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Brown, I think Curves would be perfect for you. I did it years ago, but like CGJ, I need more now. You get out of it what you put into it at Curves. Some of the women are there just to socialize, which is fine, but you will get a good workout if you want a good one. If you give it a try, let us know what you think of it.

I was thinking the corset would be perfect for this!

Happy Birthday, Grammy! You deserve happiness! Thanks for the positive advice you bring to the forum.

Kim, I just googled the Edwardian Ball. How cool is that? I certainly hope you will be taking a lot of pictures for us. What are you going to wear? Will you take a picture of your art that will be displayed so we can see it? So exciting! Dee, I was just thinking of you and wondering how things are going with your apartment. Do you think you will get in any time soon? Kelly, I forgot to comment yesterday that I'm sorry about your job. Hopefully you will have more time to focus on art and well, life in general.

BROWN!!! That is so exciting! Great news, a new low! Hope it continues for you. Glad we know Laura is ok. Sheryl, Glad the appointment went well and you left with a plan. If after six weeks you aren't doing better, does she want to start you on something? I had a good fast day yesterday. Today I'm not hungry. I love 5:2! We are expecting a snow storm to start over here at any moment. It's supposed to be blizzard like later on so I don't know if I'll make it to boot camp tonight. If not, I'll have to workout on my own at home. Happy Tuesday, Ladies!

Have you been to a new surgeon for another opinion? I think that's where I would start, although, I can understand being nervous about doing that.

Kim, I don't expect you or anyone else to comment on everything. I can't either. I know everyone here reads and cares!

Ummm, I don't know any of those people either. pharmgirldee looks familiar. How can people request to join our group when it's private?

Dorrie, I am so sorry you are going through all of this. HUGS to you my friend. Nothing is TMI in this group. We are here for you when you need us. Sometimes I just come on here and type away. I get my feelings out that way. There are times people don't even comment and I'm ok with that. I just need to get it out. I'm the type also, that hides under a shell when I am upset or stressed so it's nice to be able to come here and talk to everyone. Sheryl, I don't think depression has anything to do with 5:2. I agree with what Dorrie said about it. I bet if you put up a poll on the main page of the forum that you would have 90% of the people say they suffer with this. That is if they are honest about it. I think that those of us in this group feel much more comfortable opening up to each other rather than the thousands of people plus on the main forum and that's why you see if more here. How did the appointment go? Denise, who else wants to join? Not sure what to do about that situation. Did you remove the people from the group that haven't been a part of it? I'm worried about Laura, too. I completely understand needing a break but it's not like her to even get on the forum in days. Maybe Butter knows what's going on with her, they are close. Butter are you still here reading? If so, can you let us know how Laura is? I have some exciting stats to share with you. Things have really changed for me since starting 5:2. I will share them tomorrow though because I need to get my measurements tomorrow night. Today my trainer did body fat. Exciting news to come...stay tuned... Sheryl, I train with a trainer and do hard workouts. What kind of questions do you have?

I have had my sleeve for 2.5 years and have not vomited one time, not even after surgery. It doesn't happen to everyone but it does happen to some.

Yes, I bounce all the time. What will happen is I will see a couple of pound loss, then over the next couple weeks, I usually bounce up and back down a couple of pounds till it sticks. This is normal for me and has been my pattern for losing weight.

Denise, I woke up this morning all excited to read about your date...sorry it sucked. Why did he lie about his height??? Ummm, hello, it's not as if you weren't going to find out once you met him. I just don't get that. Anyway, on to the next one. Florinda, your pics look great. I went and looked at your before and after...wow! You look amazing! Exciting about the scale. I'm sure it's a loss, not a messed up scale. You must have found something that worked for your body. Brown, thanks for checking in. I love your words of wisdom on this board! Always makes me smile. Kim, you are in the big leagues now!!! What a great NSV! Love it. Also love the bird pics. Sheryl, I agree the emotions hurt more now than they did when I was obese. I there are a couple reasons for it. When I was heavy I would eat and eat to cover them and kept it up so I wouldn't really feel them. Now, I try not to do that. Also, for me, I am trying to better myself now so I need to actually feel these things and learn to get past them. I don't know if that makes sense or not. I'm fine with Queen coming in. She's probably going to be laughing to herself when she reads all of our comments about her before she was even here. lol Denise, I agree, with deleting the ones who have not posted here and are no longer doing 5:2. Saturday, big birthday day over here for my 14 year old! I love this boy so much. He is my strong willed child. When I first had him, I didn't know what to expect with a boy. Never had brothers and his sister was born first so I didn't know what to do with a boy. A strong willed boy on top of it. I remember the days when he was little and I would go to bed in tears sometimes because it seemed like a constant struggle with him. He was on the go from the time he got up till the time he went to bed. Always something with him. Now, he has learned to use a lot of that strong will for good. I knew that would happen one day, and over the years it has. He still thinks he's right about every single thing and he still drives me crazy. But, oh, how I love this boy! He is growing into such a fine young man before my eyes. He is so very smart, always has been. He is kind, caring, and loving. It's been interesting this last year, a lot of changes since he has become a teenager. I am proud of him! Let me just share one story with you and I will stop. In the beginning of December when the hubs and I went to Arizona, my mom watched the boys for us. One night I got a phone call from my mom. She said, "Guess what Tyler did tonight?". She told me that she dropped him off for a band concert that night. She came back a little while later to watch the concert and when she got there all of the seating was taken. It was standing room only, it was packed. She found a place to stand where she could see him. A few minutes later Tyler's band teacher came up to her with a chair. She said, "Your grandson asked me to give you this chair. He said he was concerned about you having to stand through the whole concert.". My mom was so proud, she had to call and let us know. That story right there pretty much sums up Tyler! I hear him walking around now so I am going to go give my birthday boy a hug! Happy Saturday Ladies!

