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Now that the weather is breaking, I have been running into more people that I haven't seen in a while. When they comment on my weight loss, I just thank them and say I have been learning to eat better and am careful about what I eat. I have only told a few family members and very close friends. I feel that this is a private matter and it really doesn't matter how I lose the weight, only that I am becoming a more healthy person. No one has really pressed me on any other details.

Yes, I agree with your article @@Alex Brecher! We are all in this together, some just take different routes to arrive at the same place - a healthier you! It may be a good idea to add some of your comments to the welcome email. Thank you for writing about this topic, it is a good reminder and refresher for everyone who has been here for a little while or from the beginning.

Hello, I'm only newly banded, so I don't think I'm the buddy you are after but I just wanted to offer the positives I have just read. Your doctor saw you as a success, you've dealt with lots of difficult things in the interim and you want to make changes. You say you are ok for today but who knows about tomorrow, well none of us ever knows what tomorrow brings and if you keep on taking things one day at a time I think you will be in a good position to succeed.

This should be a must read upon signing up. Not allowed to post until acknowledging having read this.
Thanks, Alex.
It is funny some of us feel we have to fight the "normies" regarding WLS all the while fighting each other.

Weight loss surgery is difficult, to say the least. The operation takes place after years or a lifetime of being obese and after months of research and preparation. Recovery can be anywhere from “not too bad” to riddled with complications. Nearly every aspect of your lifestyle changes, from your diet to the way you look to your relationships to your mental state. The entire experience is long and challenging, no matter how rewarding.


BariatricPal recognizes the challenges of being in the weight loss surgery community. You need every bit of support and information you can get to choose the best surgery for yourself, prepare for surgery, lose weight, and get healthy for the long term. The peer-to-peer support that BariatricPal members provide can be among the most powerful tools you have to help you achieve your goals. So please, help build the community up instead of tearing it down.
Potential for a Powerful, Unified Community
Our weight loss surgery communities began as WLSBoards, with four separate forums: LapBandTalk, VerticalSleeveTalk, RNYTalk, and SleevePlicationTalk. Each forum was dedicated to a single type of weight loss surgery. Members could discuss surgeons, diets, complications, and anything else related to weight loss surgery in general or the specific type of weight loss surgery in particular.
Then we merged the four WLSBoards to create BariatricPal, which is geared toward all types of weight loss surgery. This decision was based on the following beliefs.
We are all in this together. We have the same goal of fighting obesity through weight loss surgery.
The surgery types share many common characteristics and BariatricPal members can therefore benefit from having more input on topics such as the post-surgery diet progression, choosing a surgeon, ways to get more Protein, and dealing with head hunger.
As a single community, we have greater potential to be a unified and strong voice for weight loss surgery than we did as separate communities.
Some topics are surgery-specific, and there is a need for surgery-specific subforums for certain topics such as fills for lap-band patients, experience with Protein Shakes for sleeve patients who may not be able to eat enough on a regular basis, and dumping syndrome for gastric bypass patients.

Has BariatricPal Become a Divisive Arena?
Unfortunately, BariatricPal members have had some regrettable experiences that contradict these principles. Rather than being supported, encouraged, and assisted, some members have felt attacked or belittled by other members who do not believe in their choices, whether in regards to type of surgery, food choices, or other lifestyle choices. Rude behavior, while unacceptable in any circumstance, is especially damaging in our community.
It weakens our collective voice.
It prevents some weight loss surgery patients and potential patients from getting the information they need.
It discourages WLS patients from pursuing their healthy lifestyles.

Avoid Destructive Posts
Most BariatricPal members are polite, helpful, and encourage. Occasionally, though, members post inappropriate and potentially hurtful posts that put down one type of weight loss surgery or another individual’s choice. In general, a poor post is one that makes a person feel bad and does not offer any useful information. These are examples of unacceptable posts.
“I didn’t even know they offered the lap-band surgery anymore because it’s so dangerous.”
“Weight loss is easy with the gastric bypass surgery. The rest of us have to work harder.”
“You shouldn’t be asking if you can eat that. If you even are thinking about it, you shouldn’t have gotten WLS.”

