cathgr8

Hi, I started taking Xanax earlier this year. I couldn't sleep much at all without it. I have come to the realization that I have probably always been anxious, and used food to medicate it. Without my "medication," it was out of control. My doctor didn't want to up the Xanax when I was still having anxiety during the day, so I recently added Pristiq, an antidepressant. I felt a difference in 24 hours. I don't think either have affected my weight much.

Hello Junebies, checking in here. I am 8 pounds from goal, but this past few months have focused on dealing with my horrible anxiety, and also ended up having a D&C last week, working very hard as well. Maybe now I can start on that last bit of weight. I broke it off with the love of my life last night. I thought I would be devastated, but find now it is a relief. he lived 300 miles away and it just got to be too much with a 17 year old to finish raising and working so hard. Also, I am now on meds which have taken away my anxiety, and the break up may help that as well. Wish me luck!

Today is my bandiversary also. Congrats to all. I managed to lose 4 pounds during my trial. The jury came back today in my client's favor, so it's a double celebration.

Stella, Just wanted to let you know that while I won't make it to goal by my second bandiversary, I am only 11 pounds away. It can be done. I've been noticing since many stressful events converged on me starting a couple of months ago, I have had several PB's, which had never previously happened. Other than that, I have exercised little to not at all, and I thinnk my secret is never being overfilled, so being able to stick to the dietary rules. Wish me luck gang. I started my first jury trial in many years yesterday. Talk about a stressful event!

I don't know why but my email stopped getting updates, so I just saw that bathing suit pic. I'd say you were brave to post it, but you look damn good actually. It looked a bit roomy. I have been having huge ups and downs, my BF went through a midlife crisis and broke up with me to spare me from it (??). I spent a few days trying to get some better explanation, then said, so long have a good life. It took him three days to beg me to take him back and a week to convince me that he is sincere and wants to stay with me. In the meantime, I lost three pounds. So of course, in the process of celebrating, I gained them back plus more. Today, two of them are gone, whew! My 17 yo DS is giving me nothing but trouble. Can't even turn in the work on Independent Study, totally evasive and moody. My 23 yo DD is calling me crying daily and said she might move back home because her BF quit his job and they're broke. And work has been grueling, I may be trying a case next week, and the preparation is killing me. I was hired to do research and writing, but as usual, they are throwing me into the fire. I'm taking Xanax before bed, because my anxiety has been keeping me awake at night. The only comfort I have is that I look so much better, feel so much better and know if this had all happened two years ago, it may have been even worse on me. Hoping to reach goal by August 4, my vacation. BF taking me to Hawaii. I don't think I'll be taking any bathing suit pics though!

This is something I have seen on some other threads. I have not had a friend who came out and said anything, but in some of my friendships, and frankly, even my children, I sometimes get the feeling they are uncomfortable relating to the new me and avoid me at times. I don't look like the Cathy or mom they were expecting to see, and they aren't sure who I am. This has been ongoing since I lost about 30 pounds. The surgery happened when my son was 15, and we had a pretty strong relationship. Of course all teenagers want to avoid their moms, but he seems to have almost taken the change as having his mom taken away from him at the same time and it sure compicates things. My daughter moved away, and when she does see me it's like she has to feel me out to make sure I'm the same mom. Luckily, I met my boyfriend after losing 60 pounds, and he knew me when we were 14, and I was slim then, so it hasn't been an issue with him. You should tell your friend how hurt you are in my opinion, tell her you thought your relationship was based on more than making her look good, but if that's all it was, it's best not to continue it, or she may need some time to process and get some help for her own issues.

I started out with a goal that was 140 pounds lighter. I have never focused on the pounds. I focus on the rules, and the pounds have melted off without much trouble at all, and I have added five pounds to my desired weight to account for my advanced age and extra skin, so that now I'm within 14 pounds of goal. If you don't think about your goal in terms of pounds, it, makes it a lot easier to deal with. Celebrate following the rules and not losing each pound.

I would love to get the last 15 pounds off by my bandiversary. I happen to have a wedding that weekend - my BF's daughter, first time meeting his ex wife. I know that it isn't as simple as I'm making it. People have different experiences with the tightness of the band which seem to make them avoid the hard proteins. I have never even PB'd until my last fill, had restriction with no fill, and I still have a very small amount of fill. So in some ways I'm lucky too. my doctor is very conservative, keeps saying it's about quality of life, and without the ability to eat hard protein, it's a much more difficult process.

I started PBing after my last fill. The last time it was so bad, I drove to the market, bought pineapple juice and Adolph's meat tenderizer, waited in line for a $300 order to get checked out before me, then went home, put a half teaspoon of the meat tenderizer into 2 oz of pineapple juice and drank. I could feel the blockage dissolve immediately. It happened again last week at work, but this time I had the meat tenderizer in my purse. I mixed it with warm water, and voila, instant relief. I learned about it elsewhere on this forum. Hope it helps.

Aimee, I continue to lose weight without exercising, and I'm convinced it's because I eat hard protein first with every meal and don't drink for an hour after. I haven't updated my ticker, but I've lost 122 lbs. now and only about 15 more to go.

I thought I'd check in since it's been awhile. Things have gotten better for me with a lot of hard work. My son is seeing a new therapist he loves, and has gone on independent study, which he is enjoying and keeping up with. My daughter finally got some Abilify which has smoothed out her moods, so I'm not getting thoose hysterical phone calls and messages every couple of days anymore. I have gone on Lexapro, and am seeing a great therapist, which is easing my anxiety. All of this has smoothed the rockiness with my BF. I found a cheaper place to live, consolidated all my debt into a low interest loan, and while I dread the moving, I have a dream that when I get there, I will sit down and think I have nothing left to worry about. I have not been eating too badly, but not exercising enough as usual. And my son stole my scale so I don't know what I weigh. After the move on the 22nd, its back to getting those last few pounds off with a vengeance.

Barbara, Thank you. A prayer has gone out for you,. Keep us posted.