So never really thought I used food as comfort, but I realize now, that I must have. My mother was killed in an auto accident on July 9, 2004, 5 days before I was going to see her. She lives several states away from me and I had not seen her in over a year. More importantly, she hadnt seen me since I had surgery. We were both soo excited about seeing each other. She had always been so worried about my weight...worried for my health and since she was wheelchair bound after having suffered a couple of strokes about 10 years ago, there was no way for her to be with me at the time of my surgery..which was a cause of much distress for her. My father was obese and he died from heart problems at the age of 52 (I was 13) and she was very concerned I would die young too. In fact she was sure that she would outlive me if I didnt lose weight.. which I have to admit was my primary motivation for having this surgery in the first place. We all go thru life wanting our parents approval. We want them to be proud of us. I have made my share of mistakes in my life..I have disappointed her and me with some of the dumb choices I have made. This was one of those moments that would be a shining moment for me..for me to be proud and for her to be proud of me! I could hardly wait to see her face when she saw me. I knew that approval and pride as well as her unconditional love would be shining in her eyes, but I never got the chance to see that and now I never will. I didnt realize how much her approval had been motivating me all along. Most days I do ok..but I find myself comforting myself with snacking when I start to get choked up with grief. Heres the deal... my weight loss is at a standstill..in fact I have even lost a bit of ground. I was down to 174 in September (docs goal is 160)and now I am 182 AGAIN! I am so mad at myself I could spit. I have been one of the lucky (OR UNLUCKY..DEPENDING ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE) ones who has lost weight no matter what I have been eating. Sadly, sugar does not make me sick..now fat in any quantity does, but not sugar. I am able to eat more now without that "OMG" tight, uncomfortable feeling in my pouch. And that has me worried as well...have I stretched my pouch??? I sure hope not. I cant seem to get up off my keester and exercise either. The only exercise I am getting is shopping...well, I cant go around naked now can I?? So I walk the malls and stores, but other than that..exercise is non-existent. I need to get back on track and need some advice from all of you who are at the same place in your journey as me. I need some encouragement and suggestions. And to be honest I think I just needed to write all this out...confront how much my grief is effecting me. Thanks so much for reading and listening to me. Remember to love your friends and family. Make time for them..tell them you love them every chance you get!!..they can be gone in an instant!! Hugs to all of you!!! Harriet 304/182/160

Congratulations!!! I have been stuck on 99 pounds for almost 2 weeks now. Sunday (10/10) is my 9 month mark. I was really hoping to make 100 by then, but it doesn't look so good for me right now. I went to my PCP on Monday and she says she really doesn't think I need to loose any more. My original goal said I needed to loose 2 more pounds. Who knows? Like you, I find that most EVERYTHING I do is a whole lot easier minus almost 100 pounds. Unfortunately, the depression did not leave with the weight loss. I still struggle with it daily, but it is very managable now. I am very careful to never miss my meds. Take care, you are not alone. You SHOULD be very proud of yourself.

I'm so close---only 2 more pounds. But oh my gosh! I WANT IT NOW! lol Ok---so it's just a number. But I look forward to the day I can say I've officially lost 100 pounds! The weight loss has slowed down so much but I still exercise faithfully every day! I have been training to eventually do a marathon. So even if the scale doesn't move for a bit, at least I know I'm healthy and am proud of my physical fitness now. I CAN RUN! How many years has it been since I was able to say that? 11? 12? I don't even know anymore! But nothing is gonna stop me now! I'm so proud of everybody in their accomplishments so far this year! Getting healthy is so wonderful huh?! This is one journey that none of us will ever forget. We have made some life long changes and look at the great results! Look how much younger everybody is looking! And look at how much happier the "thinner" person looks! I wish you all the best as we continue our journey's! We've only just begun to enjoy our new improved lives! God bless you all! Charlotte 269/171/137ish

I just went and had my Plastic Surgery Consult on 10/01/04. I am not going to get the tummy tuc****il Christmas tho. I want to wait. I have lost 120 pounds and think that I am jsut about finished losing too. I wish that I wsnt but, I think that I am. I am restarting my post opt diet just to see if I can get some of the excess weight off. I would at least like to lose 40 more pounds but the weight loss has pretty much stopped. The thing about getting it done too early is that if you have excess weight to lose still like 30-50 pounds and you get it done and continue to lose you can still end up with a flabby belly, but soem execercise can help to prevent that. That is why I am choosing to wait until December to get my tummy tuck...........just in case. My friends all think I have about 15-20 pounds hanging there ( I think more like 8-10). I am so with you on the bigger clothes thing.I have to buy 13/14 to fit around my flab roll, and the legs are HUGE, but then I try on 9/10 & 11/12 and they fit much better in the legs but there is no way they will do up because of all the excess baggage in the front just hanging there. I wish you luck, and I would look into starting a tummy tuck. Sandy 295/178/140 ( I HOPE)

Congrats, Christina,,, you are looking great.. can't fault the kid for his impression.. I look at myself in the mirror and I look weird to me too... But you are doing great.. keep up the good work!! Jan 287/165/150