It’s okay to offer your opinion, but do it kindly. If you’re not sure if your post is okay, think about it before your post. The rule of thumb is to always err on the side of caution. Think how you would act if you were face-to-face with a good friend who had an opinion with which you disagree. You would listen to his or her position, then acknowledge the reasoning for that opinion. Then you would state your opinion and explain why you feel that way. Remember that feelings are harder to convey in written online conversations, and gentle words of advice can be interpreted harshly.
What We Have to Gain (or Lose)
When we all support each other, regardless of type of weight loss surgery, we have a lot to gain.
Positive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, so those who need it feel comfortable to come and ask questions
Unbelievable wealth of experience and knowledge…among people who are kind enough to share it
A place where open discussions can lead to brainstorming and generation of ideas and strategies for success
A sense of pride that we are all here, with the same goal through the same means. Let us celebrate!

When rudeness and disrespect take over, we have just as much to lose. Just think about what would happen if you had a question, asked it, and got told that your question is dumb or that you are doing something wrong in your weight loss journey. Maybe you would leave BariatricPal or, worse, you would be afraid to ask your question anywhere else because you didn’t feel comfortable anymore. Nobody deserves to be treated like that.
Take a moment when you are on BariatricPal to appreciate the warm community, and think about what it means to you. The next time you post, ask yourself: are you helping to build a stronger weight loss surgery community, or are you tearing it down?

I'm doing two amazing things at the same time, thanks to the miracle of modern medicine: I am losing weight (thanks to the band) and I am on day 5 without a cigarette (thanks to Chantix). Smokers fear gaining tons of weight when they quit...not enough of a reason to keep smoking, but I am so happy to say that thanks to my band my weight is easier to control and thanks to chantix I'm not going ape shyt crazy or eating everything in sight.
I'm a loser and a quitter and I've never felt so proud of myself.

I've been pretty open to people around me about my surgery. My family, my close group of friends and my co workers. But I'm having a problem with other friends and people that I'm not close to asking "how I did it". I feel like I'm lying to them when I say, I count my calories and workout. It's not a lie because that's what I do but I leave out the part of having the band. How do you guys deal with it?

I have been approved by insurance company to have lap-band surgery. I am hoping to have my surgery May 1. Any tips would be appreciated. I'm scared to be doing the pre-op diet

Excellent introduction I think you would make a great leader.

I would be interested in starting or participating in a Local Chapter. This site has been very helpful to me and I want to share it with others. I have attended a couple of meetings hosted by my doctor's office but I would like to expand the reach. I am self-employed and have a flexible schedule. As the current President of my local Blue Star Mothers Chapter, I have experience in holding meetings. Also, with being a military mom, I know the importance of support with individuals who are in the same situation, no one understands unless they are going through the same thing.
I have been successful so far in my 4 months since surgery and would like to help others to prepare for surgery and progress post-surgery. Let me know if you need anything else from me.

I would be interested in starting or participating in a Local Chapter. This site has been very helpful to me and I want to share it with others. I have attended a couple of meetings hosted by my doctor's office but I would like to expand the reach. I am self-employed and have a flexible schedule. As the current President of my local Blue Star Mothers Chapter, I have experience in holding meetings. Also, with being a military mom, I know the importance of support with individuals who are in the same situation, no one understands unless they are going through the same thing.
I have been successful so far in my 4 months since surgery and would like to help others to prepare for surgery and progress post-surgery. Let me know if you need anything else from me.

Dear BariatricPal Members,
We are pleased to announce a new program called BariatricPal Local Chapters! This program will be an addition to the support that BariatricPal already provides to members. BariatricPal started as an online resource for hundreds of thousands of potential and post-op weight loss surgery patients. Many of you visit the site regularly to receive and provide tips and encouragement, and just to hang out. BariatricPal Local Chapters extends our online community into the real world.
BariatricPal Local Chapters includes live, in-person meetings with local BariatricPal members. We know the significance of support group meetings before and after weight loss surgery, but not all patients are able to attend live meetings in their areas. BariatricPal Local Chapters can help fulfill this need by providing the support for regular in-person meetings in neighborhoods around the country.
BariatricPal Local Chapter Meetings
Most meetings will follow a standard format that includes introductions followed by the day’s main activity, and finally a discussion or question-and-answer session. The main activity of the day can be a lecture on essentials before and after weight loss surgery, such as nutrition, exercise, overcoming obstacles, and building a support system. Other activities might include group walks, cooking demonstrations, presentations by visiting bariatric surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, or nutritionists, and clothing exchanges.
Do You Want to Be a Group Leader?
If you are friendly, enthusiastic, and committed to fighting obesity with weight loss surgery, we want you to consider becoming a BariatricPal Local Chapter Group Leader! Energetic group leaders are key to success. Your roles as a group leader will include:
Scheduling times and places for Local Chapter meetings. Planning group meeting agendas including scheduling guest speakers, reserving facilities, and arranging for supplies when necessary. “Hosting” group meetings by leading the introductions and leading or facilitating the main activity and question-and-answer sessions. Leading group discussions or lectures when they are the main activity of the meeting. Reaching out to members to help you in regular tasks and fill in for you when you cannot plan or attend a meeting. Making all participants feel welcome. Does this sound like something you can do? BariatricPal will provide support to Local Chapter leaders, including developing guidelines for running meetings and materials for group discussions.
Here’s What to Do!
If you are interested in being a BariatricPal Local Chapter leader, please use the BariatricPal Local Chapter directory. Click N EW LOCAL CHAPTER to create a new chapter and follow the simple instructions on how to get started.
Please feel free to post questions on this thread. I am excited to begin BariatricPal Local Chapter meetings, and I hope you are, too!

