Reflections

Hey December Crew, I know a lot of us have been down and out with old habits creeping back into our lives and little or no loss of weight recently. I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what we have accomplished with weight loss and other areas of our life. 1. What complications have you experienced as a result of surgery? NONE!! Maybe the fact that I don't dump - because I wish I did. 2. How much weight have you lost total (from your highest weight)? 113 pounds 266 down to 153 (size 22 to a size 6/8) 3. What percentage of your total weight to lose have you lost - (total weight loss/ total weight to lose x 100).... You can check the weight loss planner if you are unsure of how much you should weigh for your height. I have lost 94% of the weight I want to lose. I would like to lose 13 more pounds. 4. What has been your biggest loss (other than lbs) since surgery? My biggest loss has been the feeling of always being the biggest person in the room - and that's a good loss. 5. What has been your proudest achievement (other than lbs lost) since surgery? My proudest achievement thus far has been the will power and compliance with the rules I've been able to have, up until this month. Of course, I've made a committment to Brooke that those days are gone!! 6. What is next goal (other than lbs)??? Go back to working out at the gym to do strength and cardio training. I quit going at the beginning of the summer and need to go back. Looking forward to hearing from you.... Boy, time does fly when you are having fun!!! Candy 266/153/140

Hi Candy, I totally agree with you about old habits, they die hard. I am really trying to conquer that demon. So here are my stats: 1. What complications have you experienced as a result of surgery? I HAD A LEAK WHICH WAS REPAIRED, BUT ENDED UP WITH A FEEDING TUBE, BUT NOW I AM MUCH BETTER. I WISH THAT I COULD EASILY DUMP LIKE I DID IN THE BEGINNING. 2. How much weight have you lost total (from your highest weight)? 114LBS FROM 283 down to 169 (size 22/24 to a size 10) 3. What percentage of your total weight to lose have you lost - (total weight loss/ total weight to lose x 100).... You can check the weight loss planner if you are unsure of how much you should weigh for your height. I HAVE LOST 94% OF MY BODY WEIGHT AND WOULD LIKE TO LOSE 9 MORE POUNDS. 4. What has been your biggest loss (other than lbs) since surgery? WOW, SINCE I HAD MY SURGERY I HAVE LOST FRIENDSHIPS WITH SOME OF MY FRIENDS, BUT I HAVE MADE SOME REALLY GOOD NEW FRIENDS POST-OP. 5. What has been your proudest achievement (other than lbs lost) since surgery? THAT I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO EXERCISE (NO MATTER HOW TIRED I AM WHEN I GET HOME FROM WORK) AND THAT MY STAMINA IS SO MUCH BETTER. 6. What is next goal (other than lbs)??? MY GOAL IS TO START SCHOOL THIS SPRING. I WANTED TO START EARLY BUT WHEN I DID THE PRE-ADMISSION TESTING I WAS A LITTLE EMBARRASSED THAT I COULD BARELY FIT IN THE CHAIR, BUT NOW LOOK OUT I NOT ONLY FIT BUT I HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM. ALSO I WANT TO GET A PERSONAL TRAINER TO HELP ME TONE UP TOO. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DECEMBER CREW AND LET US KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND STOMP OUT THOSE DARN BAD HABITS. FRAN 12/16/04 283/169/160

Fran, Your doing wonderful! One of my best friends name is Fran. Congrats on keeping up with your workouts and good luck in school! I'm sure you'll do great at that as well! Candy 12/15/04 266/153/140

1. What complications have you experienced as a result of surgery? I had kidney stones and I'm anemic... but it's well worth it! 2. How much weight have you lost total (from your highest weight)? 100i**** varies 3. What percentage of your total weight to lose have you lost - (total weight loss/ total weight to lose x 100).... You can check the weight loss planner if you are unsure of how much you should weigh for your height. 68% (from my personal goal) 4. What has been your biggest loss (other than lbs) since surgery? HAIR!!!!! 5. What has been your proudest achievement (other than lbs lost) since surgery? Fitting into a size 16, fitting into the desks at school, sitting in the chair at the movie theatre and not touching either side! 6. What is next goal (other than lbs)??? Be a size 14 by Christmas

Brooke, I'm right with you on the hair! Doesn't it feel great to be able to fit in chairs, seats, etc. I used to be terrified of sitting on those summer chairs at the pool - you know the ones - terrified it would break on me. You'll be a 14 by Christmas, because your doing great! Candy

1. What complications have you experienced as a result of surgery? NO COMPLICATIONS 2. How much weight have you lost total (from your highest weight)? 93 pounds, down from 294 to 201.... I was bigger, but didn't weigh myself. 3. What percentage of your total weight to lose have you lost - (total weight loss/ total weight to lose x 100).... You can check the weight loss planner if you are unsure of how much you should weigh for your height. I have lost 64% of the weight I want to lose. Still 51 pounds to go. 4. What has been your biggest loss (other than lbs) since surgery? Realizing that too much of my life revolved around food / alcohol and spending time with people who only appreciate that environment. (bars) 5. What has been your proudest achievement (other than lbs lost) since surgery? Fitting into a "one size fits all" Hallowe'en Costume (last night) was just great !!! There have been so many wonderful achievements and I appreciate them all. 6. What is next goal (other than lbs)??? Onederland !!!! Then, the Century Club.... hoping for size 12 !!! Karen G

Karen, Sounds like you've definately made some wonderful and big life changes! You should be very proud of yourself. You'll be at onederland and century club before you know it! What is your halloween costume? I'm trying to think of one - I haven't worn one in years. Candy

1. What complications have you experienced as a result of surgery? No real complications. I have been very lucky about my health since the surgery. 2. How much weight have you lost total (from your highest weight)? 159 pounds 358 down to 199 (size 34 to a size 14) I am 6' tall. 3. What percentage of your total weight to lose have you lost - (total weight loss/ total weight to lose x 100).... You can check the weight loss planner if you are unsure of how much you should weigh for your height. I have lost 90% of the weight I want to lose. 4. What has been your biggest loss (other than lbs) since surgery? Well, I have lost a good friend - food. It is impossible for food to be as big a part of my life as it was before. I think I am still grieving the loss, though less and less as time goes by. It really had been the one constant in my life - good and bad. (ok, mostly bad) 5. What has been your proudest achievement (other than lbs lost) since surgery? I am very proud of how I have stuck with the program for this long. Never have I been able to stick with a personal regimine like I have this. It helps me feel confident that I have changed my life for good. Confidence - wow, I never thought I would use the word confidence to describe myself!! Pretty cool. 6. What is next goal (other than lbs)??? There have been so many changes in my life this year that I haven't formed a new goal yet. I do know that when I do, I will have a better chance of acheiving it than I ever have before. Terri 358/199/180