A Little Blue today.

I just needed some encouragement today. I have come so far since I had weight loss surgery. Before WLS I was so self conscious that I didn't even like to go places. I thought that I was over this, but I'm having a really sad day. I'm having to fight all of that low self esteem stuff again. The counselor that I saw for a year before I had surgery is retiring. My last visit with him was yesterday. This man made me believe that I could do anything. In the period that I have saw him I have gone back to college, had WLS, made new friends on this board, and I don't mind going in public. I even enjoy playing with my children at the park I am just starting to enjoy life again, and I'm terrified that all of the old problems will come back. Thanks for listening. I feel better just sharing Lots of hugs, Mary

Awww Mary ...you have the most gentle spirit of anyone I've met and you look absolutely marvelous. You have been great encouragement to me, others on this board, and I'm sure to those with whom you share your daily life. I was sad that you had to leave the meeting so early. Maybe one day we can get together and spend some time getting to know each other better. I would really like that! Keep in touch !! Suuz

thanks so much. I have definately been having a pity party for myself, but feel much better. I would love to get together sometime, Thursday is a tennis day for a while so I'm not sure how many meetings I'll be able to go to. The support is great there, and I've been needing it. See you soon Mary

The greatest complement you can give your counselor is to continue to do the things he helped you to learn, and how forturnate you are that you have all of us to offer that support now. I sat beside you at the meeting and was impressed at how you present yourself. You do not lack self-esteem, you just forget that you have it at times. Don't wallow in the muck and mire. The nice thing about having someone special like him in your life is that his words will always be with, you just have to listen and follow their guidance. Dona

Mary, You are an awesome woman! You are great and lots of fun to be with! Don't you let the enemy come back in and whisper in your ear! you stay strong and rise up you awesome woman of God!! Love you! Deborah (((Hugs)))

I was so glad to see you Thursday night, if only for a minute. Mary, I am walking in those shoes too. I just lost my counselor. She needed to change jobs because of insurance covereage. I am okay most of the time too, but I have those same sad days and swings of low self esteem. I am struggling to get back to my professional artwork, because I have lost my confidence. I am battling whammer jammer pain from fibromyalgia, and am on lots of medications for that, underactive thyroid,and diabetes. My doctors keep switching them around and then there are the interactions. I know they're trying to help me, but I am really frustrated, exhausted, and still in pain, and I get really down sometimes. It helps me so much to come on this board to check and see what's going on with my friends and to go to the meetings and see them and get me some hugs. My doctors tell me to rest, rest, rest. I stay busy to keep my mind off me. I KNOW you are busy with your kids and your job. You may have the opposite problem and need a little pampering - some special "Mary" time. When you're so busy with work and school and your family, it is easy to get overworked and over your head with responsibilities. The time you spent with your counselor was time that was just for you in a positive and reinforcing way. Perhaps you should find a new counselor, or if you feel you want to take some time off from that, find another activity to take its' place that is someting you would enjoy for yourself. And don't feel guilty about it. It could be as simple as going to the bookstore for an hour and just having coffee and looking at books or it could be lunch with a friend, a movie, or a walk. You know what I mean. Just do something good for your soul. If you're having a rough time, coming to an LCBB meeting always helps. You don't have to say a word about any sort of problem. You just know that everyone there loves you, is happy to see you, and will support you in any way you need it. As for the image you portay to others, no one would know that you have a self-esteem problem. I think we all will always have one about our weight and that is something we share, but you present yourself as being a very intelligent, professional woman, with a lot on her plate, who handles it all brilliantly. You're a wonderful mom, a terrific friend, a deep, loving, soulful woman. You've been successful with your weight loss. You are an inspiration to other people. Girl, you've got it goin' on. It sounds like we're a lot alike. I have always been quiet and before my weight loss, I often didn't even want to go out in public. I was just telling my husband yesterday that the thing I enjoy most about my weight loss is just blending into the crowd and not always being the biggest person in the room. So, dear Mary, don't feel that you are alone. You have come a very long way and have so many accomplishments to be proud of. Our counselors may give us a different way of looking at ourselves, and it is very sad and unsettling to lose their support, but the progress we make is progress we make in ourselves. I know that feeling you're having, but it will pass, because you are a much stronger woman now. I hope to see you again soon. Big hugs. Love, B

All of these messages mean so much. Thank you for the encouragement. It is getting better. I hope to see you all soon Love and LOTS of hugs, Mary

Mary, I am so glad that you have the courage to write that down. I don't! Kelly