Ever since this story aired on the evening news I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. For years the National Weight Control Registry has been keeping records and documentation of those who have lost weight and kept it off for years. The term “Super Dieters” tends to turn me off a bit because we all know diets don’t work and no one should be called “Super” as if figuring out how to manage your weight somehow gives you magic powers. I’ve been a member for several years. The questions are extensive… they ask everything you eat, your activity, how much you weigh, did you gain, did you lose, etc.


Ok…. so they gave us six tips these people seem to have in common and I’m thinking most people won’t get past the first one. Just like knowing the sky is blue, this first tip will be just like being told it isn’t….but what if this nugget is really spot-on? Truth is it won’t apply to everyone but I’m going to attempt to explain why it might apply to way more than you think.

Let’s get the next part over with (the posting of the list) so we can go ahead and get done with the screaming after reading the first rule.

Rule No. 1. Don’t ever cheat. They never give themselves a break, not even on holidays or weekends.

Rule No. 2. Eat Breakfast. The National Weight Control Registry shows that’s one of the most common traits of those who succeed in keeping those pounds off once and for all.

Rule No. 3. Get on a scale every day.

Rule No. 4. Put in the equivalent of a four-mile walk seven days a week.

Rule No. 5. Watch less than half as much TV as the overall population.

Rule No. 6. Eat 50 to 300 calories less than most people.

So rule 4,5, and 6 deal with the “stuff” we’ve heard forever….calories in/calories out. For years I never ate breakfast because every day for over three decades I woke up with the idea that I would go as long as possible without eating. Too bad no one was around to tell me in the 4th grade that I was destroying my metabolism. So check…Rule 2 is a given. Since finding out there are about approximately 2,000 steps in a mile, most days…Rule 4, check!

Rule 5 done. Sometimes I watch TV while I’m walking so I’m not sure exactly how that fits in.

Rule 3 is an absolute for me. “Hello scale” every morning…it just gives me feedback and it has no special monster powers. I’ll do a “part two” in order to cover this in another post because this one is for everyone still laying on the floor from a cold faint after reading Rule 1.

My surgery was nearly 13 years ago and I’ve learned many, many things. Some beliefs that were absolutes changed and Rule 1 was one of them. I’ve told this before and I’m telling it again. Early on I would allow myself my one guilty pleasure ONLY IF I was able to get 5 pounds below goal. (It was a Quarter Pounder with cheese – insert my self induced shame). I was somehow able to stick to that but what I noticed was on the days I couldn’t have it, I wanted it! Eventually it became harder and nearly impossible to get 5 pounds below goal and after some period of time I also realized that I was beginning to forget how my “crack” meal tasted. Then I totally forgot and I didn’t even crave it anymore. Because I stopped eating it I had successfully rewired my brain to lose the cravings. I was also acutely aware the cravings would come right back if I ate another one…even one bite. Um….duh. That’s sort of like quitting cigarettes and having one just for fun after 3 years. I’ll say this again too. For me, the idea of taking a bite of something to get past the craving equates to giving an alcoholic a sip of beer to stop the craving. SOME of us can take these bites but so many cannot.

