wantshealth

Tamra - OMG! I am so excited and can't believe you are now before me! I finally got my wish and will really have a buddy to do this with! Nicollie you will be with us soon too! I haven't been online all week because I've been so busy at work trying to get ready for being gone 4 weeks. I was nervous back in November but I have to say I am pretty calm - although pretty focused on it - think about it all the time. I'm so sorry your little one is not well - be really careful because they won't do the surgery if you are sick with a cold, etc. And stop with the junk - you are gonna stay on track and be a skinny gorgeous RDA! (So happy you are looking into that and going back to school! - my sister-in-law is in the dental field and RDAs and hygenists are in demand and make good $$.) OK so here is what I've gone out and gotten: - chewable vitamins and calcium (I orderd the bariatric ones because Viactiv isn't calcium citrate and that is the one that is suppose to be better - especially for us well seasoned gals who are thru the Big M - not that you have to worry about that you young thing!) - liquid tylenol - tylenol gelcaps - benefiber - MOM - still need to buy GASX, but Lee (thank you!) recommended Carbo Vegatabalis - a natural product. - jello - soup (to strain and eat the broth - I hate straight broth) and then some cream soups for Stage II - cream of wheat (never have had it - hope it isn't like grits!) I also have been listening to the visualization tape that they give in the pre-op class. I have a hard time sleeping (staying asleep) especially when I am stressed or have alot going on / on my mind. It is really relaxing and I really like the positive affirmation track. (Anyway I think something must be sinking in that will help.) I am so psyched we will be doing this together! Re: the comments about the online group from Liz, I think that this is all about support and having people that understand your struggles and your triumphs. I agree that we all are intelligent women (and John!) and can make our own decisions about the advise and opinions expressed here. I also agree with Candra that when we talk about our slip ups it isn't to encourage each other to fail but to be honest and accountable to a group that will not judge us. When one or more of us is struggling there is usually someone who is doing well and can reach out to pull the others ups. That is what this is all about and it is so important. Riley has been awesome to me about involving me in other local support groups in our area and they are terrific, but they are not everyday. This is here everyday 24/7 whenever we need it. Not having been on since Monday, I really missed all of you and I took the time tonight to read all 5 long pages that I missed! Love all my sistas of surgery (and John)! 10 Days to Go to be an offical SOS!!!

Nicollie - you have been doing an awesome job. Your attitude is so positive. I love what you said about everything happening in its own time for a reason. Below is a prayer that my sister sent me. I printed and taped it to my computer at work since I tend to stress about work, not doing the work I want to, etc. and when I read it it really grounds and calms me. You have been a wonderful inspiration as has the whole online group of wonderful SOS women! I also have to offer special thanks for Riley - she has been my hero and such a good support. I hope I can repay the support and love one day. May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others... May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us..'

Candra - yes, I think I'm ready. My head is there already so the waiting is starting to get to me. I just want it done with so I can get on with things. Can't concentrate at work with s---! I started getting all the stuff together I will need and started to really think about how little food I will eating. Not sure I have fully come to terms with the 1/4 cups yet, but I'm sure I will get there. I have been going down this path since July so I really think I am ready. I am a pretty good analyzer, but I always get to a point where it is time to just make a decision and act. I am at that point. Enough thinking about it - just do it!!

Tamra - my case manager appt was 11/23 and at the appt. she offered me 12/7 with a different surgeon. I really like Dr. Park and didn't want to change and I wanted my surgery for after the holidays. The January schedule wasn't available then so I had to wait for her to call me in about a week and half. I think some of the back up was the holidays and also more people wanted to do surgery around them because of the time off. So I am sure you and Nicollie get dates pretty quick. I was surprised there were a lot of people in my pre-op class - only a few lap banders - maybe 4 -5, and about 25 RNYers and 2 sleeves. I don't know how frequently they do the pre-op classes (Liz and Robin taught mine - 2 classes offered back to back.)

