Another one down on 12/19/07!

Hi all: A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL. This year, and my weight loss would NOT have happened without your support and helpful feedback this year! What a year it has been. Tomorrow, Wed, 12-19-07 is my surgiversary date, and I am REALLY emotional right now about it. So happy, so blessed, and feeling GRACE embodied for the first time in my life. Ever. Thank you. Kudos to us all! My boyfriend, sweet, loving, caring man that he is...wants to take me out to eat tomorrow to celebrate....how ironic, right? But that is how America celebrates milestones.... Any thoughts? I was thinking of going to a vegan restaurant in downtown Minneapolis....it's a neat low fat restaurant, and I don't eat meat, the portions are smaller, and I can enjoy a bit of a few appetizers. I am just struggling with my knee pain (we know its not arthritis now), but am still on restrictions from exercising right now until we know what it is. My next knee appointment is Friday, so we should know more. Ironic that I lost 136 lbs only to have serious knee pain and swelling....I STILL remain grateful tho! Anyway, I appreciate all of your support, and continue to ask for it..... CONGRATS DECEMBER GRADS!!!! Megan

Congratulations in advance, Meg. I wish there were something that I could do to help you through the knee pain. I know just what you mean. I'm about six times older than you, so every twenty minutes, something else hurts. You've come this far, so I'm sure that you can get through supper without going crazy, just remember what the occasion is and realize that your life has changed. That doesn't mean that your BF has to adjust the way he eats, right? Just enjoy the time with him, make sure that supper is filled with conversation about your accomplishments and your plans for the next year of your new life - goals and expectations. And keep smiling. Show him your resolve, even if you go to a NORMAL restaurant... show him that you're a new person who controls what she eats and can live without overdoing it... We all have faith in you... I know I do! You've done it, girlie... Now enjoy it without taking that step backwards... You're strong! You can DO IT! We're always here for moral support... and some of us are here for IM-moral support, too!

Steve: You are too funny, thanks! I posted in your note re: your new pics too A year, a year, can u believe its been a year???? Megan

Megan, Congratulations on your one-year surgiversary tomorrow! I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with knee pain but at least you aren't lugging around as much weight on that knee as you were a year ago. Think how much worse it would hurt with all that too. Ow! I know what you mean about the irony of celebrating weight loss by eating out but we have to fit in to our society and manage to live our lives around the use of food. I am trying to wrap my head around a whole new way of thinking...like a thin person. So many times a day I ask myself if what I want to eat or do for activity (or inactivity!) is what my idea of a thin person does. It is hard trying to think like someone I've never truly been. Even though I had a six-year period in life at a normal weight I didn't eat healthy or exercise so that didnt count. Whatever you decide to do to celebrate, enjoy yourself. If it is eating out, love every bite that you take and savour it! You have earned the celebration. Congratulations! Molly

Molly: THANK YOU.....this knee pain is really a quagmire for all involved, so my PCP said she was stepping out and allowing an Orthopaed to look at me. I am excited about this MD, he is the doc for the MN Twins, and very highly credentialed. More to come on that.... Again, thank you! Megan

Happy, Happy...Megan!! Feels Great Doesn't IT... Conquering for Obesity Monster! I'm glad that we've helped eachother too! The friendship goes a long way! I'd go for the Movie / Dinner Route to celebrate... Not a "Chick Flick", but something that you can both enjoy. For dinner I would probably go Italian... lots of non-meat foodies there (cheese ravioli; eggplant, etc and BF can enjoy too. If he's on-board with the Vegan Restaurant... go for it. I only ate eggs and dairy; no meat, fish, or packaged products that contained "animals" for 3 years in my 20's so I know that there are a lot of choices for you. It's funny that I did this because my BF was a Vegetarian. I did begin to feel grossed out if I had to touch anything "dead", but after the relationship ended... I did eat a slab of ribs... My Bad! Sorry to hear that your knee is a PAIN! Hope that you get relief ASAP! Lots of Love... Ro

Hi RO! Thanks for all the great suggestions. I just got off the phone with my dear BF, and he said wherever I want to go, we will go. He LOVES this restaurant's mock duck, which I find amusing. He's a total meat eater, but loves seafood, and enjoys a lot of the soy related meals I make.....so we are definitely compatible there Thanks again, more to come!!! Megan

Megan, congratulations!! What an accomplishment!! My good wished come your way. Isn't it ironic how we've lost the weight and still have certain problems. I have arthritis in my feet and knees. I thought losing the weight would help rid myself of the pain but I still have to take 2 meds for the pain. I'm not complaining because God only knows how bad I'd feel if I was still obese but I guess we must take the good with the bad. I'm happy for His blessings. Congrats again. Kathi

Kathi: Thanks for talking about that! I have had a hard time understanding this new found health issue myself. I know that the surgery isn't a healthy life pass, but wow, this has been a struggle. I do know they are saying it is not rheumatoid arthritis, which makes me think it could be damage to my knees from so many yrs overweight, I will find out more data soon, I hope. Again, thank you and congrats to you as well! Megan

SOOOOOO.....How was dinner???? Just as nosey, as I can be... HeHeHe Ro