jjsmiles

Just to add what my typical day looks like now: I ALWAYS have breakfast. Weekdays I have an individual package of oatmeal (either low sugar or weight control). On weekends I will have 1/4 to 1/2 cup of egg whites scrambled, with some parmesan cheese on 1-2 slices of weight watchers toast. Occasionally I will have real eggs. Lunch: some kind of protein - either turkey or chicken or lean ham,tuna or cottage cheese or cheese (usually about 2 oz), some kind of carbohydrate (crackers, or weight wathcher's bread), 100 g of fat free yogurt and a piece of fruit (I might save the fruit and yogurt for a snack). I may also have some raw veggies (although I am not very fond of raw veggies, so mostly not). Dinner: protein (usually 3-4 oz) and lots of veggies. I love cooked veggies - some favorites: asparagus, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, brocoli, spinach, edamame beans, green beens. I don't use a lot of sauces, but I do use extra virgin olive oil, and parmesan cheese and some sauces (ie stir fry or salad dressing). I can still eat pasta and I will have pasta about once a week. Evening snack: 100 calorie packs (popcorn is a favorite), turkey pepperoni (only 45-50 calories per stick :wub:), fruit, suagr free pudding (about 60-100 calories per 1/2 cup), homemade high fiber, low fat, muffin (under 100 calories each), or a vita muffin (around 100 calories). I always plan an evening snack, even though I don't snack much during the day, because my real weakness is evening eating. If I am going to have cookies, or cake, usually it is on the weekend and I have it and enjoy it immensely. Despite my horrible eating patterns of the past, I am finding this way of eating pretty easy to maintain. I have been eating this way consistently for 9 months now (some slips - we won't talk about my trip to Europe last summer). I have never done this in my ENTIRE life for this long. I started this way of eating pre-band, but it is much easier to maintain since the band. Most of the time I actually have to plan to eat, to make sure I am eating enough nutritious stuff. That said, I still want to eat in the evenings, even when full :frown: Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to let you know that I am probably the poster child for dysfunctional eating and letting food control me (please note my highest ever known weight). I just want to let people know that if you are willing to commit yourself, you can and will be successul, but it is a lot of hard work that you have to do for yourself. I read on a post in the last couple of days that someone said she looked at the band as a maintenance tool, but the actual weight loss was up to her. That statement really spoke to me and, in my case, I 100% agree. Good luck and know that you CAN do it!:frown:

Pre band I never ate breakfast, would have a sensible lunch some of the time (one sandwich, yogurt and fruit), if I wasn't going out for lunch (if I was whatever everyone else was having). Heck, there were lots of days where I didn't actually even eat lunch. The evenings however were right out of control. As soon as I got home, I would start eating and I wouldn't stop until I went to bed. Since I am single, I didn't often bother to cook for just myself, so I spent the evening grazing on high calorie, high fat "convenience" foods. I never thought about what I ate or the quantities, I just ate and ate and ate. Where I first started getting control - I joined weight watchers and started journalling everything I ate (June of 2007- I was banded at the end of September). For me, a really important key was starting to raise my awareness of what/ how much I was eating and then starting to make choices (am I actually hungry or do I just want to eat? Can something else satisfy my need to eat?) I will tell you, at least in my case, the band does not stop "head" hunger, but it does curb my appetite and I am not hungry for hours. To tell the truth, I don't really experience hunger in the same way that I used to (where I could eat a full meal and then start all over again). I still struggle a bit in the evenings, as I am still in a lifelong addiction to the habit of eating, but I am able to manage it quite easily. I am not really restricted (at least by the definition of only eating 1/2 cup per meal and having difficult time eating many foods). As long as I take small bites and chew really well, I can eat anything. I still journal everything I eat (I really like Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate) and I try to keep my calories around 1000-1200 per day, and I go to the gym 4-5 days per week. I still eat cookies and other treats, but instead of a whole package, I eat 2.

