonderful it would be to know that you've raised a child well.  

Kudos to you and all the good parents out there!

And let me know if he ever breaks up with his GF.  ;)

(Thou shalt not covet...)

I'm laughing about the Thou shalt not covet.  I've already told him about you.  :)  Maybe I'll post a pic of the two of us in my profile.  He's as handsome as he is kind and generous.

Lee! He IS handsome. Good genes, I know.

 LOL, he takes after his father.  All I could pass on was white European genes.  His father with Spanish/Mayan Indian roots is much more interesting looking.

Hi Lee-
Until I read Rosa's post to you I thought surely your son must be gay! I don't know very many straight 36-yr old guys who would be such doting sons to their mothers, and be into the arts...and be willing to forego their own pursuits to spend the summer helping a parent get into shape!  That tells me one thing:  You are a fantastic mother and have done an amazing job raising him. I'm impressed.  

I know exactly what you mean about not taking care of yourself. I suppose we all got to where we are for different reasons, but I think we all share the same goal of getting 'better'.  Don't let the "lonlies" get you down. You can lean on me anytime.  btw...I have been trying to find your profile, but it must be private.  Care to be my friend? also.... what is your son doing in the film industry???  Both my daughter and youngest son adore films. My daughter went to film school in CA for a couple of summers.  She is studying Film in school and she writes film reviews for her school paper.  She also has done the advance promo stuff for one of the studios when the have film openings in Madison. She has a weekly radio show where she does film reviews among other topics. And then my son is in the acting side of things.  That's why he got a part in the the parade.  
Oh, and your son was a professional athlete as well!? Good grief, Lee! AND he's a loving son? Next thing you'll tell me he is also handsome AND he cries at the movies!  You must be a proud mama.