3 Years and Life is Better and Better and Better!

Family and Friends..... As I do every year, I take a moment to reflect on the last year of my life and the good health I have. Three years ago right now, I was probably walking the hall for the third time that day after I had my life saving weight loss surgery. While by no means has it been a walk in the park, a magic pill, etc. I can honestly say it is one of the most important things I have done in my life...for sure the biggest impact I have made on my health. Although I have not lost all of my excess body weight, I have lost close to 170 pounds and holding. I would still love to lose more, but need to get more dedicated to chosing the right foods again and EXERCISING. If I make the dedication to do it, I know it will work. For all the people out there that still think that this is the easy way out, a magic pill, a walk in the park...they are SO WRONG! Just like with any other disease it is a DAILY battle especially for those of us that have developed poor habits. There is not a day that does not go by that I do not think of food...what I am going to have for lunch...what should I do for dinner....any snacks? It is an emotional battle everyday that I have to work on...afterall, I had surgery on my stomach not my brain. I am incredibly thankful for many things over the last three years....for example I don't remember the last time feeling comfortable tucking my shirt in, walking around a mall and not getting tired (I am sure Nate is finding that one hard to believe but just ask Heidi), going to a baseball game and wondering if I will fit into a chair, SELECTING to sit in a booth, buying belts and most of all...learning to love myself more and more each day so that someone else can love me back. Two months ago today, I was blessed with the most beautiful wedding day as I made my love and commitment to Nate public and legal. I still have to pinch myself and remind myself that God blessed me with an awesome companion and the love of my life. I told Nate today that I truly believe my surgery contirbuted to the steps in meeting him. If I did not learn to love myself, how could I allow him to love me. Anyway, as I close and say thank you again to all of you for your love, friendship, encouragement, support, shoulder, etc. I want to tell you a story that has had me sad all week about what the world thinks of obese people. A lady I work with told a VERY detailed story about a plane ride she took last week. I won't go into the details, but she was very obnoxious in sharing with our whole staff team about how she had to sit in a middle seat of a very crowded plane next to an enormous (and she repeated the word enormous man MANY times) man who spilled over into his seat. She then described how the man seemed to be embarrased to ask about leaving the arm rest up as some people get angry with him. She told him "no problem". Then she led into telling us how BAAAAAAAAAAAD he smelled. Shortly after take off the ENORMOUS man was making gestures that he was about to vomit. She explained in a VERY exaggerated way how the ENORMOUS man had to squeeze his way back out of the row and on his way out of the row he lost his lunch right in the middle of the aisle. She then told us how she danced around the aisle yelling how disgusted she was. Long story, short...they moved her to a new seat but it was right behind him and the new guy she was sitting next to and her talked loudly about his smell and even sprayed cologne on him from behind the seat. Despite her making a fool out of herself by making fun of this man, she had the whole rest of the team LAUGHING hysterically (including my boss who was crying because she was laughing so loud). VERY SAD!!!!! I have not said anything YET as I was so angry and am not sure it is even worth it but it made me reflect on me. THAT WAS ME 3 years ago.... - I SQUEZED IN AND OUT OF AIRLINE ROWS - I had to have the arm rest up - I could not buckle my belt - I chose the window so my body could spill over on the window and not as much on the person in the middle THAT WAS ME and this woman who does not know what it is like made fun of ME! While that is NOT me anymore, it could be again if I did not use my tool correctly or I don't jump back into exercising. EVERYDAY is a CHOICE....EVERYDAY God has given me a new day to live....EVERYDAY! I am chosing to live and live each day fully!!!! Thank you again all of my family and friends....there is NO WAY I could have done this without you and I look forward to your continued support....I will need it and cheri**** everyday for the rest of my life..... All of my love, Annie PS I had my 20 year reunion this year too....MAN WAS THAT FUN BEING THINNER!

Awwww, Annie.... I am soooo touched by this. I have tears. I am sooo glad you have been successful, and that you are is such a good place in life. Your co-worker is an ugly person. What goes around comes around, and the way she is will come back to her one day. That poor man. Anyway....Happy Surgiversary to you!!! Luv ya, Jen

Thank you.....it has been a fun, but not always easy ride.....but so damn worth it! Yes, she is an ugly person...the part I did not add in there is that VERY night in her hotel room she took an ambien, got up to use the bathroom and ran into the door and broke off two of her front teeth and had to present at a large meeting the next day.....so HA! It does come back....the good and the bad..... Thanks again, Ms Succesful herself!!!! Love ya more, Annie

congrats annie!!! you DO look fantastic. I'd do ya would that count as cheating now?? congrats again

You are an amazing woman Mrs. Nate. You have come so very far and look fantasic. Congratulations sweetie! Love ya, Sparky

Love YOU Annie you have done amazing.. and you are a wonderful lady.. inspiring.. kind and funny.. all bundled into one tiny body for coworker.. it's hard to have empathy for others when you've not walked in their shoes. I'm blessed that I've walked in many shoes and so have YOU. Don't be angry for coworker.. perhaps just say a prayer for her instead.. and be happy that we are blessed Will always love you, Rhonda

I am so very happy for you and for Nate. Even if you still had that 170 pounds, he would have been more than blessed to have found you and your heart. You need to tell him Liz (not the married one, the unmarried old maid one) says he should count his blessings, daily, by finding you and having the wisdom to ask you to marry him. You be happy and let us know when the baby announcement is happening. I just have this feeling we'll have a baby named Hawaii...

Hi Mrs. Nate: Congratulations on 3 years. And, if you are doing good with your habits -- CONGRATULATIONS even MORE. (Mine suck now... so I envy anyone with good habits or willpower). The story you told of your co-worker. Wow. I know it depens on the people... but I probably would have stopped them in the middle of the story and said softly and sympathetically... "Well, you know that man was obviously embarrassed. He never imagined he'd have such problems in life... he never thought he would have trouble washing well or fitting into an airline seat. And I am sure his embarrassment didn't help when he got sick. You know, most of this kind of stuff is a "there but for the grace of God, go I". You or someone you know could get a disease or injury tomorrow that could cause them to gain weight and have all these same problems....." However... based on the way she acted when moved to the other seat. I have a feeling this particular lady wouldn't have listened. She has obviously never had a serious weight problem in her entire life.... and probably thinks he deserves what he gets for eating all those donuts. .

Happy Surgiversary!! May the each year only bring you greater joy and wonderful blessings!

Awww Ann you forever touch my heart with the kindness of your's. I cried as i read this because we have all been there and we are so lucky to have been given the chance to get our health back. I would also like to lose another 40 pounds and if I did the right thing I know this tool would help me do that. You are such an incrediable Lady, I would love to meet you someday and give you a hug and let you know how you have inspired me in so many ways. My heart is filled with joy knowing the happiness you have found with Nate, we all want that and no one deserves it more then you! Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts, your friendship but most of all thanks for sharing "YOU" Hugs. Barb