Hi Hansi.  I was so concerned reading your blog.  I'm hoping you have shared with your husband how you are feeling about being turned down for the surgery.  I have read the book and found it very refreshing.  It really sums up what we already know.  Yet, the author's approach is with kindness and much encouragement that you can't help but believe in the success of his approach.  I liked it immediately because it's not a starvation diet.  For me, it will call for getting rid of my sweet-tooth and snack-tooth in favor of foods that supports being alive.    The author helps you to really look at what we are doing to our bodies and challenges us to step up to the plate and change the destructive cycles.  I encourage you to seize this new opportunity as that fresh start on life that you most long for.  The good thing is that life is still a day by day proposition and every day a blessing.  I know you are a blessing to your family and know its time to be a blessing to yourself.  That's what will make all the difference int he world for me.  Stay blessed and talk with you soon.

Hansi, I am so proud of you for taking the action that you did! It proves that you are a fighter and will overcome this obstacle! It also shows the true feelings in raw form, of how being overweight can make you feel. I thank you for being so honest and sharing your experiences. Though I know they were rough times for you, they most definitly will encourage others. Plus, I think your kids have a very loving Mother that would do anything for them. Lucky them :)

Hansi, So happy to hear from you.  You are my first new friend and this is my first time trying to communicate backto you.  Thank you for the lovely comments and I have to tell you how sorry I am that things have been so difficult for you.  I know the struggles of disappointment and rejection.  I will pray for you and your family. I know how much you were counting on the surgery but I feel there is a reason that you were turned down at this time.  I am happy that you have started the 17 day Diet too.  I am on my 5th day and have struggled with a few things.  Water, water, water! I can usually get down 6 or 7 or the 8th glasses but not all eight.  I do enjoy the hot water with lemon in the morning.  Raw vegetables hurt my stomach so when I eat the super salad the next two days I'm in pain.  I will continue this journey with you and hope you are doing well.  God bless you!  Laurie 

WOW what an amazing story of sadness and stregth, your story is truly the most heart warming touching story I've ever read.

I started the Diet 5 days ago and am down 10 pounds, and trust me if I can do it you can do it. I am a 34 yr old Mom of one son (6) and have been having medical problems that have my Doctors stumped. So I decided to do somehting for myself, maybe it will work maybe it won't, but either way I will find the healthy skinny girl I know is inside of me. (ok maybe not skinny, but much smaller...hehe)

I'm so sorry you have had such a rough go of it, but I believe you can succeed, and made a good start of it by signing up for this challenge.

I look forward to keeping in touch with you. Stay positive, you CAN do this :D

T    

Welcome to the site!  I know you can do the 17 day diet plan.  Keep blogging and posting on the messageboard -- there is so much encouragement here.  If there is a problem, just write -- many people may have the same problem, etc.  It is a wonderful place to be.

Melissa.

I am joining you today.  I  have not been employed for over 18 months and, although completed a master's degree in the meanwhile, I am feeling a bit pathetic about my inability of getting a job (and even helpless!).  So I just joined the vanwagon...Here I go...It is only 17 days for now!