Tamara and Nicollie - You guys rock! Congratulations! You will be my band buddies! I just did my pre-op classes on Thursday, my labs on Friday and met with Dr. Park this morning. Everything is fine and I am set to go. 2 weeks! Jes - Yes, I started getting my stuff this weekend; my vitamins, calcium, MoM, liquid tylenol. I still need to get the GASX strips - I forgot those so I added them to my list. This weekend I will get the jello, and soup. BTW - congrats on the boys hitting 21 - so fun. When Nick turned 21 (1.5 yrs ago) he wanted to go wine tasting. So my dear, there is no way you are old, because that would make me older and I, most certainly, am not!!! (Everyone say prayers for him - he has applied for 6 jobs on Capital Hill and has a interview this morning in Senator Boxer's office - he so wants to work either in the senate or house and has been trying for 6 months. I really hope something comes through for him.) Emotionally I am really impatient now. All I can think about is the surgery, so it is really hard to for me to try to focus on work. I want it to be over with. I am over the Holiday sugar finally and was down again this morning at Kaiser - I am almost 13 under my surgery goal weight - maybe I will be able to hit a total of 35 lbs by 1/26. Love to you all.

Hi everyone - just checking in. Did not make it to Richmond meeting tonight; I've had the flu since Monday, but have been trying to work so am dragging. Had a rough day when I got home from our walk on Sat. - binged. Riley said she did too as it got close to her surgery date. It is less than 3 weeks away for me and I remember how nervous Maria was. I think I'm headed in that direction! I have my pre-op classes tomorrow. Tamra - awesome on the weight! You rock. We are going to be doing this together!! So sorry about your grandma - I'll say a prayer. Good night all.

Riley, Nicolie, Jes, Pam, Monique it was so great to see you again today. What a great get together - I'm at 10,855 steps so far today thanks to the SOS! Candra and Tamara it was awesome to finally meet you in person - you are both beautiful. It was great to meet Hannah Banana and Tamaran (sp?) too. Tamara and Nicolie you are both so close - you can do it - I need surgery buddies! It was great to get support and hugs today. Just what I needed to help me get back on track. Donna, Tina, Maria, Lee, Reggie, Liz, Beatriz, Ash, Nicole, Annalyn, John we all missed you. We need to get everyone next time. Love and virtual hugs to everyone,

Jes - can you post directions from 80 again? We'll be coming from 37 and getting on 80 at Vallejo. Thanks

Hi Ladies and John, Sorry I have been MIA - lots of things going on with family visiting etc. I will be there tomorrow. Candra I can't wait to meet you in person finally. Riley, I sent you a PM about car pooling. I'm going to leave you a voice mail message too. Can't wait to see everyone. I need support. These holidays have been hard. Last night I drank and had fattening appetizers and ate at least 6 chocolate chip cookies. I can't wait for this tempting food to be gone and back to the regular routine on Monday. Love to all my SOS's. Hey, I'm in my count dow - 25 days to Surgery!!!

Morning Everyone! After I posted on 12/26 I had said the goodies all over the house were calling me. I had 2 cookies and a brownie and 6 pieces of candy. That did it. Yesterday, I packed up all the goodies in 1 large plastic container that you can't see in and told the boys if they want something to put it on a plate and eat it, but not to bring the container in the livinging room and leave it there open. I also put all their candy from their stockings in bags in the cuboard. I also exercised yesterday for the first time in almost 2 months. Have started doing weights, back on my exercise bike and took a long 45 minute walk. Got out my new pedometer and walked 5,076 aerobic steps! The scale seems OK - it was down .4 from 12/18 but up 1.8 from Kaiser's scale that day. Either way I am staying back on track - I really want to try to be down a total of 40 by my surgery. Thats almost 10 lbs in a month which is a big goal, but I am going to try. Hope everyone has a healthy day today and can get back on track.

