1 year check in.... WHOooooooo Hoooooooooo!

Hellooooooo November Babies... Did you ever think we would get here so fast? I can't believe it is a year already.... things have just zoomed by. I went to see my surgeon to pick up lab requests for my yearly labs.... I convinced the secretaries to get out my before picture.... OH MY WORD!!!! No wonder people don't recognize me... I didn't recognize myself in that pic!!! So, lots of people have asked and contributed their anniversary stories... sorry I am a little late... but here goes 1. How much weight have you lost total? 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)?? 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career?? the way you get treated by strangers??? by friends???? by family???? 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds?? Congratulations to you all!!! (Yes, I will answer these questions for myself in a few days... takes me a while to ponder). This has been an incredible journey and I am thankful that you all have been a part of it with me... it sure helps to have others beside you who truly understand. B

1. How much weight have you lost total? ~~ Since the day of surgery 100lbs as of this morning. And that is what I count. But from my highest weight a total of 112. 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)?? I don't even know. High school for sure but being overweight in high school, you don't step on a scale too often ya know... 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career?? the way you get treated by strangers??? by friends???? by family???? ~~ Well, having moved from CA to AZ this year, I am not sure if it made a difference work wise since I had to find a new job anyways. My friends treat me the same but my family is getting a little weird. My sister is jealous but it is motivating her to look into the surgery for herself. And I want her to have it for my nieces' sake to help prevent them from the pattern of obesity. And my mom keeps making comments like "Don't let this go to your head" so I am not sure what that is about.... 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? This is an issue I am really dealing with right now, I always had a number in my head of what I thought I needed to be at. Now I have to re-evaluate it. So I would say right now, I would be disappointed but that feeling may change. 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds?? ~~ I usually serve just right or less. I know my limits and stop before then.

1. I have lost 86 lbs....BMI now less than 25!! 2. I weighed this much the year I started to date my husband!! 12 years ago! I was in my 20's! 3. ~Door fly open for me!! ~ People smile at me.!! ~Men hit on me and I'm married! ~ People pay be more compliments. ~I get better service every where I go! ~The guy at the gym asked me if I had a sister! ~My nieces are impressed! ~My neighbor tells me I'm beautiful. ~My son loves that I am strong and I can play basketball and jump!! ~A thin college student said she wished she could do pilates like me!! ~ .......Like me???? Amazing!! ~My husband always treated me great but now our old sex life is back Last month he bought me a diamond tennis bracelet I have been wanting! He said he is so happy that after I lost weight our marriage has just become stronger!! Unfortunately, we have watched others marriages crumble after a spouse loses weight! I remember as I gained weight how I was becoming invisible. I was not big enough for people to me rude or stare at me pre op but I slowly just disappeared! Well I'm back! 4. I am totally satisfied. I am having PS in March to rid of some excess skin and I would like to lose 8-10 more lbs but if I stayed the same I would still be so excited about the new me! 5. I usually serve just the right amount. I know how much of each food item I can eat!! AS you tell there is so much to reflect on....I could go on and on! Thanks for starting this thread B!!!! Summer

1. How much weight have you lost total? Since surgery 92 lbs. Total from my highest weight 125. 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)?? I was 17 so that would be 23 years ago. 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career?? the way you get treated by strangers??? by friends???? by family???? Everyone treats me different. More people smile and talk to me now. 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? I'm fine with my weight loss. I couldn't be happier! 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds?? Very close to what I will eat. ~Angel 255/222/130/120

