Thank you Georgia!!!

I put this same message out on the main board because I wanted everybody to know what a great group of folks you are down South!! I had an absolutely wonderful time!! I want to say what an absolutely fabulous time I had at the Obesity Help Conference in Atlanta this past weekend. Folks if you haven't been to one of these events you are missing out on SO much. Not only did I get to meet some of my heroes from the boards, but Bo and company delivered such passionate messages about our tool. Now, I'm from Indiana and am 12 months out almost to the day (Jan 13) and I have found myself being a bit complacent... I don't dump on sugar which is a BAD thing...I have had some chocolate and find myself snacking and/or grazing. I was getting back to some old habits and I didn't like the direction I was going! When I saw that the conference was coming to Atlanta, I thought that it would be just the kick in the a$$ I needed to make my new lifestyle my number one priority again...you know, when you first got started and you literally lived and breathed WLS. Let me tell you all, that it didn't disappoint! Not only did I meet some of the most wonderful people in the world but they understood and could offer suggestions for what I was going through. When they say you don't have to do it alone Obesity Help truly means that! The Georgia boards and Alabama Board folks showed me what true hospitality was all about! I had just gotten into the lobby of the hotel when the cutest girl says to me, "Aren't you from Indiana?" It was Tanya and her sweet boyfriend, James from the Georgia Boards. I said yes and she gave me a big old hug and said that she and James could take me to dinner at Outback where a group of them from the boards were meeting prior to the convention. They made me feel like I was a member of the family! I was sitting in the lobby and met Randall Culpepper!! One of my AMOS idols! He had driven 4 hours to come to the event!! I told him I was Vegas Deb and he gives me a big hug too and said that he reads my posts! It was a mutual admiration society! He is one of the sweetest men I have ever met and ladies, he is so handsome! I wish him the best of luck next Weds. for his plastic surgery!! Good luck, Randall! I met some of the sweetest ladies from Alabama too! They were the Pink Ladies!!! Good luck to you guys!! I have to give shout outs to Tami (Modean) - girl, I'm getting those clothes ready for you! Tanya and James, you guys are the best!!! I better get an invite to that wedding!! Shyra, Becky, Laura, Dee Dee and Lynn - like they say, "Girls, you so crazy!!" I had so much fun at the conference because of you guys!!! Damn, we got those extra tickets for being the last row to eat and WE STILL DIDN'T win (well, Patricia did!!!) Lynnda from Cali...you are such a sweetie too and no plastic surgery...you hussy! Can you see my jealousy horns. My girls saw your picture and said you should be a model!! I have to agree!! And to Patricia - the sweetheart I sat next to and who I felt we were lifelong friends...you truly are the most beautiful woman! You have the most flawless skin!!! I promise to only weigh myself once a month and drink my water!! And if those friends of yours give you any trouble, you tell them that you have a friend in Indy who will kick their butts!! Amy Williams...you continue to be my hero and inspiration!! What a beauty you are and you were just as sweet in person as you are on these boards. And Kenneth, he's a hoot! Maybe he'll learn to use that camera some day! I know I have missed people because I met so many awesome folks, but just know that you have a comrade in Indiana!! So in closing, if anybody gets a chance to go to one of these conferences, PLEASE try and attend. Not only do you meet wonderful people, but there are plastic surgeons, vendors with great products, nutritionists and motivation out the wazoo!! I flew down to Atlanta not really knowing anyone personally, but feel like I have come back with wonderful friends!! You guys are the best!! I am going to get my pictures up on picturetrail tonight, but this is the first opportunity I have had to say "THANK YOU" all so much for your Southern hospitality!! It means so much to have people know what you've been through from the farting to belching to dumping to you name it! So, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Deb

Hi Deb, thanks for the compliments. I too, felt like I came away with several new friends. I look forward to seeing everyone again. Take care, James

Deb, I am so glad you made it home safely! It was such a pleasure meeting you! I feel like I've known you forever. I hope that we can continue to keep in touch and get together again some day in the near future. Keep a look out for the invite....it will be there soon! Hugs to you gal! Tonya

I'm the one who is greatful for having been able to meet so many wonderful people! YOU ARE FANTASTIC!!!! Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments! I can't wait till the next time we can all get together!!! I'll be on the look out for your picture trail pictures!!! I LOVE to see life through everyone's camera!!! Dee Dee

Deb, When you get discouraged you fly down here and us GA gals will have you out and about doing things that folks think only can happen in VEGAS baby!!! Had a wonderful time. Loved sitting with ya at the convention. Missed ya at Bahama Breezes. We made our own dance floor and danced for about 2 hours before the gang moved on to Wild Bills!!! You would have laughed! Keep in touch with us, we will always be crazy. Lynn L

Hey, Deb! We really enjoyed meeting you!!! Can't wait to see your pics. Come back to Georgia soon! Who knows, maybe we will be able to get together at the Orlando convention. Wouldn't that be a blast? Hugs, Becky

THANK YOU, DEB! Your smile lit up the room, honey! Your willingness to share yourself is ;a gift! If you liked Atlanta in Jan., you MUST come back when Springtime brings everything into outrageous bloom! You're right about the dangers of complacency 12-months out. And you're right to seek out support. Finding out what's prompting the "old" urges and finding strategies to replace them with is key. Lovingly, Lauralyn