Happy Surgiversary to Happy!

"Now is ze time on Sprockets vhen ve dance!"

You can't imagine how many people helped *me*!

Congrats on your surgiversary! You still continue to amaze me with your positive attitude and outlook. Something I could definitely learn from you!

Keep working it! Goal isn't everything, and you've made incredible progress. It won't be long though, I'm sure of it!

P.S. tell the monkey to **** off, though it's easier said than done!

Thank you!  I love it when people say I have a positive attitude and outlook!  Seriously!  this is so important for long-term success.

I am so so SOOO proud of you Happy & all that you've accomplished!!! I know of all your struggles; you are so honest & upfront about it all & that is why I truly admire you. I think you are an amazing person who has come so far in this journey.
I was like you. I didn't want to post this month for my surgiversary but then I was like screw it; I needed to recognize how far I've come. I reached my first goal & now I'm closer to my final. Kinda freaky to think about it. But we've got this Happy!!!
Congrats again to you my fellow August Sleeve Sister! You rocked it & continue to rock it. Love ya!!'

Well, I confess, I didn't actually intend *not* to post, but I did have this feeling of "I need to be goal-in-a-year."  That's crap.  The real "goal" is to be at my maintenance weight 5 years from now.  That's the prize we got our eye on, girlfriend!!  Yay for us!  You crack me up and I smile even more every time I see your posts.  You think you and Alison could hike to Kentucky??  I'm sure you'd burn some *serious* calories!!

 I would love to hike on over to come meet you.  You are worth it!!!  ;-)

Happy surgiversary to you Happy! Your kind and thoughtful words are always welcome in every post and I look forward to reading them! Goal in NO TIME for you!

Well look at you, Ms. Teahleah!!  You are zooming down the scale!  I have such gratitude for all the people who have helped me, and so grateful I was willing to humble myself and take their help.  We cannot do this alone, I believe this with all my heart.  Hugs to you, and I can't wait to follow your great progress!

Congratulations on your 1 year surgiversary ! You have done a great job and I appreciate your insightful posts. You have always been encouraging too! I have issues with food that are pretty strong too. My kids and hubby eat food that I can't all of the time and it's not easy to be around it 24/7 like I am. I just do my best and that is all I can do. If the food isn't in the house- I do great! If it's in the house (and it always is) I struggle and have slip ups. I look forward to one day the kids moving out and not having to be around their yummy no no foods!

You are a great contributor and a smart lady. Thanks for being here.

Thank you, curiouskat!  Listen, I honestly believe you can get to a more peaceful point with the foods you struggle with.  I mean, where it doesn't call your name all the time and you can ignore it better when it does.  This has happened to me with many problem foods.  Some things I can't keep around, but when you live with others, you don't always have that option with *all* foods.  I have to spend some mental energy on this, but it gets easier.

What really helps me is to remind myself that this isn't the army and I can eat anything I want.  I am a grown-up, in charge of my own life (I have mother-putting-me-on-a-diet issues, can you tell?).  Nobody but *me* is making this decision, and I know I'm doing what I really want - taking care of myself.  When/if I start feeling deprived because I can't eat this or that, I try to tell myself that those feelings aren't about food - food cannot fix deprived, and eating something that will destroy my peace of mind will make me feel much much worse. 

I also only eat foods I really like.  I spent a lot of my childhood eating (in my mind) icky foods because I was on a diet.  So I surround myself with *my* yummy foods that are good for me that I *can* eat, and even if it's not *time* to eat while I'm struggling, I remind myself that I feed myself good food, better than the crap I want to eat right now. 

I'm not saying I'm always successful with this.  If I just can't stand it and feel I unable to resist, I will make myself a protein hot chocolate.  Sometimes with almond milk instead of water!  Ha!  I find this very filling and satisfying and helps calm me down long enough to remember what I'm trying to accomplish (peace of mind around food).  I make very bad food decisions when I'm hungry.

I can tell you are persistent!  None of us can do more than our best, and you're doing great. I just want to say it can get easier.  Hugs!!