Happy anniversary and congratulations to all you November babes! Life has changed sooooo much in the past year, I feel as if I have truly been reborn! Thank you, Sphinxy One, for your questionaire. It's just what I was looking for to recognize this wonderful month. 1. How much weight have you lost total? 141 lbs., from 316 to 175, my BMI went from 49.4 to 27.4. 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)? 28 years ago, shortly after we got married. 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career? I'm more outspoken at work. The way you get treated by strangers? I'm not 'noticed' anymore and I like that. By friends? To there credit they treat me the same. By family? They are just really happy for me and my husband can't hug me without saying "I can't believe how little you are!" 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? If I never lose another lb. I will be thrilled with where I have gotten. 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds?? I almost always overfill my plate or over pack my lunch bag. Hugs to you all! Kathi (P.S. I have new before and after photos on my profile)

hello, 1. so far i have lost 128 lbs. 2.20 years ago, i was 22, right before i got pregnant 3. I think it made a difference in what i put out there so naturally people treat me different 4. i would be happy but not satisfied, i still want to lose 40-50 lbs 5. i still take too much most times, but i am not sure if i am only testing myself to make sure its still working or if old habits never leave thanks sheri

1. How much weight have you lost total? 92 pounds 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)?? 1986 - I was 30 and had just gone on a massive Diet Center diet...I only stayed at this weight for about 2 weeks and I began the yo-yo back up. 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career?? the way you get treated by strangers??? by friends???? by family???? I have more energy, my family has complimented me, I'm better able to keep up with everyone, I can work longer and harder without getting so tired...I guess most of the difference has been an increase in energy that makes everything else better and easier! 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? Satisfied - I'm 2 pounds below goal - I reached goal at the beginning of August which means I've maintained for 3 months! I'm also pleasantly surprised that I did it. I have NEVER reached a diet goal in the past - NEVER. I've always quit before I got to goal. This is a first. 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds?? I'm pretty good at figuring what I can eat now. In a restaurant, I can tell how much I'll be able to eat and never overeat. Congratulations to all celebrating a birthday! Isn't it wonderful!!!! Mary B. 260/240/150/148

1. How much weight have you lost total? -----about 115 total. 100 since surgery 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)?? -----probably 30+ year, best I can figure it would have been in Jr. High. 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career?? the way you get treated by strangers??? by friends???? by family???? -----I'm not good at taking compliments so sometimes the attention is overwhelming - I've noticed that people don't wait at the top/bottom of the stairs for me to pass anymore 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? -----I'm 5-10 lbs from the doc's goal (5 lbs to fluctuate around) but I'd love to loose another 15-20, but if it doesn't happen I'd be happy right where I am now. I'm healthy and that's what I was looking for. 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds?? -----ususally at home I take what I can eat but if I'm out and everything looks good I end up with way more than I can eat. Congrats to all on their accomplishments. The year went by so fast and we've all done such a great job. good luck on the next step diane

1. How much weight have you lost total? 103lbs since surgery, 136lbs from highest weight 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)?? About 22 years ago when I was 23 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career?? the way you get treated by strangers??? by friends???? by family???? I think for the most part I am treated the same. Friends and family never treated me like I was fat and not sure that I ever noticed strangers treating me different if anything it was probably in my head. 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? I would like to lose about 15 to 20lbs more but would be happy where I am at with plastics 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds?? I don't think I over fill my plate but I eat so fast that I can never eat as much as I should.

It is hard to believe it's been a year, and the support of everyone in the November group has been so helpful: 1. How much weight have you lost total? 80 lb since surgery (98 from highest wt) 2. How many years ago were you at the weight you are now (how old were you)?? Don't remember 15-20 yrs ago? 3. Has weight loss made a difference in your career?? the way you get treated by strangers??? by friends???? by family???? Not treated differently but people notice and comment and that's been nice and motivating. 4. If your total weight loss now is all that you achieve... are you satisfied with that??? disappointed??? pleasantly surprised that you have achieved what you have??? I would be satisfies, but a little disappointed as I'd like to crack the 100 mark and get down some more and I think uping the exercise will help. 5. When you sit down to eat, if you serve yourself, do you take up a portion that is very close to what you will eventually eat??? overfill your plate??? have to go back for seconds I'm pretty good at the food thing. I take home a doggie bag when I go out and don't usually overeat (too uncomfortable!) or go back for seconds. thanks for the support 308/230/? Jan