She started the program several years ago at 246 pounds.  She had a bad back and the surgeon wouldn’t operate until she lost some weight.  She lost a significant amount of weight and was able to have the surgery.  However, as many of you are familiar with, she then began to regain her weight.  “I can lose focus in the blink of an eye.”  She never totally regained the weight.  She would continue to address the relapses by coming to group and working on getting herself back on track. 

This last year she seems to have finally found the right balance.  Last summer, with her weight stabilized, she had plastic surgery.  “Tummy tuck finally healed, and am still glad

hat I did it, really glad.  Would do it again tomorrow even knowing the complications I had.”

In November, she shared this story:  “The other night I was sitting up with this pneumatic contraption on my legs for swelling and I was watching TV.  There I sat in the recliner, ASLEEP eating popcorn.  My husband stood in the doorway and watched me.  I think it was actually the first time he witnessed it (my eating) though I have talked about it many times.  Who the heck sits down with a box of popcorn when you know you have such an issue?  I certainly wouldn’t hand an alcoholic a beer for her bedside table if she drank in her sleep…..   what the cop out is ---going to bed or sleep with food accessable.”

Now her weight remains between 132 and 134. 

“I am not dieting per se because I have no desire to lose more, but finally know exactly what will keep me between those points on the scale.  I exercise 6 times a week for at least an hour, 1 time a week with a trainer.  People keep asking me if I am still losing weight but I have not lost since Christmas; however I have gone down in size as I have exercised more.”

Analee Mickelson