Thank you so much for your responses, and I should have been a little more clear. My daugther can exercise, but I have been cautioning her because of the additional weight. She just returned from the special assignment, checked in with her supervisor, and is on a leave for a week or two to study for a test. She has 2 months before she has to take the PT test, and knows she has to exercise. She has a treadmill in her house as well as weights. She absolutely loves the Navy, but when on special assignments, she cannot always eat right. There are no fresh foods, she get tired and eats what is there. She was not in a dangerous place, but a place where she couldn't go out and purchase good foods. Whenever that happens she overeats and has to lose weight. I am afraid that she will develop gall stones or injure her knees. We have a very good relationship, and laugh about our eating habits. 12 hours after talking to the Jenny Craig people she ordered a pizza. But she called the 1-800 number and talked to the Jenny Craig counselor before she ate it. She thinks the program is good. I was impressed that they had a number for her to call. She loves pizza and had not had an American pizza in 6 months. The more she talks about it the more I think the program sounds good for her. My own experience is that additional weight can hurt your knees. She has access to a pool but does not want to go there and walk. I thought walking in water was the very best exercise for people who needed to protect their knees, but she has moved a TV into the room where the treadmill is, and she has her own plans. I sure would appreciate any suggestions. The military will never mention her weight to her, she will be required like anyone else to weigh in at that certain time, which is 2 months from now. I just don't want her to injure herself or get sick with a funny diet. In the past she has taken some weird pills from non Navy physicians and has had problems. It sounds like for her Jenny Craig might work. I did talk to her about the amount of exercise and the 1200 calories. Health clubs have always told me to eat no less than 1800 calories when I work out. Sammy

Sounds good! Recently had rosemary pork tenderloin, sliced, served cold. Really good.

" ... and ran through 2 pair of running shoes (no embedded commercial message included here)". o j

What a great thread...just found it today as I was surfing GW - I live mostly on the Kitchen & Home building forums :) Ilene - I was particularly interested in hearing your story - how is your daughter doing? I, too, had gastric bypass in Jan 06...my only regret was that I didn't do it earlier. I was indeed 'dying' a slow death & to me, it was the last resort, too. It took me 20 years to finally decide. I researched until all the cows came home...I am one to research something to death - I had to be sure. I'm almost 5 years post-op & I feel great! I've lost about 165 lbs & feel so much better. Hubby likes it, too ;) (Before & after pic below). The bypass is by no means a 'free pass'...it's a tool that, if used correctly, can have dramatic results. There is no magic solution...one still has to work. Yes, it does make it easier in some areas but the surgeon's knife didn't work on my brain. I had to use the 'honeymoon' period to build the good habits that will keep the weight off. I'm not perfect but like with anything you do...you just keep shooting toward the mark. :) Sugar was the reason I weighed 333 lbs. I was blessed with an intense sweets aversion from the moment I woke up. God must've said, "This gal needs this!" LOL A lot of people have sweets aversion following surgery (along with other weird food tastes that do eventually change) but they most often 'train' themselves right back into the sugar habit by just switching to sugar-free or even with the real stuff. I just chose to keep the white stuff out of my life. I was the dessert queen so it was kind of a challenge to hand off my 'crown' :) I do have to be careful, though...my sweet tooth has become very salty - love salt (funny, I have low blood pressure). I love those new Pop Chips - very low calories & fat. My favorite snack is the Revival Soy Jalapeno Cheddar protein chips...yum! The thing that helps me is cooking in bulk & freezing in portions. I make a lot of Arrabbiata Sauce (a spicy Italian sauce) & either combine it with meatballs or 'chunky' cooked hamburger (when I cook I don't mash the meat into tiny bits...I keep it 'chunky' so it's meaty.) I eat that with cottage cheese & don't miss the pasta at all. When hamburger is on sale, I make 2 huge pans of meatballs & cook them in the oven & store in Ziploc bags in the freezer. I can use these in so many different ways. I also make a boatload of chili at a time - one of my favorite meals. I've gathered a lot of favorite recipes & try to always have something on hand. For me, planning is essential. I fill my fridge with in-season produce & veggies. I make a lot of roasted veggies & eat with cottage cheese. I make tons of homemade salsas & use Mission extra-thin corn tortillas for my 'chips'. Quarter them, zap in micro for about 1:30 until crispy, 1 oz cheese on top, zap, serve with salsa, sour cream & a few grapes. I make a lot of beans, rice for...