Tamra - so sorry, I didn't mean to. You have been doing well, don't slide back, you can do it. You are so close. 8 lbs! I want to try to lose 8 more by my surgery date - we can do this!!! I just had a very good healthy dinner, but I really really want to have the sweets that are all over this house! I am resisting but it is hard. Hang in.

Hi All - Merry Christmas; hope you all had a good day yesterday. Monique, thank goodness today is a new day!!! And who ever said Christmas is just one day was wrong - its been a week of sugar and it ended yesterday! I am just plain a sugar addict; I can't eat just one. Yesterday was the worst - mindless eating - not even hungry - just doing it because it was there and I was tired and felt I deserved it and it was my "last" before being banded. Not a good mindset! So today is do over - back on track. Riley, I got an Omron pedometer for Christmas! Let me know if you have any time this coming week to get together for a walk. Chris sounds like a good guy. Be patient with the kids, but don't back off - you deserve someone nice in your life. Heather - welcome home. Can't wait for pictures. Glad you had fun. Riley, Candra, Nicolie, Pam, Tina, Monique, Donna, Lee, Beatriz, Reggie, John, Liz, Jes, Annalyn, Maria and Heather (hope I didn't forget anyone)- miss you all and hope you are enjoying to holidays. Said paryers for all of us for our new lives of health this coming year. Love you all

Hi Ladies - busy weekend. Was a party girl - 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Had a dessert at one party on Saturday and a few drinkies at all of them but didn't drink the whole thing just some sips. (I know Riley, Candra and Jes would approve!!) They were good! Trying to eat well today and tomorrow because the parties start again - 1 on Tuesday night, 1 Wed, Thur & Friday! Am planning to just pick my spots - not go crazy. Riley - go girl, you deserve it. Sounds like fun ( an a little work keeping them all straight and in line! If you are off of work next week, lets get together. Maybe come down and walk at the new wetlands. Jes - would love to get together. Can do any day next week except Sat 12/26. Candra - would love to finally meet you; hopefully we can set up this walk date. Tamra - awesome on the loss. So glad you are motivated - maybe we will be band buddies! I've been thinking about you and wondering if you are not eating enough. From what you write it sounds like so little. I was just wondering if your body had gone into starvation mode given how little you eat. I am losing but I eat a lot more - I really follow the 1200 cal in the book. This is what a typical day is for me B - 3/4 c lf cottage cheese. 3/4 c nf yogurt, 1/2 c fruit, 1 slice of trader joe's daily bread (has no fat, no sugar) S- tea L - big salad with veggies, 3 oz grilled chicken, 2 tbsp lf dressing, 1 slice of trader joes's daily bread, 1 piece of fruit D - 1 cup of veggies, 3oz of meat(usually chicken, or pork tenderloin,) 8 oz skim milk, 1 slice trader joe's bread and sometimes I add 1/2 c to 3/4 c of unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon if I am not full/want a dessert. Anyway something to think about. Glad you are motivated. Miss you all - hope everyone has a really good week. We've had some nice family get togethers so far this week and it is great to have everyone together - love having my boys home!

Hi All - Kaiser gave me my Christmas present today! I weighed 2 lbs less than I weighed at home! I was a little skeptical but I'm taking it! Woo Hoo! Down 32 lbs - check out my ticker! I am psyched. My goal is now 40 lbs by Surgery - 8 more by 1/26/2010. I can do it! Lee and Annalynn - lets 'band' together so we can be the newest "sisters of surgery" as Donna says! I want buddies like Jes and Candra were when they went through! Ok the fam is waiting for me to watch a Christmas movie. We have a busy weekend so may not be back for a few days. Love and Hugs to everyone.

