Greetings Everyone Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful New York weather!! Now for my latest dilemma! During the daytime hours I am very good about staying on program. Eating my protein, small meals, drinking all my water etc. The only bad thing now is that I crave ICE CREAM and have come to realize that my pouch also loves this creamy treat because I DO NOT DUMP! I now tend to look forward to having some ice cream after dinner as dessert. I am frustrated because I do so well all day long and then blow it after dinner. I know that this is still protein to some degree but I am worried about the sugar content and the fact that my body does NOT dump. Why???? I don't like the fact that I don't dump because now I know that I can CHEAT with sweets and be able to get away with it. Please do not flame me because I am frustrated with myself as it is, especially since I was the one who would always say that I WILL NEVER AGAIN EAT ANYTHING SWEET. I am still losing weight at a slow rate but nontheless, it is still coming off. I have now lost a total of 110 lbs and have no intentions of gaining back any of it. Is is so bad to have some ice cream or am I totally defeating the WLS purpose? Could it be that I may NOT be eating enough during the day? Basically me meals for the day consist of: B--protein drink L--small protein meal NO carbs Snack--protein drink Dinner--6 oz meal PROTEIN FIRST! Please advise me with some suggestions other than not to have ice cream in the house because I know that if it is not ice cream, I will probobly find something else that my pouch will like that will satisfy my sweet tooth! What can I do to break this sugar crave since dumping is not a consequence for me! Thanks Everyone! Totally embarassed and with myself! and the DID NOT make me do it! Marianne :halo

Sonja ~ I'm so happy for you! And what an inspiration it was to read your story. I, too, am an avid LB shopper, but am now wearing size 16s from there. I am 25 pounds from the goal my surgeon set for me, and I'm down 124 pounds as of today. I plan on continuing to shop at LB, however, because they carry tall pants (I'm 5'10") and I have a hard time finding talls anywhere else. So there's no way I'm destroying my platinum card! Enjoy life and your accomplishments.

I hear you. My new mantra is one-day-at-a-time. I just say that when I get stressed about food issues. Take Care-KT

Thank you so much! This board is my lifeline sometimes. It's been a rough week. The mental challenge has been getting to me more than anything. So many of you have transitioned into "normal" eating and may be losing a little slower but I have to think you'll be better off when you finally reach your goals. I may have to talk to my surgeon about that. I wonder if I will ever reach the point where food is no longer an "issue?" Do you know what I mean? Well, I am in so much of a better place than I was a year ago at this time and instead of beating myself up when I have a lapse I'm trying to focus on celebrating my victories. [Note to self: new mantra: FORGET PERFECTION, EMBRACE PROGRESS!!!] And I have definitely taken my impulse to nurture others and turned it inward. I can now put myself at or near the top of my list and not feel guilty about taking great care of me! Thank you for all the love and support you have sent my way! Hugs, Sandy (268/158/136)

You Go!! That is sooo awesome. I felt so happy too when I canceled my Lane Bryant credid card. They are still mailing me though. I'll have to call a number off of the next one I get. Congrats!! 163 pounds lost is INCREDIBLE!!! Enjoy Cali this summer! -Katie