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So I've been trying not to freak out, but I am a little. I'm losing weight scary fast. I had my band in on the 8th, and I've lost 20 pounds. That seems really fast to me. Could it be just Water weight? I'm trying really hard to get enough calories in, I have been tracking them, and writing everything down, and I've been able to get between 900-1000 in each day. I'd like to get 1200, but I feel full after I eat (just started mushies). My plan is to add some more Protein powder into the shakes that I blend up, and maybe have full fat cottage cheese instead of low fat. I think I can get to 1200 that way. If anyone else has some more good suggestions, I would love to hear them! I'm going to peruse the threads for some good mushie recipes. I never thought I'd have to fight to get in enough calories, lol. I assume that the weightloss will slow down soon? The reason I got the band was so that it would be more gradual and in my opinion healthy. This is kind of freaking me out. BUT I do feel really healthy and have tons of energy. Maybe it's just what my body is supposed to do right now. Thanks for all advice ahead of time.

I see food different now. I'm 14 months post up. I do occasionally have a slice but I much rather have lots of fruits & I love it. Watermelon pineapple my favorite banana the list goes on. I go to the fruit stand more often then I thought every 2-3 days and the best part is my 16 year old loves fruits as well & my 5 year old is beginning to love fruits strawberry & grapes. Plus I put a little whip cream in the middle & omg so delicious less calories so filling & healthy. A slice of pizza is 2.50 a bag of banana is 1.50 you get like 6/7 bananas feed everyone. Pizza will make my ass fat & feel the why did I eat that stuff that's why I got fat to begin with.

****LUCKY DAY 13**** Hi friends...it's day 13 for me since surgery. I feel and look great. I'm down to 165 which translates to this progression: Jan 23 188lbs Feb 10 181lbs Feb 15 174lbs Feb 27 165lbs My clothes already feel loose and people are starting to notice, big time....I have been consuming soups and liquids at least once every 2-3hrs. I can't take much down, no more than 2-3oz except smoothies. I make a killer smoothie with Frozen Berries, Lakeland Coconut juice, Half of a banana blended and its delish! I can take about 4oz of that but in sips and over time. Love keeping that at my desk, totally curves my appetite. Last week I was very good about my walking. The last day I walked 2miles was last Thursday. 3days since a good long walk kinda bums me out, because tonight i have an event and i am not sure i can get the walk in without being exhausted when i get home. I will do whatever it takes to get these walks in everyday. Wednesday makes two weeks since my surgery. I am finally getting use to this new appetite and mentality. Although this situation with the liquids is getting old already. At first it was kinda of fun to find different things to drink, fun soups, great yogurts etc but now its just getting to me. I want something to CHEW on for the love of Christ. I don't miss food, i don't care for it, i just need to find more variety. I still have another week before dr.'s orders will allow for soft foods, tuna, cottage cheese, apple sauce, pudding, puree vegetables, mashed potatoes. I am terrified of eating at restaurants and events. This weekend was my first experience being out of my 'comfort zone' with food and one of the worst for someone in this post surgery condition. In Miami it was the South Beach Wine and Food Festival an event that i not only work but also love to attend. This year was different, i could have cared less partially b/c my fear of being around all that food but also i am just over food. I think its the same stuff over and over and over again. I gave up some pretty expensive tickets all in the name of my sanity. On Friday, i worked the event and never walked in the doors, i did everything i could from the outside and left early. My grandmother made me black bean Soup and i ran home to eat that...so good. On Saturday i had an event late at night and thank goodness it was passed canapés, because they crossed my path but i never even blinked. I got extremely hungry during the event while it was in full swing and i took a break. I took a 10min break and sat down and had my soup. The key to bad circumstances is to fill up. Even though it takes 2-4oz of anything it is just like when you are full and eating large amounts of food, once you are full that sensation of disgust after is still there. When i got home almost 4hrs after my last meal, i tore up a small bowl of black bean soup...yes at 2am. Don't judge.. lol The next day i passed on the Paula Deen Brunch and the grand tasting village. Even though i could have gone and i am not tempted to EAT desirable things, i was just fearful that friends would want me to try something or drink wine or that i would be without something to eat for a while and I might panic. Especially since i don't want to tell anyone and i do need to eat my soups etc by 2hrs. I know this is a problem but i will ease into it little by little. I am going to try with friends that know my situation just so that i can start to ease back into normal life with my new stomach and not have to feel like i am explaining to the world. This to me is forever... Also my nutrition is worrying me...i am not eating but a mere 500 calories a day and not getting enough Protein that is for sure. going to my doctor on Wed for some b-12 shots and going to up the consumption of my Protein shakes. Lessons learned so far: Plans your meals or have plenty of back up just in case Throw a single packet or two of Protein Powder in your purse. Worst case scenario. You can mix it in a bottle of Water a voila! a meal MILK products are not your friend. When on the liquid portion of your diet do not expect to evacuate every day, its more like every 4-5 and if you feel constipation take Milk of Magnesia before going to bed, you'll thank me in the morning. This is all for now. I start back up with my trainer next week so i am excited about that and major GOAL is 150 right now. Hoping to get there soon. Until then....feel free to ask questions. I am happy to help with what little experience i have with this and as with all things, I am not a medical professional nor does this post imply any medical advise or suggestions, these are personal accounts. Good night SPT friends. xo 134 and Happy!

