My first nite without pap, in 7 years

gasp wrote:Regarding your comment, "I need a lifestyle change, or maybe a life. I have given up most things I love to do in life, looks like food is next. Not really, you have to draw a line somewhere!" . . .

I don't know if this will help but I sincerely hope so. As a lifetime student of fitness I was thin most of my left except after taking fertility meds which put me in the position of having to look at food differently and the hard job of losing the 60 pounds of weight I had gained on the medication in a short three months. I can now empathize with others that have to lose. That's the upside.

Anyway, I learned to love the food that nourished me and also helped me to lose. I cherished it that it existed and that I didn't have to starve to lose. I learned to embrace those foods knowing that when I hit my maintenance weight I could incorporate more of the foods that brought me pleasure previously in my life. It took YEARS to lose all the weight and then I began the exciting journey of achieving even more fitness than I had previously. I decided to put my physical health ahead of all other goals but not at the expense of friends and family.

So, what I'm saying is it's not about the pounds on the scale either now or in the end as it is about the wellness journey. By embracing all that contributes to health, both your body and mind can reward you with feeling better than you ever imagined. I have a 78 year old neighbor who fell and broke her hip and who then did the rehab. When she exhausted her benefits she joined a gym and got a trainer. She now not only walks without a walker, but without a cane. Yesterday when visiting she told me that she knows she will never line dance or hike again, but she can pull down 70 pounds in the gym! She then showed us her biceps : ) This woman is so awesome.

I wish you the best on your journey : ))