Leaderboard

Jim-that is so sweet, I could cry. I think doing something like this together is so much easier. No more junk food to tempt you with. Congratulations Kelli!!!

Great job and results! You should mention the 5K to some of your co-workers. You never know who may want to join in!

You look great!

Michael Pollen has written some books on what real food is and how it is so different from the genetically modified crap that the large conglomerates pass off as food. Basically, if you can catch it or pick it, go ahead and eat it. He has also discussed cultures around the world and how their various cuisines affect their national health. One concept that has helped me resist bad decisions lately is to think of all of this commercially produced food as poison, like McPoison's, Poison King, Poison Donuts, Poison Castle, Poison Bell. Get the picture? - Yes, we see. A couple of weeks ago, I was on a three day road trip with my daughter, who is a vegan. We were in a small Indiana town that only had a McPoison's and a Poison King fot restaurants. We asked during our tour of the local Historical Society's Museum where the locals go for real food. She steered us to a restaurant in an old house. We weren't too sure of how our experience would go, but the place was very charming and we got to dine al fresco on the covered veranda. My daughter had a Portobello mushroom salad, and I had the Portobello mushroom sandwich and pulled off about half of the bread. It was the most awesome lunch I ever had that was not cooked at home. So, just sayin' we had to dig to locate a healthy option, but it was right under our noses. Anyway, once you see that other junk as poison instead of tasty friends that you miss, it will be a little easier to make good choices. I know we get tired of being strong, but those are times when your forum buddies can give you strength. I have eight more weeks of prep before my surgery, and then I am sure I will have questions daily. We can't be Miss Dolly Sunshine all the time. You hang in there, Gamegirl...we've got your back.

Congratulations on your sleeve! Stay positive and think of your healthy future. Every week that passes you will thank yourself more and more for this wonderful gift. I am nearly 4 months out, down 60lbs and feeling over the moon! I have a wonderful, supportive and loving husband, too. So thankful <3

I feel your pain...in my office I'm youngest (until recently), one of only a small handfull of women, and don't report directly to the groups I support. I have no choice but hold it together. It can be tough, but you know what...you have to let it out. We all have that fine line and once crossed, you have to let it out. Better to cry than throw a full out tantrum (which I've seen the guys do from time to time around here). You don't have to always be "together". It's okay to let yourself be human. Just think...the world didn't end because you cried at your desk. What I've found is that I need to get sucked into something else when I get stressed. For example, I will walk to another location in the building, or read something quick on my cell phone, or heck, come to this site. Once you find your happy place/activity...keep falling back on that. Just know, that the world won't end if you're human and experience human emotions.

I crochet, and have recently learned to knit. I find that doing that calms me down considerably, not sure if its just because I'm focusing on what I'm doing with my hands so I don't think about whatever it is that I'm stressed about or what, but it works!

Moan, b***h, complain, rant - ALL YOU WANT! That's what part of this forum is for, let it out, and make it loud! It will get better in time, hang tough, you didn't get where you are by being a total wimp... I can tell

I'm so sorry you're going through all of this stress. I know this might sound weird, but have you tried rubbing a smooth stone or silver dollar? When I get overwhelmed I do that... it obviously doesn't fix the problem, but it gives me something repetitive and easy to focus on and it kind of calms my body down. I hope things get better for you soon, and I hope the pending surgery and everything else goes well!

I had complications too. My band was leaking for 15 months. I gained weight fast and I struggled with hunger. BUT I stopped and took stock, and started focussing on losing again. And I did - 15 lbs in 5 months until I got my band replaced. Gaining and over-eating is not the band's fault, no one controls that but you. The band is there to try to help you NOT over-eat but it won't do it for you. If you want to lose, you can do it with or without the band. I won't lie, it's HARDER without a band, but it's not impossible. I know it's frustrating having complications and not ever knowing if you'll have a functioning band, because it's something you can't control. I understand, I've been there. But there is ONE thing you can control, and that's whether or not you manage your weight in the meantime, while you're waiting for answers.