I hit an almost 4 week plateau at the end of January and was "stuck" at around 237, which was very frustrating. I stuck to my plan (around 1000- 1200 calories most days, intense exercise 4-5 days a week) and then poof all of a sudden I started to lose again, although I didn't do anything different. I am really wary of the low carb life because I have done incredibly well on Atkins in the past only to gain the weight back (plus extra) the very moment I started to introduce carbs back into my diet. The other thing I found with low carb is that once I started to introduce the carbs back into my diet, I was like an addict in that I craved them intensely. I made a very conscious choice in this journey to eat the way that I plan to eat for the rest of my life (just in moderation), and to include food from all the food groups (including the food groups of chocolate and cake) :thumbdown:

I think it depends on the size of the band (not sure though). I have the bigger 10 cc band (you can put 10 mL of saline in it) and my surgeon filled it to 3 cc's at surgery. I think if you get a smaller band - 4cc, they generally don't put in any saline at surgery. I didn't realize that I had saline in my band until I had my first fill. I think is totally up to your doctor.

As someone else posted, once on synthroid, always on synthroid. I have come off all of my other medication though (for diabetes and reflux). I haven't had any "extra" problems with losing weight, although I get my blood tested to ensure that my thyroid levels are within the normal range.

Many people are put on the Optifast liquid diet before surgery and Optifast is definitely not low carb (each package has almost 17 grams of carbs x 4 packs a day = 68 grams of carbs a day). Each pack also has 22 grams of Protein, but your total calories for the day with 4 packs is only 900 calories. My understanding of the pre-op diet is low calorie, low sugar, low fat diet that promotes weight loss, which in turns shrinks the fat around your liver. High protein is used as a basic appetite suppressent. You stay satisfied for longer on higher protein food, while carbohydrates give you instant satisfaction, but don't stick with you for long.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you are 20 and have only carried your excess weight for a couple of months, you will have sagging skin! Unfortunately skin is not elastic enough to snap back from a 100 pound loss. Think about it - when you lose 100 pounds that is a massive number of inches off of all areas of your body. When I look at my body, I realize that I have basically "deflated". Not pretty, but it is reality. I was watching "Big Medicine" on the learning channel last week and they showed the plastic surgery journey of a young (I think about 27) year old who gained and lost over 100 pounds in about 1 1/2 years-2 years. The rest of her body looked pretty good, but her stomach was very saggy.

Sometimes shoulder pain is also a reflection or sign of stomach emptiness or conversely being overly full. I noticed the shoulder pain again after I got my first fill, about 2 months after my surgery. I get the pain when I haven't eaten in a very long time (4 or 5 hours) and also sometimes when I get quite full.

LJM I just wanted to thank you for being an inspiration to all of us and for being so generous in sharing your journey (the good and the bad). I haven't yet gotten up the nerve to post pictures of me with clothes on, yet I look for your pictures with anticipation, to see how much you have accomplished and how great you look. I have a question for you (ok maybe I didn't just want to thank you) . As you can see from my ticker, I weighed close to your starting weight, and when I look at your pictures, I see a lot of my own body (although I carried a lot more weight in my arms and with a stiff wind I could sail a boat with the flaps now hanging). Anyways, did your doctor tell you how much skin and fat he removed when he did your tummy tuck? I was kind of wondering how much weight I am carrying down there and I thought you might have a general idea of how much was taken away. Thanks in advance and know that many of us wait for your posts!!

People have posted some really great suggestions - here is mine to get started. Take a couple of weeks, buy a $0.49 little notebook and write down everything you eat (including quantities). Make a commitment to yourself that you will write it down, no matter what it is you eat. You don't have to show it to anyone and you are only lying to yourself if you don't write it down. You can choose to add the calories or fat or weight watchers points or not (doesn't really matter at this point). After 2 weeks, look at what you ate and then think about how you could make small changes that would either reduce the quantity of what you ate or make it healthier, but will satisfy you. For example: two bologna sandwichs on white bread with mayo and butter and an apple. What could you do to make this healthier? Change the bolgna to turkey, use whole wheat bread, use mustard instead of the other condiments. Maybe you could reduce from 2 to one sandwich and add a salad or veggies or yogurt or another piece of fruit. You have added fibre and reduced your calories and fat with little or no effort. I know when I first started writing things down, I absolutely hated it, but it sure did make me aware of what I was putting in my mouth. I was totally shocked about the what I was eating and the quantities of what I would eat (especially in the evenings at home). Because I had to write it down, I started to think more about whether I was really hungry or just bored or emotional. If I was really hungry I ate something, if not I tried to find something to do to distract myself or got something to drink. This really helped me get started. I still write everything down. I passively (or actively depending on how you want to look at it) resisted doing any real exercise until 2 months after banding. I now also exercise 4-5 times per week for at least 1 hour each session. 3 days a week I combine sprint circut (Curves like activity) for 30 minutes and also sandwich that with 40-50 minutes of cardio (eliptical and treadmill). The other 1-2 days, I do at least 60 minutes of cardio. If I stretch it 65-70 minutes of cardio I am managing to go 4 miles at one time!! I am so much fitter and stronger now, and I started with a BMI of 55.:biggrin2:

