Blamo

Almost EVERYTHING in my life change. Mostly for the better. I can't even think of anything negative. Unless tossing hardly used fat clothes as a negative, but I got over that quickly.

Turning off the need to OBSESSS over food seems to be my personal issue. Thinking about the nearby Peanut Butter and how good it is. It truly is the greatest use of a legume. I am working on two things......not focusing on peanut butter (or cheese, chocolate or cookies) , not allowing these things to be there in the first place and completely disavowing knowledge of these items when others have them in my kitchen. ...and counting, that was three things.

Entertaining AND educational.....thank you for more inspirations.

1. There are 3 centers in the brain driving the ‘eat’ or ‘not to eat’ decision: the ‘I’m so hungry I would steal candy from a child’ drive, the ‘Ben and Jerry’s will make this sucky day, better’ drive and the ‘Oh, that cinnamon bun is so crazy gooey I need to eat one NOW’ drive. I think I might, if it is possible, to be intimately familiar with all three of these centers. If my brain is big enough. 6. Visits to registered dietitians are covered by the Affordable Care Act. 7. Employers can ‘opt out’ of covering obesity medications. I don’t think this option exists for blood pressure meds, do you?? Two great and opposing examples of "Penny-wise and dollar-foolish". I think we all here know very well that it is less expensive to be fit and healthy. Many employers look at the immediate dollar cost but fail to see that a healthy, and thus happy worker is an long term investment who would....nay, WILL, cost less without all the various maladies and medications obesity brings with it. Click here to view the article

. But the fact of the matter is, I feel like I actually enjoyed the meal MORE than I would have two months ago, and for the right reasons. The flavor was amazing, and I really appreciated it. I didn't just wolf it down. For me, I don't really care what anyone thinks. I did this for myself, not for them. Two very important thoughts.

None of it should be a problem to worry much about. The wait staff are just doing their jobs, if they see someone not eating (it's normally why people are there after all ) they SHOULD ask. They often get a confused look when I don't order anything to drink with my tiny amount of food. (they assume I am cheap perhaps and offer Water, which I decline also) None of this is a reason to be annoyed at them. Order what you want, take home what you like when appropriate and enjoy the weight loss that comes with why you got here in the first place.

We, as a majority, barely have the emotional ability to master our own weight control, (evident by being here) what would indicate that we should be counseling anyone else? I am sure those whose parents kept reminding them, even in the most kind and helpful way, have memories that tarnished that relationship. I see people everyday that I would LOVE to beg to get the help I did because I sincerely value their friendship and thusly their lives but can not because I know it is not the way to help. HOW can I help? I guess the best thing to do is to encourage them when they determine the best way to lose weight is and when that effort starts to pay off, nothing but POSITIVE enforcement. I know that it was (and still is) what keeps me going to and now past my goal and will make one feel good about themselves, not shamed.

There was nothing I enjoyed better than when my dad (who was overweight himself) compared me to my thinner, younger and thus better siblings and telling me how I should and how to lose weight..

I was told, a few ago, "Fruit is just sugar" by a well-meaning but uninformed person. I avoided adding fruit to my intake because of this seemingly logical reason. Unfortunately, lasagna was not a good substitute. Fruit is far more complex as I now know and enjoy some often.

I flew from NH to Las Vegas. It was miserable but I don't care for the flight experience at all. Looking back, I know it was worth it so I just dealt with the nonsense.

NH-Pam, good to hear from you. You will be very happy that you went this route.

I just recently had the hernia repair...the surgeon who did it was the one who got me on to the path of weight loss in the first place. No other issues at all like what you described swallowing.

Don't be too nervous. Of all the surgeries I have had this was the simplest to deal with. The results you will get are well worth any short-lived discomfort you might have. You won't need it but good luck.

Excellent, If we can a few people we certainly need to organize something. Show of hands......Who else?