Heather - awesome about Diamond Head. Keep up the walking. Bring some sun and sand back for us! Tamra - great job on the weight loss; use it to keep you going. You'll get there soon. Jes - I agree; all this is about our personal choices and all our bodies/systems are different so we have to figure out what works for us. I too hope eventually to be able to have a glass of wine once in a while. Congrats on your weigh loss - I like that you set a shorter term goal; I was just thinking that I need to do something like that with having so much to lose. Ash - Please stay; this is a great group to learn from and it really doesn't matter how we get the weight off as long as we do it and get the support along the way that we need. Candra - glad you are over your court thing; I'm so sorry I missed meeting you. My son came home last night and it was so good to get a hug after almost 7 months! Riley - interesting about the fills. Your weight loss and persistance is so cool. Sorry I didn't make it to Sherry and James - got stuck at work. Wanted to give you a Christmas hug. What do you think I should do about the emotional eating class - the first class is the day after my surgery so I don't think I would be up for going out. Do you think it would be OK to miss the first one or should I sign up for the April session? Also I am using the Diet Minder diary. Any suggestions for on-line sites to get all the nutrition information - cals, carbs, Protein, etc? I weigh tomorrow at Kaiser - been good so I hope it is a good number - by my scale I'm down 30lbs! Hi to everyone else - hope all is well.

Hi All - Just checking back in; it been a busy weekend. Last night I had my staff over for a Christmas party. Costco lasagne, caesar salad and garlic bread. I didn't eat the lasagne, but put some grilled chicken on the caesar. I was fine until I was doing the clean up, then I started tasting. someone made some kind of fudge/cookie bars and I did a little bit - maybe a 1/2 inch piece and then went back for more! Also had a couple of spoonfuls of lasagne. Boy - when I taste carbs I just want more! When I weighed on Friday I was down another lb, so a total of 30 by my scale. Yeah! I have a weigh appt this Friday at Kaiser so I will update my ticker after that. Riley - you look awesome in that dress! Hope you will be at Sherry & James' tonight. Hugs to everyone else. I have to go back to work! (Only 1 more day until my oldest son comes home - can't wait!)

Lee - I'm so glad you made your choice and like your doctor. I think Richmond has a terrific program and great docs. I am sure you are very relieved. Please stay on the board for support - it is so important. I won't going Wed to the meeting because my son is coming home from DC and I haven't seen him in almost 6 months. But I usually try to get to at least 1 or the 2 meetings each month so I will see you in Jan. Riley - OMG - sounds like it was rough. Glad you are OK. You have to dish on #1 - I am going to the meeting on Sat. afterall. Gave myself a talking to - support really helps. And I can do my errands after. Tamra and Nicolie - do you eat veggies and fruit on your 1200? I find the 2 fruit and 2 veggies a day works in that department. Candra - Yes, Virginia is my grandmother. This is a picture of both of us when I was around her age when she wrote the letter. (I was round then too!)

All - here is the letter my grandmother wrote and the beautiful response. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus By Francis P. Church, first published in The New York Sun in 1897. [see The People’s Almanac, pp. 1358–9.] We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun: Dear Editor— I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O’Hanlon Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. Here is a link with more info on the editorial, etc. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus – Beebo

Hi All - it took me a long time to catch up from a few days ago. I am plugging along - by my scale I'm down another 4, but I don't change my ticker until I weigh at Kaiser. Candra - sorry about your Kitty - poor baby. I am thinking positive thoughts for you for Monday. Glad the eating / weight is going better for you. Jes - ouch on the port pokes! Glad you can feel the restriction. Is work better - you mentioned the exams were going to be over soon? Maria - great that you aren't as hungry and doing better. Liz - good job on the eating - it is hard with all the holiday stuff around. Donna - Happy Bandaniversary. You are doin' terrific. Riley - Hope you feel better soon. I wish I could take off Wed and be with you, but I've taken off so much for dr. appts (3 EKGs!) I can't with my vacation coming up. I am waffleing about going to the SCWLS group on Sat. morning - so swamped with things to do before the holidays. I want to make sure I see you before Christmas. Will you be at Sherry and James on Tues night? Want to hear about the email guys! Oh, I bought my food journal at GNC tonight. Were the 2 columns you added How Hungry was I? and what was my emotion? Heather - Aloha! Enjoy! Pam - hope you feel better soon. Tina - glad the fill is feeling OK. Tamara - awesome on the eating. Way to go - keep it up. Nicolie - glad you are doing well. Cinlarose - we will have surgery in the same month! Can believe mine is only about 6 weeks away. Sorry if I forgot anyone. Oh BTW - for those of you with little ones, there is a new animated Christmas special on tomorrow night 'Yes Virginia" at 8 pm on CBS. Virginia is my grandmother of 'Yes Virginia There is A Santa Claus'. I'll send a post with a copy of the answer to her letter. It really speaks to the true spirit of the season.