Steph, unfortunately we will NEVER be thin and enjoy that many calories a day unless you're working out like a horse. On my workout days, I can assure you that I will easily intake 1600 calories a day, but my workouts are very intense. If I didn't have a band, I'm sure I wouldn't be maintaining, even WITH the workouts. It doesn't matter if you have a band or lost the weight naturally, we will still have this issue where it will be harder to to lose and maintain weight than someone else our own size, weight and height. I know how unfair it is, and I struggled with this after my nutritionist told me, but I've come to terms with it. I'd rather eat smaller portions and be where I am now than where I was before. You can always have the band taken out, or unfill it completely, but at this point, I know if I did I would sky rocket to the way I was before. I've made the lifestyle changes, but being able to realize I'm full after eating a normal portion of food was something I had never experienced before. I would worry less about eating large amounts of food compared to just having good quality food. Believe it or not, what you are eating probably is a NORMAL amount of food. You shouldn't strive to overeat like everyone else does in a restaurant. What you're doing is great, and you should be proud of yourself! BTW, if you're comfortable with your current fill, I don't think you should have a problem with choking in public. I've never had that sensation in public, but I always chew, chew, chew. I know sometimes it's hard when you're with friends and they want to talk to you, but I've grown a custom to it. Even my friends who don't know I'm banded know that I take a long time to chew, and respect that. I'm not going to hurt myself as to not be rude. I either cover my mouth and say what I have to say, or put up my finger in a 'one moment' gesture. They get it. No one has changed how they interact with me. I take a while to eat, and I chew a lot. I say that it's part of my weight loss strategy (not a lie!), and no one questions me about it They're all cool with it.

My original goal weight was 180 lbs. Over the past 2 years, I've revised that goal & set it at 160 lbs. I'm 7 lbs away from my original goal weight. Over the weekend, I was looking at some pictures of our recent vacation. We travelled with a group of friends. I had an 'ah-ah' moment when looking at the pictures - I looked like the rest of my friends. I don't mean I looked identical to them but I fit in with the group in terms of weight. I was no longer the biggest girl in the group. In fact, I wasn't even the bigger girl in the group. It got me to thinking about goal. I'm not sure where I'll set my end goal weight. What I do know is that I look like I hoped I would when I started this process. I have arrived! So, now, I need to start tackling maintenance. I need to educate myself & learn what I need to know to be successful in maintenance. So, what does maintenance look like for a Bandster? Do we continue to eat 1000-1200 calories a day? That doesn't seem right to me. The average intake for a sedentary female is 1600-2000 calories a day. Do we increase our caloric intake?

