Thanks, Lori! Yes, try the flax seed (buy in bulk at a heath food store). I had gotten away from using it but it has helped in the past. I grind it up coarse in a coffee grinder, but you can use the whole seed. My dad makes a shake with milk, protein powder, blueberries (antioxidant) and ground flax seed. He drank this since last fall and went from 220 to 185. (stopped sweets, too!) I make this occasionally, but usually mix it with a cup of yogurt. Gary is not getting much better, but they are keeping him on the 4 medications by IV and hopefully it will break soon. He was diagnosed with leukemia recently and he doesn't have enough white cells to fight it off right now. Scary! Thanks for your concern. Mari

Hi Lori. Wow, 28 lbs is great. I only lost 23 the first month and I continue to lose at 3 - 3.5 lbs a week. I have a real problem with constipation. I don't go for 5 days, (and don't lose any) then I am feeling so bloated that I take x-lax and then I go for two days and then lose the weight. This has been going on for a month. I am going to take flax seed every morning with my yogurt this week and see if if helps. The last few days has been really hard for me. Gary, my fiancee has had pneumonia for two weeks and they put him in the hospital on Wed. I am trying to eat right, but the stress is making me want to eat all kinds of bad things, and I have to resist. I have been good except for a slice of banana nut bread a friend brought to the hospital and a snack when I get home at 11:00 pm. Yes, I NEED it! I know, it would be better to go for a walk! I ended up eating LF crackers (130 Cal) and peanuts (200 cal) from the vending machines the first afternoon I rushed to the hospital w/o any dinner. Not a bad choice, but a lot of calories. I'm aiming for 400 calories a day, but not more that 500. Seems to work. I now take cheese sticks and yogurt with me when I visit him. I haven't been able to workout for the last week since I go straight to the hospital from work around 6:00 and stay until late. I am going to go to the gym today and then back to the hospital for the afternoon. Take care all my friends, Mari 305/251/165?

Absolutely no progress in my journey to a new me. My phone appt with Harriet was postponed until the 23rd. I'm just waiting to WAIT. I am so glad to hear all is well with you! I'm a BIG BABY so I'm sure I would have to take at least 3 weeks. I just wish I could start my dang journey already....... Take care and congrats on the begining of a new YOU! Sandy

Let me tell you!! I was in a big hurry to get home. I wanted to be left alone to sleep! Everytime I would doze off, my favorite nurse Dwight would come wake me up and make me walk! Actually he was a reallllly great nurse! And hella funny too! I owe my speedy recovery in the hospital to him! My other favorite nurse, Jan, was a peach! She washed my back for me the first night with a warm hand towel and it felt like heaven. She also brought me ice cold wash cloths for my forehead and neck, heaven again. I was treated like a queen! But I wanted to sleep in my own bed. Sorry things are going slowly for you. I does feel like they are being very condescending doesn't it? I felt that way, like they were just telling me that I was "on her list" just to get me off their back. Grrr! It is very frustrating but worth it in the end. Take care sweetie, Lori

I've been wondering how you were doing. I remember you saying that you were only taking like two weeks off - so HOW ARE YA FEELING? I hope all is well and you are feeling good! Take care, Sandy