Hi Nancy! I think we ALL have those moments. I call them the "pity box" moments. We are justified in standing in the box for a little while. We can't stay there long though. We have to get into the "action box" knowing that it's okay and to move forward, just like you are doing. I am so proud of you. You have a come a long way and you are a continual fighter and WINNER! You inspire me. So... take those moments you need (WE ALL NEED) in the "box," regroup and come out swinging the way you always do! Love ya! ME

Traci! You look great!!! How are the kids doing?? I can't believe its already 2 years since I left Missouri!! Thanks for reviving the board! I do plan to stick around this time!!

Hi Nancy I do agree that obesity is often an emotional issue more than a physical need for food. Not always - but very often it is. Obviously it is in your case. It's good that you realize that! At the risk of sounding religious or preachy (I am a Reverend and a Christian - so I guess I can't help it LOL); for *me*, my faith is the foundation and the root of my joy and happiness. Not my cir****tances or things (including food). I really do take to heart the concept of "eat to live, not live to eat". I am maybe on the flip side of how I became obese: I wasn't addicted to food and do not have an addictive personality. I became obese eating about 1600 calories per day. I had Syndrome X/Metobolic Sydrome - which is basically a metabolism slower than molasses, in part stemming from insulin resistance, which later turned into full blown Type II diabetes. A little food went a very long extra way in adding on the extra pounds for me. My body's metabolism preferred less than 1200 calories per day and would require more than 1 hour of exercise per day to keep it fully going. Great - but not something I could keep up for a lifetime without help. Thus the RNY surgery for me. All that to say, sure, I have overeaten in my life - ate more than I should at Thanksgiving, or at a party or event, but didn't on a day-to-day basis, if anything, I probably didn't eat enough - and that would have been by downfall. Years of only eating one meal a day, only worsened my already sluggish metabolism. Throw in menopause and well....... here I am. BUT my journey to WLS was not lined with rose petals and sunshine: I suffered with depression and all sorts of ailments: and guilt. Mostly thinking I hadn't tried hard enough. There must be some diet somewhere I could do that would work. How much (or little) food were "normal"/thin people eating anyway? (since I was eating so little and still gaining weight!!!) So I had my valleys too........ BUT, I always come back to my faith in Jesus, who never leaves me. It's like the footprints in the sand poem, where during our times of trial, where instead of seeing two sets of feet print side-by-side in the sand, you only see one - it's because that's when He carries us. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 is my favorite Bible verse. Because it truly sums up how I feel: *I* can't do anything on my own; of my own strength and volition - but I can do it all through Jesus, because it's His strength that I rely on and lean on to see me through. So my question to you is Nancy: how is it that you've dealt with overcoming your alcohol and cigarette addictions? One day at a time? Then this is how you overcome your food addictions. While we can not give up food entirely, we have to make the choice daily to make the right choices and do the right thing for our health - just like giving up alcohol and cigarettes. We had WLS for our health. So when you go to grab a cookie or something you know you're not supposed to have, view it as if you were getting ready to actually eat a cigarette or consume alcohol. It's that bad for you. If your mind is wanting to play games with you - then play games right back!! Retrain your thinking to refocus your thoughts to stay on track.

Good morning Traci and everyone! I'm in the northeast, the NYC area. We are enjoying very mild weather these days. I prefer to walk on the treadmill at work because I'm trying to get in more water, and don't want to venture too far from a bathroom!! I usually walk on the treamill in the gym at work for about 40 minutes. I go there around 10 or 11 AM before the crowds. Then in the afternoon I'll take a couple of laps around the building. If I get home before it's dark, I take my dog for a walk - usually a mile or so, he can't do much more than that anymore! I'm doing VERY well on the 5DPT! I've lost 7 lbs. since Monday!! I'm bummed because I forgot my lunch today (grilled chicken breast). I'll go down to the cafeteria and get some Eggbeaters, then maybe have a Boca Burger for lunch. I'm supposed to have solid protein today - don't think those two things qualify. Maybe I'll do Day 3 again, and start Day 4 tomorrow. All in all, I'm very pleased with my progress and with my new sense of determination....I was afraid all of that was gone (although I do have my moments. ) Hugs, Nancy

Hi Michelle!!!! Read my post about my health update and taking your supplements to know how I've been. Other than that - I'm good. Good to hear from you. I posted a link to the 5 Day Pouch Test, that may help you get back on track. It's helped Nancy. Don't be a stranger! We're trying to jumpstart this board again and we need folks to come back an POST! Traci