Hi Jennifer I think it is fantastic that you joined up in support of your husband. I think the biggest misconception may be that there are foods we can't eat after surgery. Granted there are MANY items we shouldn't eat, but unless for some reason he can't tolerate something, the option to have his favorites, in moderation, are there. Bread is hard for a lot of folks, its just too dense and heavy. There is no way to know exactly how he will be effected. I love my carbs too, and I know I need to stay away from them to really get the most out of my weight loss efforts. This has ALWAYS been the case, not just post op. Carbs are necessary for a balanced diet, but most have no real nutritional value. Since we take in so few calories, we really want to get the most bang for our buck, so I try to stay away. I just found some wraps (Fiber One honey wheat) that I will have for lunch on occasion. Your switching to whole wheat pastas etc, is a great step in aiding his changing habits. I had a conversation with my mother not too long ago, she has never had any weight issues and we were a large family of 10 kids, so she never really thought about the food we ate growing up and how it does shape our habits throughout out life, just that we had enough. We had lots of bread and Pasta, quick meals that fed a lot of people for less money. It was a way of life, and that's what it needed to be at the time. But looking back, my habits were formed early on, it was up to me to change them. I completely understand his not wanting his struggles to be ones your children have later on and his wanting it to change now. That being said, it has got to be hard for a whole family to make sweeping changes, but some are for the overall better good. I don't have children, but I do have my young nieces & nephews come over a lot. Yogurt, cheese sticks, fruit. all acceptable snack items that are all still good for me too. keeping an open dialog is most important, if there is an item that he feels having around will make it really hard for him then maybe talk with the kids and see if they can take one for the team & dad and do away with for a while. I also can understand needing there not to be junk food in the house, maybe each of the kids can pick their own healthier alternative while he is in the early stages. I have been keeping pre-portioned packs of nuts as a snack, it gives me a crunch and on my plan. Making the decisions as a family for the overall good should make it a little easier at least. He may not realize all the changes you have been making behind the scenes. There are a few really good websites that have very tasty family friendly recipes. www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com and www.emilybites.com The kids most likely won't even realize these are "healthier" options. If his inquiry about surgery opened more of a dialog about healthy eating habits for the family, there is no "fault" there. He might need to think about it in a different way, or at least know that you don't think of it that way. Every summer I go away with a big group of my family to the beach. This year I put it out there to my many nieces and nephews to bring their bikes as a way of getting from one house to another (and to get me moving on vacation) They JUMPED at it, they loved that I wanted to ride with them and every one brought a bike, the whole week we rode and they never thought it was more than a great way to spend time together. My point really has to do with perception. There is a sub-forum here The Man's room. He & youmay get unique point of view by checking it out. Again, I really applaud your efforts to understand what he is going through and your willingness to do what you can to make the process easier. Best of luck to you all!!

Just wanted to say hello to every one.And im happy to say that Ive lost 5 pounds. Well balanced diet Low calories 1400.Eatting Yogurt twice aday,High fiber cereal, salads, mixed vegetables and some meat. When Im driving any where I have a fixed Snacks for the kidds and I,Preventing over eating. Snacks Fresh Barries & walnuts lots of fruit. Try walking twenty minutes a day water before after. I,put my scale away and just watched my food intake and I lost it. Im starting to find the tatse for grilled salom ( FARM RAISED ) This little battle has got me fired up to lose 25 pounds in two months. well every take care Most of all God bless, John.

Have you had your thyroid checked? I think about it daily. Did I need to cut out my stomach. Then I remember why I was. Yesterday my friend made a steak dinner with potatoes and salad and wine. I ate 3/4 of a filet of tilapia and a piece of a potato instead. The potato sat heavy in my stomach. Didn't feel good. But it tasted so good I had another piece. I made myself throw it up (not the norm and it was already on its way up) to rid myself of the discomfort. My reminder was just that: I would have eaten the entire steak meal w potatoes and wine and had dessert after. I like big portions. The sleeve helps me portion myself. I still have to make good choices. And I don't get as hungry as I used to. That's alllll sleeve baby. I remember feeling like a fat loser when I would eat a big meal then feel hungry a couple hours later and others weren't at all:0/. This helps regulate my hunger. I think on a normal day I ate 2,500 calories and on a day I didn't care maybe even 3000. I have always dieted but its always seemed soooo much harder for me than others. Good luck in your decision. It's a big decision and doesn't come without grieving the loss of a part of you (most of a major organ and a comfortable habit or gorging).

Sorry youre not feeling well Oregon. Hope the cough gets better. But, Just a thought...I wonder if you burn calories during those coughing fits? Something good from something bad? LOL. Anyway, take the day to rest and relax, I think thats what Labor day is all about anyway. Well, I'm off to the movies. Feel better.

My doctor never gave me calories limit. He is more into the small portion. He said I should eat a little bit of everything (Carb, Protein, fat, fruits, vegetable) Oh, he told me to eat 1 Cereal bar for afternoon snack for the Vitamins... and I hate cereal bar!!!