I wanted to say welcome to all the new vets (a year or more out from surgery) that have found their way here, or have found their way back to the boards. It's nice to more vets around. I look forward to getting to know you all better!

No, Queen isn't Kris. Denise, have fun on your date tonight! I can't wait to hear all about it. I have been quiet lately just because I've been down. Trying to figure things out, trying to grow. I appreciate all who posted how they deal with life and it's troubles. I have been trying some of the advice. I had a really good day yesterday and my thinking was clear...I was actually able to list the things that are bothering me and list what I can do about them, if anything. It's a step... Not sure where Laura is. Laura, where are you and what is going on? Florinda, hopefully you will have answers soon. Let us know as soon as you know what's going on if you can so we aren't worried about you if you are MIA for awhile. Did my 2 fasting days this week and it was fine. My oldest son turns 14 tomorrow. It's hard to believe how time goes so fast. Next year he starts high school and those 4 years go so quick. Random thoughts from Sarah today! Happy Friday Ladies

Yup, welcome to the life of a sleever. There are still days that I can eat one thing and the next day it makes me feel gross. All diet plans are so different. Just remember to give yourself time. If it doesn't feel right, don't eat it again for a while. Eventually, you really will be able to eat most things again. I know it seems like forever from now but it will happen.

2.5 years out and I'm still cold most of the time. Freezing actually. But, I will take it over being hot and sweaty any day!

Can I eat and eat and have no problem? Yes and no. If I eat junk, I could eat a lot, stop for a little while, and eat a lot again. I could do this over and over all day long without a problem. Slider foods, chips, crackers, ice cream, Cookies, candy, cake, most junk foods are slider foods meaning they slide right through you and won't fill you up. Now, if I stick to eating dense Protein first and then veggies I fill right up, even at 2.5 years out. If I eat like this, I can't eat all day, there isn't enough room in my sleeve and it stays full longer. I am sure you have read this many times, your sleeve is a tool. We didn't have surgery on our brain, only our stomach. You already know what your problems are because you said them in your post. You are depressed and using food to cover your emotions. You eat junk all day and sit around all day. You can't seem to be motivated to eat right and you don't care. I am sorry you are struggling with depression, it's not a good place to be. My suggestion to you is to get help, go to a new counselor, maybe try a different medicine. Many of us here suffer from food addiction and depression. I would also start with getting rid of the junk food in your house and replacing it with foods that are good for you. Protein, and lots of it. Veggies and fruit. It will be hard at first but after a week or so your cravings for the bad stuff start to go away. Also try to go for a walk every day. Just getting up and moving will help a little with the depression. The good news is, you will always have your sleeve and you can make it work for you, but you have to do the work, both mind and body.

My advice to you is to stay away from the chicken for now. Let your sleeve heal, it needs time. I know all surgeons have different rules but mine said not to start chicken or meat until the 5th week post op. Before that it was liquids, soft foods, mushy foods, stuff like that. That being said, even at 5 weeks out, chicken was hard. I'm 2.5 years out now and chicken still fills me up quickly. I would suggest waiting a while and when you are ready for solids then start with softer proteins like tilapia or tuna. Chicken and steak are very dense and are hard on the sleeve. It could be a few months before you are comfortable with them.