If I had a quarter for every post-op that told me the M&M story, I could take a trip to Mexico. The M&M story you might ask? Maybe it’s because they are tiny…but the story always starts the same. “I was doing great for 2 years, 4 years, (sometimes even longer) and I ate one M&M. Really what could that hurt? Next it was two then three…then a small bag, a bigger bag.” Some call it testing the waters. They went such a long time without one single M&M and nobody died, they certainly didn’t miss out on anything of nutritional value and they were doing great until they decided they could try just one. In other words they never cheated during that time and most were at the weight they wanted to be or at least smaller than after they started the M&M’s. You CAN be abstinent from sugar and junk food and it is far easier if you have none instead of a little for those that struggle with not being able to stop.
Again let me repeat….IF you can “eat just one”, go for it. I’m beyond thrilled for you!!! If you find you are not losing or you are in the process of regain, you could always try stopping any food you don’t wish to crave. Try it for a month but approach it one day at a time. When I’m somewhere and there’s a bowl of M&M’s, I look at it as if it’s a bowl of cyanide. Sugar put me in the prison of an obese body and at the end I would have rather died than spend another day at my heaviest weight. And really….if you were a drug addict would you allow yourself a cheat snort once a week?

This is a great quote that applies. 100% is easy, 99% is a b***h. Not eating processed sugar and junk food 100% is so easy but 99% leaves a ton of wiggle room. It has became totally effortless for me to avoid these foods but please don’t misunderstand…..my journey is still something I work on every….single…day.

If you still think this is utterly ridiculous, file it away for later. My favorite quote:

There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation. It means don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

And just in case you might have missed this before… I’ll leave you with an oldie but goodie.. .

SO, I've been feeling a little down lately with my plateau at 40 lbs out. I've been slightly depressed with some life events and what not, and my scale just doesn't move. I am in Vegas now with a friend for a girls weekend. I have no shorts that fit so she grabs me a pair. Now, I started my journey wearing a tight 18. Today I put on a 10!!!!!! I've been wearing a 12 for awhile now so this was huge! It has shown me that the changes I've made recently are in fact making changes. I couldn't believe I put on a pair of size 10 jean shorts. Definitely feeling good about myself!

A good friend is doing market research on bariatric patients. If you are a weight loss surgery patient, please take this quick survey!

I have the Fitbit Zip and I wear it every day. Like others have already stated it really keeps me on point to keep up my activity levels. It is small and unobtrusive. I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate it is.

any loss is great...no matter how small or big.....that is my opinion
good for the governor.......hope he keeps going forward to better health

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie quietly had lap-band surgery in February of 2013. As you can read in this month’s BariatricPal newsletter, recent political events have made the topic resurface, highlighting his 100-pound loss and his current weight of 320 pounds. What do you think about the issue?
He failed because his BMI of 45 keeps him in the morbidly obese category. He is doing great because of his 100-pound weight loss in a year. It’s too soon to tell. He’ll fail if he doesn’t lose any more weight or gains it back, but the surgery will be a success if he keeps losing weight. I really can’t give an opinion – I do not know anything about him or his diet, and I would not want people to judge me if they didn’t know me. Other – Read my answer in the discussion! Mark your answer and let us know what you think in the discussion below!

Bariatric patients should embrace both of these powerful tools to enjoy long term post surgery success, with food and lifestyle choices, that are faced with well into the future.



The Importance of Behavior Modification and the Role of Personal Accountability


As a bariatric patient care professional, I encourage the following mindset with patients from all surgery time frames and life situations:
Lifelong commitment to pursuing a healthier lifestyle,
Compliance to the recommendations of behavior modification, and
Addressing and grappling with the challenges that are life long

Self-awareness and personal accountability are two areas that are not so obvious when assessing one’s own role in the struggle with obesity. We are aware of genetics, family history, medical co-morbid conditions and life stress that impact each patient’s history of their own struggle with being obese. So how do patients obtain the necessary tools to support the physical presence of bariatric surgery? Through engaging in a solution to the past disappointments of weight loss efforts that are already so familiar.
Many patients report the path to insight and reflection often reveals mental justifications, old bargaining behaviors and frustrations that fuel negativity and inappropriate attachments to and uses of food. Although it is easy to lay blame for many things in life, self-deception only facilitates the repetitive cycle of anger and disappointment. In the professional arena, we often discuss the addictive quality of food and how food has a parallel function in the same manner that other behaviors do, i.e. shopping, drugs and alcohol, sex, gambling and the like. The need for emotional escape and mental distance can encourage us to use food as “anesthesia”, a way of shutting down and shutting out the world around us. We are careful to watch for those cross-addictive behaviors following bariatric surgery and recommend supportive resources across the board. These services provide a safe and secure way to investigate and discuss personal issues that are relevant and central to the patient’s path to success following surgery.
The role of a supportive aftercare program or community of patients, even individual therapy, is a vital component to future success and and be a valuable tool on the road to recovery, helping to smooth the transition and adaptation to new food related behaviors and lifestyle choices. The ability for patient’s to share a parallel experience and be able to “relate” to a certain stage of recovery, or a certain type of struggle with others, will provide an opportunity for engagement and bonding with others. On a therapeutic level, individual counseling can expand one’s degree of awareness and promote a greater sense of personal accountability, once the roots of old behaviors and attitudes have been identified and deciphered. A patient can then restructure their responses to daily challenges that may have been inadequate prior to surgery.
As patients walk the road of recovery from obesity, while engaging in physical as well as emotional healing, the element of discovery and pride is tangible and even contagious. Patients will enjoy improved health, greater energy and a strong positive attitude of self worth; what follows can be a heightened sense of calm, balance and overall peace of mind. Once personal discoveries have been made, individually or in a group setting, bariatric patients can feel a greater sense of control in planning the path in front of them. Commitment and compliance are two key elements that promote post surgery success. As patients employ newfound tools and wisdom on a consistent basis, quality of life can be infinitely better as well as profoundly rewarding.