Weight loss can be pretty fast, depending on your weight when you start. Most studies suggest patients lose an average of 50% of their excess weight within 18 months. Sometimes rapid weight loss is mostly water loss, which is not good. Your dr will probably tell you the goal is 1 to 2 lbs per week at the beginning. The actual results really vary by person, but counting your calories, protein grams and exercise per the dr's instruction will produce good results. I started my weight loss journey at 455 lbs on march 1. I am down 112 lbs from that weight today. Hope this helps.

Every surgeon and every nutritionist seems to have their own guidelines. The best advice anyone can give you is o follow YOUR surgeon's recommendations for YOU. You definitely have it easier than me! I have to start my pre-op diet a week from today and it's only 500 calories of Protein shakes, sugar-free jello/popsicles, and one green salad with calorie-free dressing per day for 15 days!

I have posted to my blog. I have never been really good at posting or keeping up with things I started..when it comes to writing. I am going to try to do better at this. I have been seeing Dr. Anthony Gonzalez (sp) in Miami. I had my surgery, two weeks ago tomorrow. It was at South Miami Hospital and the care I recieved was phenomenal. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am down 13 lbs since my surgery. I love life, but I will say this is a little hard to get used to. I have been having a hard time with gas, think it might be the RTD protein shakes. When I eat, I have a little pain right under my right rib (kindof near my diaphram). I haven't figured out this pain yet, but today it is easing up. I think it is gas. Weird. I love my life and am so excited to see where I will be in six months. I started walking, and hit between 700-1000 calories depending on what I eat. Yesterday I was hungry all day. I am trying to watch that, and also stick with high protein. That pain, maybe I ate too much? Oh well, it's a learning curve I guess. My first fill is scheduled for June 9th, six weeks after my surgery. It is all good. I am so excited. Until we meet again, Good day. K:thumbup:

Hi all, I was just prescribed some antibiotics for a UTI and they are huge. I have been crushing them (OK'd by the DR) but I am having trouble finding something to mix the powder into that doesn't make me gag. I have tried Peanut Butter (the best so far but at 2x a day for 7 days thats a lot of extra calories), Jello and apple sauce. The pills are really bitter and I feel ill for about a half hour after getting the stuff down. Any advise would be appreciated!! Thanks,

I love this stuff and DH loves it too. We an eat an entire head between the two of us You really do save ATON of calories.

Cauliflower Cheddar Casserole (you can leave out the cheese for less calories) 1 Head of Fresh Cauliflower (approx 4 cups cooked) 2 Green Onions (scallions) 1/2 Cup Sour Cream (you can use lite) 1/4 Stick of Butter Salt & Pepper to taste 1 Cup of Shredded Lowfat Cheddar Cheese Cut up the cauliflower and steam/boil until soft. When the cauliflower is soft, drain well. Lightly mash in a colander to drain extra Water. Add the butter and sour cream. Use a mixer to mash the cauliflower until creamy. Add very fine chopped up scallions (use green part too) sour cream, butter, salt and pepper and 1/2 of the cheese, Mix well and pour into large casserole dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake at 350°F for 20-30 min, or until top begins to brown. Approx: 775 calories for entire dish. If you use lite sour cream its a little less. Divide into 6 portions = 128 calories / serving

I love Skinny Cow products! When I really want a treat, often I get one of their products. As you stated, they taste great and (in my opinion) are worth the calories.

:teeth_smile: Hi, My name is Vickie and I am looking for a banding buddy/mentor. I was banded on 9/23 today I am 225 lbs. I am 41 and a RN that works in an administrative role. I live in Toms River New Jersey. I am a single parent with 2 kids 19yr and 17 yrs old. They are happy about the surgury but they now are learning to cook for themselves. It is funny my son is turning out to be a good cook and my daughter (the youngest) wants the frozen pizza, and hamburgers, and oh yeah I taught her to make chicken cutlets..with broccoli and egg noodles, that has become her new favorite. I cant say what my new favorite is because I am still on the clear liquid diet until tomorrow..then I get full liquids.....aren't I lucky? LOL I did cheat last night though, I had a sugar free pudding....I was hungry, son being a pain and my stomach was upset from drinking a fuze, so I needed something to coat the stomach. I dont feel bad cheating because I am allowed full liquids tomorrow and I did do well the rest of the post op period. I am walking a little bit, I should walk more--but the weather has been bad--can I make any more excuses??? Looking into joining a gym..but that is expensive. I go back to work Thursday so I will get plenty of walking then. I have stocked my refrigerator with all the Protein drinks and bought the Protein powder, have sugar free yogurt and made home made broccoli Soup...found a Great cookbook for when I can eat real food..it is awsome, breaks it all down into calories fat carbs and carb points. Have a follow up appointment with my nutritionist and metabolic Dr. looking forward to support group middle of next month. I would love to have my own personal buddy to help guide me on the right path to a healthier better me. I would appreciate hearing back from someone who has been on this journey and is willing to banter back and forth about issues both good and the bad. Looking forward to hearing from a buddy, thanks for reading my bio. Vickie

