Contest: Free Band-Friendly Eats!

Hi Jean, I love your question! 

After a little thought I realized that my biggest dream come true would be to live a long and healthy life with husband and for us to live to see our 50th wedding anniversary at the VERY LEAST.  Not to mention our daughter's college graduation, marriage and birth of her children.  We got a late start as I married my true companion at the age of 35 and had our only child at 36.   LOL, so much for the theory of old eggs taking longer, huh?  Not long after we married though in 2001 (3 days after 9/11), I realized we would likely not see our 50th or 60th anniversaries like you see announced in the local papers.  It kinda made me sad but I figured we surely had a while before worrying about it so I put the thought away.  Now, God willing, and a bus doesn't get us, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't live that long!  I'm already off some of my meds and hubby wasn't on anything pre-band anyway!

To me heaven would be sitting on the front porch with my honey when we are both 85 years old and me STILL swatting the hand of the dirty old man I married in 2001 when he tries to cop a feel!! 

I have to echo Shelli_5's answer. My greatest dream would be have the self confidence that would attract the man of my dreams and have a child. (though it might be too late already at 40).

I guess another way to put though is I'd like to feel free. My entire life I've felt like I carried this luggage around that I let hold me back from being who I truly am on the inside. I'd love to dump the luggage and be able to run wherever I want!

Thanks for the oppourtinity to think about this, Jean.

(I'd love to try your apple butter.)

Jean,

This is such a creative idea... thanks for taking the time...

Now my biggest dream come true would be to lose the weight and be active again - find clothes anywhere that would fit - go places without the worry of *am I the biggest one here?* - and in general have more self confidence. 
I want to see my grandchildren grow up and the lapband can help alleviate the diabetes and hypertension that could rob me of the joy of growing old...

Shelia

Oh - I guess I would like the plum sauce

What a fabulous idea!  And if I were fortunate enough to win, I would be pleased to have any of the 3 items you've described.........They all sound absolutely delicious!

But see, my fear is that my dream is too simple to compete effectively with the other dreams already listed and those that will come after mine.....I have to admit that I have been so blessed in life.  I have been fortunate enough to accomplish all of my goals with the exception of controlling my weight.  I'm in my mid-50's and have had serious weight problems since my mid-20's, after having been an overweight child and teenager.  And yes, like most bandsters, I have the diabetes, the high cholesterol, the family history of heart problems that is not helped by my morbid ovesity, and on and on and on.  

Nevertheless, amidst all of this, I found the love of my life to whom I have been married for 27 years.....he's been my support through many, many up and down weight levels over the years.  I have a challenging and highly rewarding career.  I have a close knit family with many nieces and nephews who contribute a lot to our happiness.  So......I'm not saying we're perfect (far from it) but I know how to count my blessings.

So, having been given so much in life, I feel a little guilty "asking for more"...... but here's my absolute dream:    I want to walk down a beach in a one-piece swimsuit, holding my head high, not worrying about who may be looking at me with disapproval, enjoying the sand and the sea and the beautiful scenery without a care in the world.  I have not allowed myself to wear a bathingsuit in public (or even in private) in decades......and swimming and just being near the water in a "normal" bathingsuit are two of my greatest joys.

So, Jean......that's it.  I would think I had died and gone to heaven if that dream ever comes true.....and even though I'm only one month out from my surgery, I have a lot of hope that I'll get there one of these days!

Thanks for doing this......I think we're all winners for being able to articulate our hopes and dreams with people who understand.
BB

The dream I've kept in my minds eye when I need to focus is the dream to swim with the Great White Shark....I'm not afraid of the shark, but 266 pounds in a wetsuit is just not going to happen.  I've got the paperwork to get certified for diving right beside me-I'm working on all aspects of that dream.

It's hard to visualize what "good health" is if you haven't had it in awhile, but I CAN visualize floating in the cage with those magnificent creatures.

Another dream I cannot visualize but do believe in-is knowing that the weight is not going to come back.  How wonderful is that?

 

I'm a chutney gal (but honestly, I will gladly pay for the chutney and shipping and take myself out of the running if you can spare an extra jar....LOL)

HI Jean....sounds like you are a wonderful cook!

I think my biggest dream is to look in the mirror and be totally comfortable with who/what I see. I was diagnosed with cancer at 28, had to have life threatening emergency surgery at 30 and buried a child at 31. I have been thru more in a few years time than most people in a lifetime. Now, I'm not saying that losing weight is going to solve all my problems, but I hope that when I see that person in the mirror that I will look at her as a success and not a failure.

BTW Apple Butter sounds delicious!
Christy

What a cool idea Jean.  I have to say it's a hard question because there are so many answers.  The first thing that comes to my mind would be to wear a size 8/10 kick ass dress to my daughters Sweet 16 in June and making her proud to show me off as her mom.

I also know that she worries about my health because of my weight so I would like her to feel that I am healthy and will be around for her for a very long time because I will keep this weight off.

Great post as always Jean!

Michelle

My dream would be to finally give myself and accept credit for my own accomplishments.  One of the bigger reasons I chose the lap band was because I HAVE to be accountable for it.  It doesn't work on its own.  For those who have read my blog updates, I have NOT always been accountable and my weight loss has shown that.  But I have not, and will not give up.  I know it's in me somewhere to reach forward and achieve this goal.

I have been very lucky in life.  Alot of people in my life would tell you I've made that luck, but still I feel like life has pretty much happened to me and I went along for the ride, happy to be enjoying most of it along the way.  The weight issue was (and IS) something that hinders my SEXUAL self enormously, but every other part of my life is pretty much normal and positive.  Nonetheless I continue to look at it as something that has come my way and not something I AIMED for and achieved.

I'd like my weight loss success to be something I OWN as my own accomplishment.  Nobody can make this happen but me.  I look forward to that feeling someday.

P.S. Apple butter was always my dad's favorite and I'd love to win OR buy that off you!

To have the confidence to walk into a room and not feel like everybody staring at me beacuse of my weight.



Applebutter-sounds so yummy!

Jean, what a wonderful idea and generous offer!
the responses are bringing tears to my eyes..

Sandy r