Georgia

First off- Merry Christmas to all! I agree it seems to get more and more hectic. We did have a great day yesterday and this morning with my daughter and two Grands opening gifts and lazing around for a couple hours. They have moved on now to their next stop and I just vacuumed and picked up. So it's just me and the hubs. Quiet and peaceful. Strangely, I don't feel very peaceful. . The family dynamic shifted for us this year. My family is very small anyway and both kids somewhat doing their own thing which is what is SUPPPOSED to happen but... I think the realization has kinda settled on me that I am NOW at that stage in life where we are not the focal so much. Does that make sense? Now, I have to redefine ME and what I want to be, accomplish, live. And it's always been somewhat through children, grandchildren. Anyway, we shall see. Not depressed. Don't want to give that impression. Just more reflective than anything and aware that I will have choices and lifestyle changes ahead. Thankfully, there is not a huge amount of food around. A little cake left and somehow bars and Hawaiian Rolls Sandwiches. (I LOVE them!). So far so good and back on track this week! Love you all!!

Beautiful girls!

I have a closet full of "smaller" "after WLS" clothes that I keep hanging on to thinking "what if?" I realized this week I have not found ONE THING in that closet I can wear now so it's ALL going to resale. Lynda, I know what you mean. We still have those images in our brains that program how we continue to think and "see" ourselves. Everytime I pull out these clothes and hold them up I think, "there is no way that fits!" Only to find sometimes it's too big! That's a good thing!!! Enjoy your new robe!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas, y'all!! The best to all of u!

Read all the posts and just been lazing around with the "Grands" today watching Christmas movies. I got the last of my 10 vanilla wafer cakes delivered last night and that clears out all but part of one left here at home. . Fiona go to the movies tonight and see "saving mr banks." We open present in the morning and then go out to breakfast. Since daughter and the kids will leave early afternoon to go to the "other" grandparents house, it will all be "over" pretty much by 3pm here. Kinda sad that we don't have all family together in one house and place for holidays but I'm blessed! 5 days from two years sobriety and whole was for my wonderful son! Best present a Mom could receive I'll repeat it, too! Love all of you! Grateful for our band of misfits!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Yaayyyyy!!! You did it!

Okay, since tomorrow is Chrimas Eve I decided to fast today and them I brought the office (had to work today, bummer)one of my homemade vanilla wafer cakes. SOO, see below and its1:25.

I want to come to your house and eat!!! Yummy menu! Merry Christmas!

I've got to get this!!

Two words. GOOD. LORD.

I am laughing out loud at the images rolling through my head!!! Laura, Laura, Laura!!!! ????????

Ms Skinniness. I have been very busy with stuff.....Last 2 days we have been making tamales. We haven't done this for years but I was getting tired of tasting other family members so we jumped right in. We made a batch of meat that was delicious and for some reason, it spoiled and we had to throw it out......So frustrating......So we made more.....Now it's done and they are so delicious. TAMALES! Oh, I love thee!! We have someone whose Mom makes homemade and we buy by the dozen. Yum! Yep, easy to just EAT crap this time of year. So far, so good. Was surprised when I was at the low end of my 2 pound bounce this morning. Had to MAKE myself weigh because I thought I would be over! Isn't that dumb? But it also made me happier. Ha!!

Oh, Cathy, bet the luscious smell is driving you crazy! A group were smoking pork butts last week to raise money for their youth group and I bought one. They brought it to me straight from the smoker. Oh, my! It was ever lovin' good! And HUGE! We've eaten all week of of it. Now saving the bone to put in my Black Eyed Peas for New Years. Sounds like you are gonna have a good time and that you are also doing well with your weight. Have a good party!!!

Okay, just let me say, Daisy, your world has just become immeasurably brighter and fuller! NOTHING in the world like "Grands!" They are pure, unadulterated JOY! So happy for you and your daughter.

I'd say you have truly done great! Weird surroundings DURING The holidays and no gain! You, my friend, can be proud. Lol. Hope you are back to "normal" soon. ( is there such a thing anymore?).

