Okay, it's time to release the tension. I just read something one of my OH friends wrote and it inspired me to do the same. Thank you again, Tanya. :) Latley, I have been confused and fearful about some of the posts I read here on OH. The message that came to me was that one needs to be so very careful about everything the eat: protein grams, ounces of water, eating only three times a day, eating 5-6 times a day, eating only 2 ounces of food at a time, etc. You know, we are not all the same and this process does not revolve around absolutes. I spoke with my surgeon about this yesterday only because he called me to see how I was doing. I expressed the building anxiety I was having from reading so many posts that came across as a militant approach to post WLS life. He has never advised such a program post op for his patients. I was at first troubled by that, because I know many MD's are very adamant about protein, water, etc....down to the bite. My MD is not. He gives us a guideline of amounts to eat, what to eat, which includes permission to eat just about anything that does not make us sick, miserable or cause dumping syndrome. So, naturally, you eat less and eat better. He does highly encourage exercise. I have found that I am a much more relaxed eater when I focus on basics; nutrition, hydration in moderation, exercise in moderation and gradual behaviour modification. Also, some people loose weight much faster than others, especially if you have a higher starting weight. Comparing weight loss time tables is dangerous!!! Some people will feel like failures if they don't meet everyone elses goals, schedules and follow the same rules. I am one of those people, so this post is really to allow me to vent, refocus on MY plan and get off the scale. I have fallen into the weigh every day habit and it gets frustrating when your loss slows down. I am still so thankful for how far I've come and I am so appreciative to my family, friends and co-workers who notice the loss and tell me about it. This is a long process and I appreciate all the encouragement I receive. Love to you all. Judi

Time keeps ticking. It's been two months now. I feel pretty normal, too. I am back into exercise and preparing to participate in my first 5k in a few weeks. I am losing at a satisfactory rate and looking forward to losing more. I've started a pile of clothes to give away and can see that most of my clothes will be too big before long. How sad :( shopping for clothes that actually look good is such a bother ;).