How long has this been for. In my past life, the first week of any diet I'd just pee and pee and then pee some more. All that water weight you lose. Perhaps if you've just had a fill, dropped calories markedly you're having a burst of that initial just on a diet water loss again?

I've kept the same restriction I had, I havent altered my band. Well, I lie a bit actually, I've had a small fill, just to top off as restriction waned after about 18 months (you do lose some Fluid over time). What happened was that I never had tight restriction to lose, didnt need it, didnt want it. I was happy to exercise lots and eat very normally, but with portion control. So moderate restriction suited me fine. Over time, the weight loss got slower and slower and eventually just petered out at around 10kgs past my original goal. My original goal was "generous", it was at the top of my healthy weight range and I knew I'd never stop there, I just set it to shut everyone up who kept saying "you must be realistic". Had I wanted to stop there, I wouldnt have continued to have one or two more small fills. But I just kind of finished losing at around 69kgs (about 150lb give or take). I have not had to unfill, this restriction now serves me well for maintenance. You simply cant go back to "normal". I know of people who have unfilled a bit to stop losing, that's fine, if you have tight restriction you'd probably need to do that. I know of one person who unfilled completely -she's unusual. Most of us still require restriction to maintain and most of us will even require a tiny top up fill every now and then. So I eat pretty much what I ate to lose to maintain - again I did a normal diet WITH carbs such as bread and Pasta, so not too difficult. And I've continued with my running and these days probably MORE than I was running during the faster more steady part of my weight loss (as I got fitter, I did more and more). That's what it takes for me to maintain weight for life, moderate portions, not too many treats and a good 40 minutes to an hour of daily cardio. I eat about 1800 calories a day so I certianly dont feel deprived or too hard done by. But if I had no restriction, my natural appetite drives me to eat more like 2,500 or so, which over time would make me fat again. Even though that's what all the charts say I *should* be able to eat given my height and activity levels.

Medifast has snacks and bars, if you just one of them a day it will help you and they have the same calories etc. as shakes but just one a day. Maybe eat ½ in afternoon other ½ for night snack

Weight Loss For Teenage Girls Top 5 Best Diet Tips Ever<img src=http://www.fatloss4idiots.com/00009/photo4.gif/>from weightlossteenagegirls.comAre you hoping to shed some pounds in time for the summer so you can show off your new trim figure? Are you wondering how to keep it off once you have lost it? The information provided in this article; weight loss for teenage girls ¨C top 5 best diet tips ever will enable you to do just that and much more.If you are overweight and as a result you have lost your self confidence and all your friends ¨C this is for you too. If you will stick with it, you will not only lose the excess pounds but you will gain new friends and a new sense of achievement and self pride.You will have less anxiety about your appearance and your weight will no longer be ever-present in the back of your mind. You will feel healthier, have more energy and learn to enjoy many new kinds of foods.Top 5 Best Diet Tips EverSet realistic expectations ¨C 3,500 calories is equivalent to one pound of fat. A weight loss rate of 2 pounds average a week is a safe rate ensuring you are only losing fat and not muscle or water. The target and focus should be to consume fewer calories while getting more exercise.Get enough sleep daily ¨C Adequate sleep will diminish the urge to overeat during the day. Enough sleep will allow your body to burn off unwanted calories. It will slow down the aging process. It will restore, repair and rejuvenate your body.Exercise regularly ¨C If you haven't been exercising on a regular basis get together with one of your girlfriends and begin walking. Start by walking for 5 minutes 3 times a week and slowly build it up. Walk slowly enough so you can talk but fast enough so you can't sing. Develop it into a good exercise program with aerobic exercise, strengthening and toning and flexibility. Choose fun exercises that you enjoy.Eat a healthy diet ¨C for example layer fruit on the bottom of your ice cream dessert so that you will only take one scoop instead of two and still enjoy it. Eat more fruit, vegetables, lean meat, diary and whole grain foods. Eat less fat and drink less soda. Have weight loss smoothies instead. Don't go more than 3 ¨C 4 hours without food. Use a 9 inch plate to ensure you have smaller portions.Weigh yourself regularly ¨C at least once a week. It will help you stay focused and motivated. Depending on what the scales say for any one week you will be able to adjust your food intake and exercise routine accordingly.Apply this weight loss for teenage girls ¨C top 5 best diet tips ever and you will be happier in a lot of ways.Click here For More Ways For Easy Weight Loss