Good work, Kim! Folks, the research she has assembled for you is excellent and if that doesn't help make a case for 5:2, we are just two of many who have tried and succeeded with 5:2. I am 3 1/2 years out. Around year 2 1/2 gradually started adding back weight until I had regained almost 30 pounds. Tried several things to kick start weight loss and find a way to maintain and stumbled into 5:2 FastDiet and started it in June. Since them I lost all 30 plus am additional 10 so I now 10 points below original goal reached in 2010. Now, as Kim said, it has become a lifestyle and perfect way to maintain OR lose.

That is SO Me!! Way to go on the loss!!! Just eat small amounts over a space of time and add in healthy foods along the way if possible.

Well, managed to "hang on" to my fast day yesterday. That was AFTER a piece of chocolate fudge! Lord, I love sweets!!!! Been really good but, the occasional no bake chocolate cookie, fudge and magic bar has been known to pass through my lips!! LOL And I'll be honest, I am enjoying it!!!!! Ha! Still hanging onto my two pound bounce 140-142 and that's good!!! Still amazing to me that 5:2 is such a great lifestyle. Has everybody finished their shopping? I'm DONE and my AMEX card shows it! Lord, every year I say I'm not going to..... I LIKE to give, though. Of course, I like to GET to but somehow I don't wind up with as much. LOL

No, SherylJane, it affects ALL cards swiped at over 40,000 checkouts nationwide from Nov 27 through Dec 15. All magnetic strip info was "stripped" by hackers. I used my debit card. People in Houston Tx cleaned out our joint checking Tues night and Wed morning but bank blocked my card and as of yesterday afternoon, all transactions credited back!!!!!!! Thank goodness! My husband does not handle stuff like that well. Ha!

I've found that the habits of success evolve over time and then re-evolve again! Such as eating breakfast. I always have and believed that it was necessary. Since starting 5:2 lifestyle, I find I'm not eating much breakfast since at least two days a week I'm waiting til later in the day to have anything other than liquid and have found that it has sorta changed my eating schedule overall. It hasn't caused me to eat MORE overall or binge. I'm sure I will revert at some point. All of the others are truly important and probably the most important NOW is keeping track and making wise food choices. Since portion control (other than sliders) is somewhat "built in" with our sleeves.

I LOVE these!!!! You know, in a lot of threads we are concerned about food being forefront and a constant thought. I agree that it can be "tunnel Vision" but I also agree with #6 that it DOES have to be at the forefront. These are all so excellent t! I'm going to copy this off and get the book!! Thanks!

Way to go, Girlfriend!!!! That's awesome about the 2 pounds and 16 lost! And I made the fudge last night. 2 minutes in microwave and 30-45 mins in fridge! It's awesome. . Had a Christmas party for our small group at my house so I frantically cleaned, made fudge, Hello Dolly's and 50 mini baked sandwiches! Phew! It was good but glad it's over! One down. Another one Friday and one Sat! Then Christmas and another the following Sat! I don't think I've "partied" this much in years! Ha!

3 1/2 years out. No drain, no leak test just an excellent surgeon who has never had a sleeve problem!!

I'm not sure, GT. I do not eat until at least 11-12 on fast day and usually then it is a mini babybel cheese and a cup of SF cider or cocoa. Then I eat dinner. Usually before 7 and it will be veg soup or chicken stir fry or turkey franks with guacamole and cut up veggies. I'll have no sugar added ice cream bar usually for a snack. I don't do any really strenuous exercise. I am almost 60. I have a Gazelle and an bike that I ride for exercise and try to stay active with my steps during day I eat very clean most other days and usually don't hit more than 1200 calories on those days also. Now, this week I've eaten too many goodies but not enough FOOD. Still holding at low weight but probably because my overall calorie intake is still low and I am doing two fast days a week I think my body just likes 5:2 lifestyle!

I did these! They work and are good!!