Well, he's at it again. I am still reading the Gabriel Method and my Food Monster is telling me that I don't need the Lap-Band. I just need to do what John Gabriel says, he tells me. "Um yeah, Food Monster. If that worked, I would be skinny already because every new diet book I find sounds like a great idea, until it doesn't.", I say to him.

Today is much better than the last two. I am thinking about food a little less. I even feel a little thinner today. Maybe the pre-op diet is working. Or maybe it is my imagination.

Unlike most of you who have lost weight and regained it, I have never lost more than 20 lbs at once. (And that took 2 years). I can't remember how it feels to be thin. I haven't felt it in about 33 years.

Feeling hopeful that the lap-band will work for me, I tried to recall yesterday how it felt to be lean. I remembered being a child of about 9, playing outside in a halter top. A halter top! My shoulders haven't seen the sun in over a quarter of a century! I can vaguely recall the feeling of running, the wind flying past my ears and my body working exactly as it should. I have no fear of falling or rolling my ankle or embarrassment over the fat that is trembling and shaking behind me as my feet slam into the pavement. I am not worried about arch supports or proper alignment. I know without question that my body will take me where I want to go. I move at the speed of light using skates or my bike or my own two feet to get there. Now, that is living.

So, when was the last time you felt good in your body?

The last time I really felt good in my body, I was playing Varsity Field Hockey in High School. I was still a Big Girl, I am sure my BMI was in the the Overweight range but I could run all over that field. I was strong and solid.

I felt pretty good right after my daughter was born, too. I was breastfeeding her, and I walked everywhere I went. I didn't actually do any exercise, though. But we had no vehicle so to get anywhere I wanted to go I had to walk. Walk I did, carrying my Baby in my Sling. I can't wait to be that healthy, again!

The last time was in 1987,, I would go dancing with my husband (at that time). Then in April of 1988 I had a little girl.But befor her I only wieghed 125 to 130,, I can't wait to lose under 200. I have been between 220 to 250 in the past 20 years.

don't think I haver felt good, I remember an easter egg hunt when i was 3 and finding the damm basket and not touching it because someone would say trust her to sniff it out. looking back i wasn't even fat!!!!! just not a stick like the other kids. Im glad i had the band because now i am not trying every new thing, and i am losing weight all the time without worrying about any of the crap that goes with it.

cheers Chooky

I don't think I have ever really felt good in my body either. I was "chubby" as a child and just grew up feeling ugly and huge (I look back at pictures now and that is a pretty big distortion) I want to feel good in my body, I want to walk without knee pain, I want to dance again, I want to ride my bike and I want to kiyak. By next summer, I'll be ready to do some of that!

Oh man, I was a weight lifter, a swimmer and a runner. I cant weight to lose the weight because I just want to put on my sneakers and run again. If youhave never been thin and athletic I have to say it is the best feeling you could ever have. Now I feel uncomfortable bending over. Before I could bounce up stairs, run 5 miles in the snow with the wind in your face. You are going to love it when you lose weight. I cant wait to get there again.