Yes, that's a great idea! There are many many people who have been brining food. We took some the other day and my brother is going to cook on the grill. I also know many people have taken up donations to give them gift cards. I think in about a month we will have another cook out to give to them. I have heard that they really need it then so they don't feel like they have been forgotten. 

I am 15 months out from surgery and got approved by my insurance two months before I had surgery. Some of you may remember that the day I was approved was bitter sweet because that was also the day that my cousins 7 yr. old son was diagnosed with bone cancer. 

He passed away this Sunday at the age of 9. He was truly and angel who fought so hard. 

I am asking prayers for his mom, his dad, and his two sisters. That God hold them and comfort them and give them peace in knowing that their son is free now and in the arms of the Lord. They are a precious family and have been through so much. The more prayers for this sweet family the better. 

Thank you! 

Thank you for your wisdom! You made my day! 

My EW is 100 pounds on the mark! I have lost 84% so......16% more or 16 pounds and I will be NORMAL LOL     

This post however did open my eyes to how many many people never hit a "normal" BMI. If EW is from the very top of the normal BMI scale and on avg people are loosing 50-60%, then they are still 40-50% away from a normal BMI and to me, that is A LOT! 

Thank you for your post and sharing you thoughts. They alway**** hard with me and always seem to be just at the right time. 

I have a question..... So, if on avg people loose 50-60% of their EW, does that mean if they have 100 pounds to loose, then they loose 50-60 pounds on avg?

Also, in order to know what your EW is or how it counts towards this, do you choose a number that is at your healthy BMI? For example, I need to be at 149 for a healthy BMI but I want to get down to 130. So, is my EW (starting at 249) 100 pounds or 119? 

What would I ever do without you? :)

Congrats on your success! Keep up the wonderful job! 

My goodness! You don't even look like the same person! You look so happy and I'm very excited for you! 

Weird how we are all just so differently shaped and built. At 250, I was wearing a size 22 and now at 165 I am in a 12. I see many women post that when they are at 165 they are in 10's!    I am 5'5 and very curvy. I will probably be in a 10 when I'm at 155.....which I CAN'T wait for!!!! 

How much would it cost for you to come to Texas, live with me for a week and cook my meals??? We would have a BLAST!!! :) 

You have done GREAT!!! YOu will get where you want to be, just don't give up and learn with every mistake that you make. 

You are beautiful! Congratulations! 

Hello everyone! I wanted to write about trigger foods. When I was a newbie I would hear this term often and although I understood what it meant in an "Overall" meaning I didn't have a clear understanding of what it meant for me personally. After 15 months, I think I understand what it is for me and maybe for you too. 

A trigger food for me is a food that when I'm having a great day, I can say NO to and I never think about eating. For example, cereal, chips, little Debbie snacks. These are foods that I can be around and not crave or want. BUT if I'm having an off day emotionally or hunger or whatever the reason be, these are foods that I don't have enough will power to say no to and I find myself eating them when I normally would not. I would buy these things "for the kids" but deep deep down inside they were there for me if I ever "needed" them. So I would find myself having a bowl of cereal at night if it was a bad day, and it "TRIGGERED" a downslide to bad eating and shame and guilt. I stopped buying these foods!! MY boys have not even noticed that the cereal is no longer there. In fact I'm not sure they ever liked it any ways. I do however keep fresh fruits in my fridge so that if I want something sweet,  I can have a bite of watermelon, cantaloupe, or some berries and it satisfies me. I don't have to eat a bunch to get the craving under control. 

Now then there are other foods that I don't really consider trigger, but NO NO's right now. These are foods that I know I cannot say no to. I don't have the will power yet. I'm talking about at home because in public or at work I can say no when everyone is watching me but these are foods that I know myself well enough that I just can't keep in my house. Those would be ice cream, cake, chocolate....... Yes, I have ate these in the last 15 months but they were not good choices for me because the will power it takes to get back in control of myself is just too much. These are foods that are my "Poison" more than triggers. 

I hope this helps someone and makes sense   It was on my mind today so I thought I would share. 

That's very exciting! Congrats! 

I am so very proud of you!!! You are an inspiration to me and I think the world of you. You are a hero in my book :)   

BTW, love the CLA! This was my first week of summer and I was scared to death that I would eat like a mad person, but it's been the opposite. I have had so much to do with my kids and camp and everything else, I have not been hungry!! Thanks Goodness! I have lost 4 pounds in the last two weeks. I am down to 164 so my goal weight of 149 is right around the corner!!