Thank you for a great article and tips!

Dear BariatricPal Members,

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s a day that should be full of love and appreciation for the special people in your life. It can be a challenging occasion for weight loss surgery patients because of the chocolate and other decadent foods, but don’t worry. This newsletter has tons of tips to help you Celebrate Valentine’s Day without the extra calories.

Gifts That Say “I Love You” (and I Want You to Be Around Forever!)
Your Valentine’s Day Meal (with a recipe) Valentine’s Day Menu Reminders for Eating Out Love Yourself Take a look at the newsletter for ideas and inspiration to stay on your WLS diet while enjoying this festive day, and then come to BariatricPal for more conversations. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sincerely,

Alex Brecher
Founder, BariatricPal

Gifts That Say “I Love You (and I Want You to Be Around Forever!)”

A box of chocolates, a dozen freshly baked frosted cupcakes, and a basket of dried fruit and candied nuts are just a few of the standard Valentine’s Day gifts. These treats may come with the best of intentions, but other gifts can be more meaningful. Select a Valentine’s Day gift that supports health and, at the same time, lets the two of you spend quality time together. Consider some of these gifts that say “I love you” and have another message.
“I want us to feel good…together.” A couples massage or other spa treatment lets the two of you relax together while the pampering energizes your body. “I want us to be healthy together forever.” A cookbook with WLS recipes is an invitation for your significant other to spend some time with you in the kitchen as you both follow a healthy lifestyle. “Let’s commit to some time together, healthy eating, and some exercise.” Some seeds, seedlings or gardening tools are what you need to start a garden. If Valentine’s Day is still too early for gardening because of the cold weather, the two of you can can take some time to plan your garden. As the months progress, you can garden together and cook fresh vegetables as you harvest them. “You’re my greatest inspiration.” A gift of matching workout clothes or fitness equipment for both of you sends the message that you value your partner as an inspiration and a workout buddy, and that you want him or her to be as healthy as possible. “We’re committed to this.” Registering both of you in an upcoming 5k fun run/walk and showing the training schedule for the two of you to complete together shows your commitment to each other’s health and happiness. Valentine’s Day WLS Menu

Eating right always makes you feel proud and healthy. On Valentine’s Day, your dinner can go one step further and set a romantic tone for the rest of the night. Many traditional Valentine’s Day menus can leave you feeling stuffed. Worse, they can cause complications after weight loss surgery. For example, Pasta can lead to obstructions in lap-band patients, sugary Desserts can give gastric bypass patients dumping syndrome, and rich foods can make vertical sleeve gastrectomy patients feel nauseous and overly full. These effects can quickly dampen the romantic mood!

With a bit of planning, you can make a special Valentine’s Day dinner that fits into your weight loss surgery diet while it kindles the love in the air. Stick to the rules you know, such as focusing on Protein, eating slowly, and watching your portion sizes. Try the following menu, or use it as inspiration for your own creations.

Starter: Stuffed Portabellas

Remove the stems from 2 portabella mushrooms and cook the caps on the stovetop or in the oven or the microwave. In a separate bowl, mix 4 egg whites and 4 slices of turkey ham. Divide the egg mixture evenly into the mushroom caps and bake until the eggs are cooked. Serve the mushrooms in halves or quarters with an optional dollop of fat-free Greek yogurt.

