Boost your self-esteem by becoming involved in activities that interest you. Discover your passion!

· Go online and talk with an online friend.

· Imagine yourself in a safe place where you do not need to think about doing anything that is harmful to yourself.

· Make a list of positive affirmations. Pick one, look at yourself in the mirror and say if morning and night for 21 days. The affirmation will become a part of you!

· Get a massage. You can get pretty inexpensive massages at any school that teaches massage.

· Walk your dog or play with you cat.

· Make a list of some nice things you would like to do for your friends.

· Think about taking some classes or doing something to help you discover your passion.

· Tell your parent, husband, partner, or friend that you love them.

· Make a list of what you are grateful for. This is tough when you are stressed, but if you write it down, the act of writing will help!

Deep breathing exercises.

Physical exercise

Learn a craft

Pray

Meditate

Visualization exercises

Call a friend

Do volunteer work

You may wish to check out individual therapy and learn some coping skills.  I went to eating disorder treatment twice and learned a bunch.  There are alternatives to eating when we have loneliness, or boredom.

Be totally honest with everyone.  Go to pre-op support meetings and talk about your concerns.  You are not the only person to have this surgery and be an emotional eater.

I will try to find a list of coping skills to post.

Trish

I have a lapband and was losing fine for awhile and then it slowed down.   At first I became depressed and didn't eat much and then the weight began to fall off.  So, I kept it up.  I'll go two or three days, sometimes more if I can without eating.  Some days I feel like I have to eat atleast a couple of crackers or so because my head starts to hurt, and I'll get shaky.   I've also begun to take adderall for ADD reasons.  It just so happens that it suppresses my appetite, and helps me go longer without eating.    Except that every few days I'll have a day where I eat a lot...  I generally feel pretty guilty about it, but also think that I can get away with it if I don't eat for the next couple of days, or just eat enough to actually feel it fuel my body. 

A few friends have noticed that I don't eat a lot and have expressed their concern.  I don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong other than I should take more vitamins.  I don't really take any at all right now.  Also I've been doing this for a few months now and so far I'm fine.  Other than some days I feel weak, and I get headaches.

I don't want to be an "anorexic' though, and I feel like the fact that I eat some crackers here and there keep me safe from becoming one.  Plus, I'm still fat and anorexics are underweight. 

Good Morning OH'ers.. It's FRIDAY! !

Today I am grateful..

That I have a smile on my face..

For emails that help the day pass by quicker..

For things looking better..

For an understanding room mate..

For my boy Ruben..

SONG OF THE WEEEK

WHEN I GET WHERE I AM GOING BY BRAD PAISLEY

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.

(Chorus)

So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.

But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.

MOVIE QUOTE OF THE WEEK..

DO YOU FEEL LUCKY TODAY, PUNK?  CLINT EASTWOOD..

:) Yeah!! I fell asleep for three hours on the couch!! LOL...BEST part is I spent my b-day MY way. Tomorrow is an oil change and physical therapy!!  Then maybe baking cookies to bring to my aunt. Trish, the older I get the more medical issues I have, but the more wonderful I feel about life!! :) WHAT A GIFT!!! 

Hugs,
Marie