The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

Have a Merry Merry Christmas Beautiful People!

Back atcha! I survived the Christmas Eve spread of food at my sisters house last night. I will tell you, I was really watching HOW MUCH FOOD people eat! Literally! I was disgusted. That helped me a lot.

Merry Christmas to you all. Remember it is a lifestyle change not deprivation....dieting is deprivation.

Happy Christmas! Blue, I so know what you mean about being disgusted by the gluttony and then the knowing we were once right there -- ouch! Not anymore! I am enjoying the holiday spread in teeny tiny amounts. I'm sure I'm not setting any records for weight loss but it's very important to me that I am not depriving myself. This is why I got the band.

Right now I'm trying to line up a walk around the lake before dark -- that's a mindset I sure didn't have before!

Back atcha! I survived the Christmas Eve spread of food at my sisters house last night. I will tell you, I was really watching HOW MUCH FOOD people eat! Literally! I was disgusted. That helped me a lot.

Omg! Me too!! It's so crazy!! I'm so happy right now!! All that food that was around me and My thoughts and only thoughts were "soon, ill be in my Skinny Jeans"!!!!

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all. Remember it is a lifestyle change not deprivation....dieting is deprivation.

I love the phrase " Dieting is depravarion" is just so true , i enjoy a little of everything I like and I was happy and enjoying Christmas !!!!

Same here. I've been going out to dinner alot this week and will do so for the next several days. I look forward to it because the band (as long as I listen to it) helps me to taste and enjoy without eating to excess. I don't miss the overeating...I focus on enjoying what I do eat and enjoying the much slimmer version of myself. I don't find it that challenging at all.

In fact, I've had a blast this week so far and expect to continue it...there's nothing to fear as long as you approach it correctly. So far I've had Turkish last Sunday, Greek last night, Indian tonight, and will enjoy Japanese on Thursday night and Italian on Friday night. I don't expect a loss this week, but I don't expect a gain either. This I can live with..and hope to for years to come.

Today I made home made Paula Deen recipe for chicken noodle soup. The best soup recipe ever! Starting from boiling a whole chicken, ending with adding cooking sherry, and 3/4 cup whipping cream to the giant pot! I will purée that and have it as my Christmas dinner! So yummy! I am also cooking a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc for my fiancé to have for dinner. I really am ok with this. Surprisingly true! My whole live was centered around cooking. I spend 2 years in culinary school. I went a week with out cooking post op. I wasn't sure how I would handle it. Apparently I am just fine with it! Fiancé is so happy! I am very hopeful that I will be able to not be distracted by food. It's a very nice feeling! Finally. Merry Christmas to all of you. Wishing you all the best success for 2014! Feeling blessed!

Same here. I've been going out to dinner alot this week and will do so for the next several days. I look forward to it because the band (as long as I listen to it) helps me to taste and enjoy without eating to excess. I don't miss the overeating...I focus on enjoying what I do eat and enjoying the much slimmer version of myself. I don't find it that challenging at all.In fact, I've had a blast this week so far and expect to continue it...there's nothing to fear as long as you approach it correctly. So far I've had Turkish last Sunday, Greek last night, Indian tonight, and will enjoy Japanese on Thursday night and Italian on Friday night. I don't expect a loss this week, but I don't expect a gain either. This I can live with..and hope to for years to come.

Turkish, Greek, Indian...I am so jealous! Love it that we can enjoy all the cuisine we want, just in small amounts. Happy holidays to you!