1Day1Life4Now

I am impressed. Such a big difference in those two pictures. You look light you are 10 years younger. Congratulations.

No brag... just fact. You look fabulous. Congratulations on your weight loss, your attitude and your willingness to help others through this process. You have every right to be proud as this is truly an awesome achievement. You should be very proud of your achievements.

This was indeed very cleverly done. Though my parents taught my siblings and me that speaking of religion, politics and money in public was always in bad taste, I will have to jump in on this topic. I have never embraced the idea of hell as a place of an eternal burning inferno, as too many people in this world have had to live in a worldly hell. Any person that has had major ups and downs in their life has probably questioned their personal belief system. That is human nature to second guess ourselves. Not all persons of the same religion or same denomination believe everything exactly the same. We all take what is most palatable and go with it. What ever brings us comfort and gets us through the difficult times is fine. Some people feel they don't need that and it is fine too. To respect and love one another as humans who have value is what is most important. Eternity is too complicated for us mere mortals to deal with .... lets all just do the best we can in this world and let God do the "sorting" when the time comes. If God had wanted us to be the same he would have made only one version of the human. God loves diversity, and created all types for us to love and enjoy. It's all good!! Peace my friends.

MS Queen, I tried to set up a Mississippi Room but didn't have good results. If you will start a new one, I'd love to join. We would certainly have a lot in common since we would be facing a lot of the same type of food problems.... you know Mississippi girls use EVERY occasion, good or bad, to either cook something or go out to eat. Part of our "social make-up" I suppose. Glad to have you on board. Janet

Hi, Christine! Quite a thread you came into! No worries! Welcome! GMan, were you a Gman by profession?

Thank you everyone for keeping it real!!!! Sometimes we think about things that affect us but we're too afraid to mention it to anybody for fear of being judged or simply for fear that we're the only one that might have certain feelings of inadequacy or self consciousness. I am happy and honored to be one of many who will be changing my attitude on my sense of self. I just can't wait till I've lost the weight and can look at myself differently. You have all added a sense of levity to the situation and have given many of us hope for future natural healthy relationships. Way to go Sleevers.

wow, that is wonderful and exciting news. You are quite lucky that you have a group of sleevers so close to you. that you can use for support. You have done a great job so farmm so keep up the good work and keep us updated on your continuing success. You are an inspiration for me since I haven't had my surgery yet.. Send pictures when you can. Thanks for sharing your story.

I can't believe you made that transformation in just 5 months. Totally unbelievable. You look great. Keep up the good work and send more pics of your journey. This really has been inspiring. Thanks.

Hi Rgrana, I too have BCBS Federal and I'm also on the 3 month supervised diet. I lost 4 pounds the first month and none the second month. My last weigh in is mid January. The nutritionist told me if we can maintain during the holidays without gaining, that is still very good. She still wants me to lose as much as I can between now and mid January to make the surgery easier. At the beginning she did tell me there was no certain amount that Insurance required us to lose and they wouldn't deny us for not losing so I am holding her to it. I am trying very hard to get some of the weight off but I am not stressing over it either. I'm in Mississippi, where are you? Do you have a tentative date yet? My tentative date is February 11th. I hope it will happen then and not later as I am planning a 2 week vacation out of the country in June. I want to be able to eat regular food. Good luck and let me know how it turns out since we are in the same boat.

You Mississippi girls are doing FABULOUS. lol good job. I'm from Madison County, just north of Jackson. I am tentatively scheduled for Feb. 11 th but that date may have to be changed. I hope not but I just don't know how my insurance is going to play out. I can't wait till I'm post op and on the losing side of this battle. Keep up the good work and hope to see y'all around the boards. Janet

When I saw your photo the first thing that came to mind was that you might be on blood thinners. Do see an endocrinologist and get that thyroid checked out properly. Please let us know what is going on with you and I wish you much luck.

I never thought about there being food ornaments. I was going to say, Ohh nooo, I only have Santa's and balls on my tree but after closer looks........ I have real candy canes all over it. I guess subconsciously we all associate food with our holidays. lol

Will we ever be able to have diet coke and coffee again?

Hi Mississippi Queen. I'm from Mississippi too and more of a newbie than you. I won't have my surgery until February 2014. I'm still having issues with the preliminary 3 month supervised diet. So how is it going for you now?"

Indigo.... happy to hear it. Just another part of life that we all have to deal with and while I had not read about that on the boards, it was crossing my mind. LOL Good luck to you.

Maybe its fluid retention.

I am 2 months in on my 3 month supervised diet and I've only lost 4 pounds. I have been dieting pretty strictly but I did cheat over the Thanksgiving weekend. I drink only Water and SF iced tea. I can't exercise due to problems with my knee and foot but I thought with the cut back in calories and low carbs the weight would come off a lot quicker than this. What am I doing wrong??/ The Nutritionist didn't say how much I had to lose, she just said lose weight. I bought some of the medical Protein shakes today so will start those tomorrow and eat just one small meal per day. I hope that helps. I've been using the Atkins shakes but I guess that just wasn't getting it. Any advice would help.

Good luck. We all have to go with whatever works for us.

Andrew, I can not imagine how scary this situation is for you. I will keep you in my prayers for a quick and safe resolution to whatever problem you are having. Keep calm and when you are able, check back in with us to update us on your progress. Wishing you the best.

Two years ago when I went to Greece I had trouble finding bottled Water. Athens was easy but on some of the small islands it is a bit more of a problem. And they served French fries with every meal. I hate French fries but that seemed to be the main "vegetable" they served. I am hoping that I will be able to eat real food by the time I get there as I know fish and salad will be plentiful. Indigo..you are right, we do know how to eat. LOL That's what got us in to this mess. I'm from the south and regardless of the occasion ..... we southern girls cook something.... and then we all gather to eat. Not a recipe for fitness at all. Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

butterflygal, I am so sorry to hear of your sad news about your mom's cancer and your inability to donate. Please don't feel guilty about having your WLS surgery. Had you not had it ... you probably would not have been healthy enough to donate anyway. As the others have said, get a second opinion. The rest of us will pray that another donor is found. Good luck and stay positive.

Everyone's responses have been really good. I too like to keep all of my medical stuff private and don't feel I have to share with coworkers what I am doing to make my life healthier. No has the right to invade your personal space or ask personal questions. Being the person I am (blame it on God) I would turn it around on her. Start asking personal questions about her sex life, how often and with who, where, when and how... she will get the message soon enough. Where do these people get off thinking they have access to our personal life???? It never ceases to amaze me. Good luck and let us know how you put her in her place. (and take pics if you knock her out. hee hee)

Kindle , that is awesome. Keep up the good work. At least that weight will be gone and you won't have to address it after the surgery.

Heating pads and a hot soak in the tub can help those joints. Once the weight starts falling off the joints should feel better too. This arthritis is tough for everyone.

Congratulations Jill. It's a scary thought .... still waiting on my approval and definite date.