Lydiafree

See, now, most people I see regularly DO know. And I specifically didn't hide it because I didn't want to feel strange about it afterwards - but its happening anyway. I was thinking about counseling, because this is clearly not a *new* problem, just one that's become apparent because I can't lean on my food crutch to get me through anymore. I'm just not sure.

I was banded 6.29. I'm not having trouble with exercising or eating right, or any of the normal things I thought might give me problems. Losing a good amount of weight; have already dropped a few clothing sizes. Instead, I'm having emotional (or possibly psychological) side effects I didn't foresee. For example, my brother threw my SIL a birthday party and when it came time to eat dinner, I got seriously uncomfortable, nervous and eventually left the party early. I have a family wedding and a bachelorette party coming up that I'm worried about attending. I find myself not wanting to go to events where I know there will be lots of food or drinking. Partly because feeling uncomfortable is one of my food triggers and partly because I don't want to deal with questions about the changes in my eating habits (spefically, how much less I'm eating). Initially I thought it was just me getting used to the band and the new lifestyle it results in, but now I'm six weeks out and it doesn't seem to be getting better. Has anyone else experienced this sort of "hermit" urge? For the record, withdrawing from all this isn't helping either, it's simply making me feel lonely and isolated. My own doing, but still. :w00t:

:scared2: I totally agree on the surrealism of it. I make up a plate now and it looks like something one would give to a toddler - tiny piles of soft, mushy food. And yet, I'm *full* afterwards. It's mindboggling.

Right there with you. I was banded 6/29 and have lost about the same amount of weight. other people are telling me they can see it; I can't. I don't know what I was expecting, but I do feel like it's not going fast enough. Of course, that could just be excitement as well. I waited a long time for the band and now that I have it, I'm impatient!!

OMG. that is a great idea. Thank you!!

Surgery on Monday!! Back on phase 1 of SB. Getting nervous. Any suggestions on whey protein flavors to try?

So, now we have Ms. Green telling us that hanging people for stealing - apparently regardless of the reason - was a good thing because, sans any proof whatsoever, she claims the "olden" days were less crime-laden. (Oh boy, is that entirely wrong) And that we should apparently be exactly like the most violent criminals when its convenient for us. You know, if Ms. Pro-Life deems them to deserve death. Too bad there isn't a puking emoticon.

This is downright disturbing. "Fulfilling their marital duty" to be raped and bear the rapist children. And they were thankful for it to. Which, there's no evidence of, but it must be true because rape isn't rape when god commands rape. I am seriously starting to feel sick to my stomach. These conversations have been enlightening. Bigotry, lying, justifying rape, torture, murder – even genocide. There is no a single ounce of positive in religion. Wow. Just wow. I'm in awe of the mind-destroying power of religion.

If, as you say, he controls everything, my not acknowledging him is his plan, something he knew I would do, and something I couldn't chose not to do owing to his controlling everything and planning it. He therefore first created me to be an atheist and then punishes me for it. That's the very definition of "unfair". So you don't feel he's omnipotent and omniscient then? Not much of a supreme diety, then. Which he created, and then placed there all the people he created and created to reject him. You make your god out to be like a kid holding a magnifying glass burning insects. Then hell is fine with me. Yes, they were. I will continue to be convinced it’s a lie until I see proof otherwise. It's a self-serving lie as well. You've said, multiple times now, that being obedient to your imaginary master means YOU get rewarded for it. So, are you only doing it to be rewarded? How is that moral? Why does your god first create atheists (and Muslims, Buddhists, etc etc) and then punish them for it? What does it matter to such a powerful being that I (and billions upon billions of others) don't believe in him? If we're good people, why does it matter? Why is he so selfish and vain?

Against their will. That. Is. Rape. Oh how nice. They were allowed to mourn their slaughtered families before being raped for the rest of their lives. And you know this how? Assuming this "thankfulness" is even mentioned, it was reported and recorded BY THE RAPISTS. The truth is smacking you in the face here, Ms. Green. All I'm saying is you don't see the full picture. You read the story, you will do backflips to manufacture excuses for calling rape something else so you can continue to lie to yourself about how wonderful your imaginary master is. Also, the bible needs to be read in its full context - which includes the perspectives of OTHER people aside from the victors and rapists. History recorded by the winners is never an honest, accurate portrait of events.

There's never a logical reason for bigotry. Bigots only ever use the same three excuses for their ignorance and bigotry: "it's not natural" (the entire animal kingdom feels differently); "god hates "fags"" (which is just another way to say that the speaker hates them, but isn't brave enough to own it); and "I don't want to have to worry about the guy behind me" (which is a homophobic compiling of the other two)

That is impressive. I always feel somewhat silly "thanking" soldiers for their service - its not mine to "thank" for. But, I do find it admirable and impressive.

I notice that Ms. Green's "expanded" version lacks source info. Where did she get it? There is no "logical" disagreement because only one side is using logic. "True" believers simply regurgitate whatever someone else told them to say, however mindbogglingly illlogical, nonsensical or outright stupid it is. She also wrote: The Age of American Unreason. It's frankly chilling how this convo alone has proven so much of her book correct.

My goodness this is chilling misogyny. USED as brides - with not even a moment's thought to what the "bride" wanted. That's rape. And if she was married, and therefore dirty, she should be killed. Extra disgusting points for pretending that rape has anything to do with "victorian era" marriage. So, this wonderful loving god in one passage advocates rape and murder. how uplifting.

Then you're either reading the Children's Bible or you're feigning confusing. Either way, one who's actually read it and not trying to pretend it's a pretty, flowerly moral story would easily recognize: Judges 21:10-24 Numbers 31:7-18 Zechariah 14:1-2 Deuteronomy 20:10-14 Deuteronomy 21:10-14 Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (my personal "favorite" - force a rape victim to marry the pig that attacked her) Deuteronomy 22:23-24 (or your stone HER to death) And, before anyone tries to claim that Jesus changed everything: Matthew 5:17-19 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." But oh no, the bible never advocates rape. Nosiree.