Congratulations Everybody! Surgery Date: 9-20-04 Weight loss: 120 lbs

so i am doin my hair today and i could figure if i wanted it up or down and so i am lookin in the mirror and i couldnt believe it it had fallen off or something .... i just flat out lost it............ i just didnt know where it was So i just keep lookin and finally i realized that i was missin the fat roll under my neck by the spine.... you know what i am talkin about.... but i lost that and i gained a BONE..... Manda ~126 lbs

Sandy, Your commitment is inspiring! I know you will reach your goal. That's one thing that I've really tried to focus on, we are still the masters of our behavior and we can make or break this experience. I like what you said about elevating your physical performance and not just committing to exercise. One of the most motivating results of exercise is when you can see your strength and endurance increase over time and keep challenging yourself further. I love that. The night eating thing is hugely important as well. I don't know if i told you this, but a couple years before surgery I sort of made a vow not to eat anything for any reason after 7pm. It was kind of a personal sacrifice I made because I was asking a family member to try and get off of a prescription drug addiction and I wanted to give something up too as a show of support. I didn't eat anything after 7pm for over a year. Not even at a wedding, or holiday banquet, etc. It taught me a lot about discipline and that I wouldn't die of hunger, and I could eat again in the morning. It was truly enlightening, and I did lose weight from just that change in my life. I gained when I stopped living by that. It amazes me that all the past or "failed" attempts we made in the past each hold important lessons to help us succeed now that we have this amazing tool. It makes me believe that everything happens for a reason, and i can rely on all those past experiences to guide me now. Good luck to you and everyone else as we enter this new phase of learning to eat and live healthfully for the rest of our lives. Love, Sue

Great new picture!!!! Victoria

Stalled, have been for over 3 weeks or so. I try not to let it bother me. I think that maybe I need more protein. I honestly don't get enough. I think your doing great, I understand your dilemma and I hope you pop out of your stall soon. Shannon