Hi again all! I'm nearly to goal, currently at 173. (I'm a pretty tall gal!) Anyway, things went really, really well even though I was diagnosed with a huge ulcer about a year ago. I took my prevacid every day, didn't have food reactions and pretty much forgot about it. 2 months ago I ended up in the hospital with pain from my ulcer. Of course, I got everything for pain in the hospital and it calmed down somewhat. But, I have been having regular flare ups ever since. I'm taking my meds and even have to take an oral lortab for the pain. I hate this and was wondering if anyone else is having this same problem. Thanks for any info.

Hey Judy, It is so great to hear from you! All through this process you and I seemed to be on the same wavelength. I haven't been on in a while, but gained 3 pounds over the last 2 weeks, so decided I better come back to the source of my inspiration. Reading your posting was exactly what I needed - so thank you! I am down to 237 (my lowest has been 234 - but a few glasses of wine and some cheesecake killed that). I've been in this range (within 8 pounds) since about July. It is really frustrating, but I'm learning to forgive myself. Just yesterday I told my husband I need to get back into my exercise routine. I actually still eat well and make good choices, but the exercise is lacking. My asthma is bothered by the cold, so I tend to avoid going outside if I can, which keeps me from the gym. My goal is to lose 10 pounds before my next doctor's visit in February. I think it's an attainable goal and will do what I need to do to get there. My doctor hasn't ever set a weight loss goal for me - and I'll never be satisfied with the loss anyway. At my last visit I had lost almost 60% of my excess weight, which he considers "successful", so that's that. I wish you all the best in the new year - keep us posted! Jen

Hi everyone. It's been a very long time since I've been here. Life has gotten away from me. My job search for 6 months and now in place at a new job has kept me away. I know I shouldn't have been gone for so long. I have to say this past 16 months has been amazing, but the last 3 or 4, frustrating. I haven't really lost any weight since September, in fact, I'm up a couple of lbs. from my September weight that I posted here, however, I can say that I had gained 16 lbs over the last few months, and just in the last week have lost 11 lbs. So at 16 1/2 months I am now 231 lbs. My husband I received a gym membership for Christmas to a fitness center that is right across the street from us. The membership begins on January 1. I am really going to make the effort to go, and hope my husband really pushes me. This past week we have tried something a little different too. Now that I got a job closer to home I don't have to leave at the butt crack of dawn anymore. My husband works about 3/4 of a mile from here, and since we only have one car it can be inconvenient, however, the days that he goes to work at 6am, he takes the car, and then I walk up to get it when I am ready to go to work. Between that and my water pill I started taking, I think I can attribute this weeks 10 lb. loss to that. Gives me a little motivation, I guess. I hope everyone of you is doing great, and I hope the holidays weren't difficult on your weight. I promise I will be back more often. I really need you guys...I need support from people that know what this is like...no one else truly understands. Take care! JUDY 359/231 Dr. Goal - 209 My Goal - 185

Like you I would like to get smaller. I got down into a 6 but now that I'm pregnant they're just not comfortable and I'm into my biggest stretchiest size 8's now. I'm at 135 at 5'3 which makes me the average for my height and I just know that I'm not going to loose anymore until after my PS after the baby. Don't fret too much...you've done a great job! Kristy 254/135/140 8 weeks preg due 8/8/06

HEY LADIES!!! JUST A QUICK UPDATE! I HAVE FINALLY MADE IT 9 LBS PAST MY ORIGINAL GOAL, WEIGHING IN AT 109 FROM 271!!! WOW! WE'VE ALL COME A LONG WAY!!! I AM PREPARING FOR MY FINAL DESTINATION AS I AM WRITING THIS. AT 12:30 I WILL BE GOING IN FOR MY BREAST REDUCTION AND TUMMY TUCK! PLEASE SEND YOUR PRAYERS TO TULSA!!! HAVE A SUPER HOLIDAY, AND ENJOY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!! JACQUE NAPIER SURGERY DATE: AUGUST 16, 2004 BREAST REDUCTION/TUMMY TUCK: DEC. 27, 2005