How different from last year?

Hi everyone and Happy New Year. I am having those same old feelings that I get every New Year's Eve. I start to wonder what did I do in the last year to improve life for someone or myself. This year I can definatly say that my life and my family's life is so much better. Over the past year I have had surgery and (get ready for it) lost 121 pounds. We have been so blessed. I have inspired my boys to become more active. My youngest son(17) has lost 40 pounds on his own and is wrestling in High School. My husband has lost 6 pant sizes. We now go places and do things and enjoy life. How is your life different from 1 Year Ago? Now I have to start thinking about next year. So what is in your future? NO NEW YEAR'S resolutions. Having been large my whole life I gave up making resolutions a long time age. Best wishes to all of you and your families. Deb

Hi Deb! First CONGRATS on the 121 gone forever! That's a whole person! Doesn't that blow your mind? This past year has been a one of huge change for me too. I have lost 125#, my husband had surgery in June and has shed 75# so far, but he has gained so much more. His life for one. He was on a major downslide health wise and I know he added at least 30 years to his life by having the surgery too! We have this neat thing that we can share together now! Since we can't have kids together our baby is the surgery!! I have developed a wonderful sense of self confidence and self worth that I never knew I had. I deal with life in a whole new way now. My whole family has changed too. For the better. We are more active, more healthy and I enjoy life with them so much more. I have been trying to "pay it forward" too. I do a lot of volunteer work with wls patients at their classes, and developed some life long friendships that would have never been possilbe otherwise. I have seen peoples lives change in amazing ways. There is no price you can put on that, I cherish those friendships more and more everyday. So, I guess I could say EVERYTHING has changed! All for the better too. For the first time in my life I HAVE NO NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!! I am just going to keep on keepin' on and enjoying everyday that God blesses me with. HAVE A SAFE AND JOYOUS 2005! Valerie

Hi Debbie! Happpy New Year to you too!I have to say MUCH has changed for me this past year. Last December I was in the hospital because my sleep apnea was so bad. They kept track of my sleep while I was in there and discovereed I was only sleeping 3 -4 hours a night (this was WITH sleep medications). I was struggling with falling asleep at the wheel in my car, having horrible acid reflux (I aspirated several times). My joints ached so bad, I got winded going upstairs. I was maxed out on clothing sizes in the plus size departments of most stores and I was extremely depressed. I used to be a professional singer and I sang a lot in church for special music. I had pretty much given that part of my life up because I didn't want to draw any attention to myself. Needless to say, things were not good and I was very unhappy. Since than I have gone on to lose 55 pounds. I am seeing possibility for myself. I am allowing myself to dream again and have goals for my future. I am coming out of hiding and putting my heart back out there. I have even consideder singing again at some point. I am considering going back to Seattle to see my family and friends (something I have avoided for the past 3 years because I was too ashamed about my weight gain) I am looking forward and trying not to forget my past but finally releasing the hold it has had on me. There are so many things my family will be doing now. I see hiking, water parks, amusement parks, day trips, baseball games at Clipper stadium those kinds of thigs are on the horizon for us. Best of all I see my family being much healthier than we have been. Healthier foods will be the norm in my house. My children still are young enough to learn appropriate eating habits that will lead to them being healthier adults. I will hopefully have many more years to share in the best parts of their lives. Not only that but I will be doing so in a healthier body than I might have had. 320/280(surgery day)/245/145 (goal)