“You want to do more, be more, but you are waiting until you feel more prepared. Here's how to gear up.”

Okay, sorry but sitting out in life isn't going to cut it. Sure, you could wait until you are completely on top of your game in life (whatever that means to you). Or, you could start living it now. What do you want to do? If you feel your weight, or your age, or your personality is holding you back, it is. If you feel nothing can hold you back from your dreams, then they won't. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing." If you decide to succeed, and actually move toward that success, you will either succeed or be able to know why you didn't, instead of wondering if you could've or just writing off that you can't.

“You want to eat healthier, but it's such a chore. Here's how to clean up.”

If you've said (probably in a whiny voice), "Eating healthy is more expensive," or "My family doesn't like eating that stuff," or even, "I don't know what to make that's healthy," you are not alone. All of those statements SEEM true, until you overcome them. You are probably just not USED to thinking that way. Start by trying one healthy recipe each week. Yes, there will be some that you or your family doesn't like. You've probably tried new, unhealthy recipes that they didn't like from time to time too. It's okay. Chuck it and try again. There are plenty of very good recipes that will be successes. You may believe that healthy foods are expensive. Depending when produce is in season, and your location, prices will fluctuate. But you can usually work around these issues. You might feel your grocery bill is higher too, if you are buying fresh ingredients in ADDITION to what you normally buy. Once you start REPLACING the processed, pre-packaged foods (and probably a few trips through the drive thru), you'll see that eating well is healthy for your pocketbook too.

I am. Chesapeake. Sleeved 12/11.

“You want to feel inspired, but there's de-motivation at every turn. Here's how to run it off the road.”

Television, family members, so-called friends, magazine ads, a look in the mirror. There are plenty of things that make us feel bad about ourselves. Things that make us doubt that we'll ever succeed at our goals. So, what are we going to do about them? Eleanor Roosevelt had a great quote, "In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." We know outside influences will occasionally bring us down, so how do we spring back up? What motivates you? Music? A particular movie? Thinking about God? Standing in the sunshine? Reading uplifting quotes? Exercising? Find what motivates you and keep your goals on the road to success.

I had to respond to all of this.  I *didnt'* have Dr.Pinnar do my surgery.  I had an appointment time, but before I met him the nice lady in billing explained to me that I had been told incorrectly,.... my insurance wouldn't pay.  I knew there was no way I could pay the cost, so I said I would leave.  No no no, they said... come talk to the doctor. 

I tried to talk to the doctor, but kept getting distracted as he was checking messages on his phone and texting.  At the time I wondered if it was because he knew I wasn't going to be a patient after all, but, in the end, I just think he thought it was okay to do.  I told him office manager, who told him, and he called, very defensive... he only checked his messages twice, and only wrote a text once, and it was important, blah, blah, blah.

Needless to say, I'f I'd won the lottery, I still wouldn't have let him do it.

Fast forward 2.5 years, and I get a bill for that visit.... over $400.  At first, I didn't even recognize the name, and then, when I did, I laughed.  I'd changed insurances, and this was 2 and a half years later.  Wasn't gonna happen.  But, I called the office just to explain that, yes, I got the bill, no, I wouldn't pay it... I'd tried to leave after we knew that insurance wouldn't pay for the surgery, and was told to just meet with the doctor.  Surprise!  The good doctor wasn't even in town!  He'd left, very abruptly, leaving many patients without support for their lap bands.

IMO, this guy is a real piece of work.  I saw on the front page for this forum that he is back in town, and drumming up business.  Be very careful .  IMO, he is rude, arrogant, and totally lacking in morals... and apparently sense, if he thought he could charge me for a visit I tried to end, 2.5 years ago.

“You make plans but just don't follow through. Here's how to execute the blueprints.”

No matter what goals you have in life: losing weight, starting your own business, writing a book, scrapbooking, or starting an ant farm all take action to achieve. You may think that you've just been lazy, or that it must not REALLY matter to you based on the amount of time and effort you have put in in the past. Maybe all you need is a "detailed" plan. So, instead of your goal being, "I'm going to lose weight by exercising at the gym and eating right," it needs to chunk out very specific actions. Map out a week: "On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I am going to go to the gym at 1:00." Write it on your calendar. Next, tackle eating. What recipes will you make, what do you need to buy, how will you handle eating out, what will you have for snacks at work? By scheduling very detailed steps with dates and action items, you will be more likely to see your plan become a reality.

“You start out strong but then lose your edge. Here's how to stay razor sharp.”

Each day you find that a certain time hits and all the good choices you've made all day are flushed. Suddenly you're grabbing anything in sight, nibbling this, licking that. Why can't you stop yourself? Okay, look at it like a video game. If you are engaged in a battle where the monster will only be vanquished with silver bullets do you think showing up to pelt the beast with marshmallows will work? Doubtful, unless he eats all of the mini morsels, gets sick to his stomach and can't continue his ferocious rampage because of gas pains. Stop going into battle unprepared. Unlike the monster, you can make a plan and be ready. Knowing where your shortfalls occur is the hardest part. Now, just figure out what you're going to do different to make sure you are the victor.

I'm in Reston.

“You've tried and failed. Here's how to turn the stench of failure into fertilizer. ”

Our mothers told us the truth: You learn from your mistakes. At least let's hope that we are wise enough to understand that failure is simply training. It doesn't mean there's no hope, that we could never possibly succeed, that we are so uniquely screwed up that there is not a workable solution. Poppy**** As Thomas Edison so brilliantly quoted regarding his attempts to create the light bulb, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that didn't work." Maybe you've found just as many ways that didn't work for something you were trying to accomplish. Take time to stop and smell the fertilizer. Reflect on those and learn. WHY didn't they work? By weeding out what doesn't work, pieces may start falling into place of what WILL work, what you might try. Remember, you only fail when you've given up trying.

I am in Spotsy, and in process w/ BPS.  Gail has been a life saver for me!  I have CoVa care /bxbs, and my 12 month pre surgery program anniversary is May 18th.  Hoping to have surgery in June!