There is a US handheld calorie calculator with a database of 5000 foods at Electronic Mini Handheld Calorie counter Fitness Planner by Vivonic NEW in Box, but I don't think all US foods are available in the UK. Is there a UK equivalent? I know Weightwatchers do handheld calculators, but they are "points" rather than calories. Can anyone suggest anythign?

Hi Everyone, I would like to get to know my bandster buddy's. I thought it would be nice to have a place where we could meet and discuss anything that is on our mind, and be here to support each other. I was banded in Aug. the weight loss has been very slow for me, which is all my fault. I plan from this day forward to track my calories and exercise everyday. My goal is to be at my ideal weight by Christmas next year.

I'm 62 and was pretty fit even though overweight all my adult life. I worked out AT A GYM 3-4 week and was able to eat moderately well into my early 50's but the excess baggage slowly gained over time and I went from 250 pounds at 52 to my max of 390 pounds, my current weight of 365 and I am 6'5". What Changed in my life from 52-62? I went from an active on my feet job to a desk job that demanded manditory overtime I stopped going to the gym as often and I continued to eat like I was still exercising like before. My life became a cycle of Eat sleep Work and I became too tired even to have fun on weekends. This was a true downard spiral. My company downsized and my job, the one that seemed so important and demanded so much time from me was gone. I was unable to find work and lived on the severance, unemployment and a small pension. At 62 a fat man even with experience and degrees will probably never find work. I was even turned down by McDonalds, guess they were afraid I would eat the product...Picture frosty day in hades for that. In that one year after being laid off till my 62'nd B'day I gained 35 pounds to reach that all time high and I was Miserable. I had to have a heart stint put in, The ol blood pressure went through the roof and deep dark depression set in. Why do I say all this because if you see yourself where I was then you realize No Job is worth what you are going through. If the band didn't work for you then you must make time to LOVE yourself and go to a fitness center or gym. Don't bother with buying equipment you will use for a clothes rack and take up space in your home. Do 1/2 to 1 hour of cardio limit weight training to 6-8 exercises for chest arms and back the legs will be ok with the cardio at the gym and ask the gym to set up a routine for you. Let them know weight loss is the goal not massive muscles. Go 3 times a week do not weight train the same muscle groups 2 days in a row except for walking thats what we were made to do. Park as far from your office as possible and get some extra walking in, Do the same at the stores you go to, walk. Never take the elevator for 1 or 2 floors, great exercise. You can stand up at your desk to work, it burns more calories. This follows in the suggestion of an under the desk leg exercisor is a good one. Your legs are 40% of the average mans muscle mass and a pedeling device with resistance also is better than sitting and doesn't keep you from typing on a computer or answering the phone. So you see and I am sure already know that theres lots of exercise opportunities you may be overlooking or avoiding. Talk to your nutritionist, find out whats going on, you are taking in more calories then you are burning the same as the rest of us. Do a follow up with your surgeon perhaps they can work with you to get you on track. Do all of this today, don't wait another day passes and another and pretty soon, if you'er lucky, you are 62 and perhaps in ill health and then the task will be that much harder. I'm not trying to be preachy, I'm just trying to show you a future that would be a lot harder than it needs to be. Let us know how it goes for you and I for one wish the very best for you. All of us here know it's not easy. Ask for help, work less play and laugh more. I finally realized that no matter how much I love food it doesn't love me back. Good Luck.