The PMS frosting sounds fabulous and I actually have all the ingredients so I will have to try!!!!:biggrin: I agree with those who posted about using moderation, but still allowing yourself treats and things you really want. I still snack (I actually prefer hearty, salty or fatty to sweet - not that I don't eat sweets), but I "fool" myself with fake outs that still satisfy the "want" without the "guilt". For example, I love Turkey Pepperoni - 1 stick only has 45 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. I also regularly eat the 100 calorie packs of popcorn. If I really want chocolate, I love the Jello No sugar added Chocolate pudding (made with skim milk, fat free and only 60 calories).

Before surgery I started going to WW. Not going now, but still counting points as I find it easy and realistic. That said - I don't eat all my "allowable points". I generally stick to 20-25 points per day, more on special occasions. I still document everything I eat on a daily basis, because it keeps me honest. Many bandsters on this forum have chosed to go low carb. I have consciously chosed not to do so. I have been on low carb diets many times and have been very successful, only to regain the weight (plus extra) as soon as I introduced even a few carbs. For me, I thought it would be better to continue eating as I plan to eat for the rest of my life, just in moderation! In terms of websites I really like Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate You can use the basic service for free and I find I have been able to find everything I eat (or a basic equivalent) and it also tracks the nutrients (including fat and fiber). It also compiles really cool charts for you and you can track exercise (although I don't believe that the number of calories it says you use is accurate). As a benefit, lots of people have inputted recipes and included the nutritional content, so you can also increase your cooking repetoire :biggrin:

Thanks for the support Sue. We do seem to be on similar journeys!! I am pleased and proud to join you. I was thinking that I should do something to celebrate (your rings sounds like it was lovely), but I haven't got a clue what to do. I actually bought a ring to remember my trip to Europe last summer (ok now we are starting to be eerily similar!), but I will have to get it resized soon as it is slipping off my finger. I have been treating myself to new, cheap clothes as I have been going along. I have to laugh though because I wore the same clothes from 409 down to about 300 and now my pants are getting too big every 10-20 pounds, so the thrill of buying new pants evey couple of months is starting to pall. I used to celebrate by eating (along with every other emotion or event). I am glad to say that I don't have any desire to do that at this time (and hopefully forever). Anyone have any suggestions on how to celebrate?

Hi everyone, I have been looking for Breakfast or snack ideas that are low calorie, low fat and still taste good. I will tell you that I can tolerate anything as long as I chew, chew, chew. I made both of these recipes on the weekend and am enjoying both, although I wll add some other spices to bring more flavor when I make them again (eg. cinammon or apple spice etc). I counted calories, fibre and fat from each of the ingredients that I used, so the counts are accurate according to the ingredients I used. Fiber One Muffins 1 cup whole wheat flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 3/4 cup Fiber One Cereal 3/4 cup fat free milk 1/4 cup honey 2 egg whites 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 medium banana, mashed Makes 12 muffins. Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray muffin tins with non stick spray. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine cereal and milk and let stand for 2-3 minutes. Add the honey, egg whites, and beat well. Stir in applesauce and banana. Add flour mixture and mix only until dry ingredients are moistened. Fill muffin tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Nutritional Info: Per muffin Calories: 92.3 Dietary Fibre: 5.125 g Fat: 0.3 g Low Fat Blueberry Bran Muffins 1 1/2 cup wheat bran 1 cup non fat milk 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 egg 1/2 cup honey 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup blueberries Makes 12 muffins. Preheat oven to 375 F and prepare muffin tins with non stick spray. Mix together wheat bran and milk and let stand for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, egg, honey, and vanilla. Beat in bran mixture. Sift together whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir into bran mixture until just blended. Fold in blueberries. Scoop into muffin tins and bake 15-20 minutes, until tops spring back when lightly tapped. Nutritional information: Per muffin Calories: 94.16 Fibre: 4.5 g Fat: 0.75 g

