Hi Brenda, I'm here and watching the posts. I just don't do weigh ins (and you know I never did). I have not lost any more in a while. I weigh 158.9 today (ok, thats a before BM weight lol) I am totally happy at this weight and work hard at staying here.Went from size 24 pants to size 12 and size xxxl shirts to L. From highest weight of 248 to 158.9. If I didnt lose the extra 18 lbs I'd be fine, but would not get insurance to pay thier measly amount for plastics, which are going to be roughly 28 grand. I work with mentally challenged folks and have had my father in law living with us (dementia), plus I have 4 kids, my daughter getting married soon - so all the wedding stuff - plus we are suing the previous owners of our home as the basement caved in soon after we bought our house. Today we had them and their lawyers go through and inspect our house (very very intrusive and hurtful let me tell you). But through all that I read of all of your struggles and happy wow moments and know I am not alone. That brings the sunshine to my days. Thanks as always for your support!!! Tara

I love shopping! I kept one pair of my old jeans just as a reminder as well. I shop at thrift shops now and I have discovered I like it more that regular shopping. The merchandise is always changing so I go a couple of times a week....A new addiction I guess. My wow moment was showing one of my new purchases to my daughters and discovering I am now in the same size they are. I love it! I am like you Paige, I wear a larger top size. I will not keep any of the big clothes because I WILL NOT gain this weight back. Fran

Hi Brenda, I agree with you. I am finding it harder to stay on track these days. My old habit is eating out all the time. I need to plan for when I am out and I find myself getting lazier and lazier. I work shifts so I don't always check for the Monday weigh in until Wednesday. This week I plan to do some gardening. I live in an apartment so I am going to concentrate on my boyfriend's yard this year. I also have a bike now and have been doing some riding. Now that the weather is a little better I plan to ride back and forth to work. I have a hard time with riding just for the sake of riding....I like to have a place to go. My biggest fear after this surgery is falling back in to old habits and gaining back the weight. I DON'T want that to happen. I think I need this site to remind me that I did have to have surgery to lose weight. It is not an easy battle. Talk to you soon. Fran

Hi gang! I'm just wondering.....where is everybody? We used to have LOTS of posters, especially for the weekly weigh-in. Now is the time that lots of surgery recipients start to get lax in their programs (I'm finding it especially hard right now myself) and start to fall "off the wagon" so to speak. If there is EVER a time we need each other and to be accountable for where our journey goes from here--IT'S NOW. It's easier to eat foods we shouldn't, snack more, slow down or stop on exercising--IT'S EASIER TO START GAINING WEIGHT BACK TOO. The reason I'm posting this is because I'm finding myself top on the list of people doing these things. IT'S SCARY!! I know I won't fail at this, but this is the point at which it becomes MUCH easier to start getting back into old bad habits. It's so inspirational to read others' stories and listen to their thoughts, feelings and fears. Talking to each other keeps us accountable! Sooooooo ...what do ya say we start communicating more and sharing things besides just our weight loss progress? Anyone have ideas or interests they'd like to share? I'll start...... Now that it's Spring and the weather is getting nice and the daylight hours are longer I plan to: Scout out new places to walk (my husband drives the route so we can map how far the distance is on the odometer of the car--then he walks it with me the next time) Make new and fun recipes that are more "summery"--hubby and I made a recipe last night for baked ravioli casserole--ALL HEALTHY--that was to DIE FOR. Anyone wanting that recipe let me know. Ride bikes as a family. We haven't ever done that because we've not all had bikes at the same time but we're getting a couple this week from the local police station's stash of lost and found bikes. They like to get rid of them after they've been there for quite awhile. There are sooooo many things we can do to improve and/or maintain our health. And they're easy things now! A year ago I'd have NEVER dreamed of riding a bike--ever again! Take a look back at where we were a year ago. Scary and depressing place wasn't it? Thank you, God for making this surgery possible for me and all my WLS brothers and sisters! I can't imagine where I'd be a year from now if I hadn't had this surgery. I want all of you to know how much I love and need you! When there are days that go by that I don't see my August brothers and sisters posting, it makes me worry and wonder if you're all ok. Stop by and drop a note just to say 'hello' ok? Brenda

Must have just been the week for all of us. I didn't gain but didn't lose either. Have a great (& better) week everyone!!