Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It's been 3 years since my last visit to 3fatchicks, and OMG, I have gained back weight!

I got a Realize band in Dec. 2008 and had lost over 100lbs from my highest weight, and 77 from my pre-op weight. Then I was diagnosed with chronic leukemia and I let myself go bad. I figured if my body is going to work against me, I may as well go with flow. Plus, the diagnosis occurred during a long, frustrating plateau. IDIOT!

Fortunately, I went into remission quickly with treatment and it's not really a problem--just a pain in the a$$. But at first I was so overwhelmed with fear and tears and work and doctors visits, it was so much easier to give into the food addiction again.

I'm back to all my old bad habits. the last one I haven't taken back completely is soda pop. I keep telling me the fizz will cause pain, but yesterday, I shared one with DH at the movies and it didn't. I've slid almost all the way down the slippery slope and am almost ready to end up in the deep crap I worked so hard to haul myself out of.

On Monday hubby and I are going to start the South Beach diet again. I had success with that before surgery and it's consistent with lap band protocol. I'll relearn the behaviors I let go to compliment my new and better eating style. It will be good to do it with him. We both have bellies and it makes certain things more difficult than fun these days, if you know what I mean.

I lost my job over a year ago and haven't found a new one. I've spent the time mostly writing, but not exercising, so putting on weight was easy, even though I'd started that before the end of my job. I want to feel good again. I want to loose 110lbs and get down to 200.

I was glad I found my old book of user names and passwords and that they remembered me here. I see some names I recognize here and hope to reconnect and meet new people on this step-by-step journey.

You are back, that is all that matters. You have taken the first step. You know you can do it.

I am a novice walker, I am currently training with a lady in "rehab" - she is a master veteran with 1000's of km under her belt, but she is starting again with us novices. I asked her how she feels about starting over and she replied "I count my every blessing to be able to do this one step at a time. Every journey starts the same way.. One step in the right direction."

So welcome to your new journey- yes it's the same old road, but enjoy this adventure and the people you get to meet along the road.

well, well, well. look what the cat dragged in! TERRY!!! it's great to see you - alive and quite well - even though you've been through the wringer. But that's the great thing about the surgery - it levels the playing field so if we follow the rules, we can do this!

so congrats! and it's great that your DH will be eating the same way you will. When was the last time you had your band checked? maybe an adjustment might help?

As for the whole job thing - i'm with you. i've been spottily employed over the past couple of years, and it's very hard. I'm getting by with temp work and freelance, but i'm starting to get nervous. but that's a tale for another day.

we can do this! honest! i'm still working on losing my 80 pound regain - i've lost about half of it, and am a bit stuck. Of course, if i'd eat better and exercise more ... or at least pay attention to what i'm doing ....

glad to see you, and glad you're beating back the leukemia.

Every journey starts the same way.. One step in the right direction.

Love that quote, Wheres!

well, well, well. look what the cat dragged in! TERRY!!!

Yup, JP, the car dragged me in, all right. Good to see you here!

Thanks for the early support, ladies.

I just gulped down a bowl of fruit and whipped cream. I need to relearn to eat slower--and at the table. D'oh!

amazing how the little things trip us up, isn't it? i've found that i'm trying to eat bigger bites, and then wondering why i'm running for the bathroom! and I'm struggling to pay attention to what I'm eating.

no one ever said this would be easy!

Merry Terry!!!!! A name I remember well!! Glad to see you back. I haven't been posting much lately and have gained some back too but have been getting back here and connecting again...I know that the support is key!

Welcome back honey!!

Welcome back and good luck !

I lost four pounds before I started SBD! Now, time to take back control!

Woohoo, Terry!!! good for you!!

Major thumbs up sista! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Had two good food days and writing production days. My daughter is improving her diet for health reasons and we're encouraging each other from across the country. Exercise is my nest challenge to add on. but, yay for me!

congrats!!! feels good, doesn't it? I've also been unemployed for large chunks of the past couple of years - and it's not easy. To get out of the house, I do some temp work [registered with a couple of agencies]. I'll do pretty much anything just to keep busy.

I've been enjoying the time at home, but money is really getting tight and if I get to feeling better and more energetic, I'll have to clean the house or something to burn it off! Can't have that. I finished a novel and self published it in February and am working on it's sequel, but most days not 8 hours worth. I should register with agencies to get some clerical experience beyond teaching work because I'm not going back into education.

I was bad and stepped on the scale. It says I'm down 7 lbs! Subject to change without warning. My official weigh in will be Monday morning. But it's nice to see my body is noticing my effort!

what's 'bad' about a mid-week weight check?