I started this leg of my journey on June 12, 2007 (the day after my 42 nd birthday). I call it "my committment day". I joined weight watchers that day in preparation for the surgery and have been progressing in my journey steadily. I have had my ups and downs, but I have "stayed the course". I didn't let myself get overwhelmed by the amount that I had to lose because I just refused to think about it (for once I used denial as a friend) and I set my expectations quite low (or high depending on how you look at it). When I set up my ticker, I didn't go for a healthy BMI goal - I have never (to my knowledge except as a baby) been a healthy BMI. I got on the scale this morning (unfortunately I am addicted to my scale) and realized that on the 9 month anniversary of my committment day, I have lost 100 pounds. Frankly I don't have a clue about how I feel. I am really proud of how hard I have worked and how much I have achieved, yet at the same time as I am posting this, I can't stop crying. I don't think I am sad - maybe it is more like I am having delayed feelings of being overwhelmed. I just thought I would share that - not so people can think about how nuts I am (although feel free to think that), but to say that people have their feelings, and there is no way to know when and how you are going to react to what life brings that day. Despite my tears, I don't feel like I am going to fail and that I can't do this, I am actually thinking that maybe (I haven't made the decision) I should change my goal BMI to the "normal" weight range.

I started the "new me" journey on June 12, 2007 (the day after my 42nd birthday). I got on the scale this morning and hit the magic 100 pounds gone in 9 months exactly! :drool: I am not actually sure how I feel about it. Don't get me wrong- I am very proud of what I have accomplished and how hard I have worked, but as I write this I am starting to cry. Not really sad - I guess I don't know what I feel - maybe overwhelmed.

Kat 817- thanks for your kind words. You have been very generous with your support to many people on this forum and I always enjoy reading your posts. Other Kat - wow you have been through a huge ordeal! I hope you are all clear of the cancer now. The lap band and port are REALLY easy in comparison. I hear you about Dr's though. My ileo/lap band surgeon has been so supportive, while the bowel guy has been a complete jerk. When I saw him a year ago, he point blank told me not to bother coming back until I had lost at least 100 pounds. When I attempted to make an appointment last week, he declined to see me, until I created a big stink about him sticking to his word as I have lost almost 100 pounds. I hope to be around 200 when I see him in June and hopefully his attitude will have changed a bit. Unfortunately there aren't too many dr.s in his specialty and I can't stand the thought of waiting another year to see someone else. I am probably not the best person to get advice on pouch adhesion as I have extreme difficulties in that area. I have a huge peristomal hernia and wounds around my stoma that have not healed in 1 1/2 years (not that jerk surgeon above cares about that :thumbup:). I have not been able to have a pouch adhere for more that 24 hours in many months (last month was a total nightmare where I used 45 pouches in 29 days). I need to have a bowel resection before I can have my ileostomy reversed and the hernia fixed, so no relief for 2 more surgeries. I think you need to be prepared that as you lose weight and your body shape changes, flange adhesion may be impacted. I haven't noticed sagging skin to be an issue (not because I don't have sagging skin because my sagging skin is like the 8th nightmare of the world), but if the area around your stoma starts to dimple or dip, that is another story. I have had a number of surgeries, although only 2 laproscopically (ileo and lap band). The surgeon did not have any problems doing the lap band laproscopically with me. He did the main, mid line incision horizontally beside the vertical incision of the ileostomy incision. Hmmm - between the sagging skin and the frankenstein surgery scars all over my body, I am thinking I should be promoted to the 7th nightmare of the world :thumbup:. Best wishes!

