We are at a strange point of time in this journey. No longer 'Newbies' with every week presenting new miracles and happy surprises - and my, how easy it was then to lose the weight. Effortless, right? We're also not so 'long term' or 'Oldtimer' that we can finally breathe a sigh of relief and believe that we have won the battle, we will keep the weight off for the long haul. At least, I surely don't feel comfortable in saying such a thing. I am somewhere inbetween - a limbo of sorts, where I look back and long for how easy it was to lose the weight and get healthy; and look forward with alarm and fear at how easy it is to gain. Then there is the added complication of medical issues associated with post-WLS. I think I need to reconnect to being a WLS patient and survivor. I need to stop living as a normal person - my current size and weight are in a normal range, more or less - but nothing about my physical existence feels normal to me - feels like a sham. I want it back. I want my fierce commitment to health and wellbeing back so that it becomes once again my highest priority. I want to stop letting my lunch hours go by day after day without getting out of my office and moving my butt. I want my psyche to feel well and balanced but the fact is, my weight gain and lack of commitment to turning this around is making me feel sad, every day. Like I am a failure. These days that are given to us are the pages of our own personal stories - our Book - and when each day ends...another page has turned and we will never get it back. Complacency is evil. Crippling. Mind-numbing. Complacency is existing - not living. Live fully, friends. Whatever it takes - live fully. Maureen

Thanks, Karen.  Absolutely everything has a side effect, doesn't it?  I think everybody should be careful about what goes into their bodies, but especially us.  Vigilant, vigilant, vigilant... 

Hugs,
Connie

I don't think my cats care that much about the litter because they use the backyard as much as they use the litter box.  The dog cleans the kitty poop out of the backyard so I end up spending a fortune on doggie breath products.  I care about the litter because I can't stand the smell of a dirty box and use Arm and Hammer  They are really picky about their food though.  They won't eat anything except Purina Cat Chow.  Just plain old Purina Cat Chow.  I felt guilty last month because I buy the dog lots of treats, but they don't like treats too well so I thought I'd splurge on some better food for them.   I bought the biggest bag of Iams I could get for thirty bucks and they hated it.  I have a co-worker who traps, nueters and feeds strays so a bunch of homeless kitties are getting good stuff for a while. 

Its scarey out there Marilyn and when I read your postings my heart goes out to you. If you are ever in Ct you be sure to call me. I'd do all I could to try to help.

Hey Pammy, At least you still have a job to drive too & pay those bills. I still have to
rely & live somewhere I don't want too, do to the unemployment status. I have put
many more app's out there this past 2 weeks, so I am hoping this will end this month.
Plan is Get a job #1
Move by myself #2 After a few paychecks.
I get food stamps from Az State
I get Insurance from Az State. So it is not possible to go back to Calif at this point.
Even with Az without a budget, Calif is soooo much worse off than we are.
Just in case you think the recession is over, Not even close in my eyes.
Those that say it is, haven't got a clue. I am one of many that don't even add to the percentage unemployed as I don't get unemployment. Nadda, no money, accept what
I get from friends & roommate that is driving me crazier by the day.
Coping- Not well, but, surviving barely.