MAY IS ALMOST HERE

Alrighty folks .. May is almost here .. Our Rebirthday Month .. Are you as excited as I am ??? How has life changed for you since last May .. What new goals are you setting ??? What can we all do on here to Celebrate !!! What does the one year anniversary mean to you ? Well .. love you all .. and look out May Babies .. we are about to go thru Puberty !!! Huggles , Natalie

HI Natalie, Yeah, it is amazing to think what has transpired in the past year. I look back on what my life was like a year ago, and I am so glad I made this decision. 1) My health has improved dramatically. Diabetes is fully under control -- no meds since 10 days post-op. No acid reflux. No back/feet problems if I walk or dance more than 10 minutes. No bronchitis or other respiratory problems...at all, since surgery. 2) Sleep like a ROCK, always wake up refreshed and ready to go... no more forcing myself up and moving. 3) Self confidence is Improving --- had become very reclusive, kind of hiding from everything and everyone. Getting out in the world. Making new friends, going to new places....one step at a time, but doing it! Learning to be social again. 4) I look M A V E L O U S DAHLING..... who said that!!!!??? The "icing on the cake".... love to shop! love to try on clothes! Not afraid of mirrors or reflections. There is so much more to this journey than just the weight loss! I am eternally greatful that I was blessed with this opportunity. Wishing you all continued success & much happiness! Pam RNY 5/13/04 268/157 below goal & maintaining

I am not to excited sorry to say. I have so much more to lose and the futher I am out, the harder it seems to get. I have 40 to 50 pounds left. I am still on all my meds. nothing has changed. I have went out twice, but not one man hit on me either times. I am a size 14 to 16 now. That is the only good thing, it could be higher, is the way I am trying to look at it. I don't have a job now, I am so picky and the jobs I am willing to do don't want me it seems. LOL I don't have many friends at all. And all of them are married, I am too but he doesn't care to much if I go out to clubs. Just can't find anyone to go. Marriage is on the rocks. I am glad that I did have this done but just wish I was at goal by now. I do walk as much as I can, it depends on weather. Depression is still a BIG problem for me, I guess it will always be an issue. I thought that I would get all my self esteem back but I haven't yet. I still feel so fat even though I am just considered overweight now. I really kind of hate seeing May 21st coming so fast. Oh well, it is going to happen so I will deal with it when it gets here.

Oh yeah...I am excited!! Also, not so excited!! Yes...because ....I have lost 70 pounds ....I look so much better ....I feel so much better ....I have so much energy ....I love myself ....I love life ....I love my doctor ....I love everything ....I am so glad I decided to have this. Not...because ....I have 70 pounds to go ....I wanted to have this off by 1 year ....It is my fault ....It is my fault ....It is my fault My goal... To have this 70 pounds off by the end of summer when I go back to school. I will have it off by then...or else. Thanks!! Jeannie

First, it was Billy Crystal doing Fernando Lamas who said "You look M A R V A L O U S Daring". My life is in some ways completely different and in some ways the same. 1) I have lost over 180 pounds since my consult and over 170 since surgery. 2) My health issues have all cleared up. No more sleep apnea, GERD (which I didn't know I had before my endoscopy), and my compressed nerve along with all the pain and numbness that was associate with it). 3) I have run a 5K race in 36:08 at nearly 11 months post-op. My goal is to be under 36:00 by my 1 year mark. I am planning on another race near the end of April. Eight stinking seconds! 4) I love my wife more each day. She has been very supportive through everything. My goal is still 210. I was hoping to loose 200 pounds this first year - I will most likely miss that but it was never offically a 'goal'. I will continuing to run and exercise - each month I add new things and change it up. Running isn't always fun. But, I love the pilates with the big ball. I am thinking Yoga next.

Hey Nat, I can't believe we have come so far in as little as a year. On Mother's Day is my daughters' dance recital. They have a mother/daughter dance routine. I am actually rehearsing for it and I am going to be on stage with my two daughters. Last year at this time I would not dream of doing that. Life is better than ever and I am so proud of myself and all the other May Babies out there!!!!!!!! Hugs, Christine

Nat Hi, I'm pretty excited .....our support group has a fashion show where we show before pics and tell our story and we have stores that let us borrow outfits and it is so fun. I would have never even considered going on stage in front of so many people. I also don't have to take blood pressure meds anymore actually its low at times....which isnt so great either but I just have to take it a lil easy when it happens. I also for the first time in 26 yrs got a bike and try to ride everyday.....Indiana weather doesn't always let me tho. I have also been roller skating again.It's such an awesome feeling to have lost 167 lbs...one whole person....God is good. I still have more to go and have been stuck since Christmas time but I will try and up my protein and maybe that will help.Thanks for listening. God Bless, Angi 360/193/135