gmanbat

@@Ree , I just checked, there are 7,220,000,000+ people in the world. Out of that number there are multitudes of undernourished that would see you as rich. I have been with them. There are stunted jerks that would see you as fat and would let that be an issue for them. In those cases your size works like an insect repellent. Then there are the folks like the ones on this forum. They may notice that you are heavy but it is not a factor in determining whether they want to love and support you. There is much more to you than your body composition and grown up people make such things a very low priority when extending friendship. The most important opinion out of those 7,220,000,000 viewpoints is yours. You can chose to see yourself as a great human being who has taken her weight issues and health seriously and is bravely conquering her enemies. (That's how I see you). You become your best supporter and your home base so that whatever jerkoids throw at you, nothing will do you lasting harm....you have a place of healing.

Maybe a small factor and maybe not: this forum. Do not underestimate the support, information, and feedback that many of us get on a daily basis here. People in a physical support group do not always hit the computer for help and the monthly meetings may be it for them. I can tell you this forum is a big factor in my success. As for the original post....not malicious. Maybe insensitive... I don't know...I'm a man.

@@CarolinaGirl, let's see if it works without the skulls...

@@LipstickLady, durn, glad you're not a bill collector. I'd have to change my number again.

Dang, @@LipstickLady! Ringin' my phone off da hook!

The test of worthy ship is seen in a storm, not dry docked in calm weather. Many superficial friendships last for years because of no test. People stay in relationships because it is fulfilling a need of their own. It is the rare and glorious friend who is really there for you. I have some...my wife is number one. No guessing, she's hung in there through my misbehavior, my cancer, my depressions, my poverty. I wouldn't trade her for 10 supermodels.

It works..thanks! @@reading mom

I'm your friend.....does the truth hurt?

I tried to @ myself. Nothing. Then I read the instructions. I need your help. Can someone @ me or wire me a thousand, which ever is more convenient?

13-12. I have some awesome Florsheims that I got just to do a wedding that tortured my feet. Now they are friendly with room to spare. 12's are easier to find than 13's for sure.

You sure are looking good these days, @gmanbat

Darn, and I just set up my t-shirt stand!

Great find, 2muchfun! From the link:

Get your husband to tell his mom. I'd do it for my wife. But I am not that much of a private person. I am more like "this is my life, my business, understand or buzz off". Family, friends, no difference.

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/bodyweightandcancerrisk/body-weight-and-cancer-risk-effects Losing weight lessens cancer risk. As one who has battled aggressive prostate cancer I embraced the sleeve and it has served me well. I am 2 years past my expected death prediction and have no symptoms of a return. Controlled GERD changes the equation.

I know the feeling. I have to drive to Lutz. I can do it in 35-40 minutes if I avoid school buses and jams on 75. As you know, Tampa Bay traffic....ya never know.

I live in Florida. Tanning is a given unless you're on house arrest.

NUT? Not. The doc is closer. My doc thought he had me figured out. He thought the sleeve was not aggressive enough and wanted me to do the bypass like my wife. Trouble is, NUTs and docs can't see into your soul. Inside me was a very stubborn and angry man who wanted to pound obesity into dust. I am not violent but once engaged my battles know no limits especially against that which threatens what is dear to me....like life. Determination is in the heart of you, tap your tiger. You can lose all the fat you want to, especially with this powerful tool. Grab your life with a steely grip and forge a future full of joy and freedom!

Wonderful! Don't mess with your own brain. Don't lie to yourself. Build a solid wall and don't make holes in it. This is war!

Other than shrinking the liver the purpose for the pre-op diet has always made me scratch my head. You are getting weight loss surgery because you find it difficult to impossible to lose the fat, many times proven with a multitude of diets. So we will put you on a pre-op diet to see if you have what it takes to lose weight after the surgery. To me it is like saying, "You have to cut down that Sequoia tree.....with a butter knife...to show you have the determination to do it. If you make enough of a dent on it we will give you the chain saw."

We are now in the world of more choice! I used to try to shop in regular stores but ended up in goodwill hoping some lineman from the local college had donated.

Awesome.....awesome! I have a shirt that I bought after one of my 3 closet purges and put it on yesterday. I looked like I was wearing daddy's shirt. Another gardening work garment is created. I thought I was done losing fat...wrong. My weight has actually gone back up to goal but my clothing is larger. I think I am gaining back some muscle that got swept away during the fast drop. My exercise is yet extreme....a promise that I have kept for myself during the years.

Excellent, Alex! I also find I have to prepare myself for other environments. The big one is....the grocery store! My RNY wife and I need to prepare our minds before we go. Thinking out a list at home..right after eating helps, not going in hungry, go for the things on the list and don't just go up and down all of the isles...especially avoid the end stuff. It seems like an army preparing to go into battle. Awareness of the enemy and having tactics to combat the psychological warfare saves us from Cheetos.

There is a price to pay for keeping certain friendships. When your friend goes off into the fog of ignorance, arrogance, and self deception you can either keep hanging on, absorbing the abuse and giving voice to reason hoping it will cut through the fog or decide that the relationship has died and is not worth the toll on your dignity and move your heart elsewhere. At my last check the population of the world is closing in on 7,119,000,000. Although all individuals are unique, there are certainly many opportunities to bring new and non-destructive people into your life.

It was both a shock and a joy for me when I attempted my first run after losing about 80 pounds. I kept waiting for the "wall", it didn't come! My heart, lungs, and muscles were keeping me going. I almost cried, it took me back to when I was a skinny lad who ran everywhere just because I could and it felt good. There is such an elation that comes with realizing that you have another chance at health. The only thing that slows me down are my 65 year old joints but I work around them.