Jes - awesome that you got your fill and can feel it! Interesting advise about Robin; good to know. Tamara - hang in, don't give up. This isn't a race; its about the rest of our lives and being healthy. You can do it! Maria - Riley pureed everthing! If it fit in the magic bullet, she says she pureed it - same food as the family ate. The mexican soup sounds great! Liz - I love Christmas too! We got all our decorations up (I didn't eat the cookies when we were decorating the tree - whoo hoo!) and I'm almost done shopping; also had fun buying toys for the little ones. (You should have seen me trying to figure out Transformers - it was on a list from our homeless shelter and my boys are grown so I had no one to ask. Pretty funny - there are a million different kinds!) Pam and Tina - hope you feel better. Candra - My doc. started me on Zoloft for anxiety and we just upped the dose. I was on Wellbutrin a number of years ago and it worked well for me then. Hope you got your new prescription. Hi Reggie! Where is everyone else? Riley? Donna? Nicolie? Annalyn? Nicole? Chris? How is everyone? - let us know.

Monique and Tamra - I try to get the Richmond meeting but so far I only make 1 of the 2 each month. Last one was very good. I can't make the 16th as my 'baby' (who is 22) is coming home that day and I haven't seen him in almost 6 months so he wins out! I will try for the January one.

Hi all - wow you don't log on for a day and 3 pages fills up! Lee - I know the decision process is really hard. There is so much to consider. I have found the more I listen and read the more if helps me learn and consider. I wish you well in the process. My motto is 'is doesn't matter how we lose this weight as long as it comes off and we get healther!' It is so nice to meet people in person - it makes the connections so much stronger. Liz - you asked about what I meant on the 1200 cal by limiting my non-fruit/veggies carbs. I follow the 1200 in the book, but for the 3 carbs you can have (1 at each meal) the only thing I eat for those portions are Trader Joe's Daily Bread. It has nothing but grains and water; no fat no sugar. I have given up white food including sugar for now. I am just trying to do things differently since I believe I am sugar addicted. I have tried every diet program there is and I have finally let go of feeling that I should be able to be like 'normal' people and eat whatever I want just in the right amount. I just think sugar/white carbs are my trigger food and I have an awful time stopping. I know I will fall off at some point (like the little bit of stuff I tried at Thanksgiving), but for now I am justing trying to not eat that stuff. Some days are no problem and some days it is really hard. But hard is OK - sometimes the things we value most in life are the things that we had to work hard for. Candra - I was having a hard time figuring out the Kaiser classes - I found if you google Kaiser [the name of the facility] Health education, you can find their website with the classes they offer and the schedule for them and the cost (I have looked at San Rafael and Santa Rose which are closest to me.) Santa Rosa has multiple offering of the emotional eating class, plus other good classes. Regarding the psych appt., I think you need to be referred. Try emailing your PCP or Dr. Fisher to see if you can get a referral. That is how I have done it in the past (although I can't say I have been overly impressed with the docs I saw in San Rafael.) On the other hand, one of my college professors at Dominican was a psychologist from Kaiser and she was terrific. I also went to a private pay psychologist that specializes in weight issues and it turns out she use to be a psychologist at Kaiser for Bariatrics. She is really, really good, but with private pay she is not cheap. Ok enough of my deep thoughts. Hope everyone is having a good Friday evening and starting to get in the holiday spirit. I have my lighted Christmas village up (put it up last weekend - it is really big and takes all day to do, but it is so cool) and we are getting our tree tomorrow, so will be doing the rest of the decorating tomorrow. Love you all - we all need each other in this journey!

