Trying to stop the cycle

Mary sweetie I just finally met you a few weeks back now Im not gonna pretend that I have known you all my lufe but I know where you are coming from been there done that feel it at least once a few months its very hard to walk by those sweet t hings in the groc stores i usually check myself out as so I dont have to see those darn candy bars makes me sick wish they had a diet check out for us so we didnt have to be tempted. You are beautiful and you are no different than the rest of us so we are all here for you whenever you need us. Sending you big hugs.....

Mary- let me start by telkling you how much I appreciate you.  You are SUCH a kind person and I feel blessed to have you in my life.  You are an inspiration to me....becuase of you, I know that there are good people in my life, and the toxic ones can...well....we just won't go there. I am so sorry that you are having this issue, but completely understand.  as we all know, this surgery does not fix the head, and while we always chat that the pouch drives the bus, unfortunately, the head can often times be the unwanted backseat driver.  Always trying to take us to places we do not want to visit, and stopping and the most horrid stops.  It is the head that allows the deadbeats to board the bus.  And somehow, we are expected to get those deadbeats off of the bus, and get the bus back on the road....the RIGHT road. BUT...you have already made a positive step in the right direction...admitted that you have a situation and need some help..... Faster than grilling a chicken breast - Able to leap a protein shake in a single bound -  Look.....It's a protein bar......It's a cheesestick  DA-DA-DAAAAAAAA........ IT'S THE VIRGINIA SUPERBOARD TO THE RESCUE!!!! We are here for you...you do NOT need to go through this alone. And if you EVER feel like you cannot come to the board, you can ALWAYS come to me.  I will always be there for you....in tears, laughter, and venting. I love you , Mary.....and I want you to know, that youa re SO much stronger than any good piece of chocolate cake...and MUCH more worth it!

So...tomorrow is another new day....and we will get through it TOGETHER!

Mary, I have often struggled with destructive "self talk". Our emotions follow our thoughts and if we think negative thoughts we will have negative emotions. One way out is to take advantage of self talk and say truthful and uplifting things to yourself. I don't mean vacantly positively self talk (e.g., "Everything will work out because I am a great person). I mean talk to your self and remind yourself of the basic bedrock of your faith and your relationship with your Creator. God created you in His image and made you "you" for a purpose. This makes you priceless, and that is how God views you. Your Heavenly Father loves you with a perfect love and is always accepting of you as an individual - when we mess up and are in pain He loves us even more (just as we do with our own kids). God is constantly looking to guide you and mold you into His image and into His eternal kingdom. He is working in your life and He is always working in your best interest.  This is truth, dear Mary, and when you focus your thoughts on these truths you may find that you reset your emotions to ones of gratitude, praise, and self mercy. God bless you. Joe

Way to go Joe! Back to basics and the bottom line.  Great advice. It didn't hurt me to rehear that either. Thanks Man.