As we move into the new year...

 Hello all my January Buddies!! One year ago I was nothing more than a fat couch potato! I was struggling to keep up with my children and was ashamed to get out the door. I still have some self-esteem issues, but no where near what they were before. My confidence is gradually coming back. People barely recognize me as I barely recognize myself. I cannot believe how different I look, but mostly how different I feel. I finally feel that my old self is finally coming back and I enjoy being seen with my friends and family for the first time in a long time. I weighed over 290 pounds and now I am weighing in at 141. I still have a few pounds to lose. I did reach my goal of wearing a size 8 which I thought I would never see. I could probably wear a smaller size, but the excess skin, or dough as I like to call it prevents that. I have considered somewhere down the line of having plastic surgery, but I am still unsure. 

As we enter the new year and our one year post-op anniversary,  I want to wish everyone the best. I want to thank all of you for taking this journey with me to become healthier people. There are not too many people who can understand where we come from, but I am so thankful to those who do. I want to spend the new year spreading the word that there are changes we can all make to become healthier and happier people. I want those struggling with obesity to be aware of the options they have open to them. It has been a crazy year, but I would never take back any of the choices I have made to get me here. I will also be spending the new year maintaining the gift my surgeon granted me. Here is to an even healthier and happier 2011 

Before



After

 Congrats!!!! :o) You look fantastic!!!
Love the new color on you too :o)
I was 317lbs, And am currently 144lbs! 

Celia- I have to totally agree with you. It has been such a struggle this year. All the "adjustments" you have to make.  I was 260lbs this time of year last year; I am now 133lbs!! Holy Cow!! I still have self esteem problems too (excess skin is the biggest). I still have a problem seeing me as skinny, yet every day someone is telling me how skinny I am. It has been one wirl wind of a year! I never thought that I would even get this low. I am going to have plastic surgery, at least on my stomach in January 2012. I can't wait!

I hope everyone else is doing well. I will get a current picture up soon. I would love to see how everyone else is doing one year out! Talk to eveyone soon!! Here is to the new us, and a new year!