Hmmmmm...now I say to myself do I respond or not. Since I am a lot like you, I chose to respond. You can lose this #$%@^ weight in 5 years, actually I think you will lose it 2-3 years. Secondly throw the damn scales away, I personally hate them. They are frustrating and in my OPINION (as you know we all have one) the can drive us absolutley bonkers, Especially when they don't move or only move a tiny bit. Take your measurements, my experience with the band is that I have not always consistantly lost like they said I would, by the scale, but I have lost inches when the scale would just sit there. I never thought I would get below 200lbs. I would drop to 199 and than right back up to 200 plus again and believe me I would watch everything I put in my mouth to the point of obsession. On the temper tantrums, I think I still have one at least once a week. Yesterday was my day, I woke up feeling like an absolute shrew... My husband told me I looked just plain evil and you know what I was evil, if the wrong person crossed my path I could have chewed them up and spit them out and never thought a thing about it. Give your self time and just keep venting, the weight will come as long as you are true to the plan but you have to feel satisfied with what you eat and the amount in order to stick with the plan. You ask how does this so and so know I will make it because like you said you want it so bad you can taste it. Guess what success doesn't cost you any calories on intake and neither does temper tantruims but they sure do burn calories. Oh and I hate math also, it is kind of like calculating your hourly wages when you work salary it is always depressing. You go girl, I place my money on you not only to place but to WIN!

From what I have read, make certain that you are getting all of the daily protein you should. The dietician who works with my surgeon told us in class that if you have less protein than you are supposed to have (the amount varies by age and weight), it will slow your weight loss.

Just a thought to consider...I believe we are all our own worst critics. Towards the cause of emotional health: Rant on!!