Happy 1 year Anniversary to me!

It's been one year ago today that I had this life-changing surgery. At that time I was so miserable. My knees and hips hurt so bad from osteoarthritis and the extra weight I was carrying. My foot hurt so bad that I would sit and cry (plantar fascitis). I just didn't want to live any more in that condition. Exercise was not even a consideration because of my condition. Food had become my best friend and comforter. In general, I was a mess. Today I'm 170 pounds lighter and feel like a new person. Exercise has become my friend and I look forward to it and have made it a priority in my life. I strength train 3 days a week for an hour. I also walk -- and plan to start swimming soon. My knees and hips are SO MUCH BETTER. Although I have to be careful with my activities, I generally am pain free. My foot doesn't hurt any more either. And food is no longer my friend. For the first time in my life I can say that I eat to live -- instead of living to eat. For the first time in my life, I live like a normal person. Has it been easy? No way! Changing 50 years of bad habits is never easy. And it's not easy to be a new person in the old world. The people around me haven't changed and I can't expect them to change. They still reward with food. In the beginning my mom made me low sugar/sugar free treats (pies, sweet breads). But I had no desire for these. I would eat a few bites and the rest would be thrown out if she didn't eat it. So, now, although she still asks occasionally, she's stopped surprising me with treats. At work, people act almost offended when I refuse the donuts or other treats they've brought in. They say "you've gotten so skinny that one won't hurt you". Well, they don't understand "dumping" and the fact that those foods were an addiction for me for too many years. I was a foodaholic and I never want to be that person again. Having WLS was the best thing I ever gave myself! Every day I am rewarded by something good that's new in my life. It doesn't have to be a big thing, just some small thing that I couldn't have done before that I can do now -- or just feeling good about myself. I still have about 30 pounds to lose, but now I'm confident that I will get there. I never could have said that a year ago. WLS is more than just a surgical procedure -- it's a gift and none of us should take it for granted. Use it wisely and you will get the best gift you could have ever wanted -- the gift of life without obesity. 374/204/175

Hi Laina. Losing 60 pounds still makes you a winner. Just think how much better off you are than you were last year. Now you need to set small goals of where you want to be next month. I set small goals for myself periodically. In early August it was to be able to fit into shorts (that were really snug) by Labor Day (when I was taking a vacation). Well, those shorts were loose on me on my vacation. I'm currently working on my next goal. I want to be under 200 when I see my surgeon on 12/6. I set this goal when I was 214 (about a month ago). I'm within a pound or two of being there. I feel that my goals must be realistically achievable (yet challenging) -- and in a time period that I won't lose interest. And short-term goals make me exercise more faithfully. I start my day with a protein shake and end my day with a protein shake. My meals consist mostly of protein. I do my best to avoid the whites (flour, sugar, rice, pasta, and potatoes). These are occasional indulgences -- not daily food. I try to limit carbs. And I'm faithful to my vitamins. I do occasionally struggle with head hunger. But I can't honestly say that I've been physically hungry since sugery -- and that's a blessing. I (and my surgeon) attribute this to the higher amount of protein in my diet. I don't think anyone can inspire you -- that's something you have to do within yourself. You have to want to be healthier more than you want food. For 49 years food was my best friend (and my worst enemy). I had to choose: 1- keep my best friend and the pain that I had OR 2- give up food and the pain that was keeping me a prisoner in my own body. It took me 2 years to make that decision. That's pretty sad. But now I know just how strong a hold the addiction had on me. Some days I still have to fight it, but so far I'm winning -- and that's what counts. When and if I start to lose the fight, I already have a psychologist picked out to see. He specializes with obesity issues. He's spoken to our support group several times and I believe that he truly understands. Look at your life and find that inspiration. As you achieve small goals, your faith and self-confidence in yourself will grow. And that's a wonderful feeling. I challenge you to find it for yourself! Deb