sleep has a role in weight gain for me, as well as all that's been mentioned. I eat a lot more if I'm doing insomnia drills - today, for instance. Today is a good example. So I'm going to try and get some good nights' sleep and hope that my dining choices are a lot better tomorrow.

Changes which they adopt for good.

Yeah, that's the problem. Ah well.

On the Santa tip, a friend of mine made these videos for her kids that show "Santa" talking to them about what they want for Christmas, and what they have to do to get them. It was creepy! I could find the link if anyone is interested.

I took off over 50 pounds through low-carb and running. Then Mom got sick and my time for exercise went way down. Plus I realized I could help her through chemo or give a rat's ass about my carb count, but not both. I think most people who live their lives with a large amount of extra weight (more than 20 or so extra pounds), have to be able to make significant, permanent changes to their life styles to take and keep it off. For some people having "keep the weight off" as a second job isn't an option. And for other people, it's an option, but not worth it. There are worse things in life than being fat.

I've only been swimming since Sep '09. Most of the weight came off before that. A lot has changed in the past few years.

My dress is now perfect, with new bling. Still need to get safety pins to tack the shoulders to my brastraps. Thought I had some, but can't find 'em.

I lost 92 pounds 12 years ago on Weight Watchers. While I've yo-yo'd over the years, I've kept all but 10 of those pounds off. It requires a huge change in mindset, though--fresh foods instead of frozen and canned; chicken or home-cooked burgers instead of half a pizza and some wings; Cheerios instead of muffins. Pasta is no longer my go-to dinner. I'll still occasionally eat a whole bag of Doritos, but I'll know as I'm doing it that I'm gonna regret it later. Used to be that I just didn't care. Now I'm very aware of the approximate calorie and carb count of everything I put in my mouth.

I could sure stand to exercise more, though.

I still go to WW, but it hasn't done much for me for the past two years other than help me maintain my current weight. I'm looking forward to the new plan and hoping it re-motivates me to try harder.

The only weight loss program that's ever worked for me is breastfeeding. Obviously not for everyone, due to the rather significant side effect of having to have a baby first.

For some people having "keep the weight off" as a second job isn't an option. And for other people, it's an option, but not worth it. There are worse things in life than being fat.

Realizing the degree to which I was going to have to obsess over everything that went into my mouth in order to make changes stick convinced me that it wasn't going to happen. There is too much I want/need to do in my life to dedicate that much brainspace to food.

Speaking of weight loss, Hi everyone!!

I'm home, finally. They ended up keeping me at the hospital until today due to some muscle loss turning into cell buildup in the bloodstream, making them concerned the cells would collect in my kidneys, but that didn't happen, so I'm home.

The procedure didn't start until 4:00 pm Monday afternoon, and lasted for four hours (an hour for the filter insertion, three for the actual bypass). After I woke up in recovery, I really didn't sleep that night at all (ugh). Had a few shots of morphine, more due to the gas pressure that they pump you full of for laproscopic surgery than any incision pain, which took until Tuesday night to go away. By Wednesday, I was feeling much better, except for the fact that my bed really sucked and had very little padding, so my butt is very sore still.

The staff were all terrific, and my doctor and his team were stopping by at least once a day to fill me on my progress. Evanston is a teaching hospital, and I had a lot of young people go through my room, but they were all very sweet.

I'm on clear liquids through Friday, and then can start with full liquids on Saturday (cream of tomato soup, stuff like that) for the next ten days. At that point, I'll be able to start pureed foods, as well as get back in the pool!! Mom's here until Monday, but I'm already feeling capable of handling myself. I will fill my Vicodin prescription just to have it in case, though.

I skipped over 1300 Natter posts, but I'll just say "YAYYYYY NILLY AND KHUSBAND!!!!!" And vibing and congrats for everyone who needs both or either. Thanks to everyone for your good vibes--they worked so well!!

Kathy, yay! Glad to see you and to hear the surgery went well! Good vibes for your recuperation.

Glad you're home, Kathy!!