I was always a very high producer (hence my thoughts that I was chronically dehydrated for a long time). My normal days now are less than half of what they used to be - but be warned I have traded poop for gas:rolleyes:. It seems fine during the day, but once I lay down at night the air begins!!! I still get up usually twice a night to check and release. You will see other people post about burping a lot after a fill, my reaction seems to be night farts. My stoma has also shrunk by 1/4 " (I had a big stoma). I wonder if I should be counting that in my other measurements?:thumbup: I have never had any problem eating fibre, and continue to eat as much as I can. I sometimes had problems in the past when I ate a large amount of vegetables, but since I eat so much less now, I can eat everything without issue. I still tend to produce right when I eat, that hasn't really changed since the surgery, although not with every meal (seems worse earlier in the day). Most days I eat a package of low sugar oatmeal for Breakfast, for lunch a Protein (1/2 c. cottage cheese or 2 oz of low fat meat or cheese), a carbohydrate (maybe trisuit or Wasa wheat crackers, a piece of weight watchers whole wheat toast, or a low fat small homemade muffin) and if I have room a small yogurt or piece of fruit - I may have that for a snack later. For dinner I have 2-3 oz of protein and vegetables (usually cooked as I like cooked veggies better). If I have a snack in the evening, I usually have a 100 calorie pack snack of something (popcorn is a favorite). My calorie count is usually around 1000 a day. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, doing cardio every workout, plus strength training 3 times a week. I have not been overly restricted up til now (just had my second fill last week - getting used to it but having no issues or pain) but I have managed my appetite very easily. I am in a strange position of actually having to plan to eat to make sure that I am getting enough nutritious food because I am not hungry. Yet just to be contradictory, pretty much every night, right after supper I want to continue eating, although I know I am full. My mind is a mystery to me! I know this a long post - but when I look above, I will say that my lap band has not really changed my ileostomy and what happened before, still does, maybe just a little less (except for the gas). One of the reasons I got the lap band is because I may have the opportunity to get my ileostomy reversed in the future, if I can have a successful bowel resection. That surgeon (different guy), refused to even look at me at my previous weight. I finally have an appointment to see him again on June 12, so hopefully I will now be able to proceed. Although I had a rough start, I don't regret anything (ok I do regret gaining 57 pounds in 2 weeks :blushing:), and I would gladly get the lap band again. The surgery is a piece of cake compared to what you have gone through in the past, and if it is right for you, I would really encourage it. Oh by the way, the surgeon placed my port quite high (just below my ribs) on the opposite side of my ileostomy. If there is anything I can do to assist, let me know! Good luck.

Hi Kat, I had an ileostomy almost 2 years ago (April 2006) and was banded on September 25, 2007. I did have a set back after surgery, due to my ileostomy, but looking back, I think I may have been chronically dehydrated due to my ileostomy for a long time. After my surgery, I did not have any hunger and lost over 30 pounds between surgery and my follow-up Dr. appointment in 3 weeks. I knew that I was quite sick (incredibly weak and dizzy) and my ileostomy was producing incredible amounts (between 2 and 3 litres a day), but I hung on to see my surgeon (who also did my ileostomy). He ended up putting me in hospital and I ended up staying for 2 weeks. I was very sick, my blood tests revealed that I had really screwed up all of my electrolytes. Unfortunately I ended up gaining 57 pounds :eek: (no that isn't a typo) with all the iv fluids being poured into my body. I lost 25 pounds quite quickly, but the rest took almost 2 1/2 months. No one can quite explain what happened to me, although the most reasonable explanation seems to be that because of the lap band surgery, my bowels got very confused and decided that everything I ate and drank had to be immediately ejected from my body. My ET nurse has said that your small intestine is a very greedy organ and that at any sign of trouble, it will take over and divert everything to itself, starving your other organs. Happily, I haven't had any more complications since that time and my body has settled down. My production is down a great deal (I am eating a lot less now), but I haven't noticed any other difficulties. I take a Multivitamin and a Calcium supplement daily. I just had my blood work done last week and all was normal, except my Iron, which was low (first time ever), so now I started taking an iron supplement as well.

