Feeling really down. So I was sleeved may31,2012 my highest weight was 283 I'm now 238 bc I've gained 8 pounds within the last two weeks. I'm an emotional eater I'm unemployed. Six months I watched my grandmother suffer until her death. Got a job offer at the Hampton inn making 7.25 doing the laundry, yuck two weeks into that my dream job came or so I thought. Working at an insurance company where I would have to force the manager to speak. She was no help when I had questions regarding certain things. I almost lost my face being under so much stress. Saturday before last I was diagnosed with bell palsy . I've been eating an eating an to top it off my mom talked really bad about my pea coat today saying it was to small an that you could see all my fat rolls. That I need to check the mirror before I come home. I honestly don't wanna look in a mirror. I'm feeling sad an the food I'm eating make me feel like I need to throw it up. Oh can't forget the fact that I don't have a job right now.

I am so sorry. I think possibly the worst thing you have experienced was the unbelievably hurtful comment from your

mom. I know what my mom thinks, says, or tries not to say, still hurts, even though I am 39 years old! Her opinion of me matters, and she has never had a weight problem, so she just doesn't get it. And man--I know emotional eating! So I get it. If you are able, see a therapist. During my times of grief and change, they have helped me greatly. And on a positive note, you will be fine! You've come so far, keep it up!

I am so sorry you have been under so much stress. So many of us here can relate to it, I know I can. Eating makes me feel better, but know I have to learn new things. Maybe go for a walk

Wow. I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. Please keep pushing. I was once unemployed for two years (and I was so sick that I could not work even if I wanted to) before I started feeling better and started my own business which then led to a great job. In that two years, I went back to school. I knew the education loan money would be helpful financially and I improved my skills making me more marketable. Try to keep an open mind and think about the possibilities. I don't know about yours, but my mother is extremely competitive with me. She has been all my life and made comments about my weight and body all my life, and I was not even overweight. I know she loves me but her insecurity is something that she cannot help. Could it be that yours is the same way? Even with an eight pound gain you have lost a great amount of weight. I wish you the absolute best.

Bad things hit in a flood sometimes. And yes, many of us use food to cope and to drown out feelings of sadness, frustration or stress. I even ate when I was happy!

I'm very sorry you're having so many hurdles at once. But you do know what's wrong. I can say that for me, when I can't control my life, it's nice to know that I can control how I react to my life. I feel a sense of empowerment from sticking to my program and seeing results, even when life is hard. And please, don't get me wrong. I get so incredibly frustrated and want to quit sometimes. But you did not have a risky operation to sabotage yourself and wind up where you were.

Regain control of what you can work on. You can't change losses or illnesses. But you can change how you react. Take charge of your habits today. You're doing such a great job so far and there is no reason to throw it all out by choosing to avoid the mirror or the scale.

I really suggest maybe seeking out people with similar issues or finding a friend you can really talk and vent to, since without a job it's harder to have insurance and access to a counselor or therapist. Sometimes talking really does help and ease some of the burden.

Best wishes. The real challenges of this are the hard times, of course. That's when we know how we'll do. It's easy to do the right things when you see results, feel happy and everything is going great.

~Cheri

Bells palsy really sucks! I hope your getting the care you need to recover some innervation & or having therapy to cope.

I'm sure it makes it harder to get work now.

Hang in there. Don't give up.

Choose to believe there is good in this world and then strive to be the change you most desire.

I personally look at pictures of those less fortunate that me who are still happy w/ less than I have. I remind myself that I have a lot more than many others & they'd kill to be me.

While my personal expectations for myself may not have been reached , there's the realization that I have accomplished quite a great deal compared to_________________.

allons-y