Could I just say the "starting over" seems to be improving! I would have posted in my blog area but those are closed for the time being. I am excited I am losing some weight. I expect it will be slow as I am older and my metabolism is lower than many young people. However, I am equally excited by new things I am learning and practicing: One thing is that I am truly learning to listen to my stomach and not be as confused about when to stop eating. I am also learning to measure food, eat the amount you are supposed to even if you don't seem to feel any response by your band. I know these are two important lessons to learn but I didn't quite get them the first time around. Without the stressors I had previously, I seem to be more in tune with my body. Secondly, I continue to feel motivated to walk and am starting to enjoy the exercise. I feel better for it and I have come to realize any stiffness improves after 5-10 minutes and I just have to move through that. These may seem so simple to many of you who have been so successful, but they are really big deals to me now because I can see some progress. It is giving me courage and faith in my own abilities to continue the journey! Yes!

Hi Maddy! So happy for you. Love those basics -- I'm really looking forward to being able to listen to my body's signals and respond appropriately. That whole dialogue between my belly and my brain got so messed up so many years ago. I know I am not going to be eating for fullness but for satiety and that is a subtle thing (and where the measuring cups and clock come into play!). Way to go on the exercise. I know just what you mean about getting through the stiffness. I have arthritis that improves with exercise but it's not easy to get over that initial hurdle. Trying to retrain my brain to crave the exercise the way I have craved food in the past, but for now it's just a matter of doing it anyway even though I don't want to and then being so happy afterwards that I did.