Main Course: Turkey or chicken Cutlets with Mashed Cauliflower

Slice 2 red peppers into strips and grill them. Sprinkle 1 ounce of parmesan cheese on each of 2 turkey or chicken breast cutlets, and top with basil and bell pepper strips. Roll each cutlet and stick a toothpick in it to hold it together. Bake them until the chicken or turkey is thoroughly cooked. Then slice the rolls in half-inch-thick slices so that the pieces look like pinwheels. Serve with Tomato sauce. Using pinwheels instead of serving the entire cutlet helps you with Portion Control.< /span>

For the cauliflower, thoroughly cook a bag of frozen cauliflower and cook a peel small sweet potato. Mash the cauliflower and the sweet potato with 2 tablespoons of reduced-fat margarine, and add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.

Dessert: Chocolate-Dipped strawberry Slices

Mix together one-half cup of fat-free yogurt, one-half cup of unsweetened baking cocoa (not sugary hot cocoa mix), and one-half cup of calorie-free sweetener of your choice (such as Equal, stevia, or Splenda). Add skim milk slowly until the mixture resembles a thick sauce or thin dip. Serve sliced strawberries on the side and dip them into the chocolate sauce as you eat them.

Reminders for Eating Out

Are you taking going out to eat at a restaurant on this Valentine’s Day? Enjoy the break from the kitchen, but don’t forget your common sense. A main dish at a restaurant can have over 1,000 calories, and that is before you add bread or chips, appetizers, beverages, Soup or salad, and dessert. A typical restaurant can make weight loss surgery patients feel sick. However, you can use these reminders to stick to your weight loss surgery diet while you enjoy this special Valentine’s Day dinner.
Ask the server not to bring rolls, breadsticks, or chips, and skip the appetizers and dips. This is a great time to study the menu as you look for weight loss surgery-friendly options. Keep your portion sizes small by ordering a kids’-sized meal or asking the server to pack up half of your dinner to take home. Or, make the night even more romantic by splitting a meal with your significant other. Ask for modifications when you order. Order broiled or grilled chicken or fish instead of fried options, ask for sauces and dressings to be served on the side, and substitute a side of steamed vegetables for potatoes, rice, or pasta. Eat your protein first and chew slowly, just like you do at home. Avoid caloric beverages. You shouldn’t be drinking fluids while you eat, anyway. In particular, avoid alcoholic beverages. They are high-calorie and they can give you poor judgment so that you overeat. Skip dessert and order decaffeinated coffee or tea instead. Since you are not allowed to drink fluids while you consume foods, your tea or coffee will signal the end of the meal. If you must have dessert, ask for some yogurt or applesauce, a piece of fresh fruit, or some cottage cheese. Have fun! Remember that the purpose of eating out is to celebrate the day, whether you are with your significant other or one or more friends or family members, or whether you are taking some time to yourself. Focus on the occasion rather than how much food you can eat. Love Yourself

Don’t forget to show yourself a little love and appreciation on this Valentine’s Day, whether you are single, dating, or happily married. Set aside some time for yourself. You might be able to get away to go shopping or see an art exhibit. Even just a few minutes to yourself at home can be enough. Remind yourself how proud you are of yourself. Think about where you are in your weight loss journey, what you have accomplished, and what you will continue to work for. Remember how grateful you are for everything in your life – including your own personality. Feeling good about yourself is the best way to help others feel good about you.

That’s what we have for our Valentine’s Day newsletter! We hope it was useful and motivating. Don’t forget to drop by BariatricPal to see what our members are talking about!

I have the force and I love it. When I forget it my whole day is blown. I track my foot they my fitness pal which syncs to the fitbit. The calories you burn on ur fitbit cross over to my fitness pal. There are also challenges on the website that keep me motivated. I am part of "7 day steps". It takes your steps from 7 days and ranks u. Then you can taunt or cheer on your friends. It monitors your sleep. It has alarms. I set it for every 1.5 hours so when I am sitting to long it reminds me to get up from my desk and walk a little. Soon to come is that you can sync to ur phone and if u get a call u can see who is calling on ur fitbit force. For $129 you can't beat it!

Thanks I was told otherwise!! I quess I should go and read more about it!! Although I would probably not wear it in the shower anyway!!!

From Fitbit website

Your Force is rain-, splash-, and sweat-proof but should be removed before swimming or showering.

From Fitbit website

Your Force is rain-, splash-, and sweat-proof but should be removed before swimming or showering.