2bslimsherri I am actually Canadian, so if you come to Western Canada (at least BC or Alberta), you can shop in Safeway and get the Eating Right Brand. The skinny cow fudge bars sound great, I will have to try them. I usually ignore the brand as they are so expensive here, but I do really like the idea of something that makes me feel like I have had a decandent treat. :drool: Also delicious: The Laughing Cow light pasteurized cheese wedges (2 wedges have 50 calories and 2.5 g of fat). I usually have them with some high fibre crackers (think Wasa). If you are Canadian, you know Tim Horton's. I have a recipe for a "light version" of the famous Ice Cappacino that is delicious and makes a huge glass (about 2 cups) for about 100 to 110 calories for the entire recipe: 1 cup skim milk 2 tsp instant or decaf coffee 1 Tbsp unsweetened coca 2 Tbsp splenda granular (I use about 6 of the individual packages) 5 ice cubes Blend all in a blender - it makes about 2 cups. I got the recipe last summer from the Weight Watchers web site. If you like doing substitution stuff to make famous items healthier, there is a great web site - HungryGirl.com that is pretty interesting.

I can eat almost everything, except bananas. For whatever reason, a banana just gets totally stuck. I can eat other fruits, I just need to make sure I take small bites and chew really well.

There are quite a few threads devoted to Protein shakes. Go look at the food section of the forum and you will see some. That said, a tasty trick for most shakes is to blend them with ice in a blender (they usually taste way better when extremely cold and frothy). As well you can buy flavored syrups (DaVinci is one brand) that are sugar free, calorie free and fat free that you can add to improve and mix up the flavor. I have tried the raspberry and amarreto (almond) flavors and found them both great. DaVinci has a website so you can look up locations in your area or order them online. Good Luck!! :eek:

Thanks Staindgal, I truly believe that if you approach the band as a tool that helps you help yourself and not a miracle cure, most people can be successful. I still do all the work, the band just helps me control myself better. I am exercising 4-5 days a week and trying to keep my calories around 1000 a day. That said, if I really want something, I have it. I still eat Cookies - but instead of every day and a whole package, I eat them 1-2 times a week and 2 cookies. Huge difference!!! Moderation is the key - the band helps me moderate myself. Some "tricks" that I have used in the evening if I feel the absolute need to eat: Turkey pepperoni (only 50 calories and 2.5 gr of fat a stick), 100 calorie packs of popcorn, 100 calorie snack packs (although I like the popcorn better as I can eat it one kernal at a time and it takes quite a while - I can psych myself out better that way). I have also eaten the no sugar added puddings (60 calories, 1 gr of fat) and I have discoverd a "potato krisp" sold by Safeway (their "eating right" brand) that has onlt 110 calories and 1.5 g of fat for a 1 oz serving (which fills a Cereal bowl). The BBQ is delicious. You will notice a theme of trying to stay around 100 calories for the snack but still be satisfied. Good luck and much success to you!:biggrin2:

The lap band will not stop the head hunger you talk about, but I find that I am able to distract myself better and talk myself out of eating, because I am not actually hungry. For the first time in my life, the little voice in my head isn't saying "just eat it because you want it", but rather is saying "are you really hungry?" and "is there something else you could eat that would satisfy?" Not only is the little voice speaking sense, but I am actually listening to it! :w00t: I am still pretty mixed up in that often times I have to actually think about and plan to eat at least 1000 calories per day (I sometimes don't get that much in, but then my weight loss stalls). On the other hand, evenings are my problem time, where I finish my dinner and immediately want to eat more, even though I am not hungry, and am in fact quite full. I find that if I can get to about an hour after dinner, the urge to just "eat for the sake of eating" has passed and I am fine. The urges are less since banding (I used to eat all evening) and I control my snacking by choosing lower calorie, lower fat items.

On my signature line I include my "highest ever" (at least that I know of) of 409 pounds. That was back in 1994. I want to include that number, because it is a reminder of where I have been, how much I have accomplished and where I never want to go again. In 1994 I lost some weight through Weight watchers and then didn't weigh again for a few years and was then down to about 350. Unfortunately that weight loss was not due to diet, but rather undiagnosed diabetes. I hung out at about 350 for many years, until I got really sick in 2006 and lost a lot of weight due to that illness. My ticker reflects the weight I was when I really became serious about weight loss (322 pounds) in June of 2007. For me, this date has been a total turn around in my journey and my life. :tongue: For me it is important to acknowledge, in some way, that I am actually down 174 pounds from my highest, although only 1 or 2 people in my real life has quite that much information :cursing:.