I just discovered the anniversary board too. I also had my surgery on Sept . 22, 2003. I am sometimes amazed at the amount of food I can eat . There are days that I eat what seems like massive amounts and I worry about gaining but I usually gain 2 or three lbs. but seem to lose it and more. I am still losing weight so I guess its ok. i lost 255 lbs. to date so I am not unhappy.

Hi Everyone: HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL!!! Well, it seems tha I spoke too soon last week when I told you that Joanna was doing better and was home. I had to take her back to the hospital Sunday night and she spent another 3 days there. She's doing better now and is home. I told her that I would not tell anyone until she's home for 48 hours (LOL). As for me, now that's she is home, maybe I can get back to my normal schedule. With her in the hospital I've been getting to the gym around 7:30 in the evening instead of 5:30 and I can tell the difference. It sort of throws off eating and the like because I wind up getting home around 9:30 and it's too late to really eat before going to bed. Despite all of this, I still get to the gym at least 5 out of every 7 days. I'm looking forward to seeing and meeting my fans at the OH East Coast Convention in 2 weeks. I know that it will be a good time Till next time, Jesse 373/190/-183

Hi Everyone: HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL!! Today is especially happy for me because I'm on my way to bring my wife, Joanna, home from the hospital. She is feeling much better allthough she has a long way to go at least she has great doctors taking care of her now. With her being home I can get back on my regular schedule of exercise. I cut back to every other night but maybe that was a good thing (sorry, Martha fans but I just had to use the term). My body probably needed the rest and now I'm raring to go with my push toward looking great for the East Coast Convention in May. Till next time, Jesse 373/190/-183

Hi Everyone: HAPPY FRIDAY AND TAX DAY TO ALL!!! I know you were all wondering where was my weekly post but I was so busy at the office today that I'm just getting the time to post now. As I was lurking this week I had a thought so here it is. We all measure success in different ways. Having WLS in itself is a success because a commitment has been made to change your life for the better. Regaining your health, becomming able to do things that were previously impossible to do because of obesity and learning a new way of life that most people who were never obese do not understand should be considered by all a success. Being a success is a state of mind. Not letting others determine your level of success is vital in you really believing that you are successful as you work toward your goals. Entering my 17th month post-op no one can tell me that I have not been a success. Success comes through working the plan of protein, water, vitamins and exercise. Maintaining those principles is essentail in being a WLS success story. Now that the weather is turinig springlike, promise yourself to rededicate yourself to being successful. If you have slipped a bit, just get back on the wagon. Stay focused and keep moving forward. In the end your success will be achieved. just plan your work and work your plan. Till next time, Jesse 373/190/-183

Hi Everyone: HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL!!! We have had a lot of rain here in New Jersey in the past 2 weeks and went through a poteitially harrowing experience last Saturday night. I was watching the final four and suddenly I saw a spark out my window then darkness. I went outside to investigate and found a tree leaning on the side of my house where the electric comes into the house. After the fire department determined that there was no fire we just waited for either the tree to fall or the public works department to cut it down. Public works cut the tree away from the house and power line and my power was restored about 1 AM the next morning. We were thankful that there was no fire and no real damage. My yard looks a little bare now without the tree but I can live with that. Now to my week in weight loss. I was amazed that after a few weeks at my new gym that my body fat % went down 3 points to 19%. Not a bad result. I'm doing my best to get it down some more by the time for the East Coast Convention so I can "show off" my muscles (LOL). Till next time, Jesse 373/190/-183