I use to take ambien but my metabolism gets used to a medication and then I need more to get the same effect. I really hate taking more just to get the relief I'm needing. But I'm also willing to go back and try it again..... I love this strategy. It does help to recognize what we can change and what we can't. I also like prioritizing my to do list when feeling overwhelmed.... It warms my heart to hear about the wonderful things you are doing for wild life. I have the same feelings. Humans are so unkind to animals and it will bring tears to my eyes. Lately I'm finding myself feeling depressed and viewing things in my world as hopeless. I work on re-framing these negative thoughts to being grateful for the things that I do have like a good husband that's pretty healthy, healthy children, financial security, a house, bills are paid, etc. I am really blessed that I have some wonderful pets that I have rescued from numerous places and they're so loving and giving.....But I do have a chemical imbalance right now.......I have thought about asking my PCP for an antidepressant but I remember the havoc they created with my sleep......I don't really know what to do about it but to get my butt to exericising. I have stopped walking when I went to Las Vegas because my knee got really painful and I thought I was going to have to have knee replacement. so I am fearful of that happening again. But I do need to kick myself in gear and just do it......... Perhaps that will help me sleep at night. My scale is so out of whack these days....yesturday I weighted 147 lbs and today i weight 136 lbs......Why is there a 10 lb difference? I did eat more yesturday....... I'm going whacko..... Have a great day..... I went to a sports medicine Dr, who referred me to a physical therapist who nailed down why my knee was bothering me... it was a weakness in my hip! So I started doing exercises for my hip, and the knee got better. Sounds like you need a new scale! I will be in SF Yes, this is what I do as well. I CAN NOT STAND IT. Ugh. I would love a full night's sleep. :-( Melatonin, even the smallest little molecule of it, knocks me out like a concussion and I can't wake up. Ambien gives me horrible vivid dreams that disturb me during the day. Benzos help calm my anxiety but don't make me sleep. G*ddam* menopause. =/ Dating sucks. I hate it and I'm glad I'm not doing it. I have never had a sex drive in my life, so the clam has never been in the driver's seat LOL. But I'm glad you're getting properly seen to, Florinda!! :-) I am not old enough to be truly old-fashioned for any reason, but I still am. Wouldn't kiss on first date EVER. Never slept with anyone till *months* together. SOOOO picky and hard to get -- not playing, but for reals. But *I* am the weird one here, I consider all of you quite normal and hormonally normal as well. I'm just an outlier in the weird zone. I wish I could fall asleep on melatonin.....I'd be happy as a clam! Ha ambien worked for a while but I would still wake up really early......Xanax does little for me....I often wonder how medical marijuana would work for sleep....I'm just too concerned about the legal aspects of it and getting the munchies too. Oh and Swizz I have little to no sex drive..... I wish I had a drive but in my earlier years..... ;P I just had to comment that I think this is the longest quote I have ever seen on this board! lol

Laura, we're talking about sex here, are you going to join us?

What does he say about this? Have you had a heart to heart with him about it? Knowing you, you probably have but I just wonder how he feels about it? Men are so strange bc sex to them is usually just sex. It's how they get rid of tension. I feel like you, Kim, if my hubs is acting like an idiot, I have no desire whatsoever to have sex with him. NONE! So why do they keep acting idiotic and doing stupid things if they know it makes us resent them and not want to have sex with them? I just don't understand it. I don't have a sex drive either. I haven't for years, not sure if I ever did. It's sad sometimes.

I agree with what Georgia and FYE said. My body just feels better on fast days, and regular days for that matter. Every few days it's like my body knows it time to fast and I can feel it, it's hard to explain. And for my mind, it's the control. I like feeling in control.

Sheryl, I'm surprised your doctor doesn't want to give you Xanax to use as needed. I would think the Dr. would rather you try that instead of going on something daily. Maybe you can ask whoever you are going to see about that. I use Xanax as needed. Sometimes I can go weeks without using it at all. Sometimes I need to use it more often. I don't use it daily, though.

Have any of you used Melatonin? I have a terrible time falling asleep and have had to take something for probably 5 years or so now. I used to take Ambien every night but about a year ago my PCP wanted to me stop or cut down bc she heard it caused cancer in some people. I take it 2 or 3 nights a week now and I take Melatonin on the other nights. She would rather I don't take the Ambien at all but the nights I take it are the only nights I fall asleep and sleep well and wake up like I had a good sleep.

I have a love/hate relationship with this. I am freezing 90% of the time. So bone chilling cold that I can't seem to warm up. But, I HATED being hot when I was fat. I would sweat all the time and it was disgusting. I hated that feeling! I will take the cold over the hot/sweating any day! It is 17 below zero right now in WI with a wind chill of 30 or 40 below so I'm having even more of a hard time warming up than usual. I did notice during the summer I am still cold unless it's really hot out and I am in the hot sun, then I feel warm. I feel bad for my husband and kids when I was fat and sweating and hot in the winter, I would keep the temp set so low. I now know what they felt like freezing all the time and asking for the heat to be turned up! HA...I have since apologized to them for this.