Time flies!!!

I just posted this on my blog & thought I'd share it with my friends here... I know you all can relate!!! It dawned on me the other day that I am quickly approaching my 6 months surgiversay!! HOLY COW!! 6 Months???? How did that happen??? AND I've lost 137.4lbs!! I haven't weighted 300 lbs since Moses was around!! Ok, maybe not that long ago but it sure as hell feels like it!!! WOW!! OK, Deep Breath!! I cannot believe the changes I have seen & experienced in such a short period of time! I knew it was going to happen but how do you prepare for it? I am still amazed every day!! Now that spring is finally here & we've been having this mini warm spell I have ditched my 2-size too big light-weight coat (the winter coat went bye-bye weeks ago) & OMG, the comments from people have been amazing!! I ride a bus to work every day & these folks have really only seen me in a big bulky coat so they were shocked the other day!! I got called skinny!! Who? Me??? Maybe not yet but I am getting there!! OMG - I AM getting there!!! I was hoping to break into the 200's before my 6 month appt with my surgeon & as of this morning that might actually happen. My appt is April 29th & I am pretty sure I can loose another lb or 2 before then!! I see my pcp on May 5th - she will freak!!! She has been so excited for me!! She suggested the surgery to me 3 yrs ago & I didn't want to do it then!! I am glad I waited - my head is in the right place now!! I was wondering how I wanted to celebrate my 6 month anniversary but I never thought I'd be going to San Francisco!! Yup, I am attending a conference for work & will be flying out on the 22nd!!! I haven't been on a plane since Dec '06 & had to buy 2 seats to be somewhat comfy!! Well, I am sure I'll still need an extender but I won't need 2 seats!!! *****ally fits into an airplane seat comfortably anyway? I am just thrilled to be able to go on this trip!!! Sounds like a great way to celebrate & someone else is paying for the trip!!! What else could be better?!!  My friend/coworker that I am travelling with said we will do something to mark the ocassion!! He is so proud of me & has been an awesome source of encouragement through the whole process!! (He was my boss when I started this journey so he was with me through the Medifast stage - God bless him!!)! I had a a dear friend of mine make a comment to me recently that made both of us choke up (we are such girls)... she said that she was amazed at the changes she has seen in me & she wasn't referring to the physical ones... she meant mental & emotional changes!! It was like I came out of a shell... I am back to being the same funny, vivacious, outgoing, social butterfly I was years ago!!! I never realized how much I had withdrawn  but it's pretty obvious now!! I am blessed that I work with a great core group of people that have known me for more than 20 yrs & they all have said that the "old Cece" is back & that they've missed her!!! I never realized how much I missed her too!!! Welcome back!!!! Cece

Congratulations on everything!!!! You have done a wonderful job. It is amazing to see the differences. Especially when other people notice. I was walking around the house the other day in my bathrobe and my daughter looked at me funny and said my goodness you are so skinny. That just made my whole day--actually the whole month. I find some of the mental and emotional changes are the most noticeable. You see yourself in a whole new way. At least that is how I feel. Good luck on your trip and have lots of fun. Your support system sounds great. Christine. 

Christine, Thank you so much!!! It is true - I really believe that if you don't have the right mental attitude on this journey you will eventually fail!!! It was a hard road getting here & I do have tough days but I just keep reminding myself of how far I've come & what possibilities lie ahead!!! It truly is amazing!!! Yes, I do have a great support system & I know I'd be lost without them!!! It is so important to surround yourself with folks who support you not challenge every choice you make!!! I am lucky!!! You are doing great - keep up the good work!!!! Enjoy those compliments - you've worked hard for them!!! I am excited about my trip...is it Tuesday yet? Cece

Cece,

 I am so proud of you!!!  You are doing so well.  The weight loss is wonderful, but even more inspiring to me is your attitude.  With an attitude like that you will get to your goal weight.  I have really come to believe it is the mental outlook of people before and after they have surgery that has the biggest impact on how people adjust to being on Medifast and the changes in your life after having surgery.  I was amazed at work at how many people at work said they could never do the Medifast diet, yet my mind set would not allow me to cheat and I think that this has transferred into my post op diet.  I will succeed and I know you will also.  

The thing that struck me reading your post is that you wrote about how much happier you are right now.  I have such a difficulty in seeing how my life could be much better (other than the health benefits).  I have a wonderful wife, 2 great boys, sisters and parents who care about me, a job with co-workers who are fun to be around and neighbors who I enjoy spending time with.  I am excited to see how my life does get better, because it will really be great.

 Keep up the great work!

 Jim

Jim, Thanks!!! I worked really hard on getting the attitude in the right place for sure & that was harder than the food issues!!! I give you credit - you were much more dedicated on your medifast program than I was (shhh, don't tell Chris or Dr Clarke)! Yes, I faltered on ocassion but eventually I worked it out & I am so grateful that I did!! Whoever says this is any easy way out needs a swift kick!!! I had trouble imagining how the weightloss was going to improve my life - I had been travelling that rough road for such a long time I never thought I'd find the way off it but I did & it is amazing!! I knew it was going to alleviate the knee pain & of course my breathing issues but to see where I am now just blows me away!! I never thought it would happen so fast!!! You will see what I mean in no time!!! Keep up the great work!!! You & Michelle will be out kicking butts & taking names before too long!!! Just think of how wonderful this summer is going to be compared to the past ones!!! It really can happen!!! Cece

Congrats !   I hope to be feeling like you one day.  Your an inspiration !.  Regards Carol

Thank you Carol!!! Don't worry - you will be there  to before you know it!!! Just keep your eye on the prize, as they say!! Anything is possible!!!! I am living proof of that (the key word is LIVING!!!) Keep up the great work - you will be fine!!! Cece

Cece, Your post brought tears to my eyes....you have done such an awesome job....and you are so worthy!  Rosemary

Rosemary, I know - it brought tears to my eyes too when I proofread it on my blog that's why I decided to share it on here!! I hope someone else who is just beginning or ha**** a rough spot could see there is hope & that anything is possible!!! I can't believe I've come so far already!!! You have been such an inspiration to me - I cannot thank you enough!! You rock!!! Cece

Cece....  That is sooooooooooooooo awesome. This is probably the first time in your life that you've actually done something for yourself and we are all so proud of you. Change is HARD... But it brings out the best in all of us.  Congratulations :) Enjoy your surgiversary... Send us pic's of San Fran...