I have had my sleeve for little over a week, and the person who started the process for me was my dad. My dad, is also a little overweight, but not much. He works out like mad so he can eat and drink alot, thats the system he has been using for some time now. I don't think thats a healthy lifestyle but I expect he knows that already.

Ever since I started this journey my dad has been telling me that I talk about food too much, that I need to not only operate on my stomach but my head too. He does not understand that to me talking about food does not make me want to go out and binge or cheat because I am committed. Sure in the past I have gone on diets and then stopped and gained it all back, but this is different, I went through surgery knowing that I could have died, so I am 100% committed to this sleeve. It is hard not to talk about food here because that is all people in this house talk about anyways; every Sunday there is a big family dinner and they are not done clearing the table when they are talking about what they will cook next week. That been said, I have been here since July 27, 2011 and I have remained true to my commitment.

Why am I going on and on? Because today my dad told me the I would fail the sleeve because according to him all I do is watch cooking shows. Two days ago I was his hero because of the way I have committed myself to lose weight and surgery and now I am going to fail. I know I am not going to fail, and maybe he didn't mean to make me feel bad, but its so hard to not feel hurt. Moments like this make me just want to go home so bad. Despite what anyone says, I know I will succeed, I have complete faith in Jesus, and this sleeve. So I am going to shake this hurt off, and go drink my broth, cause I have Water to drink and pounds to shed!

I think having this surgery has turned me into a cooking nut. I'm always getting new cookbooks from the library or on allrecipes.com looking for new ideas. I find that if I get bored eating the same stuff, I start turning to foods I'm not supposed to be eating. Take this interest in food & turn it towards being creative with what you are cooking. I've experimented with low-carb pizza, low carb pancakes, & tons of other foods.

For your sake, I hope your dad isn't trying to sabotage you. But, I hate to say it, you will most likely encounter a few people who will as you go along this journey. I try to turn that negative energy into fuel when I am working out. Don't let anyone defeat you. Good luck!

I think you have a positive attitude. Keep up the good work and I know you will do good. You lost a lot of weight prior to surgery and I know you will be even more awesome with it. I think about food everyday too and that's because I love catering and feeding others. I also love trying new dishes. I have willpower and so do you. You will NOT fail.

God Bless You!