Hey Laureen,6.

It is so good to see you here.  You are the friend who connected me to Over 50 Forum ages ago.  

Like you, I lost my baby brother seven weeks post op, in October 2006.  The following year, I became a grandmother, and attended my son's wedding exactly one year post op.  Then, 16 months post-op, after being 100 pounds lighter, and having years of sobriety, I picked up wine, and cookies.  I regained 40 pounds, and had a horrible two years of where I lost my older brother, and was in and out of sobriety.  I landed in a psychiatric hospital, then an inpatient rehab.  I've been sober since January 2010, and up until this past Fall, I had lost 20 of those 40 pounds.  My two foot surgeries, and being immobile for three months this past winter, I regained those 20 pounds.  Ugh!  

I realized in therapy, and rehab, I realized I never dealt with the grieving I needed to do after losing both my brothers.  I moved to Michigan a little over three years ago, to be near my three grandchildren, as well as my daughter and son-in-law.  Now, there's a chance my daughter will get a job back home in the Philadelphia suburbs, so I just might be moving back there.

I'm glad you came back.  Like Linda mentioned, Facebook is very social, while here, our focus should be more WLS oriented, while talking about triggers that motivate us to stray from our recommended food plan, which almost always are negative emotions.

You mentioned feeling shame, and I'm certain all of us have experienced shame at some point in our lives.  I believe that is our negative, unhealthy thinking, that at least for me, kept me in the food.  The days I take my walks, I feel more empowered, and less shame, even if the scale doesn't move.  Those endorphins from exercise help so much.

Like we say in AA, Keep Coming Back.  It works if you work it.

Hugs,

Trish

Good Morning Nancy and OFF,

Sorry I've been AWOL past few days.  Monday morning, Colleen called me to let me know I need to get the house in order, so a realtor can do a walk through, to let them know what changes, if any, need to be made if they need to put the house on the market.  I rent from them.  That all depends on if she gets the job in PA.  So, I've been sorting, and putting together boxes to give away, bags of clothes I don't fit in, or want anymore, and garbage.  

I took a huge walk on Sunday, getting in my 6,000 steps by 12:30.  Monday, I didn't do as well, but yesterday, I was just under 6,000 steps.  The days I take my walks, my sugar cravings stay in check.  I tend to snack on healthy foods.  My food on the days I don't walk stinks.

Nancy, I love your plan for today.  

Today, I plan to make some phone calls to doctors' offices, to schedule appointments.  

Then, I will continue purging the mess I have, sorting and organizing.  Right now, it looks overwhelming, but it's not really.  Looks are deceiving.  

Then, I will walk and try to get to 7,000 steps.  Sunday, my total steps were 7,246.  That's a total of 3.2 miles.  Yesterday, my mileage was 2.24.  

I already had my Chobani Greek Yogurt, with granola and hemp seeds.  I found some organic seeds on Amazon.  I'm impressed with the health benefits of them.

My lunch will be tuna salad with celery, scallions, sweet peppers, and tomato in it.

My snacks will be celery and peanut butter, and cheese and canned peaches.

Dinner will be stuffed peppers.

Snack will be a protein shake made with yogurt, milk, berries, and AnyWhey protein powder.  I love that powder, coz it's flavorless, and smells like candy corn,  It doesn't change the flavor of a protein smoothie.  

Gotta go.

Hugs,

Trish

11 pm and I am still on track..wow! It was NOT easy but then Rome wasn't built in a day! Step by step, hour by hour, we fight the good fight for our selves, richly deserved.

Let me just say at the top, "I love our new focus!" The fall out was hard on me because I felt responsible, but it has had a very positive outcome. 

I'm so enjoying our returning members, and I hope that our reunion day might bring back even more. If not, I still enjoy having old friends back once in a while. 

I just went to lunch with my husband and I had chicken with veggies and a very small salad. I am full, drank plenty of water already today, and I feel happy. 

Tonight is weigh in at TOPS. I'm sure it will be fine. 

I am having some issues with constipation which is crazy since I have been eating some cherries as part of my healthy snacks. I do realize that what goes in must come out, so I will keep on keeping on...

Julia

Hi Debbie!!!