Hello all!

Hi Jane! Yes, let's help each other.  I was just telling Lisa that...maybe check in on each other to help each other along.  As far as exercise, my heel spur is awful right now, treating it, etc., so I've got my bike out.  I will ride it every day!!!  Take care and nice to hear from you!  Theresa

Hey Theresa- Glad you are checking in.  You can do it- you have done it before- you can do it again.  I am doding good- had my TT 7 months ago and am very happy!!  Enjoy your summer!! Shannon

Yep, you are right.  I will keep trying! Congrats on your tummy tuck!!!  Isn't it just the best feeling to have all that droopy skin gone?!  Even though I've gained, I still am so much happier with that gone!  Thanks for your encouragement...nice to hear from you!  Theresa

Theresa, It's nice to see your face back on the board.  I was thinking about you the other day.  Can I join your excercise/eating support group.   I haven't gained any back but I haven't lost any either.  I'm struggling to lose 10 lbs so that I can get my hernia repaired and a tummy tuck.  It's really tough.  For you newbies out there, learn to follow the diet rules and the pouch rules.  It seems easy in the beginning but as your pouch ages you find that you can do more things to "tease" it. Jeanne

What great advice Jeanne!  It's true newbies....be careful on what you allow.  Every little "cheat" will just lead to more.  Keep it in check, I'm speaking from experience!  You are doing great Jeanne!  The last 10 lbs are always the hardest, but just keep it going.  As KP would say, get the water in...it will help.  Have a great weekend!  Theresa

Hi Theresa (and everyone else) I just wanted to put my two cents in here because this a topic that I really think doesn't get enough attention. While we're working together to support each other, we need to focus on what is making us go back to the old ways.  I don't think it's enough to just have determination, we need to figure out why we're sabatoging ourselves. I started working out 3-4 times a week and really pushing myself.  Does that stop me from eating M&M's?  Nope, I still find myself sneaking them on the way home from work.  So maybe if we use each other to help work through some of our issues as well as keeping each other on track that will help us change these habits for good! While everyone is posting how much they exercised today, go ahead and post any issues you're having that are making you "fall off the wagon" and change your once healthy lifestyle to a destructive one. Ok, Dr. Phil is leaving the building now.  LOL

Perfect idea!!!  I couldn't have said it better myself!  It is so true.  I don't know what my problem is...I wish I did.  I think when things start to go "bad", that's when I cruise right on downhill...for the worst.  Feel bad, eat.  Stressed out, eat.  Feel alone, eat.  Feel sorry for myself, eat.  You get the picture.  Just today, even though I've been in a great, positive mood and great frame of mind with talking with you all, I stopped on my lunch hour to get gas before I went home to have a healthy lunch, and just about bought some M & M's!!!  Had to catch myself!   BAD HABITS ARE SO HARD TO BREAK!  The good thing?...I didn't buy any!!  It really made me think though.   So yes, if anyone out there is interested, I'll be posting to see how we do.  Join in, anyone who would like.  I don't have access to a computer on the weekends as a rule, so I will primarily be on on the weekdays.  Good luck all! Theresa Dodged one M & M bullet today!   

Theresa, It is so good to see your face here again.  I'm now an oldie who occasionally comes back to the board to lurk.  You helped me so much when I began the process, and I wish you the best of luck now in reaffirming your committment to your health.  You can do it, I know you can.  I feel I have been so fortunate with maintaining, I wish I had the magic advice for you.  So far what has worked for me has been a morning date with my scale, so there aren't ever any "surprises".  And I still start the day with a hefty protein drink.  Not ever, even for one minute,do I let myself forget I had surgery three years ago.  It factors into to each and every meal I eat.  That doesn't mean I never eat foods I shouldn't, I just am very aware of the choice I am making to eat certain foods.  And, I just think I have been lucky in how my body reacted to the surgery.  I wish I could say I didn't want to eat junk, because I do.   Yesterday I was having a really, really bad day with one of my kids.  My husband came home from work, and I told him I wanted him to take me out for drinks, a big cheeseburger with fries, and then go to Dairy Queen.  He just laughed.  I haven't been to Dairy Queen since my surgery.  It is a head game, but one you can win. GOOD LUCK, you can do it. Debra M. 351/132

I'm so happy for you Deb!  You have done so well!  I'm envious, but only in a good way!  It's definately a mental struggle for me.  I had some pretty bad financial problems happen, and I dove back into the bad food.  No excuses though...just have to find a better way to handle things.  Food surely won't help me make more money for bills, right?  Things are better, but still strained, but our heads are above water, so-to-speak.  It does play a factor though...on our phyique. (sp?)  Anyway, you are so right on all accounts.  Have to really be diligent with everything that goes into our mouths.  Surgery doesn't just "fix" everything.   Good for you in doing so well!  You should be very proud of yourself!! Hugs, Theresa

Hi Theresa: I'm an oldie like you ... haven't gained anything but haven't lost in an year either. Every now and then,  I put on five pounds, lose five, gain five, lose five ... sometimes I have gone down to 165 and I get all excited, only to go up to 173 or 175 ... get discouraged, then go back to 170. But I've been holding steady at around 170-173 lately ... wi**** would go down a little more. Had to quit the Y for financial reasons but I'm trying to exercise at home almost daily (didn't quite make it this week). I have my four-year check-up at the end of the month. Everytime I gain a few pounds, I quickly take stock of what I'm doing wrong (it's usually chocolate or salty snacks) and cut back, and that does the trick.But I've been going through some rough times emotionally, and it's taken its toll. That sent me back to my psychologist to work on my emotional eating/spending issues. I'm a basket case! I need someone to cry/vent to desperately. Luckily, I have an appointment Monday.  Stay in touch, Theresa! I remember you, too.