Liz - great job on the 1200 cal. I really think it works, but agree it isn't always easy. I am really limiting my non-veggie/fruit carbs and it seems to really work. How are you doing with exercise? I am struggling but planning to get on track again tomorrow with that.

Hi All - Just checking in. Heard from Liz on Tuesday and got my surgery date - it is Jan 26th Woo Hoo! :sad: I am excited! (Not as freaked out as I thought I would be - nice surprise.) Went to Kaiser Richmond support group tonight and it was a good meeting, even though Bev didn't come again! (Sick in Oct - not sure what the deal was tonight.) The pre-ops met and there was a lot of good talk about fears and people's concerns about which surgery. Then back with the post-ops and it was very supportive. Nothing like what Heather was saying about the EG group. Everyone was very supportive because we all share the same issues and all the posts kept saying they were so grateful to those that supported them and inspired them when they started that they wanted to pay if forward and give back. Also frank discussion about complications and challenges. It was a good meeting. Lee - it was nice to meet you tonight! Heather - you are rockin on the exercise! So excited for you. You might become Miss Jane Jr.! Annalyn - glad you are back. Hang in; I know it is hard but it will happen and you are so worth it. You are so close, don't give up. I need a surgery buddy like Candra and Jewel. You can do it! Candra - you are so right! Life and stress just are what they are and eating really doesn't change it - just adds the lbs and the bad feeling. Need to reprogram. Chris - boys are the best (I have 2) - there is nothing like the way a boy loves his mom! Congratulations. (Neat name.) Donna - way to go on walking! (I could do the same thing come to think of it when I get my nails done!) Right now the same meeting that Jane and I went to last month is on the 12th, but I could come after that or am also available on the 13th. Liz and Nicolie - Hi - you both sound like you are doing great. (the banana bread sound dangerous but good!) John and Heather - I so miss Hawaii - I am so jealous. Heather, I wish I could fit in your suitcase - well, maybe next year when I lose 100 lbs!!! Jane (just realized your initials are JR) - missed you last night. How did your talk go at the Kaiser meeting? How are things on eHarm? Ok - Good night ladies. Sweet dreams!

Riley - well said on the emotional eating reprogramming - gotta try to change the old patterns. I am really looking forward to the class in Jan. Will miss you tomorrow night at James and Sherry's. Jewel - I have a friend who is in FA who lost all her weight 2 years ago. She is the only person who has been actively opposed to my decision about weight loss surgery and has wanted me to go to FA instead. She has asked that I talk with a member who has had lapband and is having a hard time. I think FA deals with the same stuff we are dealing with. My personal reasons for not wanting to pursue that program were 1) the eating plan is very restrictive (lots of weighing, etc. and the people who follow it seem to be very obsessive about it - no exceptions. ) That just didn't seem realistic with my lifestyle. Sometimes I have work meetings/dinners and need to be able to make the best choices I can, or for a holiday I may want to have something 'off program'. Also, I wanted the aid of the band with the maintenance part - extra help once the weight is off to help keep it off. 2) it is based on the AA 12 step process. While I am spiritual and believe in God, I just don't feel that I can agree with the statement 'I am powerless over my eating and only God can give me the ability to overcome it'. I actually believe that God gives us our strengths and talent so that we can live the best life we can. I believe that I have the strength / skill / smarts to deal with this - not that it is easy at all, but I don't think I am powerless. Everything I put in my mouth I do on my own - no one forces me, even though there are lots of reasons besides hunger for why I eat. I also believe we all have our strengths and our weaknesses. My weakness / my challenge is emotional eating. Anyway, I think the idea of a regular support group is really the key and FA can provide that, just the way some other groups can as well. Heather - very encouraging news! I am rooting for you. Keep the big picture / long haul view when you go on vacation.