Hey friends.

1 and a half months out and it's happened. I'm having a huge problem. I'm stressing out big time. I have no idea what any of my future will hold. I don't know if I'll fail the sleeve, I don't know if I'll have a job. I'm panicing, and I don't know how to stop.

Your mind seems to be racing. I am not sure what the initial catalyst is/was. I want to try to help, but can you give more info what started the "panic"

I gather from your post that something is going on with the certainty of your job, which may be causing you great anxiety. And just a guess, but in the past you comforted your feelings with food; hence, where your concern that you might fail your sleeve.

Am I even close to unraveling your thought process?

Bonnie

Stop thinking too much. Don't let your mind race. When I get panicky like you I stop, lie down n literally sing all the lyrics to a song I know. (What I Got, by Sublime - no judgin me!) It slows down my overthinking. Sometimes I have to sing it more than once until I get chilled out. Once your mind is no longer your enemy, you'll be able to rationalize better. Hang in there hun, you're not alone.

Will, you've lost in record time. Why do you keep thinking you're going to fail? Probably because you have so many times in the past. Make this time different. Use this tool that is the sleeve to get the most out of it. Don't set yourself up for failure. Don't stress about the future, live in the present. Deal with what you have control over. None of us knows what the future holds. Hell, the entire US economy could crash at any time, and the paper in our pockets could be as worthless as Monopoly money, and we'd ALL be jobless. Focus on what you can control, and take it by the reins, and you can get through anything.

I am there with you, Will, just found out my job will end in November. But I am grateful I was able to have my sleeve, started the road to the new me, the feeling better me and now hopefully more confident to go out there and make another (lol) new beginning!

Will, I can't speak to the job issue because I don't have enough facts. However, weight wise, it's clear you're anything but a failure! Your loss thus far is amazing. Hang in there and just breathe.

Sorry for your panic, but one thing is for sure - it will be much easier to obtain new employment being 50 pounds lighter. Take a deep breath, try to make a game plan to continue to succeed with your sleeve, and pull your resume together to look for a new job. I find being proactive rather than reactive helps me feel in control.

Our brains are such problem children...

GOOD responses above. Don't be shy about asking for professional help. I take an anti-depressant and it helps.

And keep us all posted!