Back from the NASCAR race at Bristol, TN, and I had a GREAT time! If you ever get a chance to attend a race at Bristol Motor Speedway, DO IT!!! It is the BEST, most EXCITING NASCAR event ever! 43 cars on a 1/2 mile track, for 500 laps! As their motto says, "Racin' the way it ought'a be!!" 160,000 rabid race fans came and saw the best race of the year so far! I also had a reality check this weekend. After the Busch race on Saturday, as I was walking from the track to the campsite we were hanging out at, one drunk guy commented to me, "Hey shorty, you sure are fat". I just looked at him, and couldn't really respond. That one comment brought this whole year's progress down to zero. I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does. I just posted comparison photos on my website of me on April 4, 2005 - two days before surgery, and from March 22, 2006 - 131 pounds lighter. The website is geocities.com/thedawnofanewdayna Just comparing the two photos should make me realize I *HAVE* come a long way. But I also have to make myself realize I have a *LONG* way yet to go. I'm still 179 pounds, and at 5'2" that is still considered OBESE. The guy may have been a jerk, but he was telling the TRUTH. I AM STILL FAT. That's a reality. Yes, I have had good experiences since the surgery, even had men hitting on me, buying drinks, etc. -- but the reality is, I am still fat. Boy is it hard to type that word. It just seems that as soon as I get my self-esteem built up, someone comes along and knocks it back down. Life's a ***** isn't it? Dayna 310/179/120?

Hey could some of you come to the April 2006 surgery reunion board. Some of the people are looking for an Angel to help them through their surgery. Thank you, Jennifer (April 28 2006)

Me thats me!!!!! I with you I swear I am never loose any more weight eben though my doc say I can loose 30 more..These pounds just wont move it is discouraging and I get so sad.. I do the gym as I said a million times faithfully even if dont want to.and I get my water..But nope nothing..So I feel ya...I feel like a failure... Alice 285/159/wish to be 135

I got to within 5 pounds of my goal in October and haven't lost much since. Maybe this is where I am supposed to be?? I did find this plateau buster recipe on the October '05 site. I made it this weekend and started it today. Judy LEI's Ca'BOY STEW ? 1 can Lima beans ? 1 can Pinto beans ? 1 can Kidney beans ? 1 can White navy beans ? 1 can Butterbeans ? 1 can diced tomatoes (choose your flavor) ? 2 cans spicy V8 juice ? 1 entire LARGE cabbage - chopped/shredded into bite size pieces. ? 2 LARGE potatoes, skinned, chopped. ? 1 LARGE onion ? 2 small cans of mushrooms (or 1 large tray of fresh) ? 1 can green chili's diced (mild, med, hot, your choice) ? 1 lb lean ground turkey meat ? 2 PRECOOKED chicken breasts or thighs, diced --or-- any other type of MEAT leftovers you have on hand. Sausage? Pork? etc. ? 2 table spoons of minced garlic, or 8 fresh cloves ? 2 table spoons low carb ketchup ? Various seasonings, salt, pepper, garlic, MzDash, Onion Salt, etc. Grab a LARGE pot (big and deep enough to hold ALL the above indredients) and use it to brown turkey meat, garlic (if it's minced) and chopped onions with dry seasonings of your choice. Drain what little grease there might be. In the same pot, add the diced potatoes, garlic cloves (if it's fresh) and cabbage, about 3 cups of water, and the V8 Juice. Boil for about 20 minutes, giving the potatoes a chance to cook. Then add ALL remaining ingredients, just dump them in. If you used fresh beans, add them "cooked" to the pot. If you're using canned beans, just open the cans and DRAIN the juice first. Add the entire can (with juice) of chilis, tomatoes, etc. You might have to add a little more water, to keep it from cooking out, also don't be afraid to SEASON it. Seasoning is our friend, and since you'll be eating this soup for several days, 2 to 3 times a day, you want to make darn sure you LOVE the way you've seasoned it. About the 3rd day of eating this, I try to add a new twist to it, to change up the taste again. Maybe a can of corn? Or some black olives? Or a little bit of shredded cheese? Sour cream... etc. The CORE blend of ingredients always seems to jump start my weight loss. This is ALL I eat, 3 or 4 times a day until the pot is empty, normally lasts about 5 to 6 days. I also drink lots of water (100 oz +) during this time. Nutrients per 1 cup serving: Calories 290, Protein 25 gr, Fat 5 gr, *Net*Carbs 19 gr (from good [bean] carbs, after deducting 9 gr of fiber)

After 11 months out, I want all the same things. I have to get a mental picture of what cookies and candy will do to me in my mind. It does not help that one of the teacher's here has a wife that sends in home made brownies and he brings in donuts or cookies everyday. Man do I crave them. I quickly run past them and fix myself decaf coffee. (Caffinated is an appetite stimulant.) After two cups, I no longer feel the cravings from the sights and smells. I have managed to cut out my afternoon snack by having hot fruit flavored tea. I want you to know, that before this surgery, there was no way that I would have drank tea in any shape or form. (Orange, Raspberry and Lemon are my favorites) I also would not have had decaf coffee or had regular coffee without tons of creamer and sugar. Everyone has the cravings, and sometimes we give in to them. It happens. You will do yourself more harm if you beat yourself up over this. One trick I have learned after reading an interview by Carnie Wilson, after eating three bites of the super good sweet thing, pour a bunch of salt over it. You won't want it then! I tried it at my husband's company dinner. I had a lot of funny looks from the other diners until I explained why, but it works! The best I can tell you is more fiber, hot liquids and shake, not sprinkle salt on all the offending foods Good luck, you'll be fine!