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What has helped me a little to transistion my mind is to and ease the grieving process, because yes, our obesity is just a symptom of something bigger. I made a list of what I could still do, and of things that I enjoyed doing (minus eating/outside of eating)....you're right about the clothes, I've been just going to higher ended GoodWill's, I wish we had a clothing exchange that we could contribute to as we slim down. Made a list of people I could count on, although just really two, that I could count on at any time of day or nite, that I could reach out to talk with, becuase you're right, food was our number 1 friend and I also did a lot of Happy Hours..... I'm a huge emotional eater and food alcoholic, I would eat until I was stuffed and sick just t o numb what I was feeling. I succomb honestly and willingly, so I made a list of people ( very small list lol) that I trusted would be there that I could pick up the phone and chat with to just listen to ME, to just give me a hug, hold my hand, etc. not necessarily give me advice, yet just to listen to me and I was honest with them about this process and why and how I got this obese. I also began a diary/blog. Not an online one, yet one where I would make it a point to get my fingers busy and write down what it was that I was feeling, how my day went, how my food intake is going, etc. Potential planning I would have to do for banquets and graduation parties, etc. I find if I keep my hands/fingers busy, my mind wont shift to food. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I enjoy drinking teas, so I invested in a Tea club, Teavana and they send out a different tea of the month, started doing special things for myself. Instead of reaching out to food, I'm going to start attending to myself for a little while, my five sense. Made myself a behavior calendar where I "awarded" myself a sticker for each day when I did a little bit of movement. For now, it's just a walk around the block. For every 10 stickers, I promised myself to do something special for myself, like a massage, manicure, movie, etc. I started to take care of me through other avenues than just turning to food. Started turning down Happy Hours. I can't be tempted with alcohol, not yet anyways, later yes, yet not now. I want to make my nutrient choices count, as what I choose to eat makes me feel better psychologically. Enrolled myself in Yoga. Ha ha, well it's a start to getting out and moving. Doesn't burn a lot of calories, yet it's going to help ME to teach ME how to relax. I also started to read books written by Geenen Roth, Women, Food, and God. It has NOthing really to do about God, or Religion, yet she speaks about overeating, or the aspects of emotional eating. She does a lot of conferences in California, and I would like to attend one day to hear her speak. It is a retraining process. And it's true, we are still the same person, just smaller yet it reminds me very clearly how cruel the real world can be. One of my best friends, ended up telling me, "I used to feel you were one of us (obese), now you are one of them (skinny people, I guess)." Yet I have to remember, that I'm doing this for my health, to keep up with my kids, that it is worth it in the end. Take care.

I am on the same boat and I've had to be really honest with my support system, kids included. We have to be honest that this is a huge life transforming procedure we chose to do to ourselves so that we could improve our quality of life. Nobody can really know what we have done nor can they relate unless they have had the procedure themselves. I'll be honest, yes, I've had to eliminate a few people from my life or just stay away from them for a little while as ^^I^^ adjusted to the quality of life I have now.....Some were huge eaters, some can't relate why I chose this route, etc. I have to remind myself to be patient with MYSELF and others because my body is a unique biological system where it has dramatically been interrupted and introduced with something new, yes, it can even efffect hormones. Hang in there! This is a time to really focus on YOU and forecast a better YOU in the future. In the end, those that truly care WILL understand. Hugs!

My hair is falling out, My doctor warned me, it's more thinning out slowly, anything I can use to prevent or grow back quicker? I know it's from the drastic weight loss...yet still it's a shock on top of everything else, should I go shorter? How soon will this pass? :ph34r: Help! LOL Next, I've lost about 45 pounds and people are really starting to notice. I wasn't much of a social butterfly, yet as I notice the pounds dropping, I'm starting to receive more attention, from males inparticularly. I'm not ready to expand my social life, just really ticked off that weight would matter interest wise. Anybody understand what I'm saying? I'm still the same person, just thinner. Irritates me a lot. Sorry for the vent. Off to chug another Protein shake. Veronica

I stock up on the casein whey protein powders from GNC and they get all frothy and like a pudding almost, yummy, very delicious. I've done Optifast before. Yet, eating the protein "puddings" are quite a hit with me.

I have used it and it makes me feel better, helps with post surgery water retention. Don't know if it'll really help with loose skin, that's just going to take surgery for me. I have to be realistic, i'm losing weight fast and it's just not enough time for the skin to catch up.

I enjoy the casein whey protein shakes, they become